In Washington, there are specific qualifications for being a plumber. The typical path from trade school through trainee to journeyman follows this pattern. As a plumber, you’ll study the following skills:
- Production and supply pipe installation and maintenance;
- Sewage and exhaust tube installation and maintenance;
- Plumbing fittings and drains are being installed.
Hospital gas setup and domestic installation are two specializations accessible within the sector. The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries must accept all criteria for licensing, whether primary or specialist (L&I). Some specialty professions, however, need further certification.
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Types of Plumbers Licenses in Washington
Many specialty plumbing options are available for Washington state. However, these are the major types of licenses in Washington.
- Plumber trainee
- Journey Level Plumber (PL01)
- Residential Plumber (PL02)
- Plumbing Contractor
Plumber Licensing Requirements in Washington
Plumbers, welders, builders, and various other occupations are licensed by the Washington State Department of Labor and Commerce. The Plumbing Certification Program ensures that all levels of the plumbing profession, including apprentices, journeymen, and contractors, satisfy state criteria for creating safe piping to the community. State-certified fitters can only do plumbing maintenance on someone else’s premises, and landowners can do plumbing maintenance on their premises—new plumbing license regulations in Washington on July 1, 2021. The amendments address the scarcity of licensed plumbers, enhance plumber training possibilities, strengthen regulatory oversight, and create a new piping business license.
Plumbing Journeyman License Requirements in Washington
After receiving accreditation from Washington State, the journeyman designation is awarded. The following standards must be satisfied to acquire tag:
Four years (8,000+ hours) of experience performed under the supervision of a journey-level tradesman;
Functioning in commercial or industrial establishments for at least two of the four years;
A minimum of 16 hours of instruction is required.
After passing the relevant exam and submitting the application cost, certification is awarded. Construction contracts must renew their qualification every two years, which is required every three years for specialty contractors who possess electronic certification. Renewals must be completed on or before the holder’s birthday.
Journeyman Plumbing Exam
Before taking the plumber journeyman test, documents of expertise and continuous education criteria must be submitted. Proposals can be forwarded to the L&I for clearance once they have been authorized. At least two weeks before the written exam, eligible candidates can apply online or by post. The exam section will set you back $151.90, and additional charges may be incurred.
Requirements for Plumbing Trainees
Prospective plumbers start as apprentices, operating under the direction of a master or journeyman plumber. On-the-job education is used to meet standards. The following are examples of such prerequisites:
- Be at least 16 years old;
- Register for a certificate as a plumber intern.
- If you’re dealing with drainage or motor equipment, you’ll need an electrical trainee card.
- Annually, enroll in 8 hours of continuing education programs;
- A specified amount of years of practice must be met.
In the process of filing testimonies of competence, each student must keep a record of their post-intervention. This is a regulation peculiar to Washington State. While candidates work toward licensure, logs maintain track of hours and monitoring. Affidavits must be sent separately for each manager under whom you have served.
Plumbing Apprenticeships in Washington State
The state of Washington provides a wealth of opportunities for getting an apprenticeship. On the other hand, such internships frequently include all construction industries, including plumbing. Use the state’s employment search to locate training that interests you.
Residential Plumber (PL02) Requirements
This license is only suitable for installing, maintaining, and repairing plumbing in single-family homes, duplexes, and three-story apartment complexes.
Practicing in the specialization for three years or more (at least 6,000 hours) under the guidance of a professional residential or journey-level engine
Plumbing Contractor License Requirements
- Plumber License Corporations, Limited Partnerships, Limited Liability Partnerships, and Limited Liability Companies must first register with the Secretary of State.
- The Department of Business Licensing Service requires all corporate or Plumbing contractor license aspirants to submit a Business License Application.
- An Employee Identification Number from the Internal Revenue Service is essential unless you are a rightful proprietor with no workers.
- Fill out the Plumbing Contractor License Application.
- A Surety Bond or an Assigned Savings Account should be obtained. $6,000
Details on the Washington Plumber Licensing Exam
PSI Exams, a third-party assessment provider, has been hired by the state of Washington to administer all of its licensure exams. They all have a 90-minute hard deadline and must pass with a score of at least 70% to pass.
There are three parts to the Journey Level Plumber (PL01).
- 100 questions on Journey Level coding and general trade knowledge
- Waste and Ventilation Drawings for Journey Levels: 25 questions
- Level Drawings for Water Sizing Journeys: 25 questions
The Residential Plumber (PL02) is divided into three sections.
- 100 questions on residential code and general trade knowledge
- Waste and Ventilation Drawings for Journey Levels: 25 questions
- Level Drawings for Water Sizing Journeys: 25 questions
- Eighty-five questions for the Residential Service Plumber (PL04).
- Forty-five questions for the Pump and Irrigation Plumber (PL03).
Steps to Obtain a Washington Plumber’s License
- You must be at least 16 years old.
- Participate in a traineeship or take action as a journey-level or licensed plumber trainee.
- Subscribe to the Department of Labor and Industries for a professional apprentice license.
- Obtain the needed years of supervision for the subject you’re interested in.
- Register for the proper certificate of proficiency examination, subscribe for it, sit it, and complete it.
- Purchase your license and get it.
- Work for a licensed contractor permanently while maintaining your license through continuous learning and renewing.
Average Plumber Salary in Washington
A plumber’s yearly mean pay in Washington is $74,960. Plumbers, permanent fixtures, and boilermakers in Washington earn the 5th highest average annual pay in the US. Y our compensation can rise as you get more experienced, as you might assume.
In Washington, a trainee plumber earns an average of $17.56 per hour and $5,429 in extra annually.
In Washington, a journeyman plumber earns a median of $37.97 hourly and $10,331 in extra annually.
Salary varies considerably based on the location and many other essential sectors such as education, licenses, supplementary talents, and the length of time you’ve worked in your field.
Cost to Get a Plumbers License in Washington
In Washington, the cost of becoming a plumber apprentice is rather modest. The charge for the plumbing apprentice license is $56.40, and you must renew it every year until you have completed your years of expertise. Apprenticeship programs come with a variety of college tuition. Some are paid entirely by participants and employers, while others ask trainees to pay a nominal fee. Apprentices in the program offered by Local 44 in Spokane, for example, pay $800 per year in fees. That’s $4,000 in total. Journey Level / Residential / Residential Service – $227.90.
Continuing Education
In Washington, you must undertake Continuing Education since you may renew your license at any level. The Department publishes a list of certified plumber certification sources and a list of authorized cranking main sectors.
License Reciprocity
Idaho is the only jurisdiction with which Washington has a reciprocity agreement. Plumbers from other states are eligible for reciprocity if they satisfy the following criteria:
completing an inquiry;
Completing a test for $151.90 (non-refundable cost);
Demonstrating similar experiences in another state or the military.
To allow the L&I enough time to collect and process the registration, it must be submitted online or posted at least two weeks before the exam. Given limited seating capacity, applications should be submitted as soon as feasible.
License Renewal
Your license revives every three years on your birthday.
You’ll need the following items to update your plumber or equivalent license online:
Your accreditation (license) number is a 12-digit number.
The number assigned to you by the Social Security Administration
A current journey-level plumbing license or a specialized plumber certification is required.
Your course provider must provide proof of your continuing education to L&I.
Late costs will apply if you do not complete your continuing education before your expiration date, and you will not be allowed to renew online.
Plumbers’ Insurance
Workers’ insurance plans cover plumbers. Employees should be provided with this coverage, which may be acquired through the DL&I. Plumbing isn’t a hazardous profession, but it does carry the potential of injury.
