Laws and rules pertaining to plumbing can be found in the following:
- Washington Administrative Code (WAC) Chapter 296-400A.
- Revised Code of Washington (RCW) Chapter 18.106.
The laws and rules are maintained and updated by the State Office of the Code Reviser.
Rule Development
2024 expedited rulemaking
The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries has adopted changes the requirements for plumber trainees. The adopted rule affects Washington Administrative Code 296-400A-120, What do I need to know about plumber trainee certificates? The new rule took effect on September 24, 2024.
What the adopted rule does
The adopted rule:
- Permits plumber trainee applicants the option of providing an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) in lieu of a Social Security Number (SSN) when applying for a plumber trainee certificate.
- Updates language to be uniform with Engrossed Senate Bill 5997 (ESB 5997), which includes:
- Changing the expiration date for the required supervision ratios for plumber trainees to certified plumbers from Dec. 31, 2025, to Dec. 31, 2028; and
- Removing the requirements that failure of a trainee to report plumbing hours worked for each employer is a violation of chapter 18.106 RCW, subject to an infraction under RCW 18.106.320, and must result in nonrenewal of a plumbing trainee certificate.
- Includes changes to existing language for clarity.
L&I filed a Rulemaking Order (CR-103) on September 24. The rule change is required for uniformity with Substitute House Bill 1889 (Chapter 50, Laws of 2024) and Engrossed Senate Bill 5997 (ESB 5997) (Chapter 97, Laws of 2024) that the Legislature passed this year. The statutory changes took effect on June 6, and July 1, 2024.
Expedited Proposed Rulemaking (07/23/24)
CR-105 Expedited Proposal
CR-105 Proposed Rule Language
Final Adoption (09/23/24)