How do I check a landscaper's license in Washington?
Search the landscaper's license number, business name, or personal name at Washington Department of Labor and Industries (lni.wa.gov). Status must be Active. Look for the Registered Specialty Contractor — Landscaping class. A free public-records check on Groundcheck (earthmove.io/trust) cross-references this with court records, OSHA, and BBB.
To verify a landscaper in Washington, search the Washington Department of Labor and Industries database. The lookup tool is at https://lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/contractors/.
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 Registered Specialty Contractor — Landscaping class — that's the specific classification authorizing installs and maintains lawns, planting, hardscapes, irrigation, retaining walls, and outdoor lighting on residential and commercial properties.
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 landscaper for current Certificates of Insurance and verify directly with the insurer.
What Groundcheck adds: a landscaper can be currently licensed and still have unresolved court judgments, OSHA citations, or BBB complaints. Groundcheck (earthmove.io/trust) cross-references the Washington Department of Labor and Industries 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 Washington landscaper licensing rules including thresholds and license classes, see earthmove.io/trust/license/landscaper/washington.
Verify a Washington landscaper now
Free Groundcheck cross-references Washington Department of Labor and Industries licensing with court records, OSHA history, and BBB complaints. Under 90 seconds. The contractor is never notified.