Effective July 18, 2022, candidates seeking an Occupational or Professional license in the categories below can now test first by contacting PSI directly to schedule examinations. The test first process will allow for faster scheduling and testing.
The license categories allowing test first are listed below:
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Electricians
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Steam and Operating Engineers
- Plumbers and Gasfitters
- Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
Examination Scheduling Instructions
Once the account is created and the candidate is registered, select Schedule an examination, and then proceed to the next steps:
- Select Government/State Licensing Agencies
- Select District of Columbia exams
- Select Account for the type of licensing exam that you are seeking
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 Licensing and Consumer Protection 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
- Certificate of completion of an EPA/OSHA-certified asbestos course or
- Valid Asbestos Worker/Supervisor license
- Employment verification letters, letter of good standing, NASCLA accreditation
- Valid state-issued electrician license
- Certificate of completion or employment verification letter or valid state license
- QEI Certificate (Inspectors ONLY)
- Employment verification letter or proof of apprenticeship school enrollment
- Valid NCCCO card (Class 7C and 7D ONLY)
- Certificate of completion
- Employment Verification Letter
- Certificate of completion
- CFC Certification (Master ONLY)
- Employment Verification Letter
- Employment Verification Letter
- Proof of Registration/Certificate of Good Standing
- Designated DC-licensed master tradesperson
- Bond
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.
Submit a license application through reciprocity.
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, Elevator Mechanic, Elevator Inspector
- Application: $65.00
- License (D.C. Official Code § 47-2853.99): $260.00
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
Request a Letter of License Certification
Calendar
Meeting Dates
Find the schedule for DLCP Board Meetings here.Contact Us
