Washington Specialty Contractor Registration Bond
What it is & who requires it
Any contractor registering with Washington L&I as a SPECIALTY contractor — a business working in a single trade, such as roofing, drywall, concrete, painting, siding, or landscaping. The specialty registration carries a lower security requirement than the general registration, and manufactured-home installers register on this class as well.
Obligee: Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). Citation: RCW 18.27.040 (bond or other security required; assigned savings account in lieu, subsection (8)).
Bond amount
Set by the obligee — the exact amount is confirmed automatically when you start your bond in our portal, or call 317-942-0549.
How to get it
This bond is individually underwritten, so it is not issued instantly. Request a quote and a licensed producer follows up to walk you through it.
Request a bond quote
Tell us about the bond and the project. A licensed producer follows up — these bonds are individually underwritten, so they are not issued instantly.
Term & renewal
Term: Continuous — the security must stay in full force as a condition of registration; the surety may cancel only on written notice to the director, which suspends the registration.
Renewal: Continuous; the security must be on file and unimpaired at every registration renewal.
Filing
Filed with the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries as a condition of your specialty contractor registration. Washington does not require a surety bond outright — the statute lets you file an assigned savings account with the department instead, so the bond is listed here and the required amount is confirmed when you apply. The department can also require a higher amount from a contractor with a recent residential judgment on record. Plumbing and electrical contractors are licensed under separate laws and carry their own security in addition to this one. Authority is RCW 18.27.040.
Source
This bond requirement is corroborated by multiple public sources; Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) sets the exact amount, which we confirm when you start your bond.
Related Washington bonds
Frequently asked questions
- Who requires the Washington Specialty Contractor Registration Bond?
- It’s required by Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) (RCW 18.27.040 (bond or other security required; assigned savings account in lieu, subsection (8))). Any contractor registering with Washington L&I as a SPECIALTY contractor — a business working in a single trade, such as roofing, drywall, concrete, painting, siding, or landscaping. The specialty registration carries a lower security requirement than the general registration, and manufactured-home installers register on this class as well.
- How much is the Washington Specialty Contractor Registration Bond?
- Set by the obligee — the exact amount is confirmed automatically when you start your bond in our portal, or call 317-942-0549.
- How do I get the Washington Specialty Contractor Registration Bond?
- This bond is individually underwritten, so it is not issued instantly. Request a quote and a licensed producer follows up to walk you through it.
- What is the term?
- Continuous — the security must stay in full force as a condition of registration; the surety may cancel only on written notice to the director, which suspends the registration. Renewal: Continuous; the security must be on file and unimpaired at every registration renewal.
- Is this bond insurance for me?
- No. It protects the obligee and the public — not you. If a valid claim is paid, you repay the surety.
- How is this requirement verified?
- This bond requirement is corroborated by multiple public sources. The obligee sets the exact amount, which we confirm automatically when you start your bond in the portal or with a producer.
