- 220 Washington DC Master Electrician
- 300 Washington DC Master Gas Pipe Fitter
- 301 Washington DC Journeyman Gas Pipe Fitter
- 302 Washington DC Journeyman Plumber
- 303 Washington DC Master Plumber
- 304 Washington DC Master Plumber with Gas
- 307 Washington DC Journeyman Electrician
- 309 Washington DC Low-voltage Electrician
- 310 Washington DC Journeyman Plumber with Gas
- 311 Washington DC Master A/C & Refrigeration Mechanical Unlimited
- 312 Washington DC Journeyman Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
- 313 Washington DC First Class Stationary Boilers
- 314 Washington DC Second Class Stationary Boilers
- 322 Washington DC Master Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic Limited
- 323 Washington DC Third Class Stationary Boilers
- 328 Washington DC Class 5A Boiler Operator 25 Horsepower or Less
- 335 Washington DC Sixth Class Stationary Boilers
- 338 Washington DC Journeyman Sign Electrician
- National Residential Fire Sprinkler Design and Installation W33
- National Residential Fire Sprinkler Design/Installation 680
- National Standard Building Contractor
- National Standard Building Contractor (B)
- National Standard Building Contractor (B)
- National Standard Fire Suppression Installer/Worker N35
- National Standard General Building
- National Standard General Building Contractor (A) 614
- National Standard General Building Contractor (A) F11
- National Standard General Building Contractor (A) W11
- National Standard Journeyman Electrician
- National Standard Journeyman Electrician
- National Standard Journeyman Electrician
- National Standard Journeyman Gas Pipe Fitter 34
- National Standard Journeyman Mechanical 31
- National Standard Journeyman Mechanical 671
- National Standard Journeyman Mechanical N31
- National Standard Journeyman Plumber 673
- National Standard Journeyman Plumber W25
- National Standard Journeyman Plumber with Gas Piping 675
- National Standard Master Electrician
- National Standard Master Electrician
- National Standard Master Electrician 701
- National Standard Master Mechanical
- National Standard Master Mechanical
- National Standard Master Mechanical W29
- National Standard Master Plumber
- National Standard Master Plumber 672
- National Standard Master Plumber with Gas 674
- National Standard Residential Building Contractor
- National Standard Residential Building Contractor (C)
- National Standard Residential Building Contractor (C)
- National Standard Residential Electrician
- National Standard Residential Electrician 824
- National Standard Residential Mechanical Class C 32
- National Standard Residential Mechanical Class C 679
- National Standard Residential Plumber 676
- National Standard Roofing Contractor/Subcontractor N14
- National Standard Roofing Contractor/Subcontractor W14
- National Standard Shingle Roofing N15
Construction Work Regulated?
Home Improvement Contractors perform work involving the repair, remodeling, alteration, conversion, modernization, or expansion of residential properties.General Contractors and Construction Managers are responsible for the construction, remodeling, repair, improvement, demolition, or expansion of both residential and commercial properties.
Electrical Contractors, Elevator Mechanics and Inspectors, Plumbers, and Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technicians perform work related to the installation, maintenance, alteration, repair, replacement, removal, and inspection of systems and equipment within their respective trades.
An examination is required for all Master and Journeyman license classifications in the District of Columbia, except for applicants who qualify for a Journeyman license through an approved examination waiver process.
Applications, instructions, and licensing forms are available through the District of Columbia Board of Industrial Trades.
Who Regulates Construction?
The District of Columbia Department of Buildings oversees a wide range of construction and property-related programs, including building inspections, code enforcement, construction code compliance, green building initiatives, permitting, rental property maintenance standards, surveying, third-party inspections, vacant and blighted property enforcement, and zoning administration.Information regarding applications, permits, licensing, and regulatory requirements may be obtained through the Department of Buildings.
District of Columbia Department of Building
1100 4th Street South West
Washington, DC 20024
(202) 671-3500
https://dcra.dc.gov
The District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) is responsible for business licensing, consumer protection, corporate registrations and filings, regulatory enforcement, and occupational and professional licensing.
Within the DLCP, the District of Columbia Board of Industrial Trades oversees the licensing of Electricians, Plumbers and Gasfitters, Elevator Mechanics, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanics, Asbestos Workers, and Steam and Operating Engineers.
Application forms, licensing requirements, and additional information may be obtained through the District of Columbia Board of Industrial Trades.
District of Columbia Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Occupational and Professional Licensing Administration
Board of Industrial Trades
1100 4th Street South West
Washington, DC 20024
Electrical: (877) 258-9215
Elevator Trades, Plumbing: (877) 540-5829
Refrigeration & Air Mechanic: (877) 540-5834
https://www.dcopla.com/trades
Requirements?
Home Improvement Contractor License (No Examination Required)Applicants for a Home Improvement Contractor license must provide:
A Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) or Social Security Number (SSN)
A Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) or Home Occupation Permit (HOP), if the business is located in the District of Columbia
Proof of business registration and good standing, as applicable
A Combined Business Registration from the Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR)
Clean Hands Self-Certification
Resident Agent Appointment
Designation of one or more Home Improvement Salespersons
A $25,000 surety bond
Proof of liability insurance and property damage coverage meeting licensing requirements
Two sample home improvement contracts
A Police Criminal History Report
Any additional documentation required by the licensing authority
The total licensing fee is $288.20, including application, category, endorsement, and technology fees. Licenses are valid for two years.
General Contractor License (No Examination Required)
Applicants for a General Contractor license must submit:
A FEIN or SSN
A Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) or Home Occupation Permit (HOP), if applicable
Proof of business registration and good standing
A Combined Business Registration from the Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR)
Clean Hands Self-Certification
Resident Agent Appointment
Three copies each of at least two sample contracts, invoices, and receipts
Proof of liability insurance meeting the requirements for the applicable license class
Approval from the Investigation Unit
Verification that all subcontractors performing regulated trades hold valid District of Columbia licenses
Any additional required documentation
Minimum Liability Insurance Requirements:
Class A: $2,500,000 per occurrence
Class B: $1,500,000 per occurrence
Class C: $500,000 per occurrence and $1,000,000 aggregate
Class G: $500,000 per occurrence and $1,000,000 aggregate
Class H: $500,000 per occurrence
The total licensing fee is $654.50, including application, category, endorsement, and technology fees. Licenses are valid for two years.
Electrical, Plumbing, and Refrigeration/Air Conditioning Licenses, master and Journeyman applicants must:
Be at least 18 years of age
Submit a complete, notarized application
Provide two passport-style photographs
Document qualifying experience through employment verification, training certificates, and/or tax records
Pass the required licensing examination with a minimum score of 70%
Experience Requirements:
Apprentice: No experience required
Journeyman: Four years of qualifying experience
Master: Eight years of cumulative qualifying experience
Financial Responsibility Requirements
Applicants must certify compliance with the District's Clean Hands Before Receiving a License or Permit Act and verify that they have no outstanding obligations to the District government, including delinquent child support or other qualifying debts.
Bonding Requirements
To protect consumers and ensure contractor compliance, the Occupational and Professional Licensing Administration requires contractors and designated master license holders to maintain the applicable bonding requirements established for their license classification.