8/31/2021 – REMINDER! Tomorrow, 9/1/2021 is the deadline to revise your Contractors License as necessary and provide new bond(s). Please call us at (206)546-1397 with any questions!

6/23/2021 – UPDATE: We are told that existing licensees will have until 9/1/2021 to revise their license(s) and provide new bond(s) in compliance with the new regulation. This is the “grace” period.

6/17/2021 – UPDATE: Integrity Surety has now added the $6,000 Washington Plumbing Bond, as well as a $12k General Contractor + $6k Plumbing Contractor bond “Package”, to our website, you may apply here. Our sureties are beginning to provide options and pricing which we look forward to quoting for you!

6/17/2021 – UPDATE: We’ve added L&I’s “Washington Plumbing Bond FAQ”, which you may download here.

6/14/2021 We just received notice from Washington Labor & Industries that big changes are coming next month for Plumbers licensed in Washington State. We’re working on gathering more information, but want to share this with you right away. Here are the changes relating to both Surety Bonding requirements, and Insurance requirements, including the new Washington Plumbing Bond:

 

June 14, 2021

The Legislature has created a new licensing category of construction contractors called licensed plumbing contractors. Starting July 1, only contractors with this license can do plumbing work.

To be licensed, plumbing contractors will be required, among other things, to carry both a:

• Washington Continuous Contractor Surety Bond in the amount of $6,000 (Washington Plumbing Bond).
• General liability insurance policy covering up to:
  • $50,000 for injury or property damages, $100,000 for injury or death to one person, and
• $200,000 for injury or death to more than one person – Or – 250,000 combined per

The new plumbing license is a big change for current general construction and specialty plumbing contractors. They will no longer meet state requirements to perform plumbing work under their current contractor registration.

The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) is implementing the law. Here is some information from L&I that may help you and your customers:

• L&I will no longer register contractors under the “construction contractor specialty plumbing” category starting July 1. If contractors with that existing registration want to become licensed plumbing contractors, they must obtain a new bond for the new

• Some contractors may want to obtain the new plumbing contractor license and maintain their general construction contractor registration. A separate bond will be required for each registration and

• Contractors can use their liability insurance to meet both general construction contractor registration and licensed plumbing contractor requirements. However, they must submit separate certificates of general liability insurance for each license and registration showing the correct L&I program as the certificate holder. For instance:

• A general construction contractor’s certificate of insurance would name L&I Contractor Registration Section as
• A licensed plumbing contractor’s certificate would name L&I Plumber Certification Program.

 If you have questions, please email plumbers@Lni.wa.gov. You can also read about the law’s bond requirements at RCW 18.106.410 and liability insurance requirements at RCW 18.106.420.

We’ll update as we know more. As always, should you have any bonding questions, please feel free to call us at 1(206)546-1397, email us, or apply for a bond!

 

The Little Black Bond Book

Approach Surety with confidence using our 100% free Little Black Bond Book!