DCRA is currently accepting renewal applications for occupational and professional licenses.
- As of July 1, 2021, you may start submitting your renewal application online if your license reflects an expiration date during the COVID-19 pandemic. For licenses that expire October 31, 2021 or later, renewal notices will be sent at a later date.
- You are strongly encouraged to renew early to ensure that renewal is completed before enforcement begins.
- All occupational and professional licenses are issued biennially, with the exception of Special Police Officers, whose licenses are issued annually. Licenses that expire October 31, 2021 or later may be renewed as per their usual renewal cycles. Note: if your license reflects an expiration date of 2022, no renewal action is required until 2022 when you may renew beginning 90 days before your current license expires.
General Information
The District of Columbia Board of Industrial Trades was established to protect the public health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the District by ensuring that individuals engaged in these trades have the specialized skills and training required to perform such services for the public.
The Board license law, which governs asbestos workers, plumbers, electricians, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics, steam and operating engineers, and those in the elevator trades (with the exception of District of Columbia and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority employees). The Board may establish bonding and insurance requirements, subcategories of licensure, education, and experience requirements for licensure, and other requirements.
The Board is comprised of 15 tradespersons, who are appointed by the Mayor and licensed in the District: three plumbers; two electricians; two refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics; two steam engineers; two asbestos workers; one elevator mechanic; one elevator inspector; one elevator contractor; and one consumer member. Eight members of the Board constitute a quorum.
The Board meets on the third Tuesday each month at 1:00 p.m. at the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs located at 1100 4th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20024.
Board meeting minutes are available at www.open-dc.gov.
Applicant
Apply for license
Items Needed for Application
All Applicants
- One 2”x2” passport-style photo (.jpeg format)
- Government-issued identification card (e.g., driver’s license)
- Debit or credit card to pay application, exam or license fees
Asbestos Workers
- Certificate of completion of an EPA/OSHA-certified asbestos course or
- Valid Asbestos Worker/Supervisor license
Electricians
- Employment verification letters, letter of good standing, NASCLA accreditation
- Valid state-issued electrician license
Elevators
- Certificate of completion
- Valid Asbestos Worker/Supervisor license
Trade Contractors
- Proof of Registration/Certificate of Good Standing
- Local Representative Affidavit
- Designated DC-licensed master tradesperson
- Surety bonds for company and master. Bond forms are provided in the online application
Plumbing
- Certificate of completion
- Employment Verification Letter
Refrigeration
- Certificate of completion
- Employment Verification Letter
Steam Engineers
- Employment Verification Letter
Examination
Exams may be scheduled online or by phone.
To schedule online, visit psiexams.com. New users will need to create an account and register prior to scheduling an exam. Once registered, select “Schedule and examination” and then:
- Select Government/State Licensing Agencies
- Select District of Columbia exams
- Select Account for the type of licensing exam that you are seeking
Applicants may also schedule by phone at 1 (855) 557-0616.
Reciprocity
Master Electricians (licensed in Maryland) and Electrician Journeymen and Master Electricians (licensed in Virginia) are eligible to become licensed in the District of Columbia through reciprocity, thereby eliminating the need for examination and streamlining the process for licensure. This makes it easier for electricians to work in DC, but also benefits customers by increasing competition and the supply of electricians from which customers may choose.
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To be eligible, licensees submitting reciprocity applications for DC licensure must have received their license by examination from Maryland or Virginia, i.e. they must have taken a test, and must hold a current active license in good standing.
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To request a letter of good standing or verification of Maryland or Virginia license, applicants should visit their state’s board website. Once obtained, applicants will need to upload the certification with their DC application.
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Reciprocity license applications are not being accepted for Electrician Journeymen licenses issued in Maryland as they are issued by counties and we do not have reciprocity agreements with individual counties.
To submit a license application through reciprocity, please email opla.industrialtrades@dc.gov.
Fees
Asbestos
- Application: $65.00
- License:
- Asbestos Worker: $110.00
- Supervisor: $110.00
- Renewal: $110.00
- Late Renewal Fee: $50.00
- Examination/Re-examination: See § 3500.3
- Reinstated License: $110.00
- Inactive Status: $110.00
- Duplicate License: $30.00
- Verification of Records: $30.00
Electricians
- Application: $65.00
- Temporary License (Journeyman): $110.00 (up to 60 days)
- License:
- Apprentice: $110.00 (up to 2 years)
- Journeyman (All types): $110.00 (up to 2 years)
- Master (All types): $120.00 (up to 2 years)
- Contractor (All types): $120.00 (up to 2 years)
- Renewal:
- Apprentice: $110.00 (up to 2 years)
- Journeyman (All types): $110.00 (up to 2 years)
- Master (All types): $155.00 (up to 2 years)
- Contractor (All types): $180.00 (up to 2 years)
- Late Renewal Fee: $50.00
- Examination/Re-examination: See §3500.3
- Reinstated License:
- Apprentice: $110.00 (up to 2 years)
- Electrician (All types): $110.00 (up to 2 years)
- Master (All types): $155.00 (up to 2 years)
- Contractor (All types): $180.00
- Inactive Status:
- Journeyman (All types): $110.00
- Master (All types): $155.00
- Duplicate License: $30.00
- Verification of Records: $30.00
Plumbers/Gasfitters
- Application: $65.00
- License:
- Apprentice: $110.00 (up to 2 years)
- Journeyman (All types): $110.00 (up to 2 years)
- Master (All types): $120.00 (up to 2 years)
- Contractor: $120.00 (up to 2 years)
- Renewal:
- Apprentice: $110.00 (up to 2 years)
- Journeyman (All types): $110.00 (up to 2 years)
- Master (All types): $155.00 (up to 2 years)
- Contractor: $180.00 (up to 2 years)
- Late Renewal Fee: $50.00
- Examination/Re-examination: See § 3500.3
- Reinstated License:
- Apprentice: $110.00 (up to 2 years)
- Journeyman: $110.00 (up to 2 years)
- Master: $155.00
- Contractor: $180.00
- Inactive Status:
- Apprentice: $110.00
- Journeyman: $110.00
- Master: $155.00
- Duplicate License: $30.00
- Verification of Records: $30.00
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanics
- Application: $65.00
- License:
- Mechanic: $110.00 (up to 2 years)
- Contractor: $120.00 (up to 2 years)
- Renewal:
- Mechanic: $155.00 (up to 2 years)
- Contractor: $180.00 (up to 2 years)
- Late Renewal Fee: $50.00
- Examination/Re-examination: See §3500.3
- Reinstated License:
- Mechanic: $155.00
- Contractor: $180.00
- Inactive Status:
- Mechanic: $155.00
- Contractor: $180.00
- Duplicate License: $30.00
- Verification of Records: $30.00
Steam and Other Operating Engineers
- Application: $65.00
- License: $110.00 (up to 2 years)
- Renewal: $110.00 (up to 2 years)
- Late Renewal Fee: $50.00
- Examination/Re-examination: See §3500.3
- Reinstated License: $110.00 (up to 2 years)
- Inactive Status: $110.00 (up to 2 years)
- Duplicate License: $30.00
- Verification of Records: $30.00
Elevator Contractor, Elevatoir Mechanic, Elevator Inspector
- Application: $65.00
- License (D.C. Official Code § 47-2853.99): $260.00
Refund
Licensee
License Renewal
Asbestos Worker
Expiration Date: July 31; Renewal Year: Odd
Electrician
Expiration Date: November 30; Renewal Year: Odd
Elevator Maintenance
Expiration Date: November 30; Renewal Year: Odd
Plumbers and Gasfitters
Expiration Date: March 31; Renewal Year: Even
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
Expiration Date: September 30; Renewal Year: Even
Steam and Other Operating Engineers
Expiration Date: September 30; Renewal Year: Even
Submit an application for renewal of an occupational or professional license.
Letter of Certification/License Verification
Request a Letter of License Certification
Consumer
Search for an Occupational or Professional License
Search for an Occupational or Professional License
File a Complaint or Issue
File a Complaint
Calendar
Meeting Dates
Please contact the Board to confirm meeting dates/times/locations.
- January 19, 2021
- February 16, 2021
- March 16, 2021
- April 20, 2021
- May 18, 2021
- June 15, 2021
- July 20, 2021
- August - Recess
- September 21, 2021
- October 19, 2021
- November 16, 2021
- December 21, 2021
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