Painter (Contractor) / Washington
2026 data Washington board official source

Washington Painter (Contractor) License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

State-board requirements, fees, and renewal cycle drawn from official regulator records.

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Commercial and residential painting contractor.

What the Washington data shows for Painter (Contractor)s

Washington sets the entry bar for painter (contractor)s at board-approved training and a passing score on a state-approved exam. The credential is administered under Washington's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Experience/Apprenticeship".

Upfront cost is $150 on a 2-year cycle. There's no continuing-education mandate tied to this profession in Washington, which keeps the long-run cost of staying licensed lighter than in CE-heavy states.

Washington evaluates out-of-state credentials case-by-case rather than through a published reciprocity list.

Licensing Ease Score

C+
Licensing Ease Score
62/100
Painter (Contractor) · Washington

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training A+
None required
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$150
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden N/A
N/A
Renewal fee annualized over the renewal cycle
Continuing Education N/A
N/A
Continuing-education hours annualized over the renewal cycle
Experience Required N/A
N/A
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Washington

Education / Training Hours
Experience/Apprenticeship
Not specified
Exam Requirement
Required
Initial License Fee
$150
Renewal Fee
N/A
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Not Required

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Painter (Contractor) All Washington licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Washington licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Painter (Contractor) in Washington? ▼
Washington requires, passing an exam, and an initial fee of $150.
How do I get certified as a Painter (Contractor) in Washington? ▼
To become a licensed painter (contractor) in Washington, you must meet the state's requirements. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Washington licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Painter (Contractor) license to Washington from another state? ▼
Out-of-state painter (contractor) credentials get a case-by-case review in Washington rather than automatic recognition. Interstate compacts exist for a number of professions and might still help. Confirm the details with the Washington licensing board.
Does Washington require a background check for Painter (Contractor) licensing? ▼
There's no state-level background-check requirement for painter (contractor) licensing in Washington; some employers choose to screen candidates anyway.

Related Guides

What to do with this painter (contractor) license

Painter (Contractor) in Washington is one requirement row in a painter (contractor)-wide, 50-state comparison.

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Washington licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.