Do you need a license to be a carpenter in Washington?
No. Washington doesn't license carpenters as a trade. Contractors must register with Washington L&I, Contractor Registration. Carpentry work falls under Specialty contractor (one trade, e.g. carpentry).
State registration · By ChiselJobs Team · Updated
In short
Washington does not license carpenters, but anyone doing paid construction work must register with the Department of Labor and Industries. General contractors post a $30,000 bond, and specialty contractors working in one trade, such as carpentry, post $15,000; both amounts took effect July 1, 2024. Registrants also carry liability insurance of $200,000 public liability and $50,000 property damage, or $250,000 combined. There is no exam or experience requirement, and the application costs $150.20. The registration also covers home improvement work. Washington follows the 2021 IRC and IBC with state amendments. L&I also registers apprenticeships.
Key facts
| Carpenter license | No |
| Licensing level | State registration |
| General contractor license | General contractor registration |
| Residential contractor license | General contractor registration |
| Home improvement registration | Covered |
| When a license is needed | All paid construction work |
| Carpentry classification | Specialty contractor (one trade, e.g. carpentry) |
| Exam | No |
| Experience | None |
| Fees | Application $150.20 |
| Bond / insurance | Bond: general $30,000, specialty $15,000; liability $200k/$50k or $250k combined |
| Local license | No (state license covers) |
| Board | Washington L&I, Contractor Registration |
Bond and insurance
| Bond minimum | $15,000 (specialty contractor) |
| Insurance minimum | $200k public liability + $50k property damage, or $250k combined |
General contractor bond $30,000; specialty $15,000 (amounts raised July 1, 2024). Assignment of savings accepted instead of bond. L&I must be certificate holder on the insurance.
- Source: lni.wa.gov · checked November 6, 2026
Apprenticeship
| Registering agency | State Apprenticeship Agency (L&I) |
- Source: apprenticeship.gov · checked November 6, 2026
- Source: lni.wa.gov · checked November 6, 2026
Building code
| Code in force | IRC 2021; IBC 2021 (with state amendments) |
State Building Code adopted by SBCC, effective March 15, 2024, with state amendments.
- Source: app.leg.wa.gov · checked November 5, 2026
- Source: app.leg.wa.gov · checked November 5, 2026