Washington license, registration and certification renewals

Every LicenseLedger guide for Washington on one page: what each one covers and, where its guide gives them, when it expires or renews and the continuing education it asks for. Open a guide for how to renew.

• Washington Contractor Registration Renewal (L&I)

  Last reviewed October 2026

  Washington general and specialty contractors register with the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). The registration lasts up to two years, but the bond and liability insurance behind it can end it sooner: if the bond is cancelled, or the insurance is cancelled or expires, the registration is suspended automatically.

  Renews every

  2 years, on or before the expiration date

• Washington Electrician License Renewal (L&I)

  Last reviewed October 2026

  Washington electricians hold a certificate of competency from the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). It renews every three years and expires on your birthday, after 24 hours of approved continuing education. Renew late and the fee doubles; leave it more than 90 days and you retest. Electrical contractor licenses run on their own two-year cycle with a $4,000 bond, and trainee certificates renew every two years.

  Renews every

  3 years: an electrician certificate expires on your birthdate and is renewed on or before it. A first certificate expires on your birthdate at least two and not more than three years after it was issued

  Continuing education

  24 hours of approved CE, including 8 hours on code changes (code update) and 4 hours on RCW 19.28 and its WAC rules: at least 8 hours for each year of the certificate period, which you don't have to take in separate years. The same class can't be counted twice

• Washington Plumber Certificate Renewal (L&I)

  Last reviewed October 2026

  Washington plumber certificates from the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) renew every 3 years on your birthday. Journey level, residential and residential service plumbers need 24 hours of approved continuing education completed before the certificate expires, and if it isn't, the renewal fee doubles even when you pay on time. More than 90 days late, and you retest. Plumber trainees renew every year with 8 hours.

  Renews every

  3 years, on your birthday: journey level (PL01), residential (PL02), residential service (PL04), pump and irrigation (PL03), domestic well (PL03A) and backflow (PL30) certificates, and the medical gas endorsement (MG01). Plumber trainee certificates renew every year

  Continuing education

  24 hours before your certificate expires for journey level, residential and residential service plumbers: at least 12 hours of Uniform Plumbing Code and at least 4 hours of industry-related electrical; the other 8 hours can be from any category. Up to 4 hours can be L&I-approved behavioral health and wellness training