Now that you’ve thought about your business plan, it’s time to license your business and register as a construction contractor.
Answer the questions below, then follow L & I’s step-by-step guide to complete both licensing and registration.

Do you need to be licensed with the City of Kennewick?

If your business is located within city limits OR you are conducting business activities in Kennewick: 

You will need to be licensed with the City of Kennewick as well as the state.

Will you operate your business out of your home or commercial location?

If you will operate a Home-Based business: Make sure you meet the conditions for operation. Review Kennewick’s Home Based Business to learn about operating out of your home in Kennewick.

If you will operate at a Commercial location: Make sure your business activities are allowed at that location. View Kennewick’s Commercial Zoning page to check the zoning and permitted uses of your desired location.

Will you be a general or specialty contractor?

*You must register if you do, offer to do, or submit a bid for someone else for these types of work: construct, remodel, alter or repair; develop residential property; “flip” homes; move, wreck or demolish; or related work, such as, painting or floor coverings.

As a general construction contractor: You can perform all trades that don’t require additional certification (electrical or plumbing) and can also subcontract work.

As a specialty construction contractor: You can only perform one building trade or craft in which you are registered and can only subcontract to others if your specialty job makes it necessary, such as, a plumber re-installs a toilet after you tile the bathroom. View the contractor specialty list to learn about the specialty contractor classifications for the purpose of contractor registration.

Did you know you have to be bonded and insured to complete your contractor registration?

The bond amount is different depending on your registration type: The bond amount is $6,000 for a specialty contractor and $12,000 for a general contractor. Visit L & I’s Information You Should Know to learn more about contractor surety bonds and alternatives to a bond.

Get proof of insurance from your insurance agent: You will need the $50,000 property damage policy and a $200,000 public liability policy OR $250,000 combined single limit policy.

Understand your costs before you dive in.

*Print the Time and Cost table to take with you.

Are you hiring employees?

Be prepared to answer this question when you license and register.  If you note on your business license application that you will be hiring employees, information will be forwarded to applicable state agencies to set up required accounts.  Review the Run Your Business chapter of the WA Small Business Guide to learn about your quarterly filing responsibilities.

Are you registering as a contractor for the first time or renewing/reinstating your contractor license?

If you are registering for the first time: Visit L & I’s website for a step-by-step process for
Registering as a Contractor for the First Time.
If you are renewing/reinstating your contractor license: Visit L & I’s website to Renew Your
Contractor Registration or to Reinstate Your Contractor License.

^{These tools are provided for guidance purposes and should not be used as a substitute for codes and regulations. The user is responsible for compliance with all requirements, regardless of whether they are referred to or contained within these documents.}