Source: http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/law/wsr/2009/05/09-05-076.htm
Timestamp: 2020-08-08 07:13:30
Document Index: 433385163

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 296', '§ 296', '§ 296', '§ 296', '§ 296', '§ 296', '§ 296', '§ 296', '§ 296', '§ 296', '§ 296', '§ 296', '§ 296', '§ 296', '§ 296', '§ 296', '§ 296', '§ 296', '§ 296', '§ 296', '§ 296', '§ 296', '§ 296', '§ 296', '§ 296', '§ 296', '§ 296', '§ 296', '§ 296', '§ 296', '§ 296', '§ 296', '§ 296', '§ 296', '§ 296', '§ 296', '§ 296', '§ 296', '§ 296', '§ 296', '§ 296', '§ 296', '§ 296', '§ 296', '§ 296']

WSR 09-05-076
[ Filed February 17, 2009, 8:48 a.m. ]
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 08-16-112.
Hearing Location(s): Department of Labor and Industries, 7273 Linderson Way S.W., Room S117, Tumwater, WA, on March 25, 2009, at 2:00 p.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: May 5, 2009.
Submit Written Comments to: Sally Elliott, P.O. Box 44400, Olympia, WA 98504-4400, e-mail yous235@lni.wa.gov, fax (360) 902-5292, by March 25, 2009.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Sally Elliott by March 1, 2009, at yous235@lni.wa.gov or (360) 902-6411.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The purpose of this rule making is to review the plumber certification rules for housekeeping changes in order to further clarify the rules. The plumber certification rules are reviewed on a regular basis to ensure the rules are consistent with the national consensus standards, industry practice, and to clarify the rules.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.106.040, 18.106.140.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Pete Schmidt, Tumwater, Washington, (360) 902-5571; Implementation and Enforcement: Patrick Woods, Tumwater, Washington, (360) 902-6348.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. This rule is specifically exempt from the small business economic impact statement requirement because the proposed changes will clarify rule language without changing its effect (see RCW 34.05.328 (5)(b)(iv)).
A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. This rule is specifically exempt from the cost-benefit analysis requirement because the proposed changes will clarify rule language without changing its effect (see RCW 34.05.310 (4)(d)).
OTS-1921.6
"Continuing education" is approved plumbing and electrical courses for ((journeyman)) journeymen, domestic pump specialty plumbers, and residential specialty plumbers, to meet the requirements to maintain their plumbing certification and for trainees or individuals to become certified plumbers in Washington.
"Continuing education course provider" is an entity approved by the department, in consultation with the state advisory board of plumbers, to provide continuing education training for ((journeyman)) journeymen, domestic pump specialty plumbers, residential specialty plumbers, and trainees. All training course providers must comply with the requirements in WAC 296-400A-028.
"Plumbing" is that craft involved in installing, altering, repairing and renovating potable water systems, liquid waste systems and medical gas piping systems ((within)) in the footprint of a building. Potable water systems, liquid waste systems, and medical gas piping systems are defined by the current Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) and amendments adopted by the state building code council. All piping, fixtures, pumps and plumbing appurtenances that are used for a reclaimed water system (are included in the definition of liquid waste systems). The installation of water softening or water treatment equipment into a water system is not considered plumbing.
(a) Installation, maintenance and repair of plumbing for single-family dwellings, duplexes and apartment buildings which do not exceed three stories; ((or))
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.106.040, 18.106.140. 06-24-040, § 296-400A-005, filed 11/30/06, effective 12/31/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.103.040, 18.106.140, and chapter 18.106 RCW. 05-11-061, § 296-400A-005, filed 5/17/05, effective 6/30/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.106.040, 18.106.140, 2002 c 82, and 2003 c 399. 04-12-046, § 296-400A-005, 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-005, filed 6/28/02, effective 7/1/02. Statutory Authority: Chapter 18.106 RCW. 98-13-126, § 296-400A-005, filed 6/17/98, effective 7/20/98. 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-005, filed 5/20/97, effective 6/30/97.]
(2) Residential specialty plumber (PL02): Installation, maintenance and repair of all phases of plumbing for single-family dwellings, duplexes and apartment buildings which do not exceed three stories. A plumber trainee must have a training certificate in order to perform plumbing work as a residential specialty plumber under the supervision of a certified residential or journeyman plumber.
(3) Backflow specialty plumber (PL30): Maintenance and repair of backflow assemblies located within a residential or commercial building or structure. For the purposes of this subsection, "maintenance and repair" includes cleaning and replacing internal parts of an assembly, but does not include installing or replacing backflow assemblies. A plumber trainee must have a PT31 certificate in order to do work as a backflow specialty plumber under the supervision of a certified backflow specialty plumber, certified residential specialty plumber or certified journeyman plumber. PT31 trainee requires one hundred percent supervision.
(6) Plumber trainee (PT00((, PT03, PT03A,)) and PT31): Is an individual learning the trade or craft of plumbing. Trainees are required to have and maintain a valid plumber's training certificate. Trainees will be accredited for those hours worked within the scope of their supervising plumber. Any plumber trainee may perform plumbing work within the scope of their supervising journeyman or specialty plumber. A trainee shall keep a record of the hours worked as a trainee as required by WAC 296-400A-120(3).
(7) Certified journeyman electricians, certified residential specialty electricians, or electrical trainees (EL01 and EL02): According to RCW 18.106.150 (2)(b), a current plumbing certificate of competency or apprentice permit is not required for: Certified journeyman electricians, certified residential specialty electricians, or electrical trainees working for an electrical contractor and performing exempt work under RCW 18.27.090(18). A plumber trainee must have a ET00 certificate in order to work with a journeyman electrician, residential specialty electrician, or electrical trainee.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.106.040, 18.106.140. 06-24-040, § 296-400A-010, filed 11/30/06, effective 12/31/06.]
(d) ((Passing the competency examination;
(e))) Providing documentation to the department with continuing education requirements;
(f) In lieu of (a), (b) and (c) of this subsection and with the approval of the advisory board, the department may accept the successful passage of an examination administered by a nationally recognized testing entity; ((and))
(b) Paying the application and certificate fee shown in WAC 296-400A-045(((2))) (1); ((and))
(c) Passing the competency examination; and
(d) Paying the certification issuance fee within ninety days of notification of passing the written examination. Failure to pay within ninety days will require reexamination.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.106.040, 18.106.140. 06-24-040, § 296-400A-020, 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-020, 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-020, 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-020, filed 5/20/97, effective 6/30/97.]
(1) Journeyman, residential specialty plumber, domestic pump specialty plumber, and plumber trainee.
(b) Domestic pump specialty plumbers shall renew their domestic pump specialty certificate once every three years, on or before the individual's birthday. Individuals will be required to complete ((at least four)) twenty-four hours of approved continuing education ((in plumbing for each year prior to the certification period and at least four hours of approved continuing education in electrical)). The continuing education may comprise both electrical and plumbing education with a minimum of twelve of the required twenty-four hours of continuing education in plumbing for each ((year prior to the certification)) three-year renewal cycle.
(c) Plumber trainees must complete at least eight hours per year of classroom training from an approved continuing education course for each year of the prior certification period. Trainees will be required during a two-year period to complete at least eight hours of plumbing code and at least four hours of electrical code from the currently adopted Washington state plumbing and electrical codes. The remaining four hours may be plumbing or electrical trade related classes.
((Domestic pump specialty plumber trainee must have eight hours of plumbing continuing education and eight hours of electrical continuing education, which totals sixteen hours of continuing education for a two-year renewal.))
(a) Currently adopted edition of the Uniform Plumbing Code and currently adopted National Electrical Code;
(7) Code-update courses must be based on the entire currently adopted Uniform Plumbing Code or currently adopted National Electrical Code.
(a) Correspondence and on-line courses in the plumbing code require thirty-five questions per hour of credit.
(b) Industry related electrical courses require twenty-five questions per hour of credit.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.106.040, 18.106.140. 06-24-040, § 296-400A-028, 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-028, filed 5/28/04, effective 6/30/04.]
(1) Have an active state-issued journeyman plumber, domestic pump specialty plumber, or a residential specialty plumber certificate;
(2) Give the department sufficient qualifying evidence for a journeyman plumber, domestic pump specialty plumber, or a residential specialty plumber certificate of competency;
(3) Never have taken the journeyman plumber, domestic pump specialty plumber, or a residential specialty plumber competency examination in Washington state; and
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.106.040, 18.106.140. 06-24-040, § 296-400A-031, 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-031, 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-031, filed 6/28/02, effective 7/1/02. Statutory Authority: Chapter 18.106 RCW. 98-13-126, § 296-400A-031, filed 6/17/98, effective 7/20/98. 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-031, filed 5/20/97, effective 6/30/97.]
[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-033, filed 5/20/97, effective 6/30/97.]
[Statutory Authority: Chapters 18.106, 43.22 RCW, 2008 c 285 and c 329. 08-12-042, § 296-400A-045, filed 5/30/08, effective 6/30/08. Statutory Authority: Chapters 18.27, 18.106, 43.22, and 70.87 RCW. 07-11-128, § 296-400A-045, filed 5/22/07, effective 6/30/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.106.040, 18.106.140. 06-24-040, § 296-400A-045, filed 11/30/06, effective 12/31/06. Statutory Authority: Chapters 18.106, 43.22, and 70.87 RCW. 06-10-066, § 296-400A-045, filed 5/2/06, effective 6/30/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.103.040, 18.106.140, and chapter 18.106 RCW. 05-11-061, § 296-400A-045, filed 5/17/05, effective 6/30/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.106.040, 18.106.140, 2002 c 82, and 2003 c 399. 04-12-046, § 296-400A-045, filed 5/28/04, effective 6/30/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.22.350, 43.22.434, 43.22.480, 43.22.500, 70.87.030, 18.106.070, 18.106.125, 2001 c 7, and chapters 18.106, 43.22, and 70.87 RCW. 03-12-045, § 296-400A-045, filed 5/30/03, effective 6/30/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.106.040, 18.106.140, 2001 c 281, and chapter 18.106 RCW. 02-14-074, § 296-400A-045, filed 6/28/02, effective 7/1/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.106.125. 99-07-101, § 296-400A-045, filed 3/23/99, effective 4/23/99. Statutory Authority: Chapter 18.106 RCW. 98-13-126, § 296-400A-045, filed 6/17/98, effective 7/20/98. Statutory Authority: Chapters 18.106, 18.27 and 43.22 RCW. 98-12-041, § 296-400A-045, filed 5/29/98, effective 6/30/98. 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-045, filed 5/20/97, effective 6/30/97.]
(((b))) (c) The plumbing trainee may not apply for renewal more than ninety days prior to the expiration date. ((Journeyman, residential specialty, and backflow specialty)) Plumber trainee certificates are valid for one year. ((Domestic pump specialty plumber trainee certificate is valid for two years.
(c))) (d) All applicants for trainee certificate of renewal must:
(((d))) (e) If an individual files inaccurate or false evidence of continuing education information when renewing a plumbing trainee certificate, the individual's certificate may be suspended or revoked.
(((e))) (f) An individual who has not completed the required hours of continuing education cannot renew a trainee certificate.
(((f))) (g) Individuals will not be able to apply to test for journeyman plumber, domestic pump specialty plumber, or residential specialty plumber certificates until the continuing education requirements have been met.
(((g))) (h) If continuing education hours have not been met, trainee certificates will become expired and any experience obtained by the trainee in expired status will not be credited toward plumbing certificate application.
(((h))) (i) An individual may renew an expired certificate of competency by submitting a complete renewal application including obtaining and submitting the continuing education required for renewal. However, the certificate will remain in an expired status for the duration of the expired period.
(((i))) (j) An individual may not renew a revoked trainee certificate.
(((j))) (k) Apprentices registered in an approved program according to chapter 49.04 RCW who are obtaining classroom training consistent with the continuing education requirements under chapter 18.106 RCW and this chapter, as approved by the department, are deemed to have met the continuing education requirements necessary to renew a trainee certificate.
(((k))) (l) If you are a trainee applying for a journeyman certificate, you must complete a minimum of two of the required four years in commercial plumbing experience.
(((l))) (m) A certified residential specialty plumber or domestic pump specialty plumber working on a commercial job site may work as a journeyman trainee only if they have a current trainee certificate on their person while performing commercial plumbing work.
(((m))) (n) On a job site, the ratio of certified plumbers to noncertified plumbers must be:
(((n))) (o) A plumber trainee who has a current trainee certificate with the state of Washington and has successfully completed or is enrolled in an approved medical gas piping installer training course may work on medical gas piping systems. Work may only occur when there is direct supervision by an active Washington state certified journeyman plumber with an active medical gas piping installer endorsement issued by the department. Supervision must be one hundred percent of the working day on a one-to-one ratio.
(((2) Trainee work hours. Journeyman, residential specialty, and backflow specialty)) (p) Plumber trainee shall renew the certificate annually but not more than ninety days before the expiration date. ((Domestic pump specialty plumber trainee shall renew the certificate every two years but not more than ninety days before the expiration date.
(b))) (q) The trainee will not be issued a renewed or reinstated training certificate if the individual owes the department money as a result of an outstanding final judgment.
(((c))) (r) Trainee hours will not be credited if the trainee owes outstanding penalties for violations of this chapter.
(((3))) (2) At the time of renewal, the holder shall provide the department with an accurate list of the holder's employers in the plumbing construction industry for the previous annual period. The individual must submit a completed, signed, and notarized affidavit(s) of experience. The affidavit of experience must accurately attest to:
(((4))) (3) The trainee should ask each employer and/or apprenticeship-training director for an accurately completed, signed, and notarized affidavit of experience for the previous certification period. The employer(s) or apprenticeship training director(s) must provide the previous period's affidavit of experience to the individual within twenty days of the request.
(((5))) (4) If hours for previous period are not submitted within the thirty days after renewing a plumbing training certificate, the individual may not receive credit for these previous period hours.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.106.040, 18.106.140. 06-24-040, § 296-400A-120, 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-120, 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-120, filed 6/28/02, effective 7/1/02. Statutory Authority: Chapter 18.106 RCW. 98-13-126, § 296-400A-120, filed 6/17/98, effective 7/20/98. 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-120, filed 5/20/97, effective 6/30/97.]
(a) Original training certificates. The department will issue an original training certificate when the trainee applicant submits a complete training certificate application including:
(iii) If an individual has previously held a plumbing training certificate, then that individual is not eligible for a subsequent original training certificate.
All applicants for a plumbing training certificate must be at least sixteen years of age and must follow requirements as defined in WAC 296-125-030.
(2) A trainee certificate must be obtained by an individual performing backflow assembly maintenance and repair work who is not a certified plumber. The individual must work under the direct supervision of a certified backflow assembly maintenance and repair specialty, journeyman plumber, or residential specialty plumber for a minimum of one hundred percent of each working day while the backflow assembly maintenance and repair work is being performed.
(((2))) (3) Each applicant for a backflow assembly maintenance and repair specialty certificate must furnish written evidence that he or she has a valid backflow assembly tester certification administered and enforced by the department of health.
(((3))) (4) Any applicant who fails an examination will be required to wait at least until the next scheduled examination date and location. Examinations are held the first Thursday of every month, unless that date falls on a holiday. In the event of a holiday, the examination will be held on the second Thursday of the month. Applications shall be submitted and received by the plumbing certification program office two weeks before the next scheduled examination date.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.106.040, 18.106.140, 2002 c 82, and 2003 c 399. 04-12-046, § 296-400A-122, 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-122, filed 6/28/02, effective 7/1/02.]
(2) The annual statements of employment described in subsection (1) of this section do not apply to the backflow assembly maintenance and repair specialty certification.)) (1) A person making a false statement or material misrepresentation on an application, statement of hours, or signed statement to the department may be referred to the county prosecutor for criminal prosecution. The department may also file a civil action under chapter 18.106 RCW and may revoke or suspend a certificate under chapter 18.106 RCW.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.106.040, 18.106.140, 2002 c 82, and 2003 c 399. 04-12-046, § 296-400A-130, 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-130, 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-130, filed 5/20/97, effective 6/30/97.]
(a) An audit to determine whether the trainee ((was)) and supervising plumber were employed by the same contractor or employer during the period for which the hours were submitted, the actual number of hours the trainee worked, and the category of plumbing work performed; and
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.106.040, 18.106.140, 2002 c 82, and 2003 c 399. 04-12-046, § 296-400A-155, filed 5/28/04, effective 6/30/04.]
(2) For plumber certification violations, the department may issue a notice of infraction to ((either)):
(a) An individual who is plumbing without a current plumber certificate; ((or)) and
(b) The employer of the individual who is plumbing without a current plumber certificate; ((or)) and
(3) For medical gas piping installer endorsement violations, the department may issue a notice of infraction to ((either)):
(a) An individual who is installing medical gas piping systems without a current plumber certificate and a current medical gas piping installer endorsement; ((or)) and
(b) The employer of the individual who is installing medical gas piping systems without a current plumber certificate and a current medical gas piping installer endorsement; ((or)) and
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.106.040, 18.106.140, 2002 c 82, and 2003 c 399. 04-12-046, § 296-400A-300, filed 5/28/04, effective 6/30/04. Statutory Authority: Chapter 18.106 RCW. 98-13-126, § 296-400A-300, filed 6/17/98, effective 7/20/98. 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-300, filed 5/20/97, effective 6/30/97.]