Washington subcontractor insurance & compliance requirements
If you're a general contractor hiring subcontractors in Washington, here are the certificates and documents you should collect and keep current, and how TradeGuard tracks them automatically.
Checked against official sources on October 11, 2026. See the sources
Documents to collect from subcontractors in Washington
The core compliance documents a GC should require and keep current for each sub.
Every construction contractor must register. Check the registration, bond and insurance at lni.wa.gov/VerifyAContractor.
Certificate of Insurance for General Liability coverage.
Washington doesn't allow private workers' comp: employers buy it from L&I or self-insure, so there's no insurer certificate. Check the sub's account with L&I's Verify tool and print its certificate of coverage each year, because a general contractor can owe a sub's unpaid premiums (RCW 51.12.070).
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.
Every construction contractor must register with L&I, with a bond and liability insurance of $200,000 public liability and $50,000 property damage, or $250,000 combined. The only dollar exemption is narrow: a single job under $500 in total that isn't part of a larger one, by someone who doesn't advertise as a contractor (RCW 18.27.090).
Washington operates an approved state OSHA plan. L&I's Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) runs Washington's state plan, covering private employers and state and local government.
$30,000 for general contractors and $15,000 for specialty contractors, the amounts L&I has required since July 1, 2024.
- L&I: Washington Dept of Labor and Industries
- DOSH: Division of Occupational Safety and Health (part of L&I)
- DOR: Washington Dept of Revenue (business license and UBI number)
Summary for Washington
Washington runs its own OSHA program (DOSH, part of L&I). Every construction contractor registers with L&I, with a bond and liability insurance. Workers' comp comes only from L&I or certified self-insurance, and a general contractor can be held responsible for a sub's unpaid premiums unless all six conditions in L&I's guide are met.
Track all of this automatically in Washington
TradeGuard asks each sub for these documents through an upload link and shows what's missing for Washington, with alerts before anything expires.
No credit card required · Cancel anytime · See how COI tracking works
Washington compliance FAQ
Do subcontractors need a contractor license in Washington?+
Every construction contractor must register with L&I, with a bond and liability insurance of $200,000 public liability and $50,000 property damage, or $250,000 combined. The only dollar exemption is narrow: a single job under $500 in total that isn't part of a larger one, by someone who doesn't advertise as a contractor (RCW 18.27.090).
Does Washington follow federal OSHA or a state OSHA plan?+
Washington runs its own OSHA-approved state plan. L&I's Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) runs Washington's state plan, covering private employers and state and local government.
Is a surety bond required for contractors in Washington?+
Yes. $30,000 for general contractors and $15,000 for specialty contractors, the amounts L&I has required since July 1, 2024.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Requirements change; confirm current rules with the relevant Washington agencies before relying on them.
Sources
Checked against these on October 11, 2026.
- L&I: Register as a contractor (bond and insurance)
- RCW 18.27.090: exemptions from registration
- L&I: Do I need a workers' comp account?
- L&I F262-262-000: Avoid liability for your subcontractor's unpaid workers' comp premiums
- L&I: Verify a contractor
- OSHA: Washington State Plan
- IRS: Instructions for Forms 1099-MISC and 1099-NEC ($2,000 threshold)