Do you need a licence to be a window cleaner in the UK?

Usually yes

Scotland: you usually need a window cleaner's licence

Section 43 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 says: "A licence, to be known as a 'window cleaner's licence' shall be required for carrying on the trade of, or being employed as, a window cleaner" (legislation.gov.uk). That covers working for yourself and working for someone else. Perth and Kinross Council puts it plainly: it is "needed by any person engaged in window cleaning whether as an employee or self-employed" (Perth and Kinross Council).

The licence comes from your local council. GOV.UK says to ask "the council for the area where you will be working" (GOV.UK: Window cleaner's licence (Scotland)), so if your round covers more than one council area, ask each one.

How it works

• How long it lasts. "Most councils will issue a licence that lasts for 3 years." You must renew it before it runs out. Some councils also offer one year.
• How to apply. Usually in person, by post or online, and you pay a fee that "will vary from council to council".
• What to bring. You may need proof of your public liability insurance and at least 2 passport photographs. Edinburgh asks for an uploaded digital photo instead (City of Edinburgh Council).
• Checks. The licence may come with conditions, and you might be checked by the police for any criminal convictions.
• While you work. Wear your council's identification badge if it issues one. Otherwise carry your licence.
• If you skip it. "If you work without a licence or make a false statement on your application you may be fined up to £2,500."

What it costs

Fees are set by each council, so they differ. Three examples from council pages on 26 October 2026:

• Perth and Kinross: page updated 1 April 2026. The council says its fees change every year, so check before you pay. (council page)
• Aberdeenshire: paid when you apply, and not refundable. (council page)
• East Ayrshire: £132 is for an employee, and £55 for an employee on a one year licence. Page dated 14 August 2025. (council page)

Fees change. Check your own council before you pay.

Councils also differ on insurance. Aberdeenshire asks for public liability cover of at least £1 million. Check your own council's page for its figure.

Find your council, and the apply link, on GOV.UK. Enter a postcode and it shows who to ask.

Generally no

England and Wales: generally no licence

There is no general window cleaner's licence in England or Wales that we could find. GOV.UK's licence finder, searched for "window cleaner" on 26 October 2026, lists one window cleaner licence, and it is the Scottish one.

A trade supplier says the same: "Mostly, there is no direct license or accreditation that is required in order to start a Window Cleaning business", with Scotland the exception (Window Cleaning Warehouse, 2022).

We did not check every council, and the finder itself says it "may not include all the licences you need". If you want to be certain, ask the licensing team at the council where you will work.

None found, ask your council

Northern Ireland: no window cleaner licence found

We found no Northern Ireland page that says window cleaners need a licence. GOV.UK's licence finder lists no window cleaner licence for Northern Ireland, and NI Business Info, the official business advice site there, points people to that same finder (NI Business Info: Find a licence).

We could not read a Northern Ireland page that says either way, so we cannot say "no" for certain. Ask your district council before you start.

Wherever you work: three things that still apply

The HSE and GOV.UK pages used for height and insurance below describe the rules in Great Britain. We did not check the Northern Ireland rules, so if you work there, ask your council or your insurer.

Working at height

HSE says "Health and safety law also applies to self-employed window cleaners if their work exposes others to risk" (HSE: Working at height whilst window cleaning). HSE also says everyone working at height needs "the right skills, knowledge and experience" for the way they clean.

• Ladders are allowed. HSE says they "can be a sensible and practical option for low-risk, short-duration tasks" (HSE). If you would be up one for more than 30 minutes at a time, HSE recommends other equipment (HSE).
• Stay on the ground where you can. HSE says to avoid work at height "where it is reasonably practicable to do so, for example by using telescopic water fed poles or cleaning windows from the inside".
• Water-fed poles. The guide on HSE's site says "Don't use a water-fed pole near to overhead power lines" (Safety in window cleaning using water-fed pole systems).

More on ladders and poles in the start-up guide.

Insurance

• Public liability is generally not a legal requirement. HSE says it is "generally voluntary" (HSE: Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969, a brief guide). It covers claims from the public if you damage something or hurt someone. A Scottish council may ask for proof of it, and some customers will too.
• Employers' liability is compulsory once you employ someone. GOV.UK says you must have it "as soon as you become an employer", to cover you for at least £5 million, and you can be fined £2,500 every day you are not properly insured. You do not need it if you only employ a family member (GOV.UK: Employers' liability insurance). HSE adds that this exemption does not apply to family businesses set up as limited companies (HSE guide).

We do not compare insurers here. The start-up guide lists the types of cover.

Telling HMRC

GOV.UK says: "You can start trading straight away without registering. However, you must register for Self Assessment as a sole trader if you earn more than £1,000 in a tax year (from 6 April to 5 April)" (GOV.UK: Set up as a sole trader). HMRC's guidance on the trading allowance counts gross income, the total before costs are taken off: "If your gross income for a tax year is more than £1,000, you must register for Self Assessment" (GOV.UK: Tax-free allowances on property and trading income). You can register earlier if you want to. Start at GOV.UK: Register for Self Assessment.

Before your first customer

1. Working in Scotland? Ask the council for each area you will work in whether you need a licence, what it costs and what it asks for.
2. Working in England, Wales or Northern Ireland? Check the council's website, or ask its licensing team, that nothing local applies.
3. Decide on insurance, and keep the certificate where you can show it.
4. Choose how you will reach upstairs windows, and read HSE's page for it.
5. You must register for Self Assessment if your gross trading income (the money customers pay you, before costs) is over £1,000 in a tax year. You can register earlier if you want to.

Next: what kit costs in the start-up guide, how to find your first customers in the canvassing guide, and what to charge with the window cleaning price calculator.