Plumber / Washington
2026 data Washington board official source

Washington Plumber License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

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Installs and repairs pipes and plumbing systems. Requires apprenticeship.

What the Washington data shows for Plumbers

Becoming a licensed plumber in Washington means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 7,243 training hours, a passing score on State Journeyman Plumber Exam, and 4 years of supervised work experience, plus a background history check once the applicant turns 18. Washington regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Apprenticeship Program".

Budget $249 to get started, plus $208 at each renewal on a 1-year cycle. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 8 hours of continuing education are due every 1-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

On reciprocity, plumbers should know: Journeyman licenses rarely reciprocal — check state board.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
14/100
Plumber · Washington

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
7,243 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$249
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$208/yr
$208 every 1 year
Continuing Education C+
8.0 hrs/yr
8 hours every 1 year
Experience Required F
4 years
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Washington

Education / Training Hours
Apprenticeship Program
7,243 hours
Exam Requirement
State Journeyman Plumber Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$249
Renewal Fee
$208
Renewal Cycle
Every 1 year
Continuing Education
8 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Work Experience Required
4 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Plumber All Washington licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Washington licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Plumber in Washington? ▼
Washington's requirements cover 7243 hours of education or training, the State Journeyman Plumber Exam exam, and an initial fee of $249. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Plumber in Washington? ▼
Certification as a plumber in Washington means clearing the state's checklist: 7243 hours of education plus 4 years of work experience, and a passing exam score. The Washington licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Plumber license to Washington from another state? ▼
For plumbers, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: Journeyman licenses rarely reciprocal — check state board. Many professions are also covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability between states. Contact the Washington licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Washington require a background check for Plumber licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for plumber licensing in Washington. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Plumber in Washington? ▼
Licensed plumbers in Washington must complete 8 hours of continuing education every 1 year. The renewal fee is $208.

Related Guides

What to do with this plumber license

Plumber in Washington, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a plumber-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Washington's plumber requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Plumber in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state plumber license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Washington's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Washington overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Washington licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.