The wrong choice costs you double the bond or boxes you out of jobs you could take. Here is how to decide in five minutes.
Washington's contractor registration comes in two flavors. A general registration lets you take on work involving two or more trades and coordinate subs. A specialty registration is for a single trade. The clearest practical difference is the bond: $30,000 for general, $15,000 for specialty.
Ask one question: on a typical job, are you doing a single trade or coordinating several? If you paint, only paint — specialty. If you run remodels that touch framing, drywall, and finish — general. Registering general “just in case” means paying for double the bond you need.
You can hold both if your business genuinely does both — some contractors register general and add specialty designations. But do not over-register to feel official. Start with what matches your actual work, keep the smaller bond, and add scope when the work demands it. It is easier and cheaper to expand than to carry coverage you are not using.
Plumbing and electrical are not just “specialty” checkboxes — they have separate trade licenses with their own bonds and certified individuals. See plumbing and electrical.
The free builder helps you think through general vs specialty. Verify the final category with L&I before you register.
Build My Free RoadmapPrimary Washington state agencies first, then supporting references. Figures verified July 2026 — always re-check current amounts before you file.