Building a Stronger Industry: A Mentor’s Guide to Contractor Licensing, Advertising, and Professional Growth in Washington State

Angela Wethered
1 day ago
5 min read

By Angela Wethered, Chair, Tri-County Home Builders Association | November 26, 2025

In the Tri-County region, our builders, tradespeople, and small contractors are the backbone of rural Washington. Many of our professionals started with nothing more than a toolbox, a truck, and the willingness to work hard. Others are apprentices or young workers trying to find the right path in the trades.

As Chair of the Tri-County Home Builders Association, my goal is not to punish or shame anyone — my goal is to mentor, guide, and help grow our local workforce into a thriving, professional, and respected industry.

But mentorship requires honesty. And part of that honesty is understanding the laws that govern our trade — not to scare you — but to protect you, your customers, and your future.

This guide breaks down Washington’s contractor laws, what counts as “advertising,” why legitimate licensing matters, and how emerging contractors can build long, proud careers.

Why Licensing Matters: The Mentor Version

Licensing isn’t about “jumping through hoops.”

It is about:

Protecting your reputation
Ensuring you get paid what you're worth
Keeping homeowners safe
Reducing liability
Opening the door to bigger opportunities
Creating a long-term career, not short-term hustle
Becoming the kind of professional others look up to

Whether you're 19 or 59, there is never a wrong time to become a legitimate contractor — Tri-County HBA and Angela Wethered, are here to help you through that journey.

What Is a Contractor in Washington State? (RCW 18.27.010)

Plain-English explanation you can actually use

Under RCW 18.27.010, Washington defines a “contractor” as anyone who:

Undertakes to, offers to undertake, or submits a bid to construct, alter, repair, improve, or demolish a structure or other real-property improvement.

This includes work like:

Roofing, siding, carpentry
Concrete, excavation, land shaping
Painting, flooring, drywall
Window installation, fencing
Remodels and additions

Here’s the part many people don’t know:

👉 You are considered a contractor even if you only offer to do the work.👉 You are considered a contractor even if the job is small.👉 You are considered a contractor even if you are “just helping people out.”

This isn’t meant to trap you — it’s meant to create a clear standard that protects both workers and homeowners.

What Counts as Advertising? (RCW 18.27.020)

You don’t need a business card to be “advertising”

Under RCW 18.27.020, it is illegal to:

Advertise
Offer to work
Submit bids
Perform work

as a contractor without being registered with L&I.

L&I considers ANY form of soliciting work to be advertising, including:

Facebook posts
Facebook Marketplace
Craigslist
A handwritten sign
A decal on your truck
Word-of-mouth referrals that you initiated
Business cards, flyers, one-sheets
Your name on a materials invoice as “contractor”

If you say you can do remodels, roofing, painting, fencing, decks, drywall, concrete, etc. — that is advertising under state law.

This isn’t about punishing you. It’s about making sure consumer protections exist, and contractors get the insurance and bond coverage they need to stay safe.

Understanding the Penalties — So You Can Avoid Them

This is not meant to scare you — it’s meant to prepare you.

1. Criminal Penalty: Gross Misdemeanor

(For advertising or working without a valid contractor registration)

Under RCW 18.27.020, violations are a gross misdemeanor, which legally means:

Up to 364 days in jail
Up to $5,000 in fines

This is worst-case scenario — but it’s important to know what the law says.

2. Civil Penalties (RCW 18.27.200)

L&I can also issue infractions that:

Start at about $1,000 for a first offense
Increase with repeat violations
Can be applied per day or per job

Again, this isn’t about fear — it’s about helping contractors avoid costly mistakes before they happen.

If Someone Helps You Do the Work, You Become an Employer

Many people don’t realize how Washington’s worker safety laws work.

Under Title 51 Industrial Insurance, you are legally an employer if you:

Pay someone to help
Split a job
Bring a friend or relative to assist
Use a helper even for a few hours

That means you must:

Provide worker’s comp coverage
Report them to L&I
Have insurance to protect them

This is to protect workers — especially young ones starting in the trades — and to protect YOU from devastating liability if someone gets hurt.

It’s not the government being heavy-handed; it’s Washington trying to keep workers alive and contractors out of bankruptcy.

A Special Message to Apprentices & Trainees

You are the future of our industry.

We want you to succeed. We want you to finish your hours. We want you to pass your exams. We want you to become fully licensed. We want you to build your own businesses someday.

But here is the truth:

🔧 A trainee card is not a license.

🔧 You cannot legally work alone.

🔧 You cannot legally advertise.

🔧 You cannot legally contract with homeowners.

This isn’t to hold you back — it’s to protect your future.

We want you to be proud of the career you build. Not fearful of a file with L&I that follows you for years.

Tri-County HBA can help you find:

Good employers
Real training
Mentors
Education
Career pathways
Business skills

A Message to Longtime “Guys With Tools” Contractors

We see you. You matter to the industry.

Many skilled workers in rural Washington have built careers without always knowing the full licensing requirements. That doesn’t make you a bad person — it means you didn’t have access to the information or support earlier.

Now you do.

If you have been:

Doing jobs for years
Working cash
Relying on referrals
Operating as a one-person shop
Taking pride in your work

You have everything it takes to become a legitimate, professional contractor.

You don’t need to “start over.”You just need to get registered, bonded, and insured — and Tri-County HBA can help guide you step by step.

Why We Mentor Instead of Judge

Because Tri-County is a small community, and we need every good tradesperson we can get.

Because young workers need guidance, not blame. Because experienced workers deserve dignity and respect. Because a strong industry lifts everyone.

And because our rural homeowners deserve safe, quality work.

Helping contractors understand the law isn’t about punishment —It’s about empowerment, professional pride, and long-term growth.

If you want to build a legal, sustainable, respected career in the trades, you are welcome here.

If you want to learn the right way, we will teach you. If you want to get licensed, we will help you. If you want to grow, we will support you. If you want to become a mentor yourself someday, we will celebrate you.

Tri-County HBA is here to: