Plumber License from North Carolina to Washington: Does It Transfer? (2026)

Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) — Plumber Certification Program ↗

A plumbing license transfers from North Carolina to Washington by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) — Plumber Certification Program, verify your North Carolina license, and meet Washington's endorsement requirements. 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.

Verify this exact pair in the checker

Same data, interactive — with share link and board links.

Run the Reciprocity Checker →

Verdict

Licensure by endorsement

North Carolina is not among the states Washington names for an automatic exam waiver, so this move runs on the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) — Plumber Certification Program's individual endorsement or equivalency review rather than a guarantee. 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. Bring your North Carolina license, proof that it is active and in good standing, and your apprenticeship and exam records — and get any discretionary exam or experience credit in writing before you rely on it.

What changes, North Carolina → Washington

Side-by-side: North Carolina vs Washington (Plumber (journeyman/master)), verified 2026-07-21
	North Carolina (current)	Washington (destination)
Application fee	$30–$150 ($100 per examination section; $30 application fee and $150 annual license fee (Board fee schedule per its relocation/military provisions); South Carolina Technical Examination Waiver applicants still pay for and pass the NC business exam; CastleBranch background report is at the applicant's expense)	$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	4–6 weeks (Board-stated application-processing time; add time to schedule and pass the exam(s) with PSI)	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	North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors	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 endorsement 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

Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) — Plumber Certification Program ↗Washington application ↗License verification ↗

Frequently asked questions

Does Washington accept a North Carolina plumbing license?

Which exam applies moving from North Carolina 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 North Carolina-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 North Carolina plumbing license after I'm licensed in Washington?

Yes — plumbing licenses in different jurisdictions run independently. Keep the North Carolina 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.

Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21

How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]