District of Columbia contractor license lookup: how to check and get a license
District of Columbia contractor license lookup: who issues home improvement contractor licenses (DLCP), how to check one online, the license types, and 138 residential remodelers by county.
Do home improvement contractors need a license in District of Columbia?
| Who licenses them | DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) — Basic Business License with Home Improvement Contractor endorsement |
|---|---|
| License types | Home Improvement Contractor, Home Improvement Salesperson, General Contractor/Construction Manager (Basic Business License) |
| When a license is required | Home Improvement Contractor license required to take payment before completion on home improvement contracts of $300 or more (including multiple contracts with the same homeowner totaling $300+ within 12 months); written, signed contract required before any payment; $25,000 bond |
Under 16 DCMR ch. 8, only a licensed home improvement contractor may accept payment before work on a $300+ residential job is fully completed, and the contract must be in writing with the contractor's license number and work specifications. Licensed contractors post a $25,000 bond (or equivalent security) for homeowner recovery; work by licensed plumbers, electricians and HVAC mechanics within their trade is excluded.
How do you look up a home improvement contractor's license in District of Columbia?
- Ask the home improvement contractor for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the District of Columbia contractor license lookup run by DLCP.
- Search by license number first. A name search can return several people or companies with similar names.
- Check that the status is active or current, that the license type covers your job, and that the name matches the company on your contract.
- If something doesn't match, ask the home improvement contractor about it before you sign or pay a deposit, or contact DLCP.
What contractor licenses does District of Columbia issue?
- Home Improvement Contractor
- Home Improvement Salesperson
- General Contractor/Construction Manager (Basic Business License)
How do you get a contractor license in District of Columbia?
Licenses are issued by the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) — Basic Business License with Home Improvement Contractor endorsement. Requirements such as experience, exams, insurance and fees change, so read the current rules on the official DLCP source before you apply. Already licensed? List your business on Expert Helper to get matched with customers.
Which District of Columbia city is the job in?
How many home improvement contractors are there in District of Columbia?
The Census Bureau counted 138 residential remodelers with employees in District of Columbia in 2023. The counties with the most:
| District of Columbia | 138 |
|---|
What do District of Columbia homes mean for home improvement work?
The median home in District of Columbia was built in 1957, 59% of households rent and 33% of homes are single-family houses. 49% of homes heat with utility gas and 46% with electricity, and 1% with fuel oil.
How do you choose a home improvement contractor in District of Columbia?
- Check the contractor's license with the state or city. Many places require a home improvement license for residential work over a few hundred dollars.
- Get a written contract with the scope, materials, schedule, total price and payment schedule. Don't pay most of it upfront.
- Ask who pulls the permits. If the contractor suggests skipping a permit that the job needs, find another contractor.
- Ask for proof of liability insurance and workers' compensation, and make sure the policy is current.
- Ask for two or three recent jobs like yours that you can see or call about.
Home Improvement Contractors in other states
Sources: District of Columbia licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.