1. Home
  2. Open A Business
  3. Apply For A Business License
  4. Registrations And Filings Required Businesses

Registrations and filings required for businesses - Department of Labor & Industries

You may be required to have a license, registration, or permit from the list below based on the business activity you selected from the Business Licensing Wizard. For more information, please contact the Department of Labor & Industries at 1-800-647-0982.

Electrical Work Permit

Purpose

To allow residential, commercial and industrial electrical construction work. It applies to any business or contractor conducting electrical work - see comment.

How to submit

Contractors apply online using their SecureAccess Washington account or in person at any L&I service location. Non-contractor property owners can also apply online or in person. Both must complete an application and pay the correct fees.

Quick Cards Online System and over the counter.
Purchase Permits & Request Inspections

Processing time

Processing time for L&I permits purchased:

  1. Online - immediately.
  2. In person at a service location - immediately.
  3. Postal mail - same day as received.

Fees

Fees are available at: Fee schedule for Alterations

License renewals

None

Additional resources

Non contractor businesses are required to obtain permits for the electrical work they do for their property. They use the 'Owner' permit form. All other requirements are the same. The permitting system does not track initial inspections or differentiate between types of permit purchasers, but an assumption can be made that if a permit is purchased, there would be one initial inspection. The number provided is the total inspections made during the time period for all permit purchasers. We anecdotally know that contractors purchase about 85% of all permits. Processing time is as follows:

  1. Online- immediately.
  2. In person at a service location-immediately.
  3. Postal mail - same day as received.
Minor Work Permit

Purpose

To allow a business to employ minors. It applies to business employing people under 18 years of age.

How to submit

Apply through Business Licensing Service.

Business License Application

Processing time

Allow up to 10 business days for a response to online applications. Accuracy and completeness speed up the processing time.

Fees

None

License renewals

Annual

The license is available through Business Licensing Service.

Additional resources