RCW 18.106.020 Certificate or permit required—Photo identification—Written warning, penalty—Trainee supervision required—Medical gas piping installer endorsement—Penalty—Notice of infraction.

(1) No person may engage in or offer to engage in the trade of plumbing without having a journey level certificate, specialty certificate, temporary permit, or trainee certificate and photo identification in his or her possession. The department may establish by rule a requirement that the person also wear and visibly display his or her certificate or permit. A trainee must be supervised by a person who has a journey level certificate, specialty certificate, or temporary permit, as specified in RCW 18.106.070. No contractor may employ a person to engage in or offer to engage in the trade of plumbing unless the person employed has a journey level certificate, specialty certificate, temporary permit, or trainee certificate. This section does not apply to a contractor who is contracting for work on his or her own residence. Until July 1, 2007, the department shall issue a written warning to any specialty plumber defined by RCW 18.106.010(10)(c) not having a valid plumber certification. The warning will state that the individual must apply for a plumber training certificate or be qualified for and apply for plumber certification under the requirements in RCW 18.106.040 within thirty calendar days of the warning. Only one warning will be issued to any individual. If the individual fails to comply with this section, the department shall issue a penalty or penalties as authorized by this chapter.

(2) No person may engage in or offer to engage in medical gas piping installation without having a certificate of competency as a journey level plumber and a medical gas piping installer endorsement and photo identification in his or her possession. The department may establish by rule a requirement that the person also wear and visibly display his or her endorsement. A trainee may engage in medical gas piping installation if he or she has a training certificate and is supervised by a person with a medical gas piping installer endorsement. No contractor may employ a person to engage in or offer to engage in medical gas piping installation unless the person employed has a certificate of competency as a journey level plumber and a medical gas piping installer endorsement.

(3) No contractor may advertise, offer to do work, submit a bid, or perform any work under this chapter without being registered as a contractor under chapter 18.27 RCW.

(4) Violation of this section is an infraction. Each day in which a person engages in the trade of plumbing in violation of this section or employs a person in violation of this section is a separate infraction. Each worksite at which a person engages in the trade of plumbing in violation of this section or at which a person is employed in violation of this section is a separate infraction.

(5) Notices of infractions for violations of this section may be issued to:

(a) The person engaging in or offering to engage in the trade of plumbing in violation of this section;

(b) The contractor in violation of this section; and

(c) The contractor's employee who authorized the work assignment of the person employed in violation of this section.

[ 2013 c 23 § 15; 2009 c 36 § 2; 2006 c 185 § 11; 2002 c 82 § 2; 1997 c 326 § 3; 1994 c 174 § 2; 1983 c 124 § 4; 1977 ex.s. c 149 § 2; 1975 1st ex.s. c 71 § 2; 1973 1st ex.s. c 175 § 2.]

NOTES:

Finding—Intent—2009 c 36: "(1) The legislature finds that dishonest construction contractors sometimes hire workers without proper licenses, certificates, permits, and endorsements to do electrical, plumbing, and conveyance work. This practice gives these contractors an unfair competitive advantage and leaves workers and customers vulnerable.

(2) The legislature intends that electricians, plumbers, and conveyance workers be required to have their licenses, certificates, permits, and endorsements and photo identification in their possession while working. The legislature further intends that the department of labor and industries be authorized to require electricians, plumbers, and conveyance workers to wear and visibly display their licenses, certificates, permits, and endorsements while working, and to include photo identification on these documents. These requirements will help address the problems of the underground economy in the construction industry, level the playing field for honest contractors, and protect workers and consumers." [ 2009 c 36 § 1.]

Effective date—1997 c 326: See note following RCW 18.106.010.

Effective date—1994 c 174: "This act shall take effect July 1, 1994." [ 1994 c 174 § 10.]

Effective date—1983 c 124: "Sections 4 through 16 of this act shall take effect on January 1, 1984." [ 1983 c 124 § 21.]