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Construction Work Regulated?

Who Regulates Construction?

Requirements?

City Exams
National Exams
City Exams National Exams

Construction Work Regulated?

Home Improvement Contractors work in the areas of repair, remodeling, alteration
conversion or modernization of, or additions to, residential property.

General Contractor/ Construction Managers work in the areas of remodeling, repair, improvement, or demolition of, or additions to, commercial and residential property.

Electrical, Elevator Mechanics and Inspectors, Plumbers, and Refrigeration and Air
Conditioning Technicians work in the area of installation, maintenance, alteration,
conversion, changes, repairs, removal, and inspections. An examination is required
for all Master and Journeyman levels of licensure, with the exception of those who
apply for Journeyman via Waiver of the Examination, to perform work in the District of Columbia. Application, instructions, and forms can be downloaded from the District of Columbia Board of Industrial Trades at https://www.pearsonvue.com/dc/industrial_trades/

Who Regulates Construction?

Home Improvement Contractors and General Contractors are licensed by the
Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA). Application information may be obtained from:

District of Columbia Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs
Business and Professional Licensing Administration
Basic Business Licensing
1100 4th Street South West
Washington, DC 20024
(202) 442-4311
https://dcra.dc.gov

Electricians, Elevator Mechanics and Inspectors, Plumbers, and Refrigeration and Air Conditioning technicians are licensed by 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 Contractors (no examination):

a. A FEIN number or Social Security Number (SSN);
b. If the business is located in DC, a certificate of Occupancy (C of O) or Home Occupation Permit (HOP);
c. A Certificate of Good Standing from the DCRA Corporations Division or a Certificate of Registration from the Office of Tax and Revenue and a Trade Name certificate from the DCRA Corporations Division;
d. A combined business registration from the Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR);
e. Clean hands self-certification;
f. A resident agent appointment;
g. A designation of a Home Improvement Salesperson(s);
h. A Surety Bond requirement in the amount of $25,000;
1. A certificate of liability insurance policy in the amount of $50,000 to $100,000. Property damage, $10,000 to $25,000;
J. 2 sets of Home Improvement sample contracts;
k. Police Criminal History Report, and
I. Other requirements must be met.

The application fee is $70, the Category license fee is $167 and the Endorsement fee is $25. There is also a 10% Technology fee of $26.20 for a total fee of $288.20. Licenses are valid for 2 years.

General Contractor (no examination):
a. A FEIN number or Social Security Number (SSN);
b. If business is located in DC, a certificate of Occupancy (C of O) or Home
Occupation Permit (HOP);
c. A Certificate of Good Standing from the DCRA Corporations Division or a
Certificate of Registration from the Office of Tax and Revenue and a Trade Name
certificate from the DCRA Corporations Division;
d. A combined business registration from the Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR);
e. Clean hands self-certification;
f. A resident agent appointment;
g. 3 copies of at least 2 sample of General Contractor sample contracts, invoices
and receipts;
h. Applicant applying for Class A license limits of at least $2,500,000 per
occurrence (umbrella) for bodily injury and property damage arising in any way
from the issuance of the license;
i. Applicant applying for a Class B license requires at least $1,500,000 per
occurrence (umbrella) for bodily injury and property damage arising in any way
from the issuance of the license;
J. Applicant applying for a Class C license requires at least $500,000 per occurrence, $1,000,000 in the aggregate combined single limit for bodily injury or property damage arising in any way from the issuance of the license;
k. Applicant applying for a Class G license requires at least $500,000 per occurrence, $1,000,000 in the aggregate combined single limit for bodily injury or property damage arising in any way from the issuance of the license;
I. Applicant applying for a Class H license requires at least $500,000 per occurrence for bodily injury or property damage arising in any way from the issuance of the license;
m. An investigation approval from the investigation unit;
n. Sub-constructions (i.e., plumbers, gasfitters, electricians, refrigeration and air condition mechanic) are required to have a valid DC license; and
o. Other requirements must be met.

The application fee is $70, the Category license fee is $500 and the Endorsement fee is $25. There is also a 10% Technology fee of $59.50 for a total fee of $654.50. Licenses are valid for 2 years.

Master and Journeyman level licenses in Electrical, Plumbing, and Refrigeration and
Air Conditioning:

To qualify Applicants:
a. Must be at least 18 years old;
b. Submit a complete and notarized application;
c. Provide 2 passport-type photos and show proof of sponsorship and experience by way of notarized employment verification letter, certification of completion, and/or tax forms; and
d. Pass an examination with a minimum score of 70%.

Experience Requirements:
An apprentice license is granted without experience. 4 years experience is required to obtain a journeyman's license and cumulative of 8 years experience is required to obtain a master's license.

Extent of Financial Screening (Financial Statements, Credit Checks, Etc.):
Through self-screening questions, applicants are asked to certify that they are in compliance with the "Clean Hands Before Receiving a License of Permit Act of 1996" (DC Law 11-118, DC Code 47-2861 et seq.) and that they do not owe any outstanding debt to the District government as a result of any past due child support payments as stipulated in the "Child Support and Welfare Reform Compliance Amendment Act of 2000" (DC Law 13-269, DC Code 46-225.17).

Bonding Requirements:
To ensure businesses and consumers are protected, the Occupational and Professional Licensing Administration requires its contractors and their designated masters to be bonded. The following is the fee structure:

Trade / Contractor / Designated Master
Electrical / $4,000 / $2,000
Electrical (Low Voltage) / $2,000 / $l000
Elevator / $4,000 / N/A
Plumbing & Gas Fitting / $5,000 / $5,000
Refrigeration & Air-Conditioning / $5,000 / $5,000

Bond expiration dates must coincide with license expiration dates.

ASBESTOS

License Type / Worker / Supervisor

Asbestos / $175 / $175

ELECTRICAL, ELEVATOR, PLUMBING & GAS FITTING AND REFRIGERATION &
AIR-CONDITIONING

License Type / Apprentice / Journeyman / Master / Contractor

Electrical / $175 / $150-260 / $150-270 / $185
Plumbing & Gas-Fitting / $175 / $150-260 / $150-270 / $185
Refrigeration & Air Conditioning / $175 / $150-260 / $150-270 / $185

*Re-exam $150; Waiver (No exam required) - $175; Exam $270
**Re-exam $150; Exam $260

ELEVATOR

License Type / Mechanic / Inspector / Contractor / Temporary

Elevator / $150-410 / $325 / $325 / $325

***Re-e xam $150; Waiver $325; Exam $410

STEAM & OPERATING ENGINEERS

License Type / Apprentice / Engineer

Steam & Operating / $175 / $150-$260

**Re-exam $150; Exam $260

Licenses are valid for up to 2 years.

RECIPROCAL AGREEMENTS
The District of Columbia Board of Industrial Trades does not currently practice reciprocity with any other jurisdictions.