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Licenses are typically required for individuals and businesses that provide construction industry services.
This guide contains information about construction industry licensing in Washington D.C..
Washington D.C. Construction and Contracting Company Licenses
District of Columbia Basic Business License - Asbestos Abatement Business
Agency:
District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection - Business and Professional Licensing Administration - Business Licensing Division
Biennially by the end of the month prior to the registration anniversary month.
Renewals can be filed as early as 75 days prior to the expiration date.
District of Columbia Basic Business License - General Contractor/Construction Manager
Agency:
District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection - Business and Professional Licensing Administration - Business Licensing Division
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:
Yes
Insurance Requirements:
For Class A licenses: $2,500,000 in general liability insurance coverage, Class B licenses: $1,500,000, Class C or G licenses: $500,000 per occurance and $1,000,000 in aggregate, Class H licenses: $500,000 in general liability insurance coverage.
Biennially by the end of the month prior to the registration anniversary month.
Renewals can be filed as early as 75 days prior to the expiration date.
Required Attachments:
Certificate of Liability Insurance
Certificate Holder is: Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs
Police Criminal History Report
Police Criminal History Report (Form PD-70)
All applicants for a Basic Business License for the Home Improvement Contractor category must provide a certified copy of his/her Police Criminal History Report from the jurisdiction of residence. A resident of the District of Columbia may obtain a Police Criminal History Report (PD-70) from the DC Metropolitan Police Department, Police Criminal History Report Division, 300 Indiana Avenue, NW, Room 3055, Washington, DC 20001. Call (202) 727-4245 for details. A non-resident shall obtain this report from the jurisdiction in which he/she resides. All partners in a partnership and the president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer of a corporation must provide a Police Criminal History Report. The report must be no older than 30 days from the time of application. Please provide court documentation/dispositions regarding any criminal convictions(s) to avoid delay in the review of your application.
Designation Letter
Surety Bond - Home Improvement Surety Bond
All applicants for a Basic Business License for the Home Improvement Contractor category must post a Surety Bond in the amount of twenty-five thousand ($25,000) for the duration of the two-year license period. The Surety Bond may be issued by an authorized insurance carrier, or the applicant may post a cash bond with the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs.
Three (3) Contract Samples
All applicants for a Basic Business License for the Home Improvement Contractor category must submit two (2) pre-printed Contracts in at least triplicate, on the form which shall comply with existing regulations pursuant to Code and DC Municipal Regulations.
District of Columbia Basic Business License - Home Improvement Contractor
Agency:
District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection - Business and Professional Licensing Administration - Business Licensing Division
Government of District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment - Lead Safe and Healthy Housing Division - Lead Compliance Branch
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:
No
Exam Required?
Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?
No
Qualifying Individual Requirements:
Successfully complete an initial EPA-accredited, DOEE-accredited, or accredited by an EPA-approved state leadbased paint inspector and risk assessor training course;
Successfully complete any required refresher training course(s) for risk assessors;
Document completion of the courses by submitting certificates to DOEE;
Provide documentation of one (1) of the following:
A bachelor's degree and one (1) year of experience in a related field, such as lead, asbestos, or other environmental hazard identification or remediation work, or in construction;
An associate degree and two (2) years of experience in a related field, such as lead, asbestos, or other environmental hazard identification or remediation work, or in construction;
A high school diploma or its equivalent, and at least three (3) years of experience in a related field, such as lead, asbestos, or other environmental hazard identification or remediation work, or in construction;
Certification as an industrial hygienist, professional engineer, or registered architect, or as another environmental or construction-related professional;
Demonstrate the applicant’s skills are directly transferable to the job activities a risk assessor is typically engaged in, and unless provided with a DOEE waiver** for this requirement, provide a list of ten (10) different addresses where the applicant has conducted work while certified as a lead-based paint inspector, which shall include the following information:
Address of each property, including unit number if applicable;
Type of activity conducted at each property, such as an XRF survey, paint chip sampling, dust sampling, or soil sampling;
Date each activity took place; and
Signature of supervisor or other name of senior management who confirms that each activity provided took place as described by the applicant;
Pass the third-party certification exam offered by DOEE, if a passing test score is not provided from an EPAaccredited, DOEE-accredited, or accredited by an EPA approved state;
Pass the DOEE-administered exam, that tests the applicant’s knowledge of the District’s relevant legal requirements pertaining to the relevant discipline
$350 + An additional fee of $100 for applicants if non-DOEE accredited training provider certificate is submitted with this application.
Before you Apply:
Successfully complete an initial EPA-accredited, DOEE-accredited, or accredited by an EPA-approved state leadbased paint inspector and risk assessor training course;
Successfully complete any required refresher training course(s) for risk assessors;
Document completion of the courses by submitting certificates to DOEE; Provide documentation of one (1) of the following:
A bachelor's degree and one (1) year of experience in a related field, such as lead, asbestos, or other environmental hazard identification or remediation work, or in construction;
An associate degree and two (2) years of experience in a related field, such as lead, asbestos, or other environmental hazard identification or remediation work, or in construction;
A high school diploma or its equivalent, and at least three (3) years of experience in a related field, such as lead, asbestos, or other environmental hazard identification or remediation work, or in construction;
Certification as an industrial hygienist, professional engineer, or registered architect, or as another environmental or construction-related professional;
Demonstrate the applicant’s skills are directly transferable to the job activities a risk assessor is typically engaged in, and unless provided with a DOEE waiver** for this requirement, provide a list of ten (10) different addresses where the applicant has conducted work while certified as a lead-based paint inspector, which shall include the following information:
Address of each property, including unit number if applicable; Type of activity conducted at each property, such as an XRF survey, paint chip sampling, dust sampling, or soil sampling;
Date each activity took place; and
Signature of supervisor or other name of senior management who confirms that each activity provided took place as described by the applicant;
Pass the third-party certification exam offered by DOEE, if a passing test score is not provided from an EPAaccredited, DOEE-accredited, or accredited by an EPA approved state;
Pass the DOEE-administered exam, that tests the applicant’s knowledge of the District’s relevant legal requirements pertaining to the relevant discipline
Pay DOEE the appropriate certification fee required under 20 DCMR § 3322 ($350 if course is from DOEEaccredited training provider / $450 if course is not from DOEE-accredited training provider).
Required Attachments:
Valid training certificate
Credit card to pay the applicable certification fee
Certificate of Clean Hands from http//mytax.dc.gov/_/ for the applicant
Proof of experience (risk assessor, supervisor)
Proof of education (risk assessor)
DC law and third-party exam scores (inspector, risk assessor, supervisor, dust sampling technician)
$350 + An additional fee of $100 for applicants if non-DOEE accredited training provider certificate is submitted with this application.
Due:
Biennially by date of issuance.
An individual seeking certification renewal shall submit the application materials and shall pay the appropriate certification renewal fee to DOEE, in accordance with § 3322, at least five (5) business days before their certification expires. Payment of such fee shall be waived if the applicant is an employee of a District agency.
Before you Apply:
Successfully complete any required refresher training course(s) for risk assessors;
Document completion of the courses by submitting certificates to DOEE;
Pay DOEE the appropriate certification fee required under 20 DCMR § 3322 ($350 if course is from DOEEaccredited training provider / $450 if course is not from DOEE-accredited training provider).
Required Attachments:
Valid training certificate
Credit card to pay the applicable certification fee
Certificate of Clean Hands from https://mytax.dc.gov/_/ for the applicant
District of Columbia Master Electrician License
Agency:
District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection - Board of Industrial Trades
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