Washington Plumbing License Renewal: Deadlines, Fees and CE

Washington has 4 Plumbing license classes. Most renew every 3 years. Renewal fees are about $148 to $243, depending on the class. Fees change, so check the official site for the exact amount. Continuing education is 24 hours. The details for each class are below.

Full rule details

Verified dataLast checked Oct 17, 2026, next review due July 2027

Informational: verify with the issuing board.

Remind me before it expires How reminders work

Domestic Pump / Pump and Irrigation Specialty Plumber

Domestic Pump · State license · Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) - Contractor Registration

Remind me before this expires

Renew on the official site 360-902-5226 (Option 2); 800-647-0982

Renewal cycle: Every 3 years
Continuing education: 24 hours24 hours before expiration: at least 12 hours electrical and 12 hours plumbing (Code, IRP).
Deadline rule: Renews every 3 years on the certificate holder's birthdate (L&I).

Show fees, grace period, bond and insurance

Grace period: 90 calendar days after the renewal date to renew and complete continuing education, with the late fee.

Fees, approximate

Renewal fee: About $243
Late fee: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
Late fee is a double fee (renewal fee plus an equal late fee), which also applies if continuing education is not completed by the renewal date. Late fees cannot be paid online (RCW 18.106.070).
Reinstatement: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
After 90 days past the renewal date the certificate cannot be renewed and the exam must be retaken (RCW 18.106.070). L&I cites a retest fee of about $189.80 plus the certification fee; WAC 296-400A-045 (eff. 7/1/2026) lists an exam application fee of about $202.10 and a certificate reinstatement fee of about $486 for domestic pump.

Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Why approximate?

Boards change fees often and some charge extra processing fees. We show a recent amount so you can plan.

Bond: Not required
Insurance: Not required
Reciprocity: Not published, check with the board

Notes

Fee is $242.80 per 3 years; 24 hours of continuing education with at least 12 hours electrical and 12 hours plumbing (code, IRP).

HighLast checked Oct 17, 2026

Sources (3)

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Journey Level Plumber Certificate

Journey Level · State license · Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) - Contractor Registration

Remind me before this expires

Renew on the official site 360-902-5226 (Option 2); 800-647-0982

Renewal cycle: Every 3 years
Continuing education: 24 hours
Show CE rules
24 hours before expiration: at least 12 hours Plumbing Code and 4 hours IRE (industry-related electrical); the other 8 hours any category (from 7/1/2021).
Deadline rule: Renews every 3 years on the certificate holder's birthdate (L&I).

Show fees, grace period, bond and insurance

Grace period: 90 calendar days after the renewal date to renew and complete continuing education, with the late fee.

Fees, approximate

Renewal fee: About $243
Late fee: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
Late fee is a double fee (renewal fee plus an equal late fee), which also applies if continuing education is not completed by the renewal date. Late fees cannot be paid online (RCW 18.106.070).
Reinstatement: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
After 90 days past the renewal date the certificate cannot be renewed and the exam must be retaken (RCW 18.106.070). L&I cites a retest fee of about $189.80 plus the certification fee; WAC 296-400A-045 (eff. 7/1/2026) lists an exam application fee of about $202.10 and a certificate reinstatement fee of about $324.50.

Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Why approximate?

Boards change fees often and some charge extra processing fees. We show a recent amount so you can plan.

Bond: Not required
Insurance: Not required
Reciprocity: Reciprocity with Idaho for journey level plumbers; the applicant must be a resident of the other state (WAC 296-400A-070). Other states: out-of-state license or military experience is considered for exam eligibility.

Notes

Fee is $242.70 per 3 years (WAC 296-400A-045, eff. 7/1/2026). RCW 18.106.070 requires 24 hours of approved continuing education for each 3-year period; L&I breaks this down as at least 12 hours plumbing code and 4 hours IRE, with the other 8 hours in any category.

HighLast checked Oct 17, 2026

Sources (3)

Plumbing Contractor License

Plumbing Contractor · State license · Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) - Contractor Registration

Remind me before this expires

Renew on the official site 360-902-5226 (Option 2); 800-647-0982

Renewal cycle: Every 2 years
Continuing education: Not required
Deadline rule: License expires 24 calendar months after the day it is issued (L&I); each issuance, renewal or reregistration is valid for two years unless suspended or revoked (WAC 296-400A-045). It runs on its own date and bond, separate from any RCW 18.27 contractor registration. Renew with current bond and insurance documents.

Show fees, grace period, bond and insurance

Grace period: No grace period is provided; the license is suspended when the bond or insurance lapses.

Fees, approximate

Renewal fee: About $148
Late fee: No late fee is set for the contractor license. Reinstatement after suspension is about $74 (WAC 296-400A-045, eff. 7/1/2026).
Reinstatement: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
A suspended license is reinstated by correcting the cause (for example restoring the bond or insurance), providing proof and paying the about $74 reinstatement fee (eff. 7/1/2026); online reinstatement is available. A designated plumber must be assigned; initial identification or change of designated plumber is about $53.20.

Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Why approximate?

Boards change fees often and some charge extra processing fees. We show a recent amount so you can plan.

Bond: Required: $6,000. Verify the amount with the board.
Insurance: General liability of $200,000 public liability plus $50,000 property damage, or $250,000 combined single limit. A certificate of insurance must be filed each year before the policy expires. Bond is a $6,000 Washington continuous plumbing contractor surety bond or an assigned savings account (up to three times that, maximum $18,000, with prior judgments; WAC 296-400A-012). A separate bond is required for each certification, registration or license held.
Reciprocity: Not applicable to the business license.

Notes

Plumbing contractor license is separate from the RCW 18.27 contractor registration. Fee is $148.10 for 2 years and reinstatement is $74.00 under WAC 296-400A-045 effective 7/1/2026 (the L&I page may still show the earlier $139.10 and $69.50). A designated plumber with a journey level or specialty certificate must be assigned; initial identification or change of designated plumber is $53.20.

HighLast checked Oct 17, 2026

Sources (5)

Residential Specialty / Residential Service Plumber Certificate

Residential · State license · Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) - Contractor Registration

Remind me before this expires

Renew on the official site 360-902-5226 (Option 2); 800-647-0982

Renewal cycle: Every 3 years
Continuing education: 24 hours
Show CE rules
24 hours before expiration: at least 12 hours Plumbing Code and 4 hours IRE (industry-related electrical); the other 8 hours any category (from 7/1/2021).
Deadline rule: Renews every 3 years on the certificate holder's birthdate (L&I).

Show fees, grace period, bond and insurance

Grace period: 90 calendar days after the renewal date to renew and complete continuing education, with the late fee.

Fees, approximate

Renewal fee: About $243
Late fee: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
Late fee is a double fee (renewal fee plus an equal late fee), which also applies if continuing education is not completed by the renewal date. Late fees cannot be paid online (RCW 18.106.070).
Reinstatement: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
After 90 days past the renewal date the certificate cannot be renewed and the exam must be retaken (RCW 18.106.070). L&I cites a retest fee of about $189.80 plus the certification fee; WAC 296-400A-045 (eff. 7/1/2026) lists an exam application fee of about $202.10 and a certificate reinstatement fee of about $324.50.

Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Why approximate?

Boards change fees often and some charge extra processing fees. We show a recent amount so you can plan.

Bond: Not required
Insurance: Not required
Reciprocity: Reciprocity with Idaho for journey level plumbers; the applicant must be a resident of the other state (WAC 296-400A-070). Other states: out-of-state license or military experience is considered for exam eligibility.

Notes

Same fee and continuing education as journey level; narrower scope of work.

HighLast checked Oct 17, 2026

Sources (3)

The hours, required topics, approved providers and reporting rules for each license are on the Washington Plumbing continuing education page.

How to renew

1Check your Domestic Pump / Pump and Irrigation Specialty Plumber deadline: Renews every 3 years on the certificate holder's birthdate (L&I).
2Complete 24 continuing education hours before renewing. 24 hours before expiration: at least 12 hours electrical and 12 hours plumbing (Code, IRP).
3Renew online at https://lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/manage-licenses-certifications
4Pay the renewal fee on the official site. Expect about $243, but fees change.
5If you miss the deadline: Late fee is a double fee (renewal fee plus an equal late fee), which also applies if continuing education is not completed by the renewal date. Late fees cannot be paid online (RCW 18.106.070).
6Check your Journey Level Plumber Certificate deadline: Renews every 3 years on the certificate holder's birthdate (L&I).
7Complete 24 continuing education hours before renewing. 24 hours before expiration: at least 12 hours Plumbing Code and 4 hours IRE (industry-related electrical); the other 8 hours any category (from 7/1/2021).
8Check your Plumbing Contractor License deadline: License expires 24 calendar months after the day it is issued (L&I); each issuance, renewal or reregistration is valid for two years unless suspended or revoked (WAC 296-400A-045). It runs on its own date and bond, separate from any RCW 18.27 contractor registration. Renew with current bond and insurance documents.
9Confirm your bond and insurance meet the board requirements and are not expiring.
10Pay the renewal fee on the official site. Expect about $148, but fees change.
11If you miss the deadline: No late fee is set for the contractor license. Reinstatement after suspension is about $74 (WAC 296-400A-045, eff. 7/1/2026).
12Check your Residential Specialty / Residential Service Plumber Certificate deadline: Renews every 3 years on the certificate holder's birthdate (L&I).

Washington Plumbing renewal questions

Answers come from the records above. Informational: verify with the issuing board.

When does a Washington plumbing license expire?

Domestic Pump / Pump and Irrigation Specialty Plumber: renews every 3 years. Renews every 3 years on the certificate holder's birthdate (L&I). Journey Level Plumber Certificate: renews every 3 years. Renews every 3 years on the certificate holder's birthdate (L&I). Plumbing Contractor License: renews every 2 years. License expires 24 calendar months after the day it is issued (L&I); each issuance, renewal or reregistration is valid for two years unless suspended or revoked (WAC 296-400A-045). It runs on its own date and bond, separate from any RCW 18.27 contractor registration. Renew with current bond and insurance documents. Check with Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) - Contractor Registration before you rely on it.

How many CE hours does a Washington plumbing license need?

Domestic Pump / Pump and Irrigation Specialty Plumber: 24 hours per renewal. Journey Level Plumber Certificate: 24 hours per renewal. Plumbing Contractor License: no CE required. Check with Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) - Contractor Registration before you rely on it.

Is there a grace period for a Washington plumbing license?

90 calendar days after the renewal date to renew and complete continuing education, with the late fee. Check with Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) - Contractor Registration before you rely on it.

How much does it cost to renew a Washington plumbing license?

Domestic Pump / Pump and Irrigation Specialty Plumber: About $243. Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

What happens if a Washington plumbing license expires?

Late fee is a double fee (renewal fee plus an equal late fee), which also applies if continuing education is not completed by the renewal date. Late fees cannot be paid online (RCW 18.106.070). Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Sources

Spot something out of date?

Informational only. Check it with the issuing board. Licensing rules, deadlines and CE requirements change, fee amounts are approximate, and this page can be out of date. It is not legal advice, and we are not affiliated with any state board. Read the disclaimer.

This information is here to help you plan, not to replace the board. Fee amounts are approximate and may be out of date. Deadlines and continuing education rules change too, sometimes without much notice. Always confirm with your licensing board and its official site before you rely on a date or an amount. This is not legal advice.

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