If you recruit, hire, or furnish agricultural workers in Washington for a fee, you're a farm labor contractor — and Washington requires a state license bond. If you also file your own H-2A petitions, a separate federal bond applies too. We write both, fast.
Yes. Washington requires a farm labor contractor license bond through L&I (RCW 19.30.040): at least a $5,000 statutory floor, with the exact amount set by L&I rule (roughly $5,000–$20,000 by employee count); cash or other security is accepted in lieu of a bond. Verify your current amount with WA L&I.
Any farm labor contractor — in Washington or anywhere else — who files their own H-2A Application for Temporary Employment Certification (ETA-9142A) must post a surety bond under 20 CFR 655.132. The base amount is set by the number of workers on your certification:
| H-2A workers | Base bond |
|---|---|
| Fewer than 25 | $5,000 |
| 25 – 49 | $10,000 |
| 50 – 74 | $20,000 |
| 75 – 99 | $50,000 |
| 100 – 149 | $75,000 |
Important: those are base figures only. The amount you actually post is adjusted by the wage rate — base × (average AEWR ÷ $9.25) — so it's higher than the base and changes every year, with further increases above 150 workers. Always verify your current amount with US DOL/OFLC at the time of filing.
The AEWR is set by US DOL and changes yearly by state. Look up the current Washington AEWR →
Washington agriculture runs on apples, cherries, hops, potatoes, wine grapes and dairy — and it's one of the very largest H-2A states, led by tree fruit. Whether you run a crew of a dozen or several hundred, we write the surety bond you need to operate legally and file your H-2A paperwork, and we do it fast, in Washington and all 50 states. One licensed agent handles your bond, your workers' comp, and your general liability — so you're covered end to end.
See also: Farm Labor Contractor & H-2A Bonds overview · Farm & H-2A workers' comp
Tell us a few details and a licensed agent emails your quote — usually within a few business hours.