Laws and rules about plumbing contractor licensing can be found in: 

The laws and rules are maintained and updated by the State Office of the Code Reviser.

Rule development 

2026 Rulemaking

During the 2026 legislative session, the Legislature enacted changes to state plumbing laws (Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6197, Chapter 178, 2026 Laws). The changes included:

  • Individuals or plumbing contractors that have acquired five or more infractions within a five-year period, rather than three infractions in three years, may have their certificate suspended for up to two years from the date of L&I’s final order;
  • Removing recommendations from the Plumbers Advisory Board as a determining factor for issuing the suspension;
  • L&I must provide regular updates on enforcement actions under RCW 18.106.270 to the Plumbers Advisory Board.

ESSB 6197 takes effect January 1, 2027. L&I is initiating rulemaking to update the rules to implement the statutory amendments, including criteria in rule for when licenses are suspended and the duration. 

Additionally, this rulemaking may include amendments to align with statute, updates, clarification, housekeeping, and other changes. 

 The agency filed a CR-101 Preproposal Statement of Inquiry on Jun. 2, 2026, to consider changes to Chapter 296-400A WAC, Plumber Certification Rules.

 Rulemaking documents

Notice of Intent (06/02/2026)

 Here’s what happens next

  • October 2026: Proposed rules (CR-102) are expected to be filed.
  • November 2026: Public hearings tentatively scheduled on the proposed rules.
  • January 2027: Final rules (CR-103) are expected to be adopted.
  • Mar. 1, 2027: New rules are expected to take effect.

2026 rulemaking

L&I has adopted 6.51% fee increases for services from the Contractor Registration, Electrical, Elevator, Factory Assembled Structures (FAS), and Plumber programs.

The agency filed a CR-103 Rulemaking Order on May 5. The amount of the increase is the fiscal growth factor for fiscal year 2027. The increase represents the average personal income growth over the past decade. 

This rulemaking also adopts housekeeping changes to the electrical rules correct a mathematical error from a previous fee increase.

The fee increases affect the following Washington Administrative Codes (WACs):

WAC 296-46B-906, Inspection Fees;

WAC 296-46B-909, Electrical/telecommunications contractor's license, administrator certificate and examination, master electrician certificate and examination, electrician certificate and examination, copy, and miscellaneous fees;

WAC 296-46B-911, Electrical testing laboratory and engineer accreditation fees;

WAC 296-96-00922, Licensing fees;

WAC 296-96-01085, Permit and inspection fees;

WAC 296-150C-3000, Commercial coach fees;

WAC 296-150F-3000, Factory-built housing and commercial structure fees;

WAC 296-150I-3000, Penalties, fees, and refunds;

WAC 296-150M-3000, Manufactured/mobile home fees;

WAC 296-150P-3000, Recreational park trailer fees;

WAC 296-150R-3000, Recreational vehicle fees; 

WAC 296-150T-3000, Factory-built temporary worker housing fees;

WAC 296-150V-3000, Conversion vendor units and medical units – Fees;

WAC 296-200A-900, What fees does the department charge contractors for issuance, renewal, reregistration, and reinstatement of certificates of registration?; and

WAC 296-400A-045, What fees does the department charge for issuance, renewal, relicensing, and reinstatement of a plumbing contractor license and plumbing certificates?

The adopted fee increases take effect July 1.

Rulemaking documents

Notice of Intent (12/02/2025)

CR-101 Preproposal Statement of Inquiry.

Proposed Rule Language (02/03/2026)

Final Adoption (05/05/2026)

2025 rulemaking 

 Online insurance

L&I is considering changes to state contractor registration and plumbing contractor licensing rules. The changes under consideration would require insurance companies to electronically submit insurance documents and information to transition to an online insurance system for contractor registration and plumbing contractor licensing.

The changes would affect rules under:

 About the rulemaking

Currently, L&I accepts paper copies of general liability insurance certificates, reinstatements, and cancellations for contractor registration and plumbing contractor licensing by mail, electronically, and in-person. Either insurance companies or contractor applicants can submit the documents. This process is time-consuming, costly, and inefficient for both the agency and customers.

L&I is considering changes to only accept the documents electronically from insurance companies through the online insurance system known as the Electronic Bond and Insurance Policy System (EBIPS). L&I would no longer accept paper copies by mail, in-person, or through any other electronic method for contractor registration or plumbing contractor licensing. The only exception would be for first-time applicants for contractor registration or plumbing contractor licensing; these first-time applicants could submit insurance documents and information in-person or by U.S. Postal Service mail.

Opportunities to comment

L&I filed a Pre-proposal Statement of Inquiry (CR-101) on April 22. This formally started the rulemaking process.

L&I has developed draft proposed rules (see below). We welcome your input on this draft proposal. This is your opportunity to comment before we file the Proposed Rules (CR-102). Please send your input to Meagan Edwards at FSPSRules@Lni.wa.gov. All preliminary input must be received by Friday, July 25.

There will also be opportunities to provide comments during the formal public comment period. L&I expects to file the Proposed Rules (CR-102) in September 2025. We will provide updates on the filing, when the public comment period begins, and when the public hearing will take place.

 Rulemaking documents

 Notice of intent (04/22/2025) 

CR-101 Pre-Proposal Statement of Inquiry 

Draft Rule Language – Version 1

 Here’s what happens next

  • Sept. 2, 2025: Proposed rules (CR-102) are expected to be filed.
  • October 2025: Public hearings tentatively scheduled on the proposed rules.
  • Nov. 18, 2025: Final rules (CR-103) are expected to be adopted.
  • Jan 15, 2026: New rules would take effect.

 Rulemaking for new legislation 

 During the 2020 legislative session, the Legislature enacted changes to state plumbing laws (Senate bill 6170). The changes included:

  • Creating a plumbing contractor license.
  • Creating a new residential service plumbing certificate.
  • Modifying supervisory ratios of plumber trainees to certified plumbers.
  • Authorizing remote supervision of plumber trainees in certain circumstances.
  • Increasing the number of members on the Advisory Board of Plumbers. 

These changes have required L&I to conduct the rulemaking process to implement the new laws. This is the third phase of rulemaking for the plumbing changes. 

The agency filed a preproposal on Jan. 18, 2022, to consider changes to Chapter 296-400A WAC, Plumber Certification Rules.The changes under consideration include:

  • Adding new fees and penalties.
  • Modifying definitions.
  • Modifying plumbing certificates and competency examinations.
  • Modifying records and licenses that plumbing contractors must keep and report.
  • Making updates, clarification, and housekeeping changes. 

L&I is also considering a 5.58% fee increase for fiscal year 2023 for plumbing licenses, certifications, and other Plumber Program public safety activities. The fee increase is needed to cover operating expenses. 

For details on the changes, see the CR-101 Preproposal Statement of Inquiry below. 

Rulemaking documents

CR-101 Preproposal Statement of Inquiry.