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Washington Landscaping Contractor License

The Washington Landscaping Contractor License allows you to do the following work:

  • Prepare and grade plots
  • Treat, condition, prepare, and install topsoil
  • Perform hydroseed spraying
  • Plant all decorative vegetation
  • Construct, maintain, repair, install and develop:
    • Landscape systems
    • Facilities for public and private gardens
    • Other areas which are designed to aesthetically, architecturally, horticulturally, or functionally improve the ground within or surrounding a structure or tract or plot of land
  • Landscaping includes installation of:
    • Nonload bearing slabs
    • Walkways
    • Areas using concrete, brick, stone, or gravel
    • Decorative wooden decks
    • Garden walls
    • Fences and screens up to six feet in height and all other materials and equipment common to the industry.

This specialty includes installation of residential lawn sprinklers (without pumps), ponds and water-features. Work in this specialty may also require an electrical license per chapter 19.28 RCW and/or plumber certification per chapter 18.106 RCW.

The Washington Landscaping Contractor License MAY NOT work with:

  • Cast in place or tilt up concrete
  • Load bearing walls for structures
  • Perimeter fencing along property lines or boundaries

Registration is NOT required for companies who only deliver material and are not installing or placing the product.

How to Get the Landscaping Contractor’s License in Washington?

  1. Establish the business type and register with the Department of Revenue:
    • Determine the business name if setting up a sole proprietor or partnership
    • Refer to the Secretary of State for information on how to incorporate the business, if starting a Limited Liability Company (LLC) or a Corporation
  2. Fill out and get a Washington Continuous Contractor Surety Bond for the required amount
  3. Purchase a general liability insurance policy for the required amount
  4. Complete an Application for Contractor Registration with notarized signatures. If unsure of how to correctly fill out the application form, the Washington Department of Labor & Industries offers help with the application and business registration to those who visit their local offices
  5. Send all the previous documents along with the registration fee to:
    Washington State Department of Labor & Industries
    Contractor Registration
    P.O. BOX 44450
    Olympia, WA 98504-4450
    It is also possible to visit a local office to deliver all the documents and fees in person
  6. Obtain a registration card from the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries after the application is processed
  7. Note that once the business has been registered, it will be listed in the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries Verify a Contractor, Tradesperson, or Business site
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