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The District of Columbia splits construction regulation between two departments. The Department of Buildings handles permits, inspections, and code compliance. The Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) handles all business and trade licensing, with the Board of Industrial Trades administering exams for electrical, plumbing, elevator, HVAC, asbestos, and steam engineers.
Always verify statutes, fees, and application details with the live regulator before making bidding, licensing, or legal decisions.

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At a glance

The fastest way to orient yourself in DC is to know that contractor licenses (home improvement and general) do not require exams, but all trade licenses do.
SignalValue
Home improvement contractor bond$25,000
Home improvement total initial fee$288.20
General contractor total initial fee$654.50
General contractor insurance (Class A)$2,500,000 per occurrence
Trade exam passing score70%
Journeyman experience4 years
Master experience8 years cumulative
License duration2-year terms (all categories)
Reciprocity modelElectrical only (Maryland and Virginia)

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Frequently asked questions

Pick the tab that matches your situation. Each FAQ gives a direct answer and points you to the full detail below.
You need a Home Improvement Contractor license from the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP). No exam is required, but you must post a $25,000 surety bond, carry liability insurance of $50,000—$100,000, and property damage insurance of $10,000—$25,000. The total initial fee is $288.20. See Home Improvement Contractors.
Yes. Trade licenses (electrical, plumbing, refrigeration and AC, elevator, steam, asbestos) are administered by the Board of Industrial Trades under DLCP and require exams with a 70% passing score. Your general contractor or home improvement license does not cover trade-specific work. See Requirements.
All licensing goes through the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) at 1100 4th Street SW. For trade licenses, the Board of Industrial Trades under DLCP administers the exams and issues the credentials. Permits and inspections are handled separately by the Department of Buildings. See Who regulates construction.
The total initial fee for a general contractor license is $654.50, which includes a $70 application fee, $500 category license fee, $25 endorsement fee, and $59.50 technology fee (10%). No exam is required. Insurance requirements vary by class, from $500,000 (Class C, G, H) to $2,500,000 (Class A). See General Contractors.
Home improvement contractors need a $25,000 surety bond plus liability and property damage insurance. General contractors need insurance scaled by class: $2,500,000 (Class A), $1,500,000 (Class B), $500,000 (Class C, G, H). Electrical contractors need a $4,000 bond (standard) or $2,000 (low voltage). Plumbing and refrigeration contractors need $5,000 bonds. See Requirements.
Only if you hold an electrical license from Maryland or Virginia. DC reciprocity is limited to electrical licenses through the Board of Industrial Trades. No other trade or license category has reciprocity. All other applicants must go through the standard examination path. See Reciprocal agreements.
Yes. Sub-trades such as plumbers, gas fitters, electricians, and HVAC mechanics working under a general contractor must hold their own valid DC trade license. The general contractor license does not cover trade-specific work performed by subcontractors. See General Contractors.
Apprentice licenses require no experience. Journeyman licenses require 4 years of experience. Master licenses require 8 years cumulative experience. All trade exams require a minimum passing score of 70%. Journeyman applicants may also apply via Waiver of the Examination in some cases. See Requirements.
You need both a general contractor license (no exam, documentation-based) and an electrical contractor license (exam required, bonds required). The electrical contractor needs a $4,000 bond and the designated master needs a $2,000 bond. Sub-trades must hold their own licenses. See Requirements.
Yes. Residential remodeling falls under the Home Improvement Contractor license. You need a $25,000 surety bond, insurance, a police criminal history report, sample contracts, and designated home improvement salespersons. The total initial fee is $288.20. See Home Improvement Contractors.
All DC licenses are issued on 2-year terms, but renewal dates are staggered by trade. Electrical licenses expire November 30 of odd years. Plumbing expires March 31 of even years. Refrigeration and steam expire September 30 of even years. Asbestos expires July 31 of odd years. See Requirements.

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Start with your goal

Pick the card that matches what you need right now. Each one links to the relevant section on this page.

Is licensure triggered?

Start with work type to determine which license category and department applies.

Find the right regulator

Use the regulator directory to route your question to the correct DC department.

Application and renewal details

Exams, fees, bonds, continuing education, and renewal cycles for each trade.

Reciprocity direction

Find out which boards recognize out-of-state credentials.

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Special considerations

Different roles need different things from a DC page. Use the tab that matches your situation to see what matters most before you read the full detail below.
Start with the type of work. Home improvement and general contractor licenses have no exam — the gates are bonds, insurance, and documentation. Trade licenses require exams.
  • Home improvement contractors need a $25,000 surety bond, liability insurance of $50,000—$100,000, and property damage insurance of $10,000—$25,000. No exam required.
  • General contractors need insurance scaled by class: $2,500,000 (Class A), $1,500,000 (Class B), $500,000 (Class C, G, H). No exam required.
  • Trade licenses (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, elevator) require exams with a 70% passing score and 4—8 years of experience.
  • All DC licenses are valid for 2 years. Renewal dates are staggered by trade.
  • Sub-trades (plumbers, electricians, HVAC mechanics) working under a general contractor must hold their own valid DC license.
  • Separate the no-exam contractor licenses (home improvement, general) from the exam-required trade licenses when planning applications.
  • Insurance requirements vary significantly by general contractor class — do not assume a single number covers all classes.

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Readiness checklist

Four things you need to confirm before you can treat DC as “ready” for a bid or an application. If any of these are unclear, you are not ready yet.

Classify the license type

Identify whether you need a home improvement license, general contractor license, or trade-specific license (electrical, plumbing, elevator, HVAC, asbestos, steam).

Apply the right gate test

For home improvement: $25,000 bond + insurance. For general contractor: insurance by class ($500,000–$2,500,000). For trades: exam + experience.

Route to the correct department

Permits and inspections go to the Department of Buildings. All licensing goes to DLCP or the Board of Industrial Trades.

Confirm the requirement set

Confirm exams, experience, fees, bonds, insurance, renewal dates, and reciprocity rules for the exact license category before filing.
If you can identify license type, compliance gate, department, and requirement set, you have the minimum package needed for a DC readiness check.
Use these links to jump to related cross-state comparisons and workflows.

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Construction work regulated

DC licenses construction work by category, not by dollar threshold. The type of work determines the license, and the license determines the compliance gate.
Work laneWhat triggers regulation
Home improvementRepair, remodeling, alteration, conversion, modernization, or additions to residential property
General contractingRemodeling, repair, improvement, demolition, or additions to commercial and residential property
ElectricalInstallation, maintenance, alteration, conversion, repair, removal, and inspection of electrical systems
Plumbing and gas fittingInstallation, maintenance, alteration, repair, and removal of plumbing and gas systems
ElevatorInstallation, maintenance, repair, and inspection of elevators
Refrigeration and ACInstallation, maintenance, alteration, repair, and removal of HVAC systems
AsbestosAsbestos abatement work
Steam and operating engineeringOperation and maintenance of steam and power systems
An exam is required for all Master and Journeyman trade licenses, except Journeyman applicants who apply via Waiver of the Examination. Home improvement and general contractor licenses do not require exams.

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Common determination scenarios

If you are trying to figure out where to start, expand the scenario that is closest to your situation.
Apply through DLCP. No exam required, but you need a $25,000 surety bond, liability insurance ($50,000—$100,000), property damage insurance ($10,000—$25,000), a police criminal history report, sample contracts, and a designation of home improvement salespersons. Total initial fee is $288.20.
Apply through DLCP. No exam required. Insurance requirements vary by class: Class A requires $2,500,000, Class B requires $1,500,000, Classes C, G, and H require $500,000. You must provide sample contracts, invoices, receipts, and pass an investigation review. Total initial fee is $654.50.
Route to the Board of Industrial Trades under DLCP. You must pass an exam with a 70% score. Apprentice licenses are granted without experience; journeyman requires 4 years; master requires 8 years cumulative. Both contractor and designated master must be bonded.
DC has reciprocity only with Maryland (master electrical) and Virginia (master and journeymen electrical) through the Board of Industrial Trades. No other trade or license category has reciprocity.

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Who regulates construction

DC divides construction regulation between 2 departments. Use this directory to find the office that owns the lane you need. Each entry includes address, phone, and website.
1100 4th Street SW, Washington, DC 20024Phone: (202) 671-3500Website: dob.dc.govOversees building inspections, code enforcement, construction code compliance, green building, permitting, rental property maintenance standards, surveying, third-party inspections, vacant and blighted property enforcement, and zoning administration.
1100 4th Street SW, Washington, DC 20024Website: dlcp.dc.govOversees business licensing, consumer protection, corporate registration, enforcement, and occupational and professional licensing. Home improvement and general contractor licenses are issued by this department.
1100 4th Street SW, Washington, DC 20024Phone (Electrical): (877) 258-9215Phone (Elevator, Plumbing): (877) 540-5829Phone (Refrigeration & AC): (877) 540-5834Website: dlcp.dc.govLicenses electricians, plumbers and gas fitters, elevator mechanics and inspectors, refrigeration and AC mechanics, asbestos workers and supervisors, and steam and operating engineers.

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Requirements

DC licensing requirements vary by category. Contractor licenses (home improvement and general) are documentation-based with no exam. Trade licenses require exams and experience. Expand the category that applies to your situation.

Home Improvement Contractors

RequirementDetail
ExamNone required
Bond$25,000 surety bond
Liability insurance$50,000—$100,000
Property damage insurance$10,000—$25,000
Application fee$70
Category license fee$167
Endorsement fee$25
Technology fee (10%)$26.20
Total initial fee$288.20
Renewal cycle2-year license
Additional requirements: FEIN or SSN, Certificate of Occupancy or Home Occupation Permit (if DC-based), Certificate of Good Standing, combined business registration from OTR, clean hands self-certification, resident agent appointment, designated home improvement salesperson(s), sample contracts, and police criminal history report.
RequirementDetail
ExamNone required
Application fee$70
Category license fee$500
Endorsement fee$25
Technology fee (10%)$59.50
Total initial fee$654.50
Renewal cycle2-year license
InvestigationApproval from the investigation unit required
ClassMinimum Insurance (per occurrence)
Class A$2,500,000 (umbrella)
Class B$1,500,000 (umbrella)
Class C$500,000 per occurrence, $1,000,000 aggregate
Class G$500,000 per occurrence, $1,000,000 aggregate
Class H$500,000 per occurrence
Sub-trades (plumbers, gas fitters, electricians, HVAC mechanics) working under a general contractor must hold their own valid DC trade license.
RequirementDetail
ExamRequired; minimum passing score of 70%
ExperienceApprentice: none; Journeyman: 4 years; Master: 8 years cumulative
Application fee$65
Renewal cycle2-year, expires November 30 of odd years
LevelLicense FeeRenewal Fee
Apprentice$110$110
Journeyman$110$110
Master$110$155
Contractor$120$180
Bond TypeContractorDesignated Master
Standard$4,000$2,000
Low Voltage$2,000$1,000
RequirementDetail
ExamRequired; minimum passing score of 70%
ExperienceApprentice: none; Journeyman: 4 years; Master: 8 years cumulative
Application fee$65
Renewal cycle2-year, expires March 31 of even years
LevelLicense FeeRenewal Fee
Apprentice$110$110
Journeyman$110$110
Master$120$155
Contractor$120$180
BondContractorDesignated Master
Plumbing & Gas Fitting$5,000$5,000
RequirementDetail
Application fee$65
License fee$260
Renewal cycle2-year, expires November 30 of odd years
BondContractor
Elevator$4,000
RequirementDetail
ExamRequired; minimum passing score of 70%
ExperienceApprentice: none; Journeyman: 4 years; Master: 8 years cumulative
Application fee$65
Renewal cycle2-year, expires September 30 of even years
LevelLicense FeeRenewal Fee
Apprentice$110$110
Journeyman$110$110
Master$110$155
Contractor$120$180
BondContractorDesignated Master
Refrigeration & AC$5,000$5,000
RequirementDetail
Application fee$65
License fee$110
Renewal fee$110
Renewal cycle2-year, expires September 30 of even years
RequirementDetail
Application fee$65
Renewal cycle2-year, expires July 31 of odd years
LevelLicense FeeRenewal Fee
Worker$110$110
Supervisor$110$110

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Reciprocal agreements

DC’s reciprocity is limited to electrical licenses. The Board of Industrial Trades recognizes credentials from Maryland and Virginia — no other trade or jurisdiction is covered.
If you hold an electrical license from Maryland or Virginia, check with the Board of Industrial Trades for the reciprocity application process. All other trades must apply through the standard examination path.
BoardReciprocal statesCoverage
Board of Industrial Trades (master electrical)Maryland1 state
Board of Industrial Trades (master and journeymen electrical)Virginia1 state
  • The Maryland Board of Master Electricians has reciprocity with DC for master electrical licenses.
  • The Virginia Board of Contractors has reciprocity with DC for master and journeymen electrical licenses.
  • No other trade license (plumbing, elevator, HVAC, asbestos, steam) has reciprocity with any jurisdiction.

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Types of licenses

This section lists the credential categories DC offers across its licensing programs. Use it when you need to confirm the exact license name for an application or comparison.

Contractor Licenses

  • Home Improvement Contractor
  • General Contractor / Construction Manager
    • Class A
    • Class B
    • Class C
    • Class G
    • Class H
Electrical:
  • Apprentice
  • Journeyman
  • Master
  • Contractor
  • Low Voltage Contractor
Elevator:
  • Contractor
  • Mechanic
  • Inspector
Plumbing & Gas Fitting:
  • Apprentice
  • Journeyman
  • Master
  • Contractor
Refrigeration & Air Conditioning:
  • Apprentice
  • Journeyman
  • Master
  • Contractor
Steam & Operating Engineers:
  • Engineer
  • Worker
  • Supervisor

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See also

Territories and DC region guide

Browse all Territories and DC jurisdictions for comparison.

Contractors guide

Cross-state guidance for contractors evaluating new jurisdictions.

Regulators guide

Cross-state guidance for comparing regulatory models and agency structures.
Neighboring jurisdictions with reciprocity ties:

Maryland

Master electrical reciprocity with DC through the Board of Industrial Trades.

Virginia

Master and journeymen electrical reciprocity with DC through the Board of Industrial Trades.