Washington plumbing contractor compliance
Washington Plumbing Contractor License Requirements
Washington plumbing contracting follows a separate L&I licensing path. Plumbing contractor licensing should not be merged into the general contractor registration requirement.
Washington plumbing contractor requirements at a glance
| Requirement | Verified value | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Plumbing contractor license | As of July 2021, businesses must be licensed as a Plumbing Contractor with L&I to advertise, offer to do work, submit a bid, or perform plumbing work. Only licensed plumbing contractors may employ certified plumbers to work on plumbing jobs; non-plumbing construction work may also require general or specialty contractor registration. | L&I current Licensed Plumbing Contractor |
| Plumbing CE notes | CE varies by certification. See the classification-specific breakdown below. | L&I current Continuing education requirements |
| Plumbing bond and insurance | $6,000 plumbing contractor bond and $250,000 liability insurance certificate. See details below. | L&I current Licensed Plumbing Contractor |
| General registration warning | Non-plumbing construction work may also require contractor registration | L&I current Construction Contractors Must Be Registered / Contractor Specialties |
Plumbing license vs. general contractor registration
As of July 2021, businesses must be licensed as a Plumbing Contractor with L&I to advertise, offer to do work, submit a bid, or perform plumbing work. Only licensed plumbing contractors may employ certified plumbers to work on plumbing jobs; non-plumbing construction work may also require general or specialty contractor registration.
Plumbing contracting and construction contractor registration are separate L&I credentials. A general contractor doing plumbing work needs the plumbing license too; a plumbing contractor doing non-plumbing construction work may also need contractor registration.
What continuing education does L&I list?
Varies by certification. Journey level and residential specialty plumbers require 24 hours: 12 hours code, 4 hours industry-related electrical, and 8 additional approved hours. Plumber trainees require 16 hours over a two-year period, with at least 8 hours code and 4 hours electrical trade-related classes. Domestic pump / pump and irrigation plumbers require 24 hours over a three-year renewal period. Backflow specialty plumbers are not required to complete CE classes.
What bond and certificate does L&I require?
Plumbing contractor licensing requires a separate $6,000 plumbing contractor surety bond or assigned savings account and $250,000 certificate of liability insurance. A general contractor who also wants to perform plumbing work needs a separate plumbing contractor license and separate bond; liability insurance may be the same policy but requires a separate certificate for each license/registration.
Official lookup
Use L&I’s official Verify tool when checking a contractor or tradesperson: https://secure.lni.wa.gov/verify/.
Related guides
- Washington general contractor registration
- Washington contractor insurance requirements
- Contractor bond vs. insurance
Official sources
- https://www.lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/plumbing/licensed-plumbing-contractor/ L&I current · Licensed Plumbing Contractor
- https://www.lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/plumbing/continuing-education L&I current · Continuing education requirements
- https://www.lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/contractors/register-as-a-contractor/ L&I current · Construction Contractors Must Be Registered / Contractor Specialties
- https://secure.lni.wa.gov/verify/ L&I current · Verify a Contractor, Tradesperson or Business
FAQ
Does Washington require a plumbing contractor license?
Yes. Businesses must be licensed as a Plumbing Contractor to advertise, bid, offer, or perform plumbing work.
Is a plumbing contractor license the same as general contractor registration?
No. Plumbing contractor licensing is a separate L&I path. Non-plumbing construction work may also require general or specialty contractor registration.
How many continuing education hours do Washington plumbers need?
Varies by certification. Journey level and residential specialty plumbers require 24 hours: 12 hours code, 4 hours industry-related electrical, and 8 additional approved hours. Plumber trainees require 16 hours over a two-year period, with at least 8 hours code and 4 hours electrical trade-related classes. Domestic pump / pump and irrigation plumbers require 24 hours over a three-year renewal period. Backflow specialty plumbers are not required to complete CE classes.