Washington DC General Contractor License (2026): Cost, Exam & Requirements
Washington DC licenses general contractors through a General Contractor/Construction Manager Basic Business License, tiered into five classes (A–E) by maximum single-contract value. It is a business (entity) license — no trade exam. Home-improvement work on existing residences is a separate license (Home Improvement Contractor) that does require a $25,000 bond.
General Contractor / Construction Manager (Basic Business License)
Issued by DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) · (202) 671-4500
Classes
| Class | Scope / limit | License fee | General liability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class EResidential | ≤ $500,000 single-contract value | — | $500,000 per occurrence |
| Class A | unlimited single-contract value | — | $2,500,000 per occurrence |
| Class B | ≤ $10,000,000 single-contract value | — | $1,500,000 per occurrence |
| Class C | ≤ $5,000,000 single-contract value | — | $500,000 per occurrence; $1,000,000 aggregate |
| Class D | ≤ $2,000,000 single-contract value | — | $500,000 per occurrence; $1,000,000 aggregate |
Fees
- License$99
- Renewal (2 years)$99
- 6-month BBL (GC/CM only)$49
- 4-year BBL$198
Exam: Not required. Business (entity) Basic Business License — no individual trade exam.
Bond: No surety bond required. The General Contractor/Construction Manager license is not on the DLCP surety-bond list. (The separate Home Improvement Contractor license requires a $25,000 two-year surety bond.) Source
Insurance: General liability: Per class, per occurrence (17 DCMR §3902): A $2.5M / B $1.5M / C $500K (+$1M aggregate) / D $500K (+$1M aggregate) / E $500K. Insurer must be authorized in DC and rated B+ or higher (A.M. Best). Policy must name the DC Treasurer as additional insured (primary, non-contributory) and give the Director 30 days' notice before cancellation/lapse. Per 17 DCMR §3902. Source
Five value-based classes A–E (17 DCMR Ch. 39, §§3901–3902). License fee is $99 for the standard 2-year BBL ($49 for a GC/CM-only 6-month, $198 for 4-year). An earlier pass cited a $654.50 total — that is a bundled setup cost (Corporate Registration, Clean Hands, Certificate of Occupancy, etc.), not the license fee. Apply via mybusiness.dc.gov.
How to get licensed in Washington DC
- Identify the license class that matches your project size and scope (see the class table above).
- Obtain the required insurance coverage and provide a certificate.
- Submit your application and fees to DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP).
- Renew the license every 2 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a general contractor license in Washington DC?
Washington DC licenses general contractors through a General Contractor/Construction Manager Basic Business License, tiered into five classes (A–E) by maximum single-contract value. It is a business (entity) license — no trade exam. Home-improvement work on existing residences is a separate license (Home Improvement Contractor) that does require a $25,000 bond.
How much does a contractor license cost in Washington DC?
The license fee is $99.
Is an exam required for a Washington DC contractor license?
No, Washington DC does not require an exam for this license.
Do I need a bond for a Washington DC contractor license?
No. Washington DC does not require a surety bond for this license.
Next steps
You know the requirements for general contractors in District of Columbia— here's how to actually pass and apply.
Sources
Related pages
Last verified 2026-06-10 · Verified from primary documents