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Handyman License Requirements in Spokane, WA

By , Founder of Bulletproof Handyman · Washington rules checked November 2, 2026 · Spokane local rules checked November 2, 2026

City of Spokane license required for businesses located in or doing business in city limits; $131 + employee fees; nonresidents with <= $4,000 Spokane gross pay $0. No county general license.

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Spokane requirements

City of Spokane license required for businesses located in or doing business in city limits; $131 + employee fees; nonresidents with <= $4,000 Spokane gross pay $0. No county general license.

Source link: dor.wa.gov · my.spokanecity.org · dor.wa.gov · checked November 2, 2026

Local business license

Required

  • Name: City of Spokane General Business Registration/License (DOR BLS city endorsement)
  • Office: City of Spokane Taxes & Licenses, 808 W Spokane Falls Blvd, 509-625-6070, taxesandlicenses@spokanecity.org, via WA DOR BLS
  • Fee: $131 + employee fee ($10-$20/employee; sole proprietor & spouse not counted); reduced $65.50 renewal if city gross <= $18,000; nonresident $0 if Spokane gross <= $4,000
"The city of Spokane requires a license for all businesses located within city limits, or conducting business within city limits."

Source: dor.wa.gov · checked November 2, 2026

Local contractor or handyman license

None found on official sources

Source link: dor.wa.gov · checked November 2, 2026

County: Spokane County

The Washington rule

Regulator: Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) - Contractor Registration; L&I Electrical Program (RCW 19.28) and Plumbing Certification (RCW 18.106)

$500
Washington job-size figure

RCW 18.27.090(9): exempt is work on one undertaking/project 'the aggregate contract price of which for labor and materials and all other items is less than five hundred dollars' - i.e., UNDER $500 (not 'at or below'). The exemption is lost if the work is part of a larger operation, if a job is split into sub-$500 contracts to evade, or if the person advertises or puts out any sign/card indicating to the public that he or she is a contractor.

What counts toward it: labor+materials

"Any work or operation on one undertaking or project by one or more contracts, the aggregate contract price of which for labor and materials and all other items is less than five hundred dollars, such work or operations being considered as of a casual, minor, or inconsequential nature."

Source: app.leg.wa.gov · checked November 2, 2026

State registration

Registration with L&I required for all contractors not exempt: register business with Dept. of Revenue (UBI), surety bond or assignment of savings ($30,000 general contractor / $15,000 specialty contractor, raised July 1, 2024), general liability insurance, notarized Application for Contractor Registration (F625-001-000), application/renewal fee $150.20. No minimum dollar threshold for registration other than the under-$500 casual/minor exemption.

Source: app.leg.wa.gov · lni.wa.gov · checked November 2, 2026

Insurance and bond

Surety bond $30,000 (general) / $15,000 (specialty) per RCW 18.27.040(1); general liability insurance $200,000 public liability + $50,000 property damage, or $250,000 combined single limit (L&I), with L&I listed as certificate holder.

Source: app.leg.wa.gov · lni.wa.gov · checked November 2, 2026

Forming an LLC in Washington

State filing fee: $180.

Source: sos.wa.gov · checked November 2, 2026

What to do, in order

  1. Read the Washington rule and confirm with Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) - Contractor Registration; L&I Electrical Program (RCW 19.28) and Plumbing Certification (RCW 18.106).
  2. Line up the Spokane items listed on this page.
  3. Get your insurance and rate in place before the first paid job.

Nearby places

Rules change. This page shows what official sources said on the dates above. It is not legal advice.