Washington Independent Contractor Agreement

A freelance / 1099 services agreement drafted to support contractor status under your state's test, with IP, confidentiality and payment terms.

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Washington rules that this document follows

Worker-classification testHybrid / varies by purpose — unemployment insurance (ABC or six-part alternative); workers' comp uses six-part testSource: RCW § 50.04.140 (unemployment ABC test) or alternative six-part test RCW § 50.04.145; RCW § 51.08.195 (workers' comp six-part); Minimum Wage Act uses economic-reality test (Anfinson v. FedEx, 174 Wn.2d 851 (2012))
Freelance payment lawNone statewideSource: No statewide law; Seattle Independent Contractor Protections Ordinance (SMC ch. 14.34, eff. Sept. 1, 2022, $600 threshold, 30-day payment) applies within Seattle
Non-compete vs. contractorslimitedSource: RCW ch. 49.62 (void unless contractor earns > $317,147.09 (2026); max 18 months; ESHB 1155 voids nearly all non-competes for employees and contractors eff. June 30, 2027)
Terms this contract includesparties' names and addresses, itemized services (scope of work), rate and method of compensation, payment date or mechanism, term and termination, independent contractor status statement, IP ownership / work product, confidentiality

Rules current as of 2026-09-07. Statutes change; verify before relying on them.

How to use this Independent Contractor Agreement in Washington

Describe the deliverables, not the hours; let the contractor set the schedule and use their own tools. Collect a W-9 before the first payment and file a 1099-NEC if you pay $600 or more in a year.

Pay on time — late payment is the most common freelance dispute.

Frequently asked questions

Does a contract make someone an independent contractor in Washington?

No. Washington applies the classification tests (RCW § 50.04.140 (unemployment ABC test) or alternative six-part test RCW § 50.04.145; RCW § 51.08.195 (workers' comp six-part); Minimum Wage Act uses economic-reality test (Anfinson v. FedEx, 174 Wn.2d 851 (2012))) to the actual relationship. This agreement is drafted to support contractor status, but the parties must also behave accordingly: the contractor controls how the work is done, uses its own tools and works for others.

Is there a freelancer payment law in Washington?

No statewide freelance law; general contract law and this agreement's payment terms govern.

Can I add a non-compete?

In Washington: limited (RCW ch. 49.62 (void unless contractor earns > $317,147.09 (2026); max 18 months; ESHB 1155 voids nearly all non-competes for employees and contractors eff. June 30, 2027)). This template deliberately omits non-competes; a narrow non-solicitation clause is optional.

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FormsByState provides self-help document templates and general information, not legal advice. We are not a law firm. For advice about your situation consult a licensed attorney in your state.