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Electrical Contractor Licensing in Washington DC

Electrical Contractors working in the District of Columbia are required to hold a license from the DC Board of Industrial Trades.  Licensing is handled by the Board in connection with Pearson VUE.  Any person or business engaging in electrical work must be properly licensed, including all subcontractors and employees of an electrical contracting business.

The Board protects the health and well-being of the public within the District by ensuring that all persons have the skills and knowledge needed to perform electrical work.  As part of the licensing process, contractors are required to meet the requirements of their chosen license classification, and in some cases, pass a qualifying exam. (more…)

Reciprocal General Contractor Licensing in Washington D.C.

The District of Columbia does not have reciprocal licensing agreements with other states or jurisdictions for contractors.  This is due to the specific licensing requirements that contractors in Washington DC must follow.

Contractors who want to work on construction projects within the District of Columbia must obtain a Basic Business License from the Department of Consumer Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) Corporations Division.

The DCRA offers the following license types to contractors: (more…)

General Contractor Licensing in Washington DC

Before beginning work on contracted construction work in the District of Columbia, General Contractors, Construction Managers and Home Improvement Contractors must hold a Basic Business License from the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA).  Licenses are issued by the DCRA Corporations Division.  Additionally, some business types are required to register with the DCRA and remain in good standing with the Corporations Division during the 2-year license period.

The DCRA does not have any work experience, education or examination requirements for contractors applying for a Basic Business License.  However, they do require that contractors prove financial responsibility, hold the proper forms of insurance, and maintain an agent who is a resident of Washington DC to handle financial and legal correspondence for the contractor’s business.  There are also different license classes, which determine the amount of insurance the contractor is required to hold.  These license classes also limit the (more…)