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How to get a plumber license in Washington

Hours, exam, fees, renewal and continuing education for Washington plumbing licenses, pulled from official WA sources and checked .

Quick answer
  • Licensing body: Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), Plumber Certification Program
  • State journeyman license: Yes (L&I certifies Journey Level plumbers (PL01) and several specialties statewide.)
  • Journey Level Plumber (PL01): Four years or more (at least 8,000 hours) working as a plumber trainee under the supervision of a certified journey level plumber. At least two years (4,000 hours) must be commercial or industrial installations. Typically you start with a plumber trainee certificate.
  • Exam: see below, via Washington L&I Plumber Certification Program
  • Code edition: Journey level and residential exams are based on the 2015 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) with Washington State Building Code Council amendments (L&I plumber examination page).

Requirements by license

Journey Level Plumber (PL01)

ExperienceFour years or more (at least 8,000 hours) working as a plumber trainee under the supervision of a certified journey level plumber. At least two years (4,000 hours) must be commercial or industrial installations. Typically you start with a plumber trainee certificate.Source: lni.wa.gov · as of
ExamWashington L&I Plumber Certification Program. Closed book. Closed-book journey level exam based on the 2015 UPC and Washington amendments. Three parts: technical/general trade knowledge (100 code questions), waste-and-vent sizing exercise, and water-piping sizing exercise. Certain UPC tables are provided; Table 703.2 is not. Affidavits of experience and CE must be approved before you sit.Source: lni.wa.gov · as of · Fees and renewals: lni.wa.gov
Fees
  • Examination application: $202.10
  • Journey level certification fee (after passing): $242.70
  • Journey level renewal (3 years): $242.70
Source: lni.wa.gov · as of
RenewalEvery 3 years. Renews on your birthdate every 3 years. Complete required CE before expiration or late fees apply. 90 days after expiration without fee/CE, you must retest to reinstate (retesting fee applies).Source: lni.wa.gov · as of
CE to renew24 hours per 3-year renewal
  • Minimum 12 hours Plumbing Code
  • Minimum 4 hours Industry Related Electrical (IRE)
  • Remaining 8 hours from Code, IRE, or IRP categories
Effective 7/1/2021 split for journey level / residential / residential service. Providers report CE to L&I.
Source: lni.wa.gov · as of

License types in Washington

  • Journey Level plumber (PL01)
  • Residential (PL02)
  • Residential Service (PL04)
  • Pump & Irrigation / Domestic Well specialties
  • Medical Gas endorsement (MG01)
  • Backflow specialty (PL30)
  • Plumber trainee certificate
Source: lni.wa.gov · as of

Reciprocity (licensed in another state?)

Washington reciprocates with Idaho for journey level plumbers (active Idaho journey card + photo ID). Other out-of-state plumbers may submit a comparable license or U.S. military experience for L&I review; most still must pass the Washington exam. Out-of-state trainee hours generally do not count toward Washington certification.Source: lni.wa.gov · as of

FAQ

Does Washington have a journey level plumber certification?

Yes. L&I certifies Journey Level plumbers (PL01) after trainee hours and the state exam.

How many hours does a WA journey level plumber need?

At least 8,000 hours as a trainee under a certified journey level plumber, including 4,000 hours commercial/industrial.

Already licensed? See Washington plumber license renewal & CE requirements.

Other states

Compare every state side by side: license requirements by state · renewal & CE by state.