Contractors need a Basic Business License with the right construction endorsement (General Contractor Class A/B, Home Improvement Contractor, or specialty) — a registration with bonding/insurance. Verify on the DLCP business lookup.
1. Get the license number + legal business name
Ask the contractor for their District of Columbia license or registration number and the exact legal name it's held under. A real contractor gives this without hesitation — it's on their truck, estimates, and contract.
2. Look it up at the Dept. of Licensing & Consumer Protection (DLCP)
Use the official District of Columbia authority directly — not a third-party aggregator — so you're reading the source of truth. Contractors need a Basic Business License with the right construction endorsement (General Contractor Class A/B, Home Improvement Contractor, or specialty) — a registration with bonding/insurance. Verify on the DLCP business lookup.
3. Confirm the status is ACTIVE
Only an active (or current) status means they're licensed today. Expired, suspended, or revoked is a hard stop — and a contractor who let it lapse is telling you something.
4. Check the classification matches your job
Licenses are scoped to specific trades. Confirm the classification covers the work you're hiring for, and that the name on the license matches the name on your contract.
5. Check bond, insurance, and complaints where shown
Many boards also show bond amount, workers' compensation, and complaint or disciplinary history. A bond and active workers' comp protect you; an open complaint is worth a direct conversation before you sign.
District of Columbia contractor-license FAQ
How do I check if a contractor is licensed in District of Columbia?
Get the contractor's license number and legal business name, then look it up at the Dept. of Licensing & Consumer Protection (DLCP) — the free official public lookup, not a third-party site. Confirm the status is ACTIVE, the classification covers the work you're hiring for, and the name matches your contract. Contractors need a Basic Business License with the right construction endorsement (General Contractor Class A/B, Home Improvement Contractor, or specialty) — a registration with bonding/insurance. Verify on the DLCP business lookup.
Who licenses contractors in District of Columbia?
The Dept. of Licensing & Consumer Protection (DLCP) is the official District of Columbia authority. Contractors need a Basic Business License with the right construction endorsement (General Contractor Class A/B, Home Improvement Contractor, or specialty) — a registration with bonding/insurance. Verify on the DLCP business lookup.
Does ProFix verify District of Columbia contractor licenses?
We link the official Dept. of Licensing & Consumer Protection (DLCP) lookup on every District of Columbia contractor's profile so you can confirm the license at the source. We never invent or imply a credential a contractor doesn't hold.
Couldn't verify them — or want a vetted second option?
The Dept. of Licensing & Consumer Protection (DLCP) is always the system of record — confirm status there first. If a contractor won't share a license number, the status comes back inactive, or you just want another quote, get matched with license-checked District of Columbia pros.
Find a verified District of Columbia contractor
Browse District of Columbia home-services pros — many with a board-verified license you can confirm in one click.