Plumber License from Idaho to Washington: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) — Plumber Certification Program ↗
Yes — Washington has a reciprocity arrangement covering Idaho license holders. Apply to the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) — Plumber Certification Program under its reciprocity/endorsement track; typically you skip the national exam and complete state-specific requirements only.
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Verdict
Reciprocity agreement
Idaho is on Washington's reciprocity list, which puts this move on the streamlined track — on two conditions. Your Idaho license must have been earned by examination, not grandfathered in, and be active and in good standing; where it is, Washington waives its journeyman exam and the requirements below are what it still insists on. Washington waives its journey level (journeyman) plumber examination only for a plumber who holds a current Idaho journey level plumber certificate — the sole reciprocal state; L&I reviews the Idaho credential and issues the Washington certificate without exam. Every other out-of-state plumber must pass the Washington plumber exam; out-of-state trainee/apprenticeship hours are not accepted toward Washington certification, though a one-time 120-day temporary permit lets a non-reciprocal applicant work while awaiting the exam. One caution: these agreements are directional and revocable. This page's verification date is when we last confirmed Idaho on Washington's list; the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) — Plumber Certification Program link is the live truth.
What changes, Idaho → Washington
| Idaho (current) | Washington (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | Idaho DOPL journeyman plumber license fees are prorated and reciprocity applicants pay the standard application/license fee, but the exact figure could not be confirmed on a directly loaded DOPL fee schedule because every idaho.gov host was unreachable (connection refused) from the research environment; one search result cited a $147 three-year license fee and another cited roughly $29 license / $22 renewal — the two conflict, so no figure is asserted. Confirm on the DOPL fee schedule | $242.7 (Idaho reciprocal journey level applicants pay the $242.70 journey level certification fee (exam waived). Non-reciprocal out-of-state applicants pay a $202.10 examination application fee (plus a PSI scheduling fee) and then the $242.70 certification fee; a one-time 120-day temporary work permit is $100.30) |
| Processing time | No board-stated processing time in weeks | L&I does not publish a fixed processing time; out-of-state credentials are reviewed before the applicant may test or receive a reciprocal certificate, and approved applications are valid for one year |
| Licensing authority | Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL) — State Plumbing Board | Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) — Plumber Certification Program |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Washington sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Washington's current requirements on the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) — Plumber Certification Program website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the reciprocity application to the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) — Plumber Certification Program (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
- Hold a current, unexpired Idaho journey level plumber certificate (the only reciprocal state).
- Submit the Plumber Certification Application (F627-008-000) with a copy of the out-of-state license/card and a government-issued photo ID to L&I's Plumber Certification program for credential review.
- Out-of-state trainee/apprenticeship hours are NOT accepted toward Washington certification.
- Non-reciprocal out-of-state applicants must pass the Washington plumber exam; a one-time 120-day temporary permit allows work in the interim.
- Pay the fees ($242.7 (Idaho reciprocal journey level applicants pay the $242.70 journey level certification fee (exam waived). Non-reciprocal out-of-state applicants pay a $202.10 examination application fee (plus a PSI scheduling fee) and then the $242.70 certification fee; a one-time 120-day temporary work permit is $100.30)) and allow L&I does not publish a fixed processing time; out-of-state credentials are reviewed before the applicant may test or receive a reciprocal certificate, and approved applications are valid for one year.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Washington accept a Idaho plumbing license?
Yes — Washington has a reciprocity arrangement covering Idaho license holders. Apply to the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) — Plumber Certification Program under its reciprocity/endorsement track; typically you skip the national exam and complete state-specific requirements only.
Which exam applies moving from Idaho to Washington?
Washington waives its journey level (journeyman) plumber examination only for a plumber who holds a current Idaho journey level plumber certificate — the sole reciprocal state; L&I reviews the Idaho credential and issues the Washington certificate without exam. Every other out-of-state plumber must pass the Washington plumber exam; out-of-state trainee/apprenticeship hours are not accepted toward Washington certification, though a one-time 120-day temporary permit lets a non-reciprocal applicant work while awaiting the exam.
What does the Idaho-to-Washington move cost and how long does it take?
$242.7 (Idaho reciprocal journey level applicants pay the $242.70 journey level certification fee (exam waived). Non-reciprocal out-of-state applicants pay a $202.10 examination application fee (plus a PSI scheduling fee) and then the $242.70 certification fee; a one-time 120-day temporary work permit is $100.30); processing L&I does not publish a fixed processing time; out-of-state credentials are reviewed before the applicant may test or receive a reciprocal certificate, and approved applications are valid for one year.
Can I keep my Idaho plumbing license after I'm licensed in Washington?
Yes — plumbing licenses in different jurisdictions run independently. Keep the Idaho credential active on its own renewal and continuing-education schedule and you hold both, which is common for plumbers working near a state line.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- Washington L&I — Plumber Examination (Idaho reciprocity, out-of-state review, 120-day temporary permit, $202.10 exam fee, $100.30 permit) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Washington L&I — Get or Renew Your Plumber Certification (fees incl. $242.70 journey level certification; F627-008-000 application form) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Idaho DOPL — State Plumbing Board FAQs (reciprocity states and conditions) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Idaho DOPL — Plumbing Journeyman Application Instructions (exam waiver for reciprocity; 8,000-hour experience; IAPMO exam) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Idaho DOPL — Montana plumbing reciprocity agreement ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Idaho DOPL — Oregon plumbing reciprocity agreement ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Oregon BCD — Reciprocal agreement, Idaho journeyman plumber (mirror) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
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