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Key Facts: WA General Contractor Exam

70%

Passing Score

State Board

100 Q

Practice Questions

OpenExamPrep

3 hrs

Exam Time

State Board

Not Accepted

NASCLA

State Board

3 years

Experience Required

State Board

Washington requires general contractors to pass a state Business & Law exam. The exam covers WA licensing law, contract law, lien law, bonds, insurance, safety codes, and business management.

Sample WA General Contractor Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the WA General Contractor exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under RCW 18.27, what is the minimum surety bond amount required for a general contractor registering in Washington State?
A.$12,000
B.$6,000
C.$15,000
D.$10,000
Explanation: RCW 18.27.040 requires general contractors to file a surety bond of $12,000 with the Department of Labor and Industries. Specialty contractors need only $6,000. The bond must be issued by a surety insurer meeting the requirements of Chapter 48.28 RCW.
2Which Washington State agency oversees contractor registration?
A.Department of Labor and Industries (L&I)
B.Department of Licensing
C.Secretary of State
D.Department of Commerce
Explanation: The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) administers contractor registration under RCW 18.27. Contractors must register with L&I before performing any construction work in the state.
3What is the stated purpose of Washington's contractor registration law under RCW 18.27.140?
A.To protect the public from unreliable, fraudulent, financially irresponsible, or incompetent contractors
B.To generate revenue for the state through registration fees
C.To limit the number of contractors operating in the state
D.To ensure all contractors have college degrees in construction management
Explanation: RCW 18.27.140 states the purpose is to afford protection to the public including all persons, firms, and corporations furnishing labor, materials, or equipment to a contractor from unreliable, fraudulent, financially irresponsible, or incompetent contractors.
4Under Washington law, what distinguishes a general contractor from a specialty contractor?
A.A general contractor may hire subcontractors; a specialty contractor may not
B.A general contractor works only on commercial projects
C.A specialty contractor must have a higher bond amount
D.A general contractor can only work on government projects
Explanation: In Washington, if a company employs subcontractors regardless of work type, registration as a general contractor is mandatory. Specialty contractors are prohibited from subcontracting work and can only perform work in their registered specialty.
5An unregistered contractor in Washington performs work at three different worksites. How many infractions can be assessed?
A.Three separate infractions, one for each worksite
B.One infraction covering all worksites
C.Two infractions maximum
D.Infractions only if a complaint is filed
Explanation: Under RCW 18.27.200, each worksite at which a contractor works without being registered is a separate infraction. Therefore, working at three worksites results in three separate infractions.
6What must a Washington contractor provide to customers for projects exceeding $1,000?
A.A disclosure statement with proof of licensed status
B.A copy of their surety bond
C.A list of all subcontractors
D.A written warranty for the project
Explanation: Washington law mandates contractors to furnish customers with proof of their licensed status for projects exceeding $1,000. This disclosure form must be provided at the project's commencement, and customers must acknowledge receipt by signing it (RCW 18.27.114).
7Under RCW 18.27.080, what happens if an unregistered contractor attempts to file a lawsuit to collect payment for work performed?
A.The contractor cannot maintain the lawsuit; registration is a prerequisite to sue
B.The court may allow it if the contractor registers during the lawsuit
C.The lawsuit can proceed but damages are reduced by 50%
D.The contractor can sue but cannot collect attorney fees
Explanation: RCW 18.27.080 makes registration a prerequisite to filing suit. As confirmed by the Washington Supreme Court in Dobson v. Archibald (2023), an unregistered contractor cannot maintain a lawsuit to collect payment for construction work.
8What must a city, town, or county verify before issuing a construction building permit in Washington?
A.That the contractor is currently registered under RCW 18.27
B.That the contractor has completed a safety training course
C.That the contractor has liability insurance of at least $1 million
D.That the contractor has been in business for at least two years
Explanation: RCW 18.27.110 requires that no city, town, or county shall issue a construction building permit without verification that the contractor is currently registered as required by law. The contractor's registration number must be printed on the building permit.
9Which of the following is exempt from Washington's contractor registration requirements under RCW 18.27.090?
A.An owner performing maintenance and repair on their own property
B.A homeowner building a house to sell
C.A person doing handyman work for neighbors for pay
D.A company installing roofing for commercial clients
Explanation: RCW 18.27.090 exempts an owner who performs maintenance, repair, and alteration work on their own properties or uses their own employees for such work. However, this exemption does not apply to persons who perform contractor activities on their own property for the purpose of selling the property.
10Under Washington law, a contractor's surety bond is described as what type of bond?
A.Continuous bond
B.Term bond valid for one year
C.Project-specific bond
D.Performance bond
Explanation: Under RCW 18.27.040, the contractor's surety bond is continuous and may be canceled by the surety upon giving written notice to the director. A cancellation or revocation of the bond automatically suspends the contractor's registration.

About the WA General Contractor Exam

The Washington general contractor exam covers state licensing law, construction contract law, mechanics lien law, bonding and insurance requirements, OSHA safety, building codes, project management, and business practices.

Exam sponsor: Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

100 questions

Time Limit

3 hours

Passing Score

70%

Exam / Certification Fees

$175

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: 60%. estimated first-time pass rate This describes exam candidates, not OpenExamPrep users or results from using our resources. Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

30%

Business & Law

Washington licensing statutes, contractor law, lien law, bonds, insurance, penalties

25%

Contract Law

Construction contracts, change orders, disputes, subcontractor agreements

20%

Safety & Codes

OSHA requirements, building codes, permits, inspections

15%

Project Management

Scheduling, estimating, supervision, quality control

10%

Financial

Accounting, taxes, payroll, financial statements, insurance

Preparing for the WA General Contractor Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70%
  • Exam length: 100 questions
  • Time limit: 3 hours
  • Exam / certification fees: $175 Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

WA General Contractor: Suggested Study Strategy

1Master Washington's contractor licensing laws and regulations
2Study mechanics lien law — filing deadlines and requirements are heavily tested
3Know bond types: bid bonds, performance bonds, payment bonds
4Review OSHA safety requirements and penalties
5Understand construction contract terms and change order procedures

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Washington general contractor exam cover?

The WA GC exam covers state contractor licensing law, construction contracts, mechanics lien law, bonding, insurance, OSHA safety, building codes, and business management.

What is the passing score for the WA GC exam?

A minimum score of 70% is required to pass the Washington general contractor licensing exam.

Does Washington accept the NASCLA exam?

Washington does not currently accept the NASCLA accredited exam. You must take the Washington-specific contractor licensing exam.

What experience is needed for a Washington contractor license?

Washington typically requires 3 years of verifiable construction experience before applying for a general contractor license.