PROPOSED RULES
LABOR AND INDUSTRIES
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 01-13-099.
Title of Rule: Chapter 296-400A WAC, Certification of competency for journeyman plumbers.
Purpose: The purpose of this rule making is to make substantive changes to the certification of competency for journeyman plumbers rules (chapter 296-400A WAC) in response to the passage of chapter 281, Laws of 2001 (ESSB 2172) from the 2001 legislative session.
These changes are necessary to:
• Update the rules to reflect current department practice;
• Establish the process, requirements and fees associated with becoming a backflow assembly maintenance and repair specialty plumber; and
• Make necessary housekeeping changes.
AMENDED SECTIONS:
Title of the Rule: Changed the title of chapter 296-400A WAC to "Plumber certification rules."
WAC 296-400A-005 What definitions do I need to know to understand these rules? Definitions were added for "backflow assembly tester," "backflow assembly," and "plumbing contractor." Also, the definition of "specialty plumber" and "training course provider" were expanded to include provisions related [to] the backflow assembly maintenance and repair specialty category.
WAC 296-400A-020 How do I obtain a certificate of competency? Changes were made to this section to clarify the requirements for obtaining a certificate of competency for all the plumber classifications, including the new backflow assembly maintenance and repair specialty.
WAC 296-400A-025 Who approves medical gas piping installer endorsement training courses and courses offered by training providers necessary for backflow assembly maintenance and repair certification? Changes were made to this section to include that the department has the authority to establish that individuals wishing to become a certified backflow assembly maintenance and repair specialty plumber must successfully complete a course of study from a training provider approved by the department.
WAC 296-400A-026 What training course approval procedures will the department follow for medical gas piping installer endorsement and backflow assembly maintenance and repair certification? Changes were made to this section to establish approval procedures for providing training courses required to become a backflow assembly maintenance and repair specialty plumber.
WAC 296-400A-030 Do I need a temporary permit? Changes were made to this section to clarify that temporary permits do not apply to backflow assembly maintenance and repair specialties.
WAC 296-400A-031 How do I qualify for a temporary permit? Clarification changes were made to this section to remove unnecessary language.
WAC 296-400A-035 How can I be placed on inactive status? Changes were made to this section to eliminate the requirement that an individual must be at least sixty-two years of age to be placed on inactive status and that inactive status requests must be submitted and approved by the department prior to the expiration date of your plumbing certificate.
WAC 296-400A-045 What fees will I have to pay? The fee structure was adjusted to incorporate the necessary fees for the new backflow assembly maintenance and repair specialty certification. The less than one-year trainee certificate fee was removed as no trainee certificates are issued for less than one year. Also, the replacement fee for certificates was reduced. Lastly, other minor changes were made to the fee provisions for purposes of clarity and to clearly reflect department practice.
WAC 296-400A-070 Can I work as a certified plumber in Washington without taking the Washington state plumbers' competency examination? Changes were made to this section to clarify the exceptions to the examination provisions of the rules. These exceptions are necessary in response to the legislative changes, which gave the department the authority to establish the backflow assembly maintenance and repair specialty.
WAC 296-400A-100 For certification purposes, how are "years of employment" computed and documented? Changes were made to this section to clarify that subsections (1) through (3) of this section do not apply to the backflow assembly maintenance and repair specialty certification as years of employment are not required for this specialty. Applicants for this specialty designation are required to have fulfilled the requirements in WAC 296-400A-122 and pay the applicable fees in WAC 296-400A-045(2). Also, a provision that experience obtained as a backflow assembly maintenance and repair specialty may not be applied toward journeyman or specialty plumber certification was added.
WAC 296-400A-120 What do I need to know about plumber trainee certificates? Changes were made to this section to eliminate the provision that a training certificate may not be issued for more than eight years unless the department determines that there are extenuating circumstances. Also, clarified that the trainee hour requirements do not apply to the backflow assembly maintenance and repair specialty certification. Lastly, a provision was added to require a trainee certificate for an individual performing backflow assembly maintenance and repair work that is not a certified plumber provided the individual works under the direct supervision of a certified backflow assembly maintenance and repair specialty, journeyman plumber, or specialty plumber for a minimum of 100% of each working day.
WAC 296-400A-121 What do I need to know about trainee experience and plumber examination requirements for the journeyman and specialty plumber (excluding the backflow assembly maintenance and repair specialty)? Changes were made to this section to clarify that the trainee hour requirements do not apply to the backflow assembly maintenance and repair specialty certification.
WAC 296-400A-130 What if I make a false statement or a material misrepresentation on an application, an employment report or a trainee certificate? Changes were made to this section to clarify that a plumber's certificate may be suspended or revoked per RCW 18.106.100. Clarified that the annual statements of employment do not apply to backflow assembly maintenance and repair specialty certification.
WAC 296-400A-140 How does the department enforce plumbers certification requirements? Changes were made to this section to require individuals who are certified as a backflow assembly maintenance and repair specialty to have an active backflow assembly tester certification from the department of health.
NEW SECTIONS:
WAC 296-400A-122 What do I need to know about trainee experience and the backflow assembly maintenance and repair specialty examination requirements? A new section was added to establish the requirements relating to trainee experience and the examination for the backflow assembly maintenance and repair specialty certification.
WAC 296-400A-430 If I am a certified backflow assembly maintenance and repair, journeyman, or specialty plumber do I need to be a registered contractor under chapter 18.27 RCW? A new section was added to clarify that anyone who advertises, offers to do work, submits a bid, or performs any work under chapter 18.106 RCW and these rules must be a registered contractor under chapter 18.27 RCW, or an employee of such registered contractor, with wages as their sole compensation.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.106.040, 18.106.140, and chapter 281, Laws of 2001 (ESHB 2172).
Statute Being Implemented: Chapter 18.106 RCW.
Summary: See Purpose above.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: See Purpose above.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Josh Swanson, Tumwater, (360) 902-6411; Implementation and Enforcement: Patrick Woods, Tumwater, (360) 902-6348.
Name of Proponent: Department of Labor and Industries, governmental.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: See Purpose above.
Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: See Purpose above.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. The department has considered whether these proposed rules are subject to the Regulatory Fairness Act and has determined that they do not require a small business economic impact statement because the costs associated with the proposed rules are exempted by law (see RCW 19.85.025 referencing RCW 34.05.310(4)) from the small business economic impact requirements.
RCW 34.05.328 does not apply to this rule adoption. Significant rule-making criteria does not apply to these rule changes because the exempt criteria outlined in RCW 34.05.328(5) was met.
Hearing Location: Department of Labor and Industries Building, S119, 7273 Linderson Way S.W., Tumwater, WA, on May 21, 2002, at 4:00 p.m.; and at the Yakima School District (Administration Offices), 104 North 4th Avenue, Yakima, WA, on May 22, 2002, at 3:00 p.m.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Josh Swanson by May 20, 2002, at (360) 902-6411.
Submit Written Comments to: Josh Swanson, Specialty Compliance Services Division, P.O. Box 44400, Olympia, WA 98504-4400, swaj235@lni.wa.gov, fax (360) 902-5292, by May 22, 2002. Comments submitted by fax must be ten pages or less.
Date of Intended Adoption: May 28, 2002.
April 17, 2002
Gary Moore
Director
OTS-5567.2
((CERTIFICATION OF COMPETENCY FOR JOURNEYMAN)) PLUMBER((S))
CERTIFICATION RULES
"Advisory board" is the state advisory board of plumbers.
"Backflow assembly" or "backflow prevention assembly" or "backflow preventer" is a device as described in the Uniform Plumbing Code that is used to prevent the undesirable reversal of flow of water or other substances through a cross-connection into the public water system or consumer's potable water system.
"Backflow assembly tester" is an individual certified by the department of health to perform tests to backflow assemblies.
"Continuity affidavit" is a form developed by the department that is used to verify whether medical gas pipe installation work has been performed. This form is provided to the department annually by the person holding the medical gas piping installer endorsement and requires the signature of the employer of the medical gas piping installer.
"Plumbing contractor" means any person, corporate or otherwise, who engages in, or offers or advertises to engage in, any work covered by the provisions of chapter 18.106 RCW and these rules by way of trade or business, or any person, corporate or otherwise, who employs anyone, or offers or advertises to employ anyone, to engage in any work covered by the provisions of chapter 18.106 RCW and these rules.
"Department" is the department of labor and industries.
"Director" is the director of the department of labor and industries.
"Journeyman plumber" is anyone who has learned the commercial plumbing trade and has been issued a journeyman certificate of competency by the department. A journeyman plumber may work on plumbing projects including residential, commercial and industrial worksite locations.
"Medical gas piping installer" is anyone who has been issued a medical gas piping installer endorsement of competency by the department.
"Medical gas piping systems" are piping systems that convey or involve oxygen, nitrous oxide, high pressure nitrogen, medical compressed air and medical vacuum systems.
"Plumbing" is that craft involved in installing, altering, repairing and renovating potable water systems, liquid waste systems and medical gas piping systems within a building. The installation of water softening or water treatment equipment into a water system is not considered plumbing.
"Specialty plumber" is anyone who has been issued a
specialty plumbers certificate of competency by the department((.
Specialty plumber certificates are)) limited to ((the)):
(a) Installation, maintenance and repair of plumbing for single-family dwellings, duplexes and apartment buildings which do not exceed three stories; or
(b) Maintenance and repair of backflow assemblies located within a residential or commercial building or structure. For the purposes of this subsection, "maintenance and repair" include cleaning and replacing internal parts of an assembly, but do not include installing or replacing backflow assemblies.
"Supervision" for the purpose of these rules means within sight or sound. Supervision requirements are met when the supervising plumber is on the premises and within sight or sound of the individual who is being trained.
"Training course provider" is an entity approved by the department, in consultation with the state advisory board of plumbers, to provide medical gas piping installer or backflow assembly maintenance and repair training. All training course providers must comply with the requirements in WAC 296-400A-026.
"Trainee plumber" is anyone who has been issued a trainee certificate and is learning or being trained in the plumbing trade with direct supervision of either a journeyman plumber or specialty plumber working in their specialty.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 18.106 RCW. 98-13-126, § 296-400A-005, filed 6/17/98, effective 7/20/98. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.106.050, [18.106.]070, [18.106.]110, [18.106.]125, [18.106.]140 and [18.106.]270. 97-11-052, § 296-400A-005, filed 5/20/97, effective 6/30/97.]
(1) Journeyman and specialty plumber certificate (excluding backflow assembly maintenance and repair specialty certification):
(a) Submitting a competency examination application to the
department; ((and
(2))) (b) Paying the examination fee shown in WAC 296-400A-045(1); ((and
(3))) (c) Submitting the required evidence of competency and experience to the department as required under WAC 296-400A-120 and 296-400A-121; and
(((4))) (d) Passing the competency examination.
(2) Backflow assembly maintenance and repair specialty certificate:
(a) Submitting a competency examination application to the department;
(b) Paying the application and certificate fee shown in WAC 296-400A-045(2);
(c) Submitting the required evidence of competency to the department as required by WAC 296-400A-122; and
(d) Passing the competency examination.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.106.050, [18.106.]070, [18.106.]110, [18.106.]125, [18.106.]140 and [18.106.]270. 97-11-052, § 296-400A-020, filed 5/20/97, effective 6/30/97.]
(((1))) (a) Approve training courses for the medical gas
piping installer endorsement; and
(((2))) (b) Set training course fees.
(2) Backflow assembly maintenance and repair certification. RCW 18.106.040 authorizes the department to establish eligibility requirements in rule. Individuals that wish to become a certified backflow assembly maintenance and repair specialty plumber must successfully complete a course of study from a training provider approved by the department.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 18.106 RCW. 98-13-126, § 296-400A-025, filed 6/17/98, effective 7/20/98.]
(a) The department will review and approve courses submitted by training course providers that offer medical gas piping systems training. Course approvals will be decided in consultation with the state advisory board of plumbers.
(((2))) (b) All providers seeking course approval, must
submit the required information (see (e) of this subsection (((5)
of this section))) to the department at least thirty days before
a regularly scheduled advisory board meeting. No course can be
offered as meeting the requirements of a medical gas endorsement
until it has been approved.
(((3))) (c) All material required for approval will be
reviewed without testimony and the review will be based solely
upon the information submitted. Once reviewed, the department
has five working days to give a provider written notification of
acceptance or rejection. In the case of rejection, the
department must specify its reasons.
(((4))) (d) If a provider has a course rejected, it may
request a hearing before the advisory board at the next regularly
scheduled meeting. Any information supporting the provider's
position, which was not included with the original approval
request, must be submitted to the board at least twenty days
before the meeting at which the hearing will be held.
At the hearing, the department and the provider may produce witnesses and give testimony. The hearing must be conducted according to chapter 34.05 RCW. The board must base its decision upon the testimony and evidence presented and must notify the parties immediately upon reaching its decision. A majority of the board is necessary to render a decision.
(((5))) (e) Specific course approval criteria:
(((a))) (i) All training courses must conform to and be
based upon current standards and requirements governing the
installation of medical gas piping systems.
(((b))) (ii) All course approval requests must include:
(((i))) (A) A general description of the course, including
its scope, the instructional materials to be used and the
instructional methods to be followed; ((and
(ii))) (B) A copy of the complete medical gas piping
installer training curriculum; ((and
(iii))) (C) A detailed course outline; ((and
(iv))) (D) The name and qualifications of the course
instructor(s); ((and
(v))) (E) The locations where the course will be taught;
((and
(vi))) (F) The days and hours the course will be offered; and
(((vii))) (G) The specific fees associated with the course,
as well as, the total cost of the course.
(((c))) (iii) All fees for approved training courses must be
reasonable and in line with fees charged for other comparable
code based training courses.
(((6))) (f) Training courses are approved for a three-year
period.
(((7))) (g) A provider, whose courses are approved, must
give the department literature describing the courses so the
department can disseminate this information to prospective
applicants.
(((8))) (h) It is the responsibility of the provider to
annually review and update its courses and to notify the
department of any changes.
(((9))) (i) The department may withdraw its approval of any
training course if it determines the provider is no longer in
compliance with the requirements of this chapter. If the
department withdraws its approval of a training course, it must
give the provider written notification of the withdrawal,
specifying the reasons for its decision. If the department
withdraws its approval of a training course, the provider may
request a hearing before the advisory board at the next regularly
scheduled meeting. Any information supporting the provider's
position must be submitted to the board at least twenty days
before the meeting at which the hearing will be held. At the
hearing, the department and the provider may produce witnesses
and give testimony. The hearing must be conducted according to
chapter 34.05 RCW. The board must base its decision upon the
testimony and evidence presented and must notify the parties
immediately upon reaching its decision. A majority of the board
is necessary to render a decision.
(2) Backflow assembly maintenance and repair certification.
(a) The department will review and approve courses submitted by training course providers that offer backflow assembly maintenance and repair training. Course approvals will be decided in consultation with the state advisory board of plumbers.
(b) All providers seeking course approval, must submit the required information (see (e) of this subsection) to the department at least thirty days before a regularly scheduled advisory board meeting. No course can be offered as meeting the requirements necessary for backflow assembly maintenance and repair certification until it has been approved.
(c) All material required for approval will be reviewed without testimony and the review will be based solely upon the information submitted. Once reviewed, the department has five working days to give a provider written notification of acceptance or rejection. In the case of rejection, the department must specify its reasons.
(d) If a provider has a course rejected, it may request a hearing before the advisory board at the next regularly scheduled meeting. Any information supporting the provider's position, which was not included with the original approval request, must be submitted to the board at least twenty days before the meeting at which the hearing will be held.
At the hearing, the department and the provider may produce witnesses and give testimony. The hearing must be conducted according to chapter 34.05 RCW. The board must base its decision upon the testimony and evidence presented and must notify the parties immediately upon reaching its decision. A majority of the board is necessary to render a decision.
(e) Specific course approval criteria:
(i) All training courses must conform to and be based upon current standards and requirements governing the maintenance and repair of backflow assemblies. To be approved by the department the training provider curriculum must at least include training in the following:
(A) Regulations associated with cross connection controls.
(B) Terminology, definitions, and acronyms associated with performing work to backflow assemblies.
(C) Components of approved backflow assemblies.
(D) Performing tests to backflow assemblies (this includes the use of test kits).
(E) Performing repairs to backflow assemblies.
(F) Cleaning and maintaining backflow assemblies.
(G) Identifying and correcting (troubleshooting) potential problems associated with backflow assemblies.
(H) General safety associated with working on backflow assemblies.
(I) Using and understanding information, manuals, specifications, and other materials provided for backflow assemblies.
(J) Completing backflow assembly test report forms required by the department of health.
(K) Ability to identify plumbing work that must be performed by an individual holding a journeyman plumber certificate.
(ii) All course approval requests must include:
(A) A general description of the course, including its scope, the instructional materials to be used and the instructional methods to be followed;
(B) A copy of the complete backflow assembly maintenance and repair training curriculum;
(C) A detailed course outline;
(D) The name and qualifications of the course instructor(s);
(E) The locations where the course will be taught;
(F) The days and hours the course will be offered; and
(G) The specific fees associated with the course, as well as, the total cost of the course.
(iii) All fees for approved training courses must be reasonable and in line with fees charged for other comparable code based training courses.
(f) Training courses are approved for a two-year period.
(g) A provider, whose courses are approved, must give the department literature describing the courses so the department can disseminate this information to prospective applicants.
(h) It is the responsibility of the provider to annually review and update its courses and to notify the department of any changes.
(i) The department may withdraw its approval of any training course if it determines the provider is no longer in compliance with the requirements of this chapter. If the department withdraws its approval of a training course, it must give the provider written notification of the withdrawal, specifying the reasons for its decision. If the department withdraws its approval of a training course, the provider may request a hearing before the advisory board at the next regularly scheduled meeting. Any information supporting the provider's position must be submitted to the board at least twenty days before the meeting at which the hearing will be held. At the hearing, the department and the provider may produce witnesses and give testimony. The hearing must be conducted according to chapter 34.05 RCW. The board must base its decision upon the testimony and evidence presented and must notify the parties immediately upon reaching its decision. A majority of the board is necessary to render a decision.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 18.106 RCW. 98-13-126, § 296-400A-026, filed 6/17/98, effective 7/20/98.]
Temporary permits are not issued for the backflow assembly maintenance and repair specialty. Thus, WAC 296-400A-030 through 296-400A-033 do not apply to this specialty.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 18.106 RCW. 98-13-126, § 296-400A-030, filed 6/17/98, effective 7/20/98. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.106.050, [18.106.]070, [18.106.]110, [18.106.]125, [18.106.]140 and [18.106.]270. 97-11-052, § 296-400A-030, filed 5/20/97, effective 6/30/97.]
(1) Have an active state-issued journeyman plumbers
certificate; ((and))
(2) Give the department sufficient qualifying evidence for a
journeyman plumber certificate of competency; ((and))
(3) Never have taken the journeyman competency examination in Washington state; and
(4) Not be an apprentice plumber.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 18.106 RCW. 98-13-126, § 296-400A-031, filed 6/17/98, effective 7/20/98. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.106.050, [18.106.]070, [18.106.]110, [18.106.]125, [18.106.]140 and [18.106.]270. 97-11-052, § 296-400A-031, filed 5/20/97, effective 6/30/97.]
(1) Be a currently certified plumber; ((and))
(2) ((Be at least sixty-two years of age)) Have your
inactive status request submitted and approved by the department
prior to the expiration date of your plumbing certificate; and
(3) Not be working in the plumbing trade.
Inactive status means that you are not currently working in
the plumbing trade and you are not required to pay the annual
certificate renewal fee. You may return to active status,
without reexamination, by paying the reinstatement ((of a
journeyman certificate)) fee shown in WAC 296-400A-045.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 18.106 RCW. 98-13-126, § 296-400A-035, filed 6/17/98, effective 7/20/98. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.106.050, [18.106.]070, [18.106.]110, [18.106.]125, [18.106.]140 and [18.106.]270. 97-11-052, § 296-400A-035, filed 5/20/97, effective 6/30/97.]
(1) Fees related to journeyman and specialty plumber certification (excluding backflow assembly maintenance and repair speciality certification):
| Type of Fee |
Period Covered by Fee | Dollar Amount of Fee |
| Examination application | Per examination | $108.25 |
| *Reciprocity application | Per application | $108.25 |
| Trainee certificate** | One year | $32.50 |
| (( |
||
| Temporary permit | 90 days | $54.00 |
| Journeyman or specialty certificate*** | Two years | $86.75 |
| Journeyman or specialty certificate | Less than two years | $3.50 per month with a minimum fee of $ 32.50 |
| Medical gas endorsement examination application**** |
Per application | $40.00 |
| Medical gas endorsement*** | One year | $30.00 |
| Medical gas endorsement | Less than one year | $2.50 per month with a minimum fee of $17.50 |
| Medical gas endorsement examination fee**** | See note below. | |
| Medical gas endorsement training course fee***** | See note below. | |
| Reinstatement of (( |
$173.50 | |
| Replacement of all certificates | $(( |
| * | Reciprocity application is only allowed for applicants that are applying work experience toward certification that was obtained in state(s) that the department has a reciprocity agreement with. |
| ** | The trainee certificate shall expire one year from the date of issuance and be renewed on or before the date of expiration. |
| *** | This fee applies to either the original issuance or a renewal of a certificate. If you have passed the plumbers certificate of
competency examination or the medical gas piping installer endorsement examination and paid the certificate fee, you will be
issued a plumber certificate of competency or a medical gas endorsement that will expire on your birthdate. |
| The annual renewal of a Medical Gas Piping Installer Endorsement shall include a continuity affidavit verifying that brazing
work has been performed within the past year. |
|
| **** | This fee is paid directly to a nationally recognized testing agency under contract with the department. It covers the cost of
preparing and administering the written competency examination and the materials necessary to conduct the practical
competency examination required for the medical gas piping system installers endorsement. This fee is not paid to the
department. |
| ***** | This fee is paid directly to a training course provider approved by the department, in consultation with the state advisory board of plumbers. It covers the cost of providing training courses required for the medical gas piping system installer endorsement. This fee is not paid to the department. |
| Type of Fee |
Period Covered by Fee | Dollar Amount of Fee |
| Examination application | Per examination | $108.25 |
| Reciprocity application** | Per application | $40.00 |
| Trainee certificate*** | One year | $32.50 |
| Backflow assembly maintenance and repair specialty application | Per application | $40.00 |
| Backflow assembly maintenance and repair specialty certificate | Two years | $60.00 |
| Backflow assembly maintenance and repair specialty certificate | Less than two years | $2.50 per month with a minimum fee of $17.50 |
| Backflow assembly maintenance and repair specialty training course fee**** | See note below | |
| Reinstatement fee | $100.00 | |
| Replacement of certificates | $15.00 | |
| Training provider initial approval and renewal fee | Per application | $40.00 |
| Training provider renewal fee | Two years | $40.00 |
| * | This fee is paid directly to a training course and examination provider approved by the department, in consultation with the state advisory board of plumbers. This fee is not paid to the department. |
| ** | Reciprocity application is only allowed for applicants that are applying work experience toward certification that was obtained in state(s) that the department has a reciprocity agreement with. |
| *** | The trainee certificate shall expire one year from the date of issuance and be renewed on or before the date of expiration. |
| **** | This fee is paid directly to a training course provider approved by the department, in consultation with the state advisory board of plumbers. It covers the cost of providing training courses required for the backflow assembly maintenance and repair certificate. This fee is not paid to the department. |
(3) If your birth year is:
(((1))) (a) In an even-numbered year, your certificate will
expire on your birthdate in the next even-numbered year.
(((2))) (b) In an odd-numbered year, your certificate will
expire on your birthdate in the next odd-numbered year.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.106.125. 99-07-101, § 296-400A-045, filed 3/23/99, effective 4/23/99. Statutory Authority: Chapter 18.106 RCW. 98-13-126, § 296-400A-045, filed 6/17/98, effective 7/20/98. Statutory Authority: Chapters 18.106, 18.27 and 43.22 RCW. 98-12-041, § 296-400A-045, filed 5/29/98, effective 6/30/98. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.106.050, [18.106.]070, [18.106.]110, [18.106.]125, [18.106.]140 and [18.106.]270. 97-11-052, § 296-400A-045, filed 5/20/97, effective 6/30/97.]
(1) You have a current plumbers certificate or license from another state; and
(2) That state has a current reciprocal agreement with the department of labor and industries; and
(3) You pay the reciprocity application fee and journeyman or specialty certificate fee shown in WAC 296-400A-045.
The director of labor and industries negotiates reciprocal agreements with states that have equivalent requirements for certification and licensing of journeyman and specialty plumbers. The agreement allows plumbers from those states to work in Washington and Washington-certified plumbers to work in the other state without taking competency examinations. To find out if your state has an agreement with the department, contact the plumber's certification clerk at the department's Tumwater, WA headquarters.
Reciprocity agreements cannot be used to take the Washington state competency examination instead of the examination in your home state.
(4)(a) Those actively certified by the department of health on or before July 1, 2001, as backflow assembly testers and registered as a contractor under chapter 18.27 RCW or employed by a registered contractor, may perform maintenance and repair of backflow prevention assemblies, without being a certified plumber under chapter 18.106 RCW and these rules, until January 1, 2003.
(b) After January 1, 2003, backflow assembly testers exempted under (a) of this subsection are required to meet the eligibility requirements for a specialty plumber's certificate of competency under chapter 18.106 RCW and these rules.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 18.106 RCW. 98-13-126, § 296-400A-070, filed 6/17/98, effective 7/20/98. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.106.050, [18.106.]070, [18.106.]110, [18.106.]125, [18.106.]140 and [18.106.]270. 97-11-052, § 296-400A-070, filed 5/20/97, effective 6/30/97.]
(2) When you renew your certificate, you must document your previous years' plumbing work by accurately completing the department's approved form and submitting it to the department.
(3) If you have completed a one, two, three, four or more years plumbing construction trainee program, you must have the necessary training hours for the year in which you are registered. See RCW 18.106.040.
(4) Subsections (1) through (3) of this section do not apply to the backflow assembly maintenance and repair specialty certification as years of employment are not required for this specialty. Applicants for this specialty designation are required to have fulfilled the requirements in WAC 296-400A-122 and pay the applicable fees in WAC 296-400A-045(2).
(5) Experience obtained as a backflow assembly maintenance and repair specialty may not be applied toward journeyman or specialty plumber certification.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.106.050, [18.106.]070, [18.106.]110, [18.106.]125, [18.106.]140 and [18.106.]270. 97-11-052, § 296-400A-100, filed 5/20/97, effective 6/30/97.]
(a) The department issues separate trainee certificates according to the following schedule:
| Certificate Year | Hours Employed As Plumber Trainee |
| First | Less than 2,000 hours |
| Second | More than 1,999 hours but less than 4,000 hours |
| Third | More than 3,999 hours but less than 6,000 hours |
| Fourth | More than 5,999 hours |
(((3) You cannot be issued a training certificate for more
than eight years unless the department determines that there are
extenuating circumstances.
(4))) (c) If you are a trainee applying for a journeyman certificate, you must complete a minimum of two of the required four years in commercial plumbing experience.
(((5))) (d) A certified specialty plumber working on a
commercial job site may work as a journeyman trainee only if they
have a current trainee certificate on their person while
performing commercial plumbing work.
(((6))) (e) On a job site, the ratio of certified plumbers
to noncertified plumbers must be:
(((a))) (i) One specialty plumber or journeyman working on a
specialty plumbing job may supervise no more than two trainees.
(((b))) (ii) One journeyman plumber working on a commercial
job may supervise no more than one trainee.
(((7))) (f) A plumber trainee who has a current trainee
certificate with the state of Washington and has successfully
completed or is enrolled in an approved medical gas piping
installer training course may work on medical gas piping systems.
Work may only occur when there is direct supervision by an
active Washington state certified journeyman plumber with an
active medical gas piping installer endorsement issued by the
department. Supervision must be one hundred percent of the
working day on a one-to-one ratio.
(2) Backflow assembly maintenance and repair specialty certification. A trainee certificate must be obtained by an individual performing backflow assembly maintenance and repair work that is not a certified plumber provided the individual works under the direct supervision of a certified backflow assembly maintenance and repair specialty, journeyman plumber, or specialty plumber for a minimum of one hundred percent of each working day.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 18.106 RCW. 98-13-126, § 296-400A-120, filed 6/17/98, effective 7/20/98. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.106.050, [18.106.]070, [18.106.]110, [18.106.]125, [18.106.]140 and [18.106.]270. 97-11-052, § 296-400A-120, filed 5/20/97, effective 6/30/97.]
(a) You may take the specialty plumber examination after completing 6,000 hours of documented training.
(b) You may take the journeyman examination after completing 8,000 hours of documented training which must include 4,000 hours of commercial plumbing experience.
(2) All journeyman trainees must work under the direct supervision of a journeyman plumber until they have completed 7,500 hours of training. After completing the 7,500 supervised hours, a trainee may work without direct supervision until they complete 8,000 hours. (See RCW 18.106.070(3).)
When 8,000 training hours have been completed, the trainee must take the journeyman examination. Any trainee who has failed the journeyman plumber examination cannot retake the examination for at least one month and must work under the direct supervision of a journeyman plumber until the examination is passed.
(3) To be eligible for the specialty plumber's examination, a specialty trainee must complete 6,000 hours of training under the direct supervision of either a certified specialty plumber or a journeyman plumber. Any specialty trainee who has failed the specialty examination, cannot retake the examination for at least one month and must work under the direct supervision of a certified plumber until the examination is passed.
(4) Any applicant (trainee, specialty plumber or journeyman) who fails an examination, will be required to wait at least one month before retaking the examination. If an applicant fails the second attempt, the waiting period for reexamination will be extended to at least two months. An applicant who fails the examination a third time will have a mandatory waiting period of at least four months.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.106.050, [18.106.]070, [18.106.]110, [18.106.]125, [18.106.]140 and [18.106.]270. 97-11-052, § 296-400A-121, filed 5/20/97, effective 6/30/97.]
(2) Each applicant for a backflow assembly maintenance and repair specialty certificate must furnish written evidence that he or she has:
(a) Met the backflow assembly tester requirements and have a valid backflow assembly tester certification administered and enforced by the department of health; and
(b) Successfully completed a course of study from a training provider approved by the department. A list of approved training providers is available from the department upon request.
(3) Any applicant who fails an examination, will be required to wait at least one month before retaking the examination. If an applicant fails the second attempt, the waiting period for reexamination will be extended to at least two months. An applicant who fails the examination a third time will have a mandatory waiting period of at least four months.
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(2) The department's decisions, under this section, can be appealed to the advisory board. The appeal hearing will be conducted according to the appropriate provisions of chapter 34.05 RCW.
(3) The annual statements of employment described in subsection (1) of this section do not apply to the backflow assembly maintenance and repair specialty certification.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.106.050, [18.106.]070, [18.106.]110, [18.106.]125, [18.106.]140 and [18.106.]270. 97-11-052, § 296-400A-130, filed 5/20/97, effective 6/30/97.]
(1) Each person doing plumbing work has a proper certificate on their person; and
(2) The ratio of certified specialty and/or journeyman plumbers to certified trainees is correct; and
(3) ((That)) Each certified trainee is directly supervised
by either a certified specialty plumber or a certified
journeyman; and
(4) ((That)) Persons who are installing medical gas piping
systems have active medical gas piping installer endorsements in
addition to their active plumber certification.
(5) Persons who are certified as backflow assembly maintenance and repair specialties must have an active backflow assembly tester certification from the department of health.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 18.106 RCW. 98-13-126, § 296-400A-140, filed 6/17/98, effective 7/20/98. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.106.050, [18.106.]070, [18.106.]110, [18.106.]125, [18.106.]140 and [18.106.]270. 97-11-052, § 296-400A-140, filed 5/20/97, effective 6/30/97.]
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