Section 296-400A-121 - What do I need to know about trainee experience and plumber examination requirements for the journey level and specialty plumber?(1) You may take the journey level examination after completing 8,000 hours and not less than four years of documented training which must include 4,000 hours of commercial plumbing experience under direct supervision of a certified journey level plumber.(2) You may take the residential specialty plumber examination after completing 6,000 hours and not less than three years of documented training under direct supervision of a certified residential specialty or journey level plumber.(3) You may take the residential service plumbing examination after completing 4,000 hours and not less than two years of documented training. The first year and 2,000 hours of supervision must be under direct supervision of a certified journey level or residential specialty plumber. The second year and 2,000 hours of trainee could be under a residential service plumber.(4) For domestic pump specialty plumbers:(a) To be eligible for a limited volume domestic pump specialty plumbers examination defined by RCW 18.106.010(14)(c), the trainee must complete one year and 2,000 hours practical experience working under the direct supervision of a certified limited volume domestic pump specialty plumber, a certified unrestricted domestic pump specialty plumber, or a journey level plumber on pumping systems not exceeding one hundred gallons per minute. The experience may be obtained at the same time the individual is meeting the experience required by RCW 19.28.191, or equivalent experience may be accepted as determined by rule by the department in consultation with the advisory board. Restricted domestic pump specialty trainees who have completed at least 720 hours of on-the-job training and passed the competency examination required by WAC 296-400A-020 may work unsupervised for the remainder of the time required for work experience to become a restricted domestic pump specialty plumber.(b) To be eligible for an unrestricted domestic pump specialty plumbers examination defined by RCW 18.106.010(14)(c), the trainee must complete 4,000 hours but not less than two years, of practical experience working under the direct supervision of a certified unrestricted domestic pump specialty plumber or a journey level plumber on pumping systems. The experience may be obtained at the same time the individual is meeting the experience required by RCW 19.28.191 or equivalent experience may be accepted as determined by rule by the department in consultation with the advisory board.(5) To be eligible for a backflow assembly maintenance and repair specialty examination, the trainee must furnish written evidence that they have a valid backflow assembly tester certification administered and enforced by the department of health.(6) Individuals are required to complete 16 hours of continuing education with a minimum of 4 hours of industry related electrical training prior to testing for journey level, domestic pump, or residential specialty plumber certification.(7)Apprentice/trade school endorsement requirements. An individual who has a current journey level plumber, domestic pump specialty plumber, or residential specialty plumber trainee certificate and who has successfully completed or is currently enrolled in an approved apprenticeship program or in a technical school program in the plumbing construction trade in a school approved by the work force training and education coordinating board, may work without direct on-site supervision during the last six months of meeting the practical experience requirements of this chapter. (a) In order to work without direct on-site supervision applicable to the type (residential or journey level) of training hours for which certification is being sought by the individual, this individual must obtain an apprentice/trade school trainee endorsement by submitting the applicable forms provided by the department and paying the applicable fees.(b) This individual may work without direct on-site supervision until he or she receives the remaining hours required to take the applicable examination.(c) This individual may not supervise trainees. (See RCW 18.106.070.)(8)Any applicant who fails an examination will be required to wait at least until the next scheduled examination date and location and work under the direct supervision of a certified plumber while holding an active trainee card, until they have passed the exam and their certificate of competency has been issued. Examinations are held the first Thursday of every month, unless that date falls on a holiday. Applications must be submitted and received by the plumbing certification program office two weeks before the next scheduled date.(9) Failure to reschedule or appear on the scheduled exam date will result in forfeiture of the examination fee.Wash. Admin. Code § 296-400A-121
Amended by WSR 16-08-100, Filed 4/5/2016, effective 5/16/2016Amended by WSR 20-16-141, Filed 8/4/2020, effective 8/4/2020Amended by WSR 21-13-041, Filed 6/10/2021, effective 7/1/2021Statutory Authority: RCW 18.106.040, 18.106.140. 06-24-040, § 296-400A-121, filed 11/30/06, effective 12/31/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.106.040, 18.106.140, 2002 c 82, and 2003 c 399. 04-12-046, § 296-400A-121, filed 5/28/04, effective 6/30/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.106.040, 18.106.140, 2001 c 281, and chapter 18.106 RCW. 02-14-074, § 296-400A-121, filed 6/28/02, effective 7/1/02. 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.