District of Columbia General Contractor License Requirements (2026)
By Gabriel Giner, Editor · Reviewed 2026-05-20 · CLR Editorial Review Desk
The District of Columbia does not issue a traditional "general contractor" license. Instead, anyone performing residential remodeling, alterations, or repairs in DC must obtain a Basic Business License (BBL) with the Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) endorsement from the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP, formerly DCRA). The HIC endorsement requires a $25,000 surety bond, a Clean Hands certificate from the DC Office of Tax and Revenue, and a Certificate of Occupancy or Home Occupation Permit. Commercial construction work is governed by the DC Construction Codes rather than a contractor licensing regime, but the BBL itself is still required to do business in the District.
The Licensing Authority
Licensing for this trade is governed by District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection — Board of Industrial Trades (DLCP), the agency that issues and regulates the credential under D.C. Official Code Title 47 Chapter 28 (Basic Business License); D.C. Municipal Regulations Title 17 (Business, Occupations, and Professionals). DLCP (formerly DCRA) issues the Basic Business License (BBL) including the Home Improvement Contractor endorsement, and staffs the Board of Industrial Trades which licenses master and journey electricians, plumbers, steamfitters (HVAC), and refrigeration and air-conditioning mechanics in the District of Columbia.
- Official portal: https://dlcp.dc.gov/
- Address: 1100 4th Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
- Phone: (202) 671-4500
Baseline Eligibility
Eligibility begins with two baseline checks: the applicant must be 18 or older and must provide a valid Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). No DC residency requirement. Non-resident businesses must appoint a DC registered agent.
Good moral character
DLCP reviews the applicant for compliance with DC tax, unemployment insurance, and consumer protection obligations.
Background investigation
No fingerprint-based criminal background check for the HIC endorsement, but a Clean Hands certificate is mandatory.
Experience and Education Requirements
The cited source set does not publish a fixed year-based experience threshold for this credential. The controlling requirement is no minimum experience or trade exam is required for the DC Home Improvement Contractor endorsement.
Accepted proof of experience or eligibility
- Completed DLCP Basic Business License application (HIC category)
- Certificate of Occupancy or Home Occupation Permit for the business address
- Clean Hands certificate from the DC Office of Tax and Revenue
Education substitution
Not applicable — DC does not require education or experience for the HIC endorsement.
The Licensing Examination
There is no statewide written trade test for this credential in the cited record; the controlling process is: None
Examination fee: No examination fee. DC does not require a trade or business exam for the Home Improvement Contractor endorsement.
Financial Security and Insurance
The applicant must secure and file a $25,000 surety bond before the DLCP will release the license.
General liability
DLCP requires proof of general liability insurance naming the District of Columbia as an additional insured for the Home Improvement Contractor endorsement.
Workers' compensation
Workers' compensation insurance is mandatory in DC for any employer with one or more employees under D.C. Code § 32-1501 et seq.
Additional financial requirements
No minimum net worth requirement. The $25,000 surety bond is the sole financial security requirement.
Fee Schedule
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application (non-refundable) | $25 |
| Initial license | $437 |
| Renewal (every 2 years) | $437 |
License Renewal
The DC Home Improvement Contractor (Basic Business License) must be renewed every 2 years. The fee to renew is presently $437. The Basic Business License renews on a two-year cycle. The $25,000 HIC bond must remain in force continuously.
Continuing education: No continuing education requirement for the Home Improvement Contractor endorsement.
Downloadable Asset
2026 District of Columbia General Contractor License Roadmap (PDF) — a printable step-by-step checklist for the application process.
Download the PDF roadmap →Reciprocity Map
District of Columbia grants no NASCLA reciprocity for this classification.
| Reciprocal State | Accepted Exam | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| No formal bilateral reciprocity agreements identified. | ||
DC does not offer reciprocity for the Home Improvement Contractor endorsement. Every applicant must file directly with DLCP.
Weighing more than one jurisdiction? The national hub compares General Contractor license requirements in every state — exam, bond, fee, and experience thresholds side by side.
The Licensing Roadmap
- Register the business with DCRA Corporations Division. File the business entity (LLC, corporation, or sole proprietor trade name) with DLCP Corporations Division.
- Obtain a Federal EIN and DC Tax Registration. Register with the IRS for an EIN and with the DC Office of Tax and Revenue (Form FR-500).
- Obtain a Certificate of Occupancy or Home Occupation Permit. Required for the business address before the BBL can issue.
- Request a Clean Hands certificate. Confirms the business owes no more than $100 in DC taxes, fees, or fines.
- Secure the $25,000 HIC surety bond. The bond must be issued by a surety authorized to do business in DC and filed with DLCP.
- File the Basic Business License application. Submit the BBL application with the Home Improvement Contractor endorsement and required fees through the DLCP portal.
- Receive the BBL. DLCP issues the Basic Business License with the HIC endorsement. The license must be renewed every two years.
Preparation Resources
These materials are drawn from the regulator's own citations and the references applicants commonly use to prepare. CLR receives no compensation for listing them.
- DC Construction Codes (2017 edition, as adopted) — DC Department of Buildings. Technical reference for permitted work in the District.
- D.C. Municipal Regulations Title 16 — Consumer, Commercial, and Community Affairs — DC Council. Home Improvement Contractor rules.
- DLCP Home Improvement Contractor Application Packet — DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection. Current forms, bond template, and fee schedule.
Before Filing: A Checklist
Before submitting to DLCP, the applicant should have each of the following ready:
- ☐ DC business entity registration with DLCP Corporations Division
- ☐ Federal EIN and DC tax registration (FR-500)
- ☐ Certificate of Occupancy or Home Occupation Permit
- ☐ Clean Hands certificate from DC Office of Tax and Revenue
- ☐ $25,000 Home Improvement Contractor surety bond
- ☐ General liability insurance certificate
- ☐ Workers compensation certificate if any employees
- ☐ Completed BBL application with HIC endorsement
Common Application Pitfalls
The errors below are the ones that most frequently cost District of Columbia General Contractor applicants time, drawn from the cited board guidance.
Skipping the Clean Hands certificate
DLCP will not issue a BBL without a current Clean Hands certificate. Any outstanding DC tax or fine over $100 blocks the license.
Missing the surety bond
The $25,000 HIC bond is non-negotiable. A general liability policy does not substitute for it.
No Certificate of Occupancy
Every BBL applicant must tie the license to a DC address with a valid Certificate of Occupancy or Home Occupation Permit.
Assuming DC licenses commercial GCs
DC has no commercial general contractor license. Commercial work is governed by construction permits and the DC Construction Codes.
Letting the BBL lapse
A lapsed BBL makes it unlawful to solicit or perform home improvement work in the District and exposes the contractor to consumer protection penalties.
Other District of Columbia Trade Licenses
Looking at a different trade? CLR also publishes these District of Columbia licensing guides:
- District of Columbia Electrician License Requirements
- District of Columbia Plumber License Requirements
- District of Columbia HVAC Technician License Requirements
- District of Columbia Roofing Contractor License Requirements
- District of Columbia Painting Contractor License Requirements
- District of Columbia Landscaping Contractor License Requirements
- District of Columbia Masonry Contractor License Requirements
- District of Columbia Carpentry Contractor License Requirements
- District of Columbia Solar Installer License Requirements
- District of Columbia Low-Voltage Technician License Requirements
- District of Columbia Fire Sprinkler Contractor License Requirements
- District of Columbia Home Inspector License Requirements
- District of Columbia Pool Contractor License Requirements
Answers to Common Questions
Does DC have a general contractor license?
No. DC uses the Basic Business License with a Home Improvement Contractor endorsement for residential remodeling. Commercial construction is governed by the DC Construction Codes rather than a separate contractor credential.
Is there an exam for the DC Home Improvement Contractor?
No. DC does not require any trade or business exam for the HIC endorsement.
How large must the HIC surety bond be?
$25,000, issued by a surety authorized to do business in the District of Columbia and filed with DLCP.
What is a Clean Hands certificate?
A document issued by the DC Office of Tax and Revenue confirming the applicant owes no more than $100 in DC taxes, fees, or fines. It is required before DLCP will issue any BBL.
How often does the DC BBL renew?
Every two years.
Primary Sources
Regulatory requirements on this page are drawn from the official board, statute, and exam-provider materials listed below.
- DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection
- DC Board of Industrial Trades
- DC Basic Business License — Home Improvement Contractor
- D.C. Official Code Title 47 Chapter 28
- D.C. Municipal Regulations Title 17
- PSI Exams — District of Columbia
Verified 2026-05-20 · Next scheduled review 2026-08-18