Does a handyman need to register in Washington?

In most cases, yes. The only small-job exception is a whole job under $500 by a worker who doesn't advertise as a contractor. Paid electrical and plumbing work needs a license or certificate at any price.

What if I hire someone who isn't registered?

L&I warns that you could be treated as that person's employer. That can bring wage, tax, workers' comp, safety, and record-keeping duties.

Can I do my own wiring in Washington?

State law lets you do electrical work on your own home without a license. It doesn't cover new buildings meant for rent or sale, or property offered for sale within 12 months after you got it. You still need the permits.

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Who can fix it in Washington? Handyman and contractor license rules

Checked October 20, 2026 against Washington law and state agency pages · General information, not legal advice

The short answer: Washington has no handyman license. But almost anyone paid to build or fix things on a home must register with the state (L&I). The only small-job exception is a whole job under $500, counting labor and materials. The worker also can't advertise as a contractor.

“the aggregate contract price of which for labor and materials and all other items is less than five hundred dollars” — Rev. Code Wash. § 18.27.090(9)

What that means for your job

Splitting a bigger job into small ones to stay under $500 is not allowed.
Paid wiring and plumbing work needs a state license or certificate, no matter how small.
If you hire someone who isn't registered, the law could treat you as their employer. Then you could owe their wages, taxes, and injury insurance.
You can work on your own home without registering, unless you're fixing it up to sell or rent.

Trades that need a license in Washington

General building and home improvement: Every construction contractor must register with L&I. There is no skills test, but they must have a bond and insurance. (Rev. Code Wash. § 18.27.020; L&I, Register as a Contractor; L&I publication F625-084-000, Hiring a Contractor, Remodeler, or Handyman)
Handyman registration: L&I has a handyman type of registration for one person who does all the work. It covers small repair jobs on existing homes under $2,000, with no work that needs a building permit. (Wash. Admin. Code § 296-200A-016(26) (Handyman specialty))
Electrical: Paid electrical work needs a license from L&I, even for small jobs. L&I tests electricians too. (Rev. Code Wash. § 19.28.041(1); L&I publication F625-084-000, Hiring a Contractor, Remodeler, or Handyman)
Plumbing: Anyone working in the plumbing trade needs an L&I plumbing certificate, permit, or trainee card. L&I tests and licenses plumbers. (Rev. Code Wash. § 18.106.020(1); L&I publication F625-084-000, Hiring a Contractor, Remodeler, or Handyman)
Heating and air conditioning: HVAC is one of the contractor specialties that must register with L&I. The electrical parts of the work fall under the state electrical license law. (L&I, Register as a Contractor (contractor specialties); Rev. Code Wash. § 19.28.041(1))
Roofing: Roofing is one of the contractor specialties that must register with L&I. Registration does not require a skills test. (L&I, Register as a Contractor (contractor specialties); L&I publication F625-084-000, Hiring a Contractor, Remodeler, or Handyman)

Before you sign with a contractor

For a home repair or building job of $1,000 or more, the contractor must give you a written notice before work starts.
That notice explains the contractor's bond. The bond covers all of the contractor's customers, so it may not cover your whole loss.
General contractors must post a $30,000 bond. Specialty contractors must post a $15,000 bond.
To sue on the bond over a broken contract, a homeowner must file within 2 years. The clock starts when the work was mostly done or abandoned, whichever came first.
Since July 1, 2026, a state homeowner recovery program may pay part of a court judgment against a registered contractor. It covers the home you own and live in, but not condos. You must try the contractor's bond first.
That program pays up to $25,000 per contractor per property, and payment isn't guaranteed. Your judgment must be dated after July 1, 2026. You must apply within 90 days after your court case ends.
If your contractor doesn't pay workers or suppliers, they can file a lien on your home. You could end up paying twice.
L&I suggests you get three written bids and don't pay in full until the job is done.

Sources: (L&I publication F625-084-000 (liens); L&I publication F625-084-000 (hiring tips); Rev. Code Wash. § 18.27.114(1); Rev. Code Wash. § 18.27.114(1) (required notice to customer); Rev. Code Wash. § 18.27.040(1); Rev. Code Wash. § 18.27.040(3); Rev. Code Wash. § 18.27.410(2)(a) (homeowner recovery program); Rev. Code Wash. § 18.27.410(3)(c); Rev. Code Wash. § 18.27.410(3)(e); Wash. Admin. Code § 296-200A-9100(2) (homeowner recovery program: residential property); L&I, Homeowner Recovery Fund)

Doing the work yourself

You don't need to register to work on your own property or the home you live in. This doesn't apply if you're fixing it up to sell, rent, or tear down.
You can do electrical work on your own home or property without a license. This doesn't apply to a new building meant for rent, sale, or lease.
It also doesn't apply to property offered for sale within 12 months after you got it.
You can do plumbing work at your own home or property without a license.
Friends, family, or neighbors may help with your electrical or plumbing work. None of them can claim to be in that business.
If you do the work yourself, you still need any permits the job requires.

Sources: (Rev. Code Wash. § 18.27.090(12); Rev. Code Wash. § 19.28.261(1); Rev. Code Wash. § 19.28.261(6); Rev. Code Wash. § 18.106.150(1); Rev. Code Wash. § 18.106.150(6); L&I publication F625-084-000 (permits))

Check a license in Washington

Washington State Department of Labor & Industries

Ask for the license number, then look it up yourself. Check that the name and the license type match the work. See how to check any contractor's license.

Common jobs: who should do them

These are the tool's answers for each job. The Washington rules above decide who may do it. Tap a job to see why, where to stop, and what to ask.

Job	Who should do it
Replace a toilet	It depends
Replace a kitchen or bathroom faucet	DIY
Replace a water heater	Pro
Replace a dishwasher	It depends
Replace a light fixture	It depends
Put a ceiling fan where a light was	It depends
Replace an outlet or light switch	It depends
Replace your old thermostat	It depends
Patch a hole in drywall	It depends
Paint a room	It depends
Replace a few cracked ceramic tiles	Handyman
Put in new flooring	It depends
Replace an interior door	It depends
Clean the gutters	It depends
Replace an outside window or door	Pro
Replace the roof	Pro

Common questions

Does a handyman need to register in Washington?: In most cases, yes. The only small-job exception is a whole job under $500 by a worker who doesn't advertise as a contractor. Paid electrical and plumbing work needs a license or certificate at any price.
What if I hire someone who isn't registered?: L&I warns that you could be treated as that person's employer. That can bring wage, tax, workers' comp, safety, and record-keeping duties.
Can I do my own wiring in Washington?: State law lets you do electrical work on your own home without a license. It doesn't cover new buildings meant for rent or sale, or property offered for sale within 12 months after you got it. You still need the permits.

Sources

Rev. Code Wash. § 18.27.090(9) — Washington State Legislature(9) Any work or operation on one undertaking or project by one or more contracts, the aggregate contract price of which for labor and materials and all other items is less than five hundred dollars, such work or operations being considered as of a casual, minor, or inconsequential nature. The exemption prescribed in this subsection does not apply in any instance wherein the work or construction is only a part of a larger or major operation, whether undertaken by the same or a different contractor, or in which a division of the operation is made into contracts of amounts less than five hundred dollars for the purpose of evasion of this chapter or otherwise. The exemption prescribed in this subsection does not apply to a person who advertises or puts out any sign or card or other device which might indicate to the public that he or she is a contractor, or that he or she is qualified to engage in the business of contractor;
Rev. Code Wash. § 18.27.090(12) — Washington State Legislature(12) Any person working on his or her own property, whether occupied by him or her or not, and any person working on his or her personal residence, whether owned by him or her or not but this exemption shall not apply to any person who performs the activities of a contractor on his or her own property for the purpose of selling, demolishing, or leasing the property;
Rev. Code Wash. § 18.27.020 — Washington State Legislature(1) Every contractor shall register with the department. (2) It is a gross misdemeanor for any contractor to: (a) Advertise, offer to do work, submit a bid, or perform any work as a contractor without being registered as required by this chapter;
L&I, Register as a Contractor — Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I)Washington State requires all construction contractors to register with L&I. State law also requires construction contractors to be bonded and insured to protect the public.
L&I, Register as a Contractor (contractor specialties) — Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I)L&I regulates 63 specialties that each require contractor registration. These specialties include roofing, painting, HVAC, tree removal, mobile home set-up, and dozens more.
L&I publication F625-084-000, Hiring a Contractor, Remodeler, or Handyman — Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I)Washington state does not require contractors to pass a competency or skills test to become registered (though L&I does test and license electricians and plumbers).
L&I publication F625-084-000 (hiring someone who is not registered) — Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I)If you do decide to hire someone who is not a registered contractor, you could be considered that person’s employer, with wage, tax, workers’ comp, safety, and record-keeping requirements.
L&I publication F625-084-000 (liens) — Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I)Heads up! Don’t pay twice. Did you know that you, the property owner, are ultimately responsible for ensuring suppliers, subcontractors and workers are paid? If your contractor doesn’t pay them, they have the right to file a lien on your property to obtain payment.
L&I publication F625-084-000 (hiring tips) — Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I)1. Verify their contractor registration. 2. Get three written bids. 3. Don’t pay in full until the job gets done.
Rev. Code Wash. § 19.28.041(1) — Washington State Legislature(1) It is unlawful for any person, firm, partnership, corporation, or other entity to advertise, offer to do work, submit a bid, engage in, conduct, or carry on the business of installing or maintaining wires or equipment to convey electric current, or installing or maintaining equipment to be operated by electric current as it pertains to the electrical industry, without having an unrevoked, unsuspended, and unexpired electrical contractor license, issued by the department in accordance with this chapter.
Rev. Code Wash. § 19.28.261(1) — Washington State Legislature(1) Nothing in RCW 19.28.161 through 19.28.271 shall be construed to require that a person obtain a license or a certified electrician in order to do electrical work at his or her residence or farm or place of business or on other property owned by him or her unless: (a) The electrical work is on the construction of a new building intended for rent, sale, or lease; or (b) The electrical work is on property that is offered for sale within 12 months after obtaining the property.
Rev. Code Wash. § 19.28.261(6) — Washington State Legislature(6) Nothing in RCW 19.28.161 through 19.28.271 shall be construed to restrict the right of any householder to assist or receive assistance from a friend, neighbor, relative, or other person when none of the individuals doing the electrical installation hold themselves out as engaged in the trade or business of electrical installations.
Rev. Code Wash. § 18.106.020(1) — Washington State Legislature(1) No person may engage in or offer to engage in the trade of plumbing without having a journey level certificate, specialty certificate, residential service certificate, temporary permit, or trainee certificate and photo identification in his or her possession.
Rev. Code Wash. § 18.106.150(1) — Washington State Legislature(1) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require that a person obtain a license in order to do plumbing work at his or her residence or farm or place of business or on other property owned by him or her.
Rev. Code Wash. § 18.106.150(6) — Washington State Legislature(6) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to restrict the right of any householder to assist or receive assistance from a friend, neighbor, relative, or other person when none of the individuals doing such plumbing hold themselves out as engaged in the trade or business of plumbing.
Rev. Code Wash. § 18.27.114(1) — Washington State Legislature(1) Any contractor agreeing to perform any contracting project: (a) For the repair, alteration, or construction of four or fewer residential units or accessory structures on such residential property when the bid or contract price totals one thousand dollars or more;
Rev. Code Wash. § 18.27.114(1) (required notice to customer) — Washington State LegislatureThis bond or deposit is not for your exclusive use because it covers all work performed by this contractor. The bond or deposit is intended to pay valid claims up to . . . . . that you and other customers, suppliers, subcontractors, or taxing authorities may have.
Rev. Code Wash. § 18.27.040(1) — Washington State Legislaturein the sum of $30,000 if the applicant is a general contractor or $15,000 if the applicant is a specialty contractor.
Rev. Code Wash. § 18.27.040(3) — Washington State LegislatureAction upon the bond or deposit brought by a residential homeowner for breach of contract by a party to the construction contract shall be commenced by filing the summons and complaint with the clerk of the appropriate superior court within two years from the date the claimed contract work was substantially completed or abandoned, whichever occurred first.
L&I publication F625-084-000 (permits) — Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I)Your contractor should obtain all the necessary permits. If you do the work youself, you need to check which permits are required and obtain them if necessary.
Rev. Code Wash. § 18.27.410(2)(a) (homeowner recovery program) — Washington State Legislature(2)(a) Beginning July 1, 2026, a person is eligible to recover from the homeowner recovery program, provided that each of the following conditions is satisfied: (i) The person is a claimant with a final judgment in a court of competent jurisdiction against a registered contractor for a claim brought under RCW 18.27.040(3) on his or her primary residence. For purposes of a claim brought on a multifamily dwelling consisting of more than one unit, only the unit in which the claimant actually resides is considered the claimant's primary residence; (ii) The judgment specifies the actual damages suffered as a consequence of such a claim; (iii) The claimant has proceeded against any existing bond covering the contractor; (iv) The judgment has not been satisfied in full; and (v) An application for recovery under (b) of this subsection is made within 90 days after the conclusion of the civil action brought under RCW 18.27.040(3).
Rev. Code Wash. § 18.27.410(3)(c) — Washington State Legislature(c) Payment from the account may not exceed $25,000 per contractor per parcel, or the amount unpaid on the judgment, whichever is less.
Rev. Code Wash. § 18.27.410(3)(e) — Washington State Legislature(e) Eligibility for payment under subsection (2) of this section does not create a right to payment under this section. Payments under this section are discretionary.
Wash. Admin. Code § 296-200A-016(26) (Handyman specialty) — Washington State Legislature"Handyman"—A contractor in this specialty must be an individual who does all work personally without employees or other specialty contractors. A handyman may perform more than one unrelated specialty trade or craft provided they do all work themselves. All work shall be limited to minor and casual work of existing residential maintenance and repair with a total dollar value of time and materials under two thousand dollars. Work requiring a building permit may not be done by this specialty. If the registered contractor is a corporation or limited liability company (LLC), one person must be identified as a handyman. Work in this specialty may also require plumber certification per chapter 18.106 RCW and/or an electrical license per chapter 19.28 RCW.
Wash. Admin. Code § 296-200A-9100(2) (homeowner recovery program: residential property) — Washington State Legislature(2) "Residential property" means a single-family dwelling, or a multifamily dwelling consisting of four or fewer units, but does not include a condominium.
L&I, Homeowner Recovery Fund — Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I)File a summons and complaint in superior court and get a final judgment against the contractor. (Note: The judgment must be ordered after July 1, 2026).

Checked October 20, 2026. We used AI-assisted research, then separate review passes that tried to prove each claim wrong against the law and agency pages above. This is general information, not legal advice. Rules can change; confirm with the state board or your local building department before you hire or start work. See a mistake? Email [email protected].

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