Who requires it
Washington Department of Labor & Industries — Plumber Certification
License & permit · Washington
Washington Plumbing Contractor Bond
Licensed plumbing contractors in Washington must keep a $6,000 continuous surety bond on file with Labor & Industries. RCW 18.106.410 establishes that face; L&I’s Continuous Plumbing Contractor Surety Bond is the instrument used for this license—not the chapter 18.27 registration bond.
Common bond amount
$6,000
Statutory face under RCW 18.106.410.
How you file
File Continuous Plumbing Contractor Surety Bond, or assign savings
Renewal
Keep continuous with the plumbing contractor license
Who requires it
Anyone who advertises, offers, bids, or performs plumbing contract work must hold a Licensed Plumbing Contractor credential under chapter 18.106 RCW and post this bond. A designated certified plumber must be assigned to the business. Optional general-contractor registration for non-plumbing work requires its own registration bond.
How much is required
RCW 18.106.410 establishes a fixed $6,000 plumbing contractor surety. There is no general/specialty split on this instrument. Do not confuse it with the $15,000 specialty registration face under RCW 18.27.040.
How to get and file it
Buy a Continuous Plumbing Contractor Surety Bond (or assignment of savings) in the exact business name on the plumbing license application. Submit the original sealed bond with the Application for Plumbing Contractor License, designated plumber assignment, liability insurance certificate, and fees to L&I Plumber Certification. Keep the bond continuous while the plumbing contractor license stays active. Surety cancellation or withdrawal suspends the license until a replacement is filed and approved. Update L&I with a new original bond before renewal if the surety or coverage changes.
Cost note
$6,000 is the required bond amount, not the premium you pay. See bond amount vs premium. Bond amount vs premium →
Requirement checklist
- Required amount
- $6,000 continuous surety bond to the State of Washington
- Related filing
- Designated plumber assignment required with the license application
Official sources
Related resources
Frequently asked questions
Is this the old specialty plumbing registration bond?
No. Specialty plumbing registration under chapter 18.27 was replaced for plumbing contract work. Current plumbing contracting uses the Licensed Plumbing Contractor path and this $6,000 bond under RCW 18.106.410.
Related Washington bond guides
Contractor Registration Bond
$30,000 general / $15,000 specialty
Construction contractors who register with Labor & Industries must keep a Continuous Contractor Surety Bond on file. RCW 18.27.040 establishes the amounts—$30,000 for general contractors and $15,000 for specialty contractors—on one L&I-approved registration bond form.
Electrical / Telecom Contractor Bond
$4,000
Electrical and telecommunications contractors licensed under chapter 19.28 RCW must keep a $4,000 surety bond (or assignment of savings) on file with Labor & Industries. RCW 19.28.041 establishes that face; L&I form F500-019-000 is the official Electrical/Telecommunications Contractor’s Bond.
Surety basics (not repeated here)
Universal surety concepts explained once—linked here instead of repeated on every state or bond page.
Apply for the Plumbing Contractor Bond
The application can open with this bond already selected. You can still go back and change selections.
Last verified 2026-08-10. This guide is based on verified educational content and official sources.
Agents Ready to Help
Share your agency checklist or bond form and we will confirm the agency, amount, and filing steps before issuing.
Talk to the pro →