Which license each job needs in DC
| Work | License | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| Renovations, roofing, windows, kitchens, baths for a homeowner | DLCP Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) license, plus a Home Improvement Salesperson (HIS) or designated salesperson | SCOUT |
| Larger building work | DLCP General Contractor license (classes A, B, C, G, H) or Construction Manager | SCOUT |
| Electrical | DC master licensed electrician pulls the permit | OPL License Search |
| Plumbing and gas | DC licensed plumber or gasfitter | OPL License Search |
| Heating and air conditioning | DC licensed refrigeration and air-conditioning mechanic | OPL License Search |
What the HIC license takes, from DLCP's Contractor and Construction Services page (read 26 October 2026):
| HIC requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Surety bond | $25,000 |
| Insurance | Certificate of liability insurance (no amount stated) |
| Paperwork | Home improvement contract, tax registration and Clean Hands certificate, corporate registration if applicable |
| Salesperson | At least one Home Improvement Salesperson, with a police criminal history report |
| Term and fee | 2 years for $99.00 or 4 years for $198.00; no 6-month term |
How to run the lookup in five minutes
- Ask for the HIC license number and the name on it, plus the master license number of each trade that will pull a permit.
- Search SCOUT at scout.dcra.dc.gov, which DLCP's homeowner tips name as the place to "verify your contractor is licensed".
- Search the trade license on the OPL License Search Dashboard.
- Ask for the corporate registration and proof of general liability insurance, which DLCP also tells homeowners to request.
- Look up the house in DOB's Scout permit lookup, as the Washington, DC building permit search guide shows.
Doing the work yourself
DOB's How to Get a Permit page lists finish work that needs no permit (painting, flooring, cabinets, countertops, like-for-like roofing and siding, among others). For trade work it is firm: "Only licensed DC contractors for the specific trade may apply for these permits." So a homeowner can plan a renovation, but the wiring, plumbing and HVAC permits go to licensed contractors, including the one-fixture and one-unit instant permits.
What our Washington, DC pages add
The license searches answer "is this firm licensed". Our Washington, DC page shows what DOB permits, October 2024 to September 2026:
| Kind of work | Permits (Oct 2024–Sep 2026) | Oct 2025–Sep 2026 | Who pulls it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbing and gas | 26,820 | 13,850 | Licensed plumber or gasfitter |
| Electrical | 25,131 | 12,534 | Master electrician |
| HVAC | 9,905 | 5,047 | Licensed mechanic |
| Remodels and repairs | 9,349 | 4,895 | Building permit |
| Solar | 7,204 | 3,080 | Building permit plus electrical |
| Roofing | 1,826 | 862 | Building permit |
| Fences and walls | 1,262 | 654 | Building permit |
Plumbing and electrical together were 56% of the file, which is why the trade license matters more here than in most cities. 65% of all permits were on land zoned for homes. The permit statistics page has months and seasons, and permits by ZIP code the neighbourhoods. Local permit rules: electrical, plumbing, HVAC, remodel and solar permits. Penalties and the rest of the rules: How to check a contractor's license in DC.
What this lookup does not tell you
DOB's file names no contractor, so we cannot show who pulled a permit or match firms to licenses, and it has no final inspection date. Arlington, Alexandria and the Maryland suburbs issue their own permits. A license and bond say the firm may do the work, not how its last job went.
How we know this
License rules are quoted from DLCP's Contractor and Construction Services page and its homeowner tips release, and permit rules from DOB's How to Get a Permit and instant permits pages, read 26 October 2026. Counts are DOB's permit file, read 19 October 2026: permits issued October 2024 to September 2026.
Numbers come from public permit records in 57 cities, data through October 19, 2026. Nobody paid to be on this page and nobody can.
Questions
- Does a home improvement contractor need a license in DC?
Yes. DLCP says all home improvement contractors must hold a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) license and a Home Improvement Salesperson (HIS) license, or a designated salesperson. The HIC license needs a liability insurance certificate, a $25,000 surety bond and a sample home improvement contract.
- Where do I check a DC contractor's license?
A home improvement or general contractor's business license is in DLCP's SCOUT (scout.dcra.dc.gov). Electricians, plumbers, gasfitters and refrigeration mechanics hold occupational licenses, searched on the Access DC OPL License Search Dashboard (govservices.dcra.dc.gov/oplaportal).
- Can a DC homeowner pull an electrical or plumbing permit?
No. The Department of Buildings says of trade permits, "Only licensed DC contractors for the specific trade may apply for these permits." Small trade jobs go through DOB's online instant permits, which are also issued only to licensed contractors.
- How long is a DC home improvement contractor license good for?
Two or four years: DLCP lists a 2-year license at $99.00 and a 4-year license at $198.00, and says home improvement contractors are not eligible for the 6-month term that general contractors can take.
- Does DC license general contractors?
Yes. DLCP issues General Contractor licenses in classes A, B, C, G and H, and a Construction Manager license. A general contractor doing residential work must also designate at least one licensed Home Improvement Salesperson.
Build your own list
Pick your city and the kind of work. Every firm with a permit on record, sorted by what you value.
Related guides
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- Anaheim contractor license lookup: CSLB classifications, the City's permit report and what it shows
- Arlington, VA contractor license lookup: DPOR class and specialty, the County permit search, and what the permits show
- Before You Renovate & Revamp: Essential Tips for DC Homeowners — DLCP (2026-10-26)
- Contractor and Construction Services — DLCP (2026-10-26)
- SCOUT: Verify a Business License — DLCP (2026-10-26)
- Access DC OPL License Search Dashboard — DLCP (2026-10-26)
- How to Get a Permit — DC Department of Buildings (2026-10-26)
- Instant Permits for Simple Scopes of Work — DC Department of Buildings (2026-10-26)
- Scout: Permit & License Lookup — DC Department of Buildings (2026-10-26)