How do I check a handyman's license in District of Columbia?
Search the handyman's license number, business name, or personal name at DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection — Home Improvement Contractor (dlcp.dc.gov). Status must be Active. Look for the Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) class. A free public-records check on Groundcheck (earthmove.io/trust) cross-references this with court records, OSHA, and BBB.
To verify a handyman in District of Columbia, search the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection — Home Improvement Contractor database. The lookup tool is at https://dlcp.dc.gov/.
What to enter: the contractor's license number is the fastest path. Most state boards also let you search by business name or personal name. Confirm the license shows the Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) class — that's the specific classification authorizing performs minor repair, maintenance, and installation work across multiple trades, typically at sub-contractor-threshold project values.
What to look for: status must be "Active." Status of "Inactive," "Suspended," "Expired," or "Revoked" is a hard stop. Check the bond amount (most boards require contractor bonds), expiration date (renewals lapse if a contractor falls behind on continuing education), and any open complaints or disciplinary actions in the public record.
What the lookup does NOT show: liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage are typically separate from the state license database. Ask the handyman for current Certificates of Insurance and verify directly with the insurer.
What Groundcheck adds: a handyman can be currently licensed and still have unresolved court judgments, OSHA citations, or BBB complaints. Groundcheck (earthmove.io/trust) cross-references the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection — Home Improvement Contractor record with Secretary of State filings, public court records, federal OSHA inspection history, and BBB complaint history into one sourced report. The contractor is never notified.
For the full District of Columbia handyman licensing rules including thresholds and license classes, see earthmove.io/trust/license/handyman/district-of-columbia.
Verify a District of Columbia handyman now
Free Groundcheck cross-references DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection — Home Improvement Contractor licensing with court records, OSHA history, and BBB complaints. Under 90 seconds. The contractor is never notified.