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Dear Business or Stakeholder:
The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) is considering changes to the state’s plumber certification rules. The changes under consideration would:
- Increase fees by 5.58% for plumbing licenses, certifications, and other Plumber Program public safety activities.
- Modify rules to address the legislative changes under the “2020 Plumbing Act” (Senate Bill 6170, chapter 153, Laws of 2020). The changes under consideration include, but are not limited to:
- Adding new fees and penalties.
- Modifying the definitions.
- Modifying plumbing certificates and competency examinations.
- Modifying records and licenses plumbing contractors need to keep and report.
- Modify rules for general updates, clarity, housekeeping, and other rule changes.
The changes would affect chapter 296-400A Washington Administrative Code (WAC), Plumber Certification Rules.
The fee increase is the Office of Financial Management’s maximum allowable fiscal growth factor for fiscal year 2023. The increase is necessary to cover the program’s operating expenses.
The current fee for a two-year plumbing contractor license is $139.10.
To see current plumber certification fees, go to: Get or Renew Your Certification
On Jan. 18, the agency filed a Preproposal Statement of Inquiry (CR-101) about the changes. If adopted, the new rules would take effect Sept. 1, 2022.
Opportunities to comment
There will be opportunities to provide written comments or present testimony at public hearings. You can find information about this rulemaking by going online to the agency’s “Rulemaking Activity” page or program’s “Laws & Rules” page.
Here’s what happens next:
- May 17: The proposed rules (CR-102) are expected to be filed with the state Office of the Code Reviser.
- June: A public hearing on the proposed rules may be scheduled for this month.
- July 19: The final rules (CR-103) are expected to be filed with the state Office of the Code Reviser.
- September 1: The new rules are expected to take effect.
If you have questions, please feel free to contact me at Melissa.McBride@Lni.wa.gov, or call 360-902-5731.
Thank you,
Melissa McBride
Acting Contractor Compliance Chief, Field Services & Public Safety
Department of Labor & Industries
Do you know someone who wants to keep up on L&I rulemaking and policy changes? Have them sign up for email updates at: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WADLI/subscriber/new?topic_id=WADLI_41
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