What Can a Handyman Do Without a License in Stevenson, Washington (Skamania County)?

By Ray Duke, Founder of Bulletproof Handyman · Last reviewed July 2026

Washington requires all contractors, including handymen, to register with the Department of Labor & Industries under RCW 18.27 — there is no dollar-threshold handyman exemption. Registration costs $141.10 (biennial) plus a $30,000 surety bond for general contractors. You must also obtain a state business license ($50 one-time) and a City of Stevenson business license endorsement ($10). Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work require separate individual trade licenses and cannot be performed by an unlicensed handyman. Stevenson is located within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, which imposes additional federal/interstate regulatory requirements on construction projects.

✅ What You Can Do Without a License

• Painting (interior and exterior, non-structural)
• Minor drywall repairs and patching (non-structural)
• Basic carpentry (trim, shelving, non-structural framing)
• Caulking and weatherstripping
• Replacing light fixtures (not electrical panel work)
• Replacing faucets and simple plumbing fixtures (not new supply lines or drain modifications)
• Pressure washing and exterior cleaning
• Gutter cleaning and minor repairs

Common Jobs Handymen Take in Stevenson

Based on the WA threshold, handymen in Stevenson commonly take on:

• Painting (interior and exterior, non-structural)
• Minor drywall repairs and patching (non-structural)
• Basic carpentry (trim, shelving, non-structural framing)
• Caulking and weatherstripping
• Replacing light fixtures (not electrical panel work)
• Replacing faucets and simple plumbing fixtures (not new supply lines or drain modifications)
• Pressure washing and exterior cleaning
• Gutter cleaning and minor repairs

⚠️ What Requires a License

• ANY electrical work beyond replacing a light bulb or fixture (requires Journeyman or Master Electrician license)
• ANY plumbing work beyond simple fixture replacement (requires Journeyman Plumber license)
• HVAC system installation, repair, or replacement (requires Specialty Electrician HVAC/Refrigeration 06A license)
• Structural modifications or framing (requires General Contractor registration)
• Work requiring a building permit (requires Contractor Registration)
• Any work advertised as a service (requires Contractor Registration)
• Gas line work (requires appropriate trade license)
• Roofing (requires Specialty Contractor registration or General Contractor registration)
• Swimming pool installation or repair (requires Specialty Contractor registration)

Business License — Stevenson

Required. City of Stevenson Business License Endorsement

Setting Up Your Business in WA

To get paid professionally and protect yourself, register your business. LLC filing fee in WA: $180 (one-time). You'll also need a free EIN from the IRS and a business checking account.

Your Next Steps to Operating Legally in Stevenson

1. Step 1: Register your business entity. Form an LLC with the Washington Secretary of State (CCFS) for liability protection. Filing fee is $180 (+ $20 online processing). This takes 5 business days.
2. Step 2: Obtain a state business license. Apply for a Washington State Business License (UBI) through the Department of Revenue Business Licensing Service (BLS) at dor.wa.gov. Fee is $50 one-time. This also gives you your state tax ID.
3. Step 3: Obtain a City of Stevenson business license endorsement. Apply through the same DOR/BLS system for the Stevenson city endorsement. Fee is $10. Both the state and city licenses are processed in one transaction.
4. Step 4: Register as a contractor with L&I. Apply for Contractor Registration (General or Specialty) at lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/contractors/register-as-a-contractor. Fee is $141.10 (biennial). You must have a surety bond ($30,000 for General, $15,000 for Specialty) and liability insurance ($200,000/$50,000 or $250,000 combined) in place before registering.
5. Step 5: Obtain liability insurance. Contact an insurance broker to bind the required coverage: $200,000 public liability + $50,000 property damage, or $250,000 combined single limit. This is mandatory for contractor registration.
6. Step 6: Obtain a surety bond. Contact a surety bond provider to obtain the required bond amount ($30,000 for General, $15,000 for Specialty). The bond must be maintained continuously.
7. Step 7: Verify NSA compliance. Contact the Columbia River Gorge Commission at (541) 386-4010 or the Skamania County Building Division at (509) 427-3906 to verify whether your work area falls within the NSA boundary and what additional approvals may be required.
8. Step 8: Obtain building permits for specific projects. Contact the Skamania County Building Division at (509) 427-3906 (Josh Neblock, jneblock@co.skamania.wa.us) for permit requirements on each project.

Licensing rules and fees change over time, so this information may be out of date. Verify all requirements with your local licensing authority before making business decisions.