District of Columbia requires a state-level general contractor license. The licensing authority is State Contractors Board. The median salary is $88,670 per year.
Last updated 2026-05-08
District of Columbia requires a general contractor to hold a state license. Plan, coordinate, and supervise construction projects from start to finish. Hire and manage subcontractors. Licensing is administered by the State Contractors Board.
| Minimum Age | 18 years old |
| Education | High school diploma or GED |
| Work Experience | 8,000 hours (48 months) |
District of Columbia requires passing the District of Columbia General Contractor Exam with a minimum score of 70%. The application fee is $100.
| Exam Name | District of Columbia General Contractor Exam |
| Passing Score | 70% |
| Code Edition | Business and Law Exam / Trade Exam |
| Application Fee | $100 |
Practice with real exam-style questions based on the Business and Law Exam / Trade Exam.
Start Practice Exam — $2.99 →Getting licensed as a general contractor in District of Columbia takes 48 months on the typical path. Here are the steps.
The total cost includes an exam application fee of $100 and renewal fees of $100 every 2 years. Continuing education of 14 hours is required per renewal cycle.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Exam Application | $100 |
| License Renewal | $100 every 2 years |
| Continuing Education | 14 hours |
General Contractors in District of Columbia earn a median salary of $88,670, which is less than the national average. Data from BLS OEWS May 2024. Once licensed, general contractors in District of Columbia handle projects with real cost variation by region — see cost estimates for remodeling work.
| Mean (average) | — / year |
| Entry level (10th pct) | — |
| Top earners (90th pct) | — |
| Total employed | — in District of Columbia |
| National average | $80,560 |
Yes — District of Columbia requires a state-level general contractor license. Plan, coordinate, and supervise construction projects from start to finish. Hire and manage subcontractors.
The required exam is the District of Columbia General Contractor Exam. You need a score of 70% to pass. The exam fee is $100.
The median annual salary for general contractors in District of Columbia is $88,670. The national median is $80,560.
District of Columbia requires 14 hours of continuing education for license renewal every 2 years.
The fastest path takes approximately 36 months. The typical path takes 48 months including experience requirements.