Washington requires every registered construction contractor to file a continuous surety bond with the Department of Labor & Industries: $30,000 for general contractors and $15,000 for specialty contractors. Form F625-003-000 is the L&I bond instrument under RCW 18.27.040.
| Title / common name | Continuous Contractor’s Surety Bond (Washington L&I Form F625-003-000) |
|---|---|
| Bond type | License & permit |
| Industry / license category | Construction / contractor registration |
| Jurisdiction | United States → Washington → Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), Contractor Registration |
| Obligee | State of Washington The form binds the principal and surety to pay the State of Washington. RCW 18.27.040(1) requires the bond to name the state of Washington as obligee, in a form approved by L&I. |
| Typical penal sum | USD $30,000 (general contractor) · USD $15,000 (specialty contractor) RCW 18.27.040(1). L&I notes these amounts took effect July 1, 2024, and apply at the next renewal on or after that date. The penal-sum line on the form is blank — confirm the amount on the issued bond. |
| Who needs it | General and specialty construction contractors registering or renewing with L&I under the Contractor Registration Act, chapter 18.27 RCW L&I accepts an assignment of savings (cash, certificate of deposit or similar account at a bank with a Washington branch) instead of a bond. Registration also needs general liability insurance and a Department of Revenue business registration. |
| What it covers | Payment of (1) wages and benefits to people who furnish labor, (2) amounts adjudged against the contractor for breach of contract, including negligent or improper work, (3) people who furnish labor, materials or rent or supply equipment, and (4) taxes and contributions due to Washington Aggregate surety liability is capped at the penal sum; continuation certificates and renewals do not stack the limit. Claim suits are filed in superior court and served on L&I. RCW 18.27.040(3) gives residential homeowners two years from substantial completion or abandonment, and most other claimants one year. |
| Form number / edition | F625-003-000 (11-2017) Edition shown in the form footer. L&I requires the form to be typed; the original, uncorrected bond with the surety’s seal must reach L&I before the filing date shown on the bond. |
| Effective | Continuous from the effective date on the bond until the surety gives written notice of cancellation to the Director of L&I; cancellation suspends the contractor’s registration until a new bond or reinstatement is filed |
| Source | Washington L&I — Form F625-003-000 Continuous Contractor’s Surety Bond (PDF) (official PDF · 11-2017) Also: L&I — Register as a contractor (bond amounts and filing steps); RCW 18.27.040 (bond or other security required) |
| Status | current |
| Last verified | 2026-10-12 |
This is a licensing bond that protects customers, workers, suppliers and the state — it is not a project performance or payment bond.
L&I publishes Form F625-003-000 as a public PDF. Open the Source link above for the official form — Global Guarantors summarizes field facts and links the statute rather than hosting the complete bond body.