Exam dates and exam application instructions
What's new
All applicants for journey level and residential specialty exams are required to have completed, prior to testing, 16 hours of Washington State approved continuing education with a minimum of 4 hours being from the industry related electrical category.
Exam content information
Effective January 1, 2014, the Journey level and Residential Specialty examination is based on the 2012 Uniform Plumbing Code. The examination also includes questions based on Washington State Building Code Council Amendments to the plumbing code.
To purchase Uniform Plumbing Code books or Washington State Amendments, call 1-888-664-9515. You can download the Washington State Amendments for free at the legislature's website. (apps.leg.wa.gov).
The examination consists of three parts:
- Technical and general trade knowledge. This part of the exam is 100 questions on plumbing code taken from Chapters 1 through 10 and 16 and 17.
- Code application knowledge for waste and vents. This part of the exam is a waste and vent sizing exercise taken from Chapter 7. You will be provided with a drawing of a building showing elevated views of plumbing fixtures along with the illustrated piping for the vents, waste, and cleanouts that are needed to drain and vent these fixtures. You will provide fixture units and pipe sizes. Use minimum sizing as allowed by the UPC along with maintaining aggregate venting.
- Code application for water piping. This part of the exam is a water pipe sizing exercise taken from Chapter 6. You will be provided with a drawing of a building showing elevated views of plumbing fixtures along with the illustrated piping for the hot and cold water distribution system. You will provide the fixture units and pipe sizes. Use minimum sizing as allowed by the UPC.
The exam is closed book, but tables 702.1, 610.3, 610.4, and 610.10 are provided with the exam. Table 703.2 is not provided.
The Backflow Specialty examination will consist of questions relating to safety, regulatory, operation, and trouble shooting of backflow prevention assemblies.
Examination application information
Applications for examinations must be processed by the Tumwater office at least two (2) weeks prior to the examination date.
This allows adequate time for verification and notification by mail if application is accepted.
Mail applications to:
Department of Labor & Industries
Specialty Compliance Services Division
Plumber Certification Section
PO Box 44470
Olympia, WA 98504-4470
Application for Plumber Certification examination and Reciprocal Certification (84 KB PDF)
If you are unable to take the examination on the date scheduled, call the Tumwater office prior to the day of the exam and reschedule. If you do not reschedule or fail to show for the exam, you will forfeit the examination fee and must submit another examination fee to be scheduled.
If you wish to reschedule your examination or have any questions, please call 360-902-5207.
2014 Plumbing Examination Dates and Locations (31 KB PDF)
Reciprocal certification
Washington currently reciprocates journey-level certificates from Idaho. To qualify for a reciprocal certificate, you must:
- Have an active journey-level plumber certificate from your state of testing.
For more information:
Facts About State Certification for Plumbers. (316 KB PDF)