Washington plumber license & renewal
The requirements, the timing and the official sources. Everything we’ve verified, in one place.
License fee
$242.70
Required hours
—
Not verified yet
Exam
—
Not verified yet
Renewal
Your plumber certification renews on your birthdate every 3 years for journey level, residential, residential service, backflow, and domestic pump and pump and irrigation plumbers.
Before you begin
Agency guidance
Individual certification is required to work in the Washington plumbing trade.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
You must be certified by the Washington State Plumber Certification Program to work in the plumbing trade in Washington.Official source
Agency guidance
Plumbing contract work requires a separate Licensed Plumbing Contractor credential.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
All plumbing contract work must be performed by a new Licensed Plumbing Contractor under Chapter 18.106 RCW.Official source
Agency guidance
Initial individual certification lasts a minimum of 25 months and a maximum of 37 months for journey-level and the listed specialty plumbers.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
A minimum of 25 months up to a maximum of 37 months for journey level, residential, residential service, backflow, or domestic pump or pump and irrigation plumbers.Official source
Agency guidance
Journey-level certification renewal costs $242.70.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
$242.70 – Journey level, residential specialty, & residential service plumber certification renewal.Official source
How to get this license
Use the agency’s requirements below to plan your next steps. Missing details stay marked.
Start with the licensing authority
Licensing board
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries, Plumber Certification
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries Plumber Certification
Official sourceOfficial agency page
Check the qualifications
Experience
Journey level PL01: four years and at least 8,000 hours as a trainee under a certified journey-level plumber, including two years and at least 4,000 hours in commercial or industrial installations.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Four years or more (at least 8,000 hours) working as a plumber trainee under the supervision of a certified journey level plumber. Note: Two years or more (at least 4,000 hours) must be spent working in commercial or industrial installations
Official sourceBond
Plumbing contractor: $6,000 continuous surety bond.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
A Washington Continuous Plumbing Contractor Surety Bond in the amount of $6,000
Official sourceInsurance
Plumbing contractor: $200,000 public liability plus $50,000 property damage, or $250,000 combined single limit.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
A general liability insurance policy in the amount of: $200,000 in public liability and $50,000 property damage, or $250,000 combined single limit
Official sourceReview fees and apply
Application fee
Not verified yet
Exam fee
$202.10
License fee
$242.70
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
$242.70 – Journey Level / Residential / Residential Service.
Official sourceApply with the agency
Reciprocity
Idaho journey-level reciprocity; submit an active Idaho card and government-issued photo ID.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Reciprocal applicants — Washington State reciprocates with the state of Idaho. Email a copy of your active Idaho journey level card and a copy of your government-issued photo IDOfficial source
Official sources and verification (16)
Last verified 2026-10-24. Each quotation supports the corresponding published value.
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries Plumber CertificationOfficial source
Verified 2026-10-24
Four years or more (at least 8,000 hours) working as a plumber trainee under the supervision of a certified journey level plumber. Note: Two years or more (at least 4,000 hours) must be spent working in commercial or industrial installationsOfficial source
Verified 2026-10-24
A Washington Continuous Plumbing Contractor Surety Bond in the amount of $6,000Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
A general liability insurance policy in the amount of: $200,000 in public liability and $50,000 property damage, or $250,000 combined single limitOfficial source
Verified 2026-10-24
$242.70 – Journey Level / Residential / Residential Service.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Your plumber certification renews on your birthdate every 3 years for journey level, residential, residential service, backflow, and domestic pump and pump and irrigation plumbers.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Journey Level (PL01) Residential (PL02) Residential Service (PL04) 24 hours before their expirationOfficial source
Verified 2026-10-24
24 hours must consist of a minimum of 12 hours of Plumbing Code (Code) and a minimum of 4 hours IRE. The other 8 hours may be from any category (Code, IRE, IRP).Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Reciprocal applicants — Washington State reciprocates with the state of Idaho. Email a copy of your active Idaho journey level card and a copy of your government-issued photo IDOfficial source
Verified 2026-10-24
You must be certified by the Washington State Plumber Certification Program to work in the plumbing trade in Washington.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
All plumbing contract work must be performed by a new Licensed Plumbing Contractor under Chapter 18.106 RCW.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
A minimum of 25 months up to a maximum of 37 months for journey level, residential, residential service, backflow, or domestic pump or pump and irrigation plumbers.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
$242.70 – Journey level, residential specialty, & residential service plumber certification renewal.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Keep exploring.
Same license in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Last verified 2026-10-24.
Official sources (3)
Not legal or tax advice. Confirm with the official agency before filing.