Handyman Business Permit Requirements in Seattle, WA

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC/corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Washington State Contractor Registration (L&I)

   All contractors - including handymen - who perform construction, repair, or maintenance work for compensation in Washington must register with the Department of Labor & Industries. This is contractor registration, not a license. A specialty contractor may work only in the specialty registered and may not hire subcontractors; a handyman working across multiple trades must register as a general contractor. You need a continuous contractor surety bond or assignment of savings, general liability insurance, workers' compensation coverage if you have employees, and a UBI number from the Department of Revenue. You must give customers the Model Disclosure Statement on residential jobs of $1,000 or more and commercial projects of $1,000 to $60,000.

   Official government source

   $150.20 registration fee (same amount to renew; $70.90 to reinstate a suspended registration), plus a continuous contractor surety bond or assignment of savings - $30,000 for general contractors, $15,000 for specialty contractors - and general liability insurance of $200,000 public liability / $50,000 property damage or a $250,000 combined single limit. Bond premiums vary by surety.·Applications mailed to L&I currently take 3-4 weeks to process and activate; applying in person at an L&I office is faster. The registration card arrives about 2 weeks after activation.

   $150.20 registration fee (same amount to renew; $70.90 to reinstate a suspended registration), plus a continuous contractor surety bond or assignment of savings - $30,000 for general contractors, $15,000 for specialty contractors - and general liability insurance of $200,000 public liability / $50,000 property damage or a $250,000 combined single limit. Bond premiums vary by surety.

   Applications mailed to L&I currently take 3-4 weeks to process and activate; applying in person at an L&I office is faster. The registration card arrives about 2 weeks after activation.

1. Seattle Business License Tax Certificate

   All businesses with a physical location in Seattle or earning income from Seattle customers must obtain a Seattle Business License Tax Certificate. This includes home-based handyman businesses. The annual fee is based on gross revenues earned in Seattle.

   Official government source

   $73/year if your Seattle taxable revenue is under $20,000, $147 for $20,000-$499,999.99, $667 for $500,000-$1,999,999.99, $1,604 for $2 million-$5 million, and $3,210 for more than $5 million (2026 fee schedule), plus $10 per branch location. Businesses that start July 1 or later pay half the first-year fee.·You can usually print the certificate within 2-3 business days after your payment processes.

   $73/year if your Seattle taxable revenue is under $20,000, $147 for $20,000-$499,999.99, $667 for $500,000-$1,999,999.99, $1,604 for $2 million-$5 million, and $3,210 for more than $5 million (2026 fee schedule), plus $10 per branch location. Businesses that start July 1 or later pay half the first-year fee.

   You can usually print the certificate within 2-3 business days after your payment processes.

Official Sources

• Washington L&I — Register as a Contractor
• Seattle — Business License Tax

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