DC Contractor License Lookup: How to Verify a Contractor's License
Three Free Tools for Verifying DC Contractors
The District of Columbia splits contractor verification across three separate databases, each managed by a different agency. Using the wrong one is a common mistake — the SCOUT database shows permit histories but won't tell you if a license is current. Here's which tool answers which question.
BOSS Global Search — Active Business Licenses
The primary license lookup is the BOSS Global Search at boss.dc.gov, managed by the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP). Search by business name or license number to confirm whether a contractor holds an active Basic Business License (BBL).
What you'll see: the license category (General Contractor or Home Improvement Contractor), the license class (A, B, C, G, or H for general contractors), the issue date, the expiration date, and the registered business address. If the status shows anything other than "Active," the contractor is not authorized to perform work requiring an active BBL in the District.
A BBL that shows "Lapsed" means the license expired 1 to 30 days ago — the contractor owes a $75 late fee but can still renew. "Expired" means it's been 31 days to six months, with $150 in accumulated penalties. At nine months or more, the current framework allows direct renewal on payment of the maximum $350 late penalty.
SCOUT Database — Permit and Inspection Histories
The SCOUT database at scout.dc.gov is run by the Department of Buildings (DOB). It shows building permits, inspection results, and code enforcement actions tied to specific properties. This is the tool homeowners use to check whether a contractor has actually pulled permits for past projects — and whether those inspections passed.
Search by property address to see every permit filed at that location, the contractor of record, and the inspection timeline. If a contractor claims they've done extensive work in DC but has no permit history in SCOUT, that's a significant red flag.
SCOUT does not verify license status. A contractor could appear in SCOUT with past permits but have a lapsed BBL today. Always cross-reference with BOSS.
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Access DC OPL Portal — Professional Licensing
The Occupational and Professional Licensing portal at opla.dlcp.dc.gov covers specialty credentials issued by the Board of Industrial Trades — electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, and gasfitters. If you're hiring for trade-specific work (not general contracting), this is where you confirm the individual holds a valid master or journeyman license.
General contractor BBLs won't appear here. This portal only tracks professional board-regulated licenses, which operate separately from the BBL system.
What to Check Before Hiring
Run both BOSS and SCOUT. Confirm the BBL is active and the contractor class covers your project scope (a Class H license caps at $500,000 per project, for example). Then check SCOUT for their permit history on recent projects.
For Home Improvement Contractors specifically, the BOSS listing should reflect an active HIC license with a designated Home Improvement Salesperson (HIS). If the salesperson designation is missing, the contractor can't legally solicit residential work — even if their BBL is technically active.
The District of Columbia General Contractor License Guide includes a pre-hire verification checklist that walks through each portal in the right order.
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