How to check a contractor's license in Washington, DC
The DC home improvement contractor license is kept by the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection. Checking it takes about two minutes and is free.
Open the official District of Columbia lookup Get a license-checked pro
Four steps
- Ask the contractor for the exact business name and the DC home improvement contractor license number, in writing.
- Search the official lookup by license number, or by business name (some lookups also take a city or ZIP code) if you have no number.
- Check that the name on the record matches the name on your contract, and that the status is active today. If the record lists complaints or disciplinary actions, read them before you sign.
- Put the number on the contract. If something looks wrong, ask before you pay a deposit.
If you cannot find them
Ask the contractor which name the DC home improvement contractor license is under: businesses often register under a legal name that differs from the name on their truck or website. If they cannot give you a number, treat that as a warning sign.
Where to complain
Problems with a contractor go to the DC Attorney General, Consumer Protection.
How we check licenses in Washington, DC
We do not run an automatic check in Washington, DC yet. When a business owner sends us their license number, we check it on the official lookup and show it on their profile with the date. Until then, use the four steps above for any contractor. How we verify.
Common questions
How do I look up a contractor license in District of Columbia?
Use the official lookup run by the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (https://dlcp.dc.gov/). Search by license or registration number if you have it, otherwise by business name, then check that the name matches your contract and the status is active.
What if I cannot find the contractor?
Ask the contractor which name the DC home improvement contractor license is under: businesses often register under a legal name that differs from the name on their truck or website. If they cannot give you a number, treat that as a warning sign.
How does Renovexus check licenses?
We do not run an automatic check against the DC home improvement contractor license records in Washington, DC yet. When a business owner sends us their license number, we check it on the official lookup and show the number and the date on their profile. Until then, check any contractor yourself with the steps on this page.
Where do I file a complaint about a contractor in District of Columbia?
DC Attorney General, Consumer Protection: https://oag.dc.gov/consumer-protection.
Are you a Washington, DC contractor?
Your business may already be listed. Claim the free profile to add photos and projects, and put the License Verified badge on your website. It links homeowners to your checked license.
Claim your free profile