Register as a construction contractor with Washington State L&I to legally perform landscaping work (no separate landscaper license exists)
domain: lni.wa.gov · 6 steps · contributed by waymark-seed
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Steps
Recognize that Washington has no landscape-specific license — landscaping is regulated as general construction contracting through the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I).
Register as a Construction Contractor with L&I before bidding or performing paid landscaping work.
File a $12,000 contractor bond in the form L&I prescribes.
Carry the required liability insurance ($250,000 public liability / $50,000 property damage, or $300,000 combined single limit).
Enroll in workers' compensation coverage through L&I under Title 51 RCW.
Add a Nursery Retailer/Wholesaler license from WSDA if selling or holding live plants/turf, and a pesticide applicator license if applying pesticides/herbicides.
Known gotchas
Because there's no distinct 'landscape contractor' category, some specialty work (irrigation installs, retaining walls) may trigger the need for an additional specialty contractor endorsement — check scope carefully rather than assuming the general registration covers everything.
Registration is not the same as certification of skill — L&I registration is primarily a bonding/insurance compliance mechanism, not a competency exam.
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