WASHINGTON DC HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTOR LICENSING GUIDE
Do I need a Washington DC Home Improvement Contractor License?
If you are hired to repair or remodel any residential property in Washington DC, you must have a Washington DC Home Improvement Contractor License.
How much does a Washington DC Home Improvement Contractor License Cost?
A two year license costs $288.20.
A four year license costs $471.90.
How do I get a Washington DC Home Improvement Contractor License?
In order to get your Washington DC Home Improvement Contractor License, you are required to complete the following tasks.
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Select a Registered Agent
You are required to provide registered agent information when you register your business entity in Washington DC and when you complete the Basic Business License Application.
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Register your Business
If you are planning on operating as a legal business entity such as a corporation or an LLC, you must first register your business with the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP). For more information on how to incorporate or how to form you District of Columbia LLC, check out our LLC formation page and our incorporation page.
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Or Appoint a Resident Agent and/or Apply for a Certificate of Authority for Foreign Business Corporation
If you are an individual who does not live in Washington DC, you must appoint a resident agent with a valid DC street address to receive any legal correspondence from the DLCP.
Likewise, if your foreign legal business entity is applying for a DC Home Improvement Contractor License, you will also need a resident agent. In that case, you will need to submit an Application for Certificate of Authority for Foreign Business Corporation.
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For $49, Washington Registered Agent LLC offers both resident agent and registered agent service. One price. 365 days of service.
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Register with the Washington DC Office of Tax and Revenue
In addition to registering your legal business entity with the DLCP, you must also provide proof that you have registered it with the Washington DC Office of Tax and Revenue. This can be completed online at the DC Office of Tax and Revenue website.
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Obtain an EIN
An EIN is a unique nine-digit number that is issued by the Interal Revenue Service (IRS) for tax purposes. You are required to provide this number on your Basic Business License. Getting an EIN is easy, free, and can be completed online at the IRS website.
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Get a Certificate of Occupancy or a Home Occupancy Permit
Before you can submit the Basic Business License application, you must have a Certificate of Occupancy of a Home Occupancy Permit if you are operating your business from within the District of Columbia. For more information on how to get one of these, check out our Free Licensing Guide Section.
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Complete a Clean Hands Self-Certification
The Clean Hands Self Certification requires the signature of the applicant verifying that they do not owe the Washington DC Government more than $100. This Certification is included on the Basic Business License.
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Complete the Application
Like most Washington DC licenses, the Home Improvement Contractor License begins with the Basic Business License. In addition to providing information about the business entity, you will need to include additional application materials.
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Provide Police Criminal History Report
Home Improvement Contractor License Applications must provide a police criminal history report from their jurisdiction. If you live in the District of Columbia, you can obtain this report from the DC Metropolitan Police Department, Police Criminal History Report Division located at 300 Indiana Avenue, NW, Room 3055, Washington, DC 20001. You must provide this report in your application package within 30 days of obtaining it.
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Post a Surety Bond
You must also post a surety bond in the amount of $25,000. A surety bond is an agreement that if you, the principal party, fail to fulfill the requirements of a contract, you will pay the obligee, or the person who has hired you to complete the work. This bond can be issued through a licensed insurance carrier or posted with the DLCP. You can learn more about the Home Improvement Contract Requirements through the DLCP site.
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Fulfill Insurance Requirements
To obtain your Home Improvement Contractor License, you must provide a certificate of liability insurance for a $50,000 – $100,000 insurance policy and a property damage for $10,000 to $25,000.
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In addition to listing the holder as Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, 1100 3th Street, SW, 5th Floor, Washington DC, 20024, the certificate must be issued to the address listed on the Basic Business License Application and provide a description and location of services provided.
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Provide a Home Improvement Salesperson Designation Letter
Additionally, you are required to provide a list of every salesperson working for the registered company. You can download a PDF of the Home Improvement Salesperson(s) Designation Letter from the DLCP website.
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Include Contract Samples
You must provide three contract samples to obtain your license. If you are submitting your application via mail, you have to include three copies of each contract sample. If you are applying online, you can upload as a PDF. You can find a PDF of the Home Improvement Contract Sample via DCLP.
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Consent to Investigation
You must consent to a background check that will take place within 30 days of the license being issued.
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Complete the Basic Business License ID Application
If you are submitting your application via mail or in-person, you must include a completed Basic Business License ID Application with your application packet. If you are submitting your application online, this step is included in the online process.
How do I submit my application, application materials, and fee for a DC Home Improvement Contractor License?
You can submit your application by mail, in-person, or online.
To submit your application, application materials, and fee via mail, send all items to:
Wells Fargo Bank
DC Government Wholesale Lockbox 91360
7175 Columbia Gateway Drive
Columbia, MD 21046
Do not send cash in the mail. You can pay with a check or money order made out to “DC Treasurer.” When you submit your application packet via mail, processing time may take up to 30 days. Submitting your application in-person or online is much faster.
In-person
To apply in-person, bring all necessary materials, including a form of payment for the fee, to the DLCP Business License Center located at:
Department of Licensing & Consumer Protection
Corporations Division
Business License Center
1100 4th Street, SW
2nd Floor
Washington, DC 20024
You can pay your fees with cash, card, check, or money order.
File Online
You can file your Foreign Registration Statement for your LLC online using the DLCP’s CorpOnline portal. You will be prompted to provide required information and upload necessary application material as PDFs, if necessary.
How to Register a Foreign LLC in Washington DC
The term “Foreign LLC” can be somewhat confusing because of the typical way the word “foreign” is used. In this context, a foreign LLC is any LLC that is formed outside of the District of Columbia. This includes any other states or territories in the US.
If your LLC was formed outside of Washington DC, you must register your LLC with the Washington DC Department of Licensing & Consumer Protection (DLCP). The main element of registering your foreign LLC is submitting the Foreign Registration Statement to the DLCP.
How do I know if I need to register my foreign LLC?
If your LLC was formed outside of the District of Columbia and you want to do any business in DC, you must register your LLC with the DLCP.
How much does it cost to register my foreign LLC?
It costs $220 to register your foreign LLC in the District of Columbia. If you conducted business in DC before registering, you may be subject to additional fees. You can expedite your filing for an additional fee.
Do I need a registered agent to register my foreign LLC?
Yes. All Foreign Registration Statement applicants are required to provide registered agent information.
Washington DC Registered Agent LLC makes registering your foreign LLC a piece of cake. Easy to navigate information, transparent prices, and a heck-of-a-deal too.
What information is required to complete the Foreign Registration Statement?
You are required to provide the following information on the Foreign Registration Statement:
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Entity Name
This is the exact name of your LLC as it appears on official corporate records.
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Place & Date of Organization
List the place and date of the formation of your LLC.
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DC Business Transaction Start Date
In this field, list the day that you began conducting business in the District of Columbia. If you haven’t started doing business in DC yet, you can enter “Upon Registration” as your start date.
If you’ve previously been transacting business in DC, you may be required to submit additional reports and fees. You should contact the DLCP for more information on the exact submission requirements.
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Registered Agent & Office
Your LLC is required to have a registered agent within the District of Columbia. A registered agent is an entity or individual that is elected by the LLC to receive legal correspondence on behalf of the company. Your registered agent must have a physical street address—a PO box address is not valid.
Here at Washington DC Registered Agent LLC, we take our jobs very seriously.
Because, well… for one, your job and business depends on us kicking butt at being the best registered agent company out there. We’re straightforward and upfront about services and prices. We keep it real 24/7 and supply you with 365 days of registered agent service for just $49.
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Description of Business Activity
This field requires that you briefly describe the sort of business your LLC plans to conduct in Washington DC. You are required to list a specific category of business such as “dog walking,” or “vacuum repair.” A vague description like “engaging in lawful business” won’t cut it.
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Name of Governor
A governor of your LLC is an individual in a position to make business decisions. LLC governors, generally, are either members or managers.
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Certificate of Good Standing
You will also need to include a official copy of the Certificate of Good Standing issued by the state or territory that your LLC was originally formed in.
How do I submit my Foreign Registration Statement?
You can submit your Foreign Registration Statement for your LLC via mail, in-person, or online.
File by Mail
To submit your Foreign Registration Statement via mail, you must first log in to the DLCP’s CorpOnline portal to access a PDF of the form. Then submit your application, application materials, and fee to:
Department of Licensing & Consumer Protection
Corporations Division
PO Box 92300
Washington, DC 20090
Acceptable forms of payment includes check or money orders made out to, “DC Treasurer.” It can take up to 30 days for a filing submitted via mail to be processed. It’s better to submit it in person or online.
Expedited Fees:
• 3 days: + $50
• 1 day: + $100
File In-Person
To file in-person, you can submit your application, application materials, and fee at:
Department of Licensing & Consumer Protection
Corporations Division
Business License Center
1100 4th Street, SW
2nd Floor
Washington, DC 20024
ocessed in the order in which they are received. You can with cash, card, check, or money order.
Online
Submitting your application and application materials online is the easiest and fastest way to submit. Visit the Washington DC Business Center website. You will be prompted to create an account, and then you can submit all information, required materials, and fee online.
How do I renew my DC Home Improvement Contractor License?
Depending on whether you applied for a two year license or four year license, you will receive a notice before your license expires that contains instructions on how to renew. You must renew your license and provide the required materials and payment to stay in compliance with Washington DC Law.
Why is Washington DC Registered Agent LLC the best choice for the job?
Contractors know better than anyone else the importance of quality, efficiency, and straightforward communication. Here at Washington DC Registered Agent LLC, we hold these values near and dear to our heart. When it comes time to choose your registered agent, we’re here and ready to start today.