According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, plumbers in Washington are among the highest paid in the country, ranking seventh place. According to the same data, there are 11,260 plumbers working in Washington out of the 469,900 employed nationwide. The number may increase by 5% nationwide from 2020 to 2030.
In Washington State, there are many prospects for career advancement in the plumbing sector. The demand for certified plumbers is increasing as a result of increased regulatory frameworks and requirements.
Those who operate in the plumbing industry in Washington must have the necessary certifications. The Washington State Plumber Certification Program provides a Washington plumbing license that enables legal performance statewide. Yet, you may still wonder how to get a journeyman plumbing license. We’ve got your back and prepared a small guide on Journeyman Washington Plumbing License. Read on to dive into the details.
First of all, to get the statewide permit you must meet the following conditions:
- At least 8,000 hours of experience working as a journey-level plumber over the course of no less than 4 years.
- At least two of the four years you should have spent working in industrial or commercial settings.
- 16 hours or more in a classroom setting.
While specialty contractors who hold electronic certifications need to renew their permits every three years, general contractors must renew their certifications every other year.
Yet, it is not that easy to get the permit. First, you have to take part in certified courses. Secondly, you are to provide proof of knowledge and professionalism. That is, you must pass an exam. The Board of Licensing requires you to send your application together with the required affidavits of experience and continuing education requirements before you may sit for the journeyman plumber exam. Otherwise, you are unable to take the test.
Note that you should send the request to the L&I for approval online or by mail at least two weeks prior to the exam date.
The exam of Washington plumbing tests costs $151.90 and is available in Yakima, Tumwater, Spokane, Everett, and Tukwila.
You should study thoroughly for this exam because it is not an open-book one, taking into account the following:
- 100 questions based on the Uniform Plumbing Code with State Amendments from Chapters 1 through 10 and 15 through 17.
- Based on chapter 7's sizing and design methodologies, the waste and vent pipe size drawing.
- Water pipe size drawing based on chapter 6's sizing and design methodologies.
Requirements to Consider for Your Journeyman Washington Plumbing License
To become a journeyman in Washington, you need to fulfill the requirements listed below:
- be at least 16 years old;
- apply for certification as a plumber apprentice;
- if working on irrigation or pump devices, get an electrical trainee card;
- attend 8 hours of annual ongoing education;
- meet a minimum requirement for experience hours.
If you have already been granted this license in other states you may check the reciprocity availability.
Actually, the only state that has reciprocity agreements with Washington is Idaho. Thus, if you have a license in Idaho you can also practice in Washington.
In order to operate with the reciprocity program, plumbers from all other states must satisfy the following criteria:
- submit a request;
- pass a test;
- prove equivalent experience in another state or in the military for a non-refundable fee of $151.90.
The applications can be submitted either online or by mail at least two weeks before the exam in order to give the L&I time to process them.
The fees for Plumber License are mainly fixed in Washington. The following is the average cost you are to consider when starting the application process.
Exam/Application: $189.80
$56.40 for certification or trainee
Renewal: $227.90
Actually, there are no extra costs for the application process. Yet, you must also consider the expenses you will have to pay for your education.
Below you can also find some Frequently Asked Questions on getting your plumber’s permit in Washington.
Following the test, you will have your exam results right away.
Candidates must apply again to the department if they are unsuccessful. The candidate may reapply and retake the test as many times as necessary throughout the 12-month period. But they must wait two weeks (14 days) from the date of their most recent unsuccessful attempt. If a candidate misses an exam, they will receive a failing grade.
The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, which also issues licenses to plumbing contractors, certifies all plumbers in the state. Washington State Plumber Certification Program should certify you in order to work lawfully in the plumbing sector in Washington.
Without the appropriate certification and authorization, conducting, bidding on, and promoting plumbing work carries fines ranging from $500 to $5,000.
