Not yet re-checked against the DC Dept of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs; verify before relying on it.
District of Columbia subcontractor insurance & compliance requirements
If you're a general contractor hiring subcontractors in District of Columbia, here are the certificates and documents you should collect and keep current, and how TradeGuard tracks them automatically.
Documents to collect from subcontractors in District of Columbia
The core compliance documents a GC should require and keep current for each sub.
State-issued contractor license or registration.
Certificate of Insurance for General Liability coverage.
Certificate showing workers' comp for the sub's employees. Who must carry it depends on the state and the number of employees.
Used to report what you pay the sub on Form 1099-NEC. For payments made in 2026 or later the IRS reporting threshold is $2,000 (it was $600).
Some owners and contracts require it, and some states require it on public projects.
Some owners and contracts require it for site supervisors.
Public owners require one on larger public contracts; the threshold depends on the owner and the state.
Public owners usually require it alongside the performance bond.
Often required with a bid on public work; it backs the bidder's promise to sign the contract at the bid price.
The bond the state requires for a contractor's license or registration; ask the sub for a copy.
DC requires a General Contractor license from DCRA (Dept of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs) for construction work. All subs must also be licensed.
District of Columbia is under federal OSHA jurisdiction.
Bond required with license application
- DCRA: DC Dept of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs
- DOES: DC Dept of Employment Services
Summary for District of Columbia
DC requires licensing for all contractors. Federal OSHA applies. Workers comp required.
Track all of this automatically in District of Columbia
TradeGuard asks each sub for these documents through an upload link and shows what's missing for District of Columbia, with alerts before anything expires.
No credit card required · Cancel anytime · See how COI tracking works
District of Columbia compliance FAQ
Do subcontractors need a contractor license in District of Columbia?+
DC requires a General Contractor license from DCRA (Dept of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs) for construction work. All subs must also be licensed.
Does District of Columbia follow federal OSHA or a state OSHA plan?+
District of Columbia is covered by federal OSHA. Subcontractors on active job sites are typically expected to carry OSHA 10/30 training.
Is a surety bond required for contractors in District of Columbia?+
Yes. Bond required with license application
This page is general information, not legal advice. Requirements change; confirm current rules with the relevant District of Columbia agencies before relying on them.