The short version
- Washington has no handyman exemption once you advertise. The exemption for casual or minor work under $500 per project does not apply to anyone who advertises or puts out a sign or card as a contractor.
- Register as a specialty contractor in most cases: a $15,000 bond and general liability of at least $250,000 combined single limit. Doing work in more than one trade on a single job can make you a general contractor, with a $30,000 bond.
- Idaho exempts small jobs under $2,000 in aggregate, but not if you hold out as a registered contractor. Above that, register with DOPL and carry $300,000 of general liability including completed operations.
- Electrical and plumbing work need their own licenses in both states. A handyman registration does not cover them.
- The claims are usually property damage: water damage after a fixture install, a scratched floor, a fire from a repair. General liability with completed operations is the core policy.
Do you need to register?
| Situation | Washington | Idaho |
|---|
| Occasional small jobs, no advertising | Exempt under $500 per project for casual, minor, or inconsequential work | Exempt under $2,000 in aggregate per project |
|---|
| You advertise, have a website, cards, or a truck sign | Must register (the exemption does not apply) | Must register if you hold out as a registered contractor |
|---|
| Work in one trade per job | Specialty contractor: $15,000 bond | Registered contractor |
|---|
| Several trades on one job or permit | May be a general contractor: $30,000 bond | Registered contractor |
|---|
| Electrical work | Electrical contractor license under RCW 19.28 ($4,000 bond) | Electrical license from DOPL |
|---|
| Plumbing work | Plumbing contractor license under RCW 18.106 ($6,000 bond) and certified plumbers | Plumbing license from DOPL |
|---|
Working unregistered in Washington is a gross misdemeanor and an infraction, with fines of $1,200 to $10,000, and an unregistered contractor cannot sue to collect payment. In Idaho, it is a misdemeanor, and an unregistered contractor waives lien rights.
Insurance minimums to register
| Washington | Idaho |
|---|
| General liability | $250,000 combined single limit, or $200,000 bodily injury and $50,000 property damage | $300,000 single limit, including products and completed operations |
|---|
| Bond | $15,000 specialty or $30,000 general | Confirm current requirements with DOPL |
|---|
| Workers comp | L&I account and coverage for employees | Certificate of coverage, or a statement of why it is not required |
|---|
| Certificate holder | L&I must be listed | Proof submitted to DOPL |
|---|
If your Washington liability insurance lapses, L&I automatically suspends the registration.
The coverage most handyman businesses need
Customers and property managers increasingly ask for a certificate of insurance before work starts, and some require $1 million of general liability. The registration minimum may not get you the job.
Where handymen get caught
| Gap | What happens |
|---|
| Doing electrical or plumbing work without the license | Licensing violations, and claims your insurer may contest if the work was outside your registration and policy classification |
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| Personal auto for the work truck | A claim during business use may be denied or limited |
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| Tools left in the truck overnight | Theft from vehicles often has strict locked-vehicle conditions, or no coverage under a general business policy |
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| Helpers paid as contractors | If they are really employees, workers comp and audits follow |
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| A policy classified for the wrong work | Liability policies are rated and written for described operations; work outside that description may not be covered |
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Sources
This page is general information. Rules and amounts were checked against the statutes in October 2026; confirm current requirements with L&I or DOPL before you apply.