New WH-347 Form: September 30, 2026 Deadline
— WH347.io Team
The old WH-347 certified payroll form expires September 30, 2026. Starting October 1, agencies must reject it. Here's what changed, why it matters, and how to make the switch before the deadline.
The old WH-347 certified payroll form expires September 30, 2026 — and once it expires, contracting agencies are required to reject any submission made on it. The Department of Labor has issued an updated replacement form, and if you're still using the old version, making the switch before that expiration date is the only way to avoid rejected submissions, delayed payments, and compliance flags on your contractor record.
Why the Form Was Updated
The 2023 Davis-Bacon final rule introduced the most significant changes to prevailing wage regulations in more than 40 years. Among other things, it broadened the definition of covered workers, strengthened anti-retaliation protections, and revised how fringe benefits are calculated and credited. The WH-347 form itself needed to reflect those regulatory changes — particularly in the Statement of Compliance language, which is the legal certification contractors sign each week.
The DOL also updated the OMB control number and expiration date on the form as part of the standard Paperwork Reduction Act renewal process. An expired OMB number on a submitted form is a compliance flag in its own right.
What's Different on the New Form
- Updated Statement of Compliance language — the certification text on page 2 has been revised to reflect the 2023 regulatory definitions and fringe benefit rules.
- Revised fringe benefit instructions — clearer guidance on how to report benefit plan contributions versus cash-in-lieu payments, consistent with the final rule.
- New OMB approval number and expiration date (expiration: March 31, 2026 on the new form) — the old form's OMB approval has expired; using it is a technical deficiency on every submission.
- Additional guidance on apprentice and trainee rate reporting — reflects updated DOL standards for registered apprenticeship programs.
- Minor column header formatting changes — no structural impact, but visually different from the form many teams have memorized.
What Has NOT Changed
The core structure of the WH-347 is unchanged. The nine payroll columns, the Statement of Compliance signature page, the weekly submission cadence, and the underlying Davis-Bacon wage and hour obligations are all exactly the same. If your team understands how to complete the old form, switching to the new one requires no retraining — just a template swap.
The September 30, 2026 Deadline
September 30, 2026 is the last day contracting agencies are permitted to accept the old WH-347 form. Starting October 1, agencies must reject it. That said, don't wait until late September — agencies that are already aware of the transition may flag old-form submissions before the hard cutoff, especially on projects with active compliance oversight. If you're mid-project in August or September and a submission gets kicked back, you'll be scrambling to resubmit at the worst possible time.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the old WH-347 form expire?
The old WH-347 form expires September 30, 2026. That is the last day contracting agencies are permitted to accept it. Starting October 1, 2026, agencies are required to reject any certified payroll submitted on the superseded form.
What happens if I submit the expired WH-347 form after the deadline?
If you submit certified payroll on the expired WH-347 form after September 30, 2026, contracting agencies are required to reject it. A rejected submission can delay your progress payments and create a compliance flag on your contractor record. You would need to resubmit the affected payrolls using the current, DOL-approved form version.
What changed on the new WH-347 form?
The updated WH-347 includes revised Statement of Compliance language reflecting the 2023 Davis-Bacon final rule, clearer fringe benefit reporting instructions, updated apprentice documentation requirements, and a new OMB control number. The core nine-column structure and weekly submission cadence are unchanged.
When is the deadline to switch to the new WH-347 form?
September 30, 2026 is the last day contracting agencies may accept the old WH-347. Starting October 1, 2026, agencies are required to reject submissions on the superseded form. Contractors should make the switch well before the deadline to avoid mid-project disruptions.
Where can I download the new WH-347 form?
The current WH-347 is available on the Department of Labor's website at dol.gov. Search for 'WH-347' and verify the OMB expiration date on the form you download — an expired date means you have an old version. Certified payroll software like WH347.io generates reports on the current form automatically.
What happens if I submit certified payroll on the old WH-347 after October 1, 2026?
Contracting agencies are required to reject submissions made on the superseded WH-347 form after October 1, 2026. Rejected submissions can delay progress payments and create compliance flags on your contractor record. You would need to resubmit using the current form.
Do I need to resubmit old certified payrolls on the new form?
No. Previously accepted submissions on the old form are not affected. The deadline applies to new submissions going forward from October 1, 2026.