- Change your address, pay renewal or reinstatement fee online.
- Get a duplicate license online.
- Change your address by mail or fax.
- Request duplicate license by mail.
Before applying or renewing online...
...make sure you can meet all of the requirements
Requirements for
applying for a plumber trainee certificate- The fee is $45.20.
- You must not have any outstanding, unpaid infractions with L&I.
- If you have affidavits of experience to submit, mail them to:
Department of Labor & Industries
Plumber Certification Section
PO Box 44470
Olympia, WA 98504-4470
Before you apply online, you will need the following:
- Your Social Security number.
- We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express credit cards
Visa
MasterCard
Discover
American Express
- Note: We now accept E-Check, a one time withdrawal from your checking account.
What L&I will do:
- Verify that required continuing education hours are complete.
- Mail your certificate within 2-4 weeks.
Apply online now
- The renewal fee is $45.20.
- You must not have any outstanding, unpaid infractions with L&I or a collection agency.
- If your certificate is suspended for any reason, you may not renew online and you must contact us about reinstating it.
- If you have affidavits of experience, you must mail them to Department of Labor & Industries, Plumber Certification Section, PO Box 44470, Olympia, WA 98504-4470.
- 8 hours of approved continuing education each year is required for plumber trainee renewal.
Before you proceed to renew online, you will need the following:
- Your 12-digit license number.
- An active license (not suspended or canceled).
- Required documents on file with the department.
- We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express credit cards
Visa
MasterCard
Discover
American Express
- Note: We now accept E-Check, a one-time withdrawal from your checking account.
Renew online now
You can also get or renew your plumber trainee certificate
- By mail: Print the Plumber Certification Application (143 KB PDF) and follow the directions.
- In person: at any L&I field office.
About becoming a plumber trainee
To learn to be a plumber, you need to begin as a trainee. A plumber trainee must have a trainee certificate and work under the direct supervision of a certified plumber.
A plumber trainee must renew their certificate every year until they pass the exam to become a journey level or specialty plumber.
Here's the process:
- Make sure you meet the basic age and other requirements. You must be 16 years or older. Contact Employment Standards for more information regarding minors working on a construction site.
- Apply to become a plumber trainee.
- Work as a plumber trainee under the direct supervision of a journey level or specialty plumber while you are gaining the required hours of experience to become certified as a journey level or specialty plumber.
- If you are a trainee working in the pump and irrigation or domestic pump trade you must also maintain an electrical trainee card.
- While you're working, you must take 8 hours of approved continuing education instruction per year to renew.
Experience and training for trainees
Plumber Trainees working for a registered general contractor or specialty plumbing contractor must submit affidavits of experience from the employers they have worked for during the previous year. Keep a training log sheet to assist you and your employer when preparing affidavits of experience. Use the sample training log sheet to keep track of your hours. It is your responsibility to turn the affidavits in to the department.
More information
- Read the Plumber law Revised Code of Washington Chapter 18.106 RCW.
- Read the Plumber rules Washington Administrative Code 296-400A WAC.
