HVAC Replacement — Washington license requirements
01 The project
The starting point is the work itself — HVAC Replacement in Washington. The job determines which trades are involved, and the trades determine which license classifications may be required.
| Component | Trade |
|---|---|
| Existing heating or cooling system | HVAC |
02 Jurisdiction
This project is evaluated for Washington — the registration-plus-trade-credential state. Construction contractors hold the ch. 18.27 contractor registration (no exam, $30k/$15k bond by class), while electrical (ch. 19.28) and plumbing (ch. 18.106) run through their own contractor licences and certified individuals under L&I. The $500 and $2,000 bands decide small jobs, RCW 18.27.130 preempts local contractor licences, and RCW 18.27.110 makes the local permit issuer verify the registration. Washington jurisdiction page.
Permit fees, plan-review timelines and every locality beyond Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Vancouver and Bellevue remain LOCAL_AUTHORITY_REQUIRED; Spokane was researched from search-result snippets and its official PDF, a disclosed limitation. The statewide electrical work-permit fee schedule is NOT_VERIFIED. Without a job-site location the local permit answer is NOT_DETERMINED, never a guess. State requirements are not the complete story for any locality.
03 Trade → license
Relations below are recorded per state — only this jurisdiction's classifications are shown.
Trades involved: HVAC.
- May require SPECIALTY-HVAC-R — Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC/R) (specialty) confirmed S-WA-WAC-296-200A-016 rule WA-REG-REQUIREDTHE credential: HVAC/R is a registration SPECIALTY (WAC 296-200A-016(28)) — there is NO separate statewide HVAC license (verified absence, REQ-WA-NO-HVAC-LICENSE-001). Scope verbatim includes 'gas piping from service connection to the equipment it serves' and 'systems that utilize solar energy'. Specialty class: $15,000 bond + GL + $150.20 (research §10/§N.4).
- May require ELECTRICAL-CONTRACTOR-GENERAL-01 — General Electrical Contractor License (01) (business) confirmed S-WA-WAC-296-46B-920 rule WA-ELEC-CONTRACTORThe external-electrical limb (CONDITIONAL): line-voltage controllers/disconnects/circuits external to the unit are electrical contracting work — WAC 296-46B-920(2)(f) forbids HVAC electrical specialties (06A/06B) from installing them (narrow like-in-kind ≤20A/120V disconnect-enclosure exception during replacement). Permit: local MECHANICAL permit (Seattle verbatim: mechanical permit 'does not enable you to install plumbing, sprinklers, gas lines…') (research §N.4).
- Component basis ELECTRICIAN-SPECIALTY — Specialty Electrician (individual certificate — 14 specialty categories) confirmed S-WA-LNI-ELECTRICIAN rule WA-ELEC-WORKERWorker limb for the electrical portion: HVAC/refrigeration (06A), HVAC restricted (06B) or general journey level (01) certified electricians — trainees supervised (research §D.3/§N.4).
04 Scope
What the official sources say about the work involved — typed assertions, never a boolean "covers". Interpretations are marked as such.
- Officially included SPECIALTY-HVAC-R Heating Ventilating Air Conditioning Systems And Attached Services (may_perform) WAC 296-200A-016(28) S-WA-WAC-296-200A-016 HVAC's whole statewide answer: a registration specialty, not a license — plus the external-electrical boundary in SCOPE-WA-HVAC-NO-EXTERNAL-DISCONNECT (research §10/§N.4).
- Officially excluded SPECIALTY-HVAC-R Line Voltage Controllers Or Disconnects External To Hvac Equipment (may_not_perform) WAC 296-46B-920(2)(f) S-WA-WAC-296-46B-920 The external-electrical boundary for HVAC replacement: line-voltage work outside the unit is ELECTRICAL contracting, not HVAC specialty work (research §N.4).
- Officially included ELECTRICAL-CONTRACTOR-GENERAL-01 All Phases And All Types Of Electrical And Telecommunications Installations (may_perform) WAC 296-46B-920(1); RCW 19.28.041 S-WA-WAC-296-46B-920 The unambiguous electrical credential — general (01) is the one qualified for rooftop PV without interpretive strain (research §D.3/§O).
05 Requirements
| Requirement | Kind | Statement | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| NO separate statewide HVAC license — HVAC is the HVAC/R registration specialty (mechanical permits are local) — verified absence Credential-surface enumeration + WAC 296-200A-016(28) + Seattle Mechanical Permit (read 2026-10-04) | license | Verified by enumerating the credential surfaces (all read 2026-10-04): Washington's only construction credentials are contractor registration (ch. 18.27, with the HVAC/R SPECIALTY inside the 63 — WAC 296-200A-016(28)), the electrical license (ch. 19.28) and the plumbing license (ch. 18.106), plus individual certificates. No HVAC-specific state license exists anywhere in ch. 18.27/19.28/18.106 or L&I's program pages. HVAC/R specialty scope (WAC (28)) covers duct work, controls, insulation, propane/gas piping 'from service connection to equipment it serves,' testing/balancing and 'systems that utilize solar energy.' Mechanical PERMITS are local (Seattle: 'A mechanical permit enables you to install new mechanical equipment such as heating, venting, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment … It does not enable you to install plumbing, sprinklers, gas lines, refrigeration, and boiler pressure vessels; these all require a separate permit'). | S-WA-WAC-296-200A-016Source S-WA-WAC-296-200A-016 — Washington State Legislature — RCW & WAC (app.leg.wa.gov)WAC 296-200A-016 — Definitions of the specialty contractor classifications (63 specialties) — Credential-surface enumeration + WAC 296-200A-016(28) + Seattle Mechanical Permit (read 2026-10-04) https://app.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=296-200A-016 Retrieved 2026-10-04 · last verified 2026-10-04 · effective 2009-06-05 Read in full 2026-10-04 — 'What are the definitions of the specialty contractor classifications for the purpose of contractor registration only?' 63 numbered subsections, every one of them a classification row in this seed. Key verbatim limits: (26) Handyman = individual, all work personally, no employees, residential maintenance/repair under $2,000 time-and-materials, 'Work requiring a building permit may not be done by this specialty'; (44) Roofing = 'This specialty does not allow for structural repair of trusses, beams or joists'; (1) Appliances = dishwashers/hot water tanks/garbage disposals require plumber certification and/or electrical license; (16) Electrical = 'Please see chapter 19.28 RCW'; (42) Plumbing definition still printed while L&I phases the specialty out (CONFLICT-WA-003); (28) HVAC/R includes systems that utilize solar energy. History: WSR 09-10-079 / WSR 08-16-091. |
| Contractor REGISTRATION required to advertise, bid or perform construction work — gross misdemeanor without it RCW 18.27.020 + RCW 18.27.010(1)(a) verbatim (read 2026-10-04) | registration | RCW 18.27.020 verbatim: 'Every contractor shall register with the department.' It is a gross misdemeanor to advertise, offer to do work, submit a bid or perform work as an unregistered contractor, with separate counts per day per worksite after citation, and it is unlawful to subcontract to or use an unregistered contractor (corroborated as an infraction by RCW 18.27.200(1): 'Subcontract to, or use, an unregistered contractor'). 'Contractor' is defined expansively (RCW 18.27.010(1)(a)): any entity that in pursuit of an independent business undertakes/offers/bids to construct, alter, repair, improve, move, wreck or demolish any building or structure 'including the installation of carpeting or other floor covering, the erection of scaffolding …, the installation or repair of roofing or siding, performing tree removal services, or cabinet or similar installation; or, who, to do similar work upon his or her own property, employs members of more than one trade upon a single job or project or under a single building permit.' | S-WA-18-27-020Source S-WA-18-27-020 — Washington State Legislature — RCW & WAC (app.leg.wa.gov)RCW 18.27.020 — Registration required — Prohibited acts — Criminal penalty — RCW 18.27.020 + RCW 18.27.010(1)(a) verbatim (read 2026-10-04) https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=18.27.020 Retrieved 2026-10-04 · last verified 2026-10-04 Read 2026-10-04: 'Every contractor shall register with the department.' Gross misdemeanor to advertise, offer, bid or work unregistered; separate counts per day per worksite after citation; unlawful to subcontract to or use an unregistered contractor; hiring an already-registered contractor that later lapses is allowed until written notice. Backs REQ-WA-REGISTRATION-REQUIRED-001 and rule WA-REG-REQUIRED. |
| Specialty contractor class — one registered specialty only, incidental subcontracting, no hiring of subcontractors RCW 18.27.010(12) + L&I Register-as-a-Contractor verbatim (read 2026-10-04) | registration | RCW 18.27.010(12) verbatim: 'Specialty contractor' means a contractor whose operations do not fall within the definition of 'general contractor'. 'A specialty contractor may only subcontract work that is incidental to the specialty contractor's work.' L&I: 'Specialty contractors can only perform work in the specialty they are registered in. They cannot hire subcontractors.' Scope of each specialty is defined by WAC 296-200A-016 (63 classifications — the classifications page). | S-WA-18-27-010Source S-WA-18-27-010 — Washington State Legislature — RCW & WAC (app.leg.wa.gov)RCW 18.27.010 — Definitions — RCW 18.27.010(12) + L&I Register-as-a-Contractor verbatim (read 2026-10-04) https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=18.27.010 Retrieved 2026-10-04 · last verified 2026-10-04 Read in full 2026-10-04. (1)(a) 'contractor' verbatim includes construction/alteration/repair/… 'including the installation of carpeting or other floor covering, the erection of scaffolding …, the installation or repair of roofing or siding, performing tree removal services, or cabinet or similar installation; or, who, to do similar work upon his or her own property, employs members of more than one trade upon a single job or project or under a single building permit'; (1)(b) consultant acting as GC; (1)(c) selling improved property within 1 year = contractor. (5) 'general contractor' = >1 building trade or craft on a single job/permit, or superintends/consults. (10) 'residential homeowner'. (12) 'specialty contractor' = operations outside the GC definition; 'may only subcontract work that is incidental'. (15) 'unregistered contractor' incl. expired/suspended/revoked — NOT one whose registration lapsed ≤30 days with bond+insurance maintained. (16) unsatisfied final judgment. (17) 'verification' (registration card/database/call). History shows [2026 c 77 s 1] (research §Q). |
| Electrical contractor license required to engage in the electrical construction trade — UBI + designated master/administrator + $4,000 bond L&I Electrical Contractor page verbatim + RCW 19.28.041 (read 2026-10-04) | license | L&I (read verbatim 2026-10-04): 'To engage in the business of the electrical construction trade, you must get an electrical contractor license from L&I.' RCW 19.28.041: unlawful to do electrical contracting without the license; general (01) or specialty; expires 24 calendar months; application needs WC evidence, ESD number, excise tax registration and UBI; must designate an individual holding a valid master journey level / master specialty electrician or administrator certificate (19.28.041(5)); original $4,000 electrical/telecommunications contractor's surety bond (or assignment of savings), one bond maximum even with multiple specialty licenses, cancellation → suspension; '(4)' is EXCLUSIVE against political subdivisions — no local electrical licenses/bonds/fees for the same purpose. L&I: 'All work performed must be done by properly certified electricians.' 'If an electrical contracting business does other, non-electrical work, registration as a contractor may also be required.' | S-WA-LNI-ELEC-CONTRACTORSource S-WA-LNI-ELEC-CONTRACTOR — Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I)L&I — Electrical Contractor (license requirements, bond, renewal, reinstatement) — L&I Electrical Contractor page verbatim + RCW 19.28.041 (read 2026-10-04) Retrieved 2026-10-04 · last verified 2026-10-04 Read in full 2026-10-04. Verbatim: 'To engage in the business of the electrical construction trade, you must get an electrical contractor license from L&I.' General electrical (01) = all types of electrical and telecommunications installations; specialty electrical contractors = WAC 296-46B-920(2) categories; 'All work performed must be done by properly certified electricians.' Requirements: valid UBI (DOR or SOS), a certified assigned electrical administrator or master electrician, an original $4,000 electrical/telecommunication contractor's surety bond (or assignment of savings), a workers' compensation account if the business hires employees. 'Electrical contractors are encouraged to carry general liability insurance. However, L&I does not keep records of liability insurance for electrical contractors.' 'If an electrical contracting business does other, non-electrical work, registration as a contractor may also be required.' Renew every 2 years (bond current, administrator assigned, no unpaid citations); >90 days expired → cannot renew online; suspension whenever requirements lapse; reinstatement with documents + fee (WAC $71.50); application F500-018-000; 8-10 week application processing; 12-digit license number. CONFLICT-WA-002 quote (side B) lives here. |
| All plumbing contract work must be by a licensed plumbing contractor — dedicated certified plumber + $6,000 bond + $50k/$100k/$200k insurance L&I Plumbing Licensing Requirements verbatim + RCW 18.106.020/.400/.410/.420 (read 2026-10-04) | license | L&I verbatim (read 2026-10-04): 'Beginning July 1, 2021, the "specialty plumbing" registration was no longer valid, and general contractors could no longer perform work with a certified plumber. All plumbing contract work must be performed by a new Licensed Plumbing Contractor under Chapter 18.106 RCW.' RCW 18.106.020(1): 'After January 1, 2021, no contractor may employ a person to engage in or offer to engage in the trade of plumbing unless the contractor is a licensed plumbing contractor under this chapter and the person performing the plumbing work has' the right certificate. RCW 18.106.400: application + fee; 24 calendar months; WC/ESD/excise evidence; (3) 'plumbing contractors are NOT required to be registered under chapter 18.27 RCW'; (4) must employ a FULL-TIME individual with a valid journey level or appropriate specialty plumber certificate (owner/partner or full-time employee — L&I's 'dedicated plumber,' Designated Plumber Assignment F627-052-000); (7) own-residence exemption unless the building is for rent/sale/lease. Bond $6,000 (RCW 18.106.410); insurance $50k/$100k/$200k (RCW 18.106.420). | S-WA-LNI-PLUMB-CONTRACTORSource S-WA-LNI-PLUMB-CONTRACTOR — Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I)L&I — Plumbing Licensing Requirements (SB 6170 history, application, bond, insurance, renewal) — L&I Plumbing Licensing Requirements verbatim + RCW 18.106.020/.400/.410/.420 (read 2026-10-04) https://lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/plumbing/licensed-plumbing-contractor/licensing-requirements Retrieved 2026-10-04 · last verified 2026-10-04 Read in full 2026-10-04. Verbatim: 'Beginning July 1, 2021, the "specialty plumbing" registration was no longer valid, and general contractors could no longer perform work with a certified plumber. All plumbing contract work must be performed by a new Licensed Plumbing Contractor under Chapter 18.106 RCW.' 'Licensed plumbing contractors can choose to also be registered as general contractors under Chapter 18.27 RCW, to perform non-plumbing works such as installing cabinets, tile, etc.' 'As of July 1, 2021, general contractors cannot offer, advertise, and/or bid on projects that require plumbing work.' Dedicated plumber: 'a certified plumber as the "dedicated plumber" … owner/partner or a full-time employee' (Designated Plumber Assignment F627-052-000, notarized, $53.20). Steps: DOR registration → Continuous Plumbing Contractor Surety Bond $6,000 → GL policy → application F627-051-000 (original, notarized) $148.10 → designated plumber $53.20; insurance '$200,000 in public liability and $50,000 property damage, or $250,000 combined single limit'; mail processing 1-2 weeks. Renewal $139.10 (online/mail/in person, 12-digit number + UBI, bond + GL ≥$250,000 current); reinstatement $69.50 (suspension notice by certified AND first-class mail within 2 days). 'Phase 3 rule making will begin soon focused on some outstanding items and the phase out of the construction contractor plumbing specialty' (CONFLICT-WA-003 side B). CONFLICT-WA-001: these renewal/reinstatement figures differ from WAC 296-400A-045 ($148.10 / $74.00). |
| Like-in-kind appliance exception — electrical contractors may do incidental plumbing and plumbing contractors incidental ELECTRICAL work RCW 18.106.150(8) + RCW 19.28.091(8) + WAC 296-46B-920(1) verbatim (read 2026-10-04) | exemption | RCW 18.106.150(8) (read in full 2026-10-04): since Jan 1, 2021 an entity holding a valid electrical contractor's license may employ certified journey level/residential electricians or supervised trainees to perform plumbing work 'that is incidentally, directly, and immediately appropriate to the like-in-kind replacement of a household appliance or other small household utilization equipment that requires limited electrical power and limited waste, water connections, or both' (trainee supervised). Mirror: RCW 19.28.091(8) lets a plumbing contractor licensees' certified plumbers/trainees do such ELECTRICAL work — 'The electrical work is subject to the permitting and inspection requirements of this chapter.' WAC 296-46B-920: general (01) expressly 'encompasses … minor plumbing under RCW 18.106.150,' and like-in-kind replacement 'includes the appliance or any component part of the appliance (e.g., … the thermostat in a water heater)'; except residential (02), no electrical specialty may do ch. 18.106 plumbing work. | S-WA-18-106-150Source S-WA-18-106-150 — Washington State Legislature — RCW & WAC (app.leg.wa.gov)RCW 18.106.150 — Exemptions (plumbing) — RCW 18.106.150(8) + RCW 19.28.091(8) + WAC 296-46B-920(1) verbatim (read 2026-10-04) https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=18.106.150 Retrieved 2026-10-04 · last verified 2026-10-04 Read in full 2026-10-04: (1) no license for plumbing work at one's own residence/farm/place of business/owned property; (2) farm plumbing and exempt electrical work by certified electricians; (3) local codes may not add competency/fee requirements on certificate holders; (4) interstate common carriers; (5) farm/business/plant/corporation on premises IT OWNS OR OPERATES; (6) householder helping a friend/neighbor/relative when neither holds out as in the trade; (7) medical gas systems NOT exempt; (8) since Jan 1 2021 an electrical-contractor licensee's certified workers/trainees may do plumbing 'incidentally, directly, and immediately appropriate to the like-in-kind replacement of a household appliance or other small household utilization equipment' (trainee supervised). Backs REQ-WA-HOMEOWNER-PLUMB-001 and rule WA-ELEC-PLUMB-INCIDENTAL. |
| Seattle (SDCI) — $6,000/6-month no-permit band, re-roof exemption, city electrical permits, city business license (LOCAL EXAMPLE) Seattle Do-You-Need-a-Permit / Re-Roof / Electrical / Mechanical pages verbatim (read 2026-10-04) | permit | Seattle SDCI pages (all read 2026-10-04): 'You don't need a permit for minor repairs or alterations that cost $6,000 or less in any 6-month period … even if you do the work yourself' — but load-bearing/envelope/egress work always needs a permit. Re-roof: 'A permit is not required for re-roof work at one- and two-family homes and townhouses if no changes are made to the building envelope other than adding or replacing insulation…'; required when repairing >500 sq ft or replacing roofing materials on commercial/multifamily (or envelope changes); no on-site inspection, close by affidavit. Electrical permits: 'Any professional applying for electrical permits must have a Washington State electrical contractor's license and a Seattle business license. Property owners may do their own work when they own and occupy the property they're working on'; Seattle performs cover/service/final inspections (local enforcement under RCW 19.28.141); small solar PV <7.7 kW without plan review. Mechanical permits by value + hourly review; gas lines/plumbing are separate permits. Seattle business license required to do business in the city. NO local contractor license exists (RCW 18.27.130). | S-WA-SEATTLE-PERMITSource S-WA-SEATTLE-PERMIT — City of Seattle — Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI)Seattle SDCI — Do You Need a Permit? ($6,000/6-month minor-work threshold, exemptions) — Seattle Do-You-Need-a-Permit / Re-Roof / Electrical / Mechanical pages verbatim (read 2026-10-04) https://www.seattle.gov/construction-and-inspections/permits/do-you-need-a-permit Retrieved 2026-10-04 · last verified 2026-10-04 LOCAL EXAMPLE — read 2026-10-04 (HTTP 200). Verbatim: 'Minor repairs or alterations. You don't need a permit for minor repairs or alterations that cost $6,000 or less in any 6-month period. The $6,000 limit is based on fair market value of labor and parts, even if you do the work yourself.' 'You need a permit for any work on load-bearing supports, changes to the building envelope, and work that reduces egress, light, ventilation, or fire resistance no matter how small the project.' Usually no permit: painting/cleaning, re-pointing a chimney, installing kitchen cabinets, paneling/surface finishes over existing systems, insulating existing buildings, hazardous-material abatement, limited in-kind repair; on-grade patios/slabs; sheds <120 sq ft; retaining walls ≤4 ft; fences <8 ft; platforms/walks/driveways <18 in. above grade; dish/panel antennas ≤6.56 ft. 'Even if you don't need a permit, your project must meet all code requirements.' Seattle Residential Code R105.2 / Building Code 106.2 referenced (research §M.1/§N.2). |
06 Rule: WA-REG-REQUIRED
RCW 18.27.020 verbatim: 'Every contractor shall register with the department.' Advertising, offering, bidding or working as an unregistered contractor is a gross misdemeanor with separate counts per day per worksite after citation, and it is unlawful to subcontract to or use an unregistered contractor (infractions $1,200-$10,000, RCW 18.27.340). The definition of 'contractor' is deliberately broad (RCW 18.27.010(1)) including an owner who employs members of more than one trade on a single job/permit. Exemptions are SEPARATE rules (WA-MINOR-500, WA-OWN-PROPERTY). Missing facts yield NOT_DETERMINED.
| Outcome | Conclusion | Caveats |
|---|---|---|
| registration-required | contractor_registration_required |
|
| registration-held | registration_already_held |
|
| not-a-contractor | outside_chapter_18_27 |
|
Rule confidence: confirmed. Missing inputs produce NOT_DETERMINED — never a forced answer. Sources: S-WA-18-27-020S-WA-18-27-010S-WA-18-27-340
07 Rule: WA-ELEC-CONTRACTOR
RCW 19.28.041: unlawful to do electrical contracting without an electrical contractor license — a SEPARATE credential from ch. 18.27 registration (general 01 or a WAC 296-46B-920(2) specialty), 24 calendar months, $4,000 surety bond (one maximum across specialties), UBI + WC evidence + excise registration on application, and a designated individual holding a valid master journey level / master specialty / administrator certificate. L&I: 'All work performed must be done by properly certified electricians.' Whether an electrical-only business must ALSO hold ch. 18.27 registration is CONFLICT-WA-002 (rule WA-ELEC-ONLY-REG). Missing facts yield NOT_DETERMINED.
| Outcome | Conclusion | Caveats |
|---|---|---|
| electrical-license-required | electrical_contractor_license_required |
|
| electrical-license-held | electrical_license_already_held |
|
| not-electrical-work | outside_electrical_regulation |
|
Rule confidence: confirmed. Missing inputs produce NOT_DETERMINED — never a forced answer. Sources: S-WA-19-28-041S-WA-LNI-ELEC-CONTRACTORS-WA-WAC-296-46B-920
08 Rule: WA-ELEC-WORKER
L&I Electrician page verbatim: 'To work in the electrical construction trade in Washington, you must have a valid electrician certificate issued by L&I.' General journey level (01) qualifies with 8,000 hours (no more than 4,000 in 4,000-hour specialties) + 96 hours classroom then a PSI exam; 14 specialty categories on 4,000-hour and 2,000-hour paths; trainees 16+ must be supervised (75% or 100% by specialty class). Renewal every 3 years on your birthday with 24 hours CE. Missing facts yield NOT_DETERMINED.
| Outcome | Conclusion | Caveats |
|---|---|---|
| certificate-required | electrician_certificate_required |
|
| supervised-trainee | supervised_trainee_path |
|
| no-electrical-work | outside_electrical_trade |
|
Rule confidence: confirmed. Missing inputs produce NOT_DETERMINED — never a forced answer. Sources: S-WA-LNI-ELECTRICIANS-WA-19-28-041
09 Rule: WA-SC-LIMITS
RCW 18.27.010(12) verbatim: a specialty contractor is 'limited to the performance of one branch of a craft or specialty and who contracts to perform work in which he or she may only subcontract work that is incidental to the work and only in connection with the work of the craft or specialty in which he or she is registered.' L&I adds that specialty contractors 'cannot hire subcontractors' outside the specialty. Multi-trade work requires the general class (rule WA-GC-SCOPE). Missing facts yield NOT_DETERMINED.
| Outcome | Conclusion | Caveats |
|---|---|---|
| out-of-scope | work_outside_registered_specialty |
|
| within-scope | within_registered_specialty_scope |
|
| not-specialty | not_a_specialty_class_registrant |
|
Rule confidence: confirmed. Missing inputs produce NOT_DETERMINED — never a forced answer. Sources: S-WA-18-27-010S-WA-LNI-REGISTER
10 Rule: WA-ELEC-PLUMB-INCIDENTAL
RCW 18.106.150(8): since January 1, 2021 an entity holding a valid ELECTRICAL contractor's license may employ certified electricians/trainees to do plumbing 'incidentally, directly, and immediately appropriate to the like-in-kind replacement of a household appliance or other small household utilization equipment' needing limited power/waste/water connections (trainee supervised; plumbing under ch. 18.106 code/permit rules). Mirror: RCW 19.28.091(8) lets plumbing contractor licensees' certified plumbers do such electrical work; WAC 296-46B-920 notes general (01) includes this minor plumbing — like-in-kind 'includes the appliance or any component part … e.g., the thermostat in a water heater'. Missing facts yield NOT_DETERMINED.
| Outcome | Conclusion | Caveats |
|---|---|---|
| like-in-kind-exception | incidental_plumbing_permitted |
|
| not-like-in-kind | separate_plumbing_contractor_license_required |
|
| no-electrical-license | no_electrical_license_no_exception |
|
Rule confidence: confirmed. Missing inputs produce NOT_DETERMINED — never a forced answer. Sources: S-WA-18-106-150S-WA-19-28-091S-WA-WAC-296-46B-920
11 No standalone HVAC licence — the specialty registration plus the external-electrical boundary
Washington does not issue a freestanding HVAC licence — that is a verified absence, not a gap. The equipment contractor holds the ch. 18.27 registration under the HVAC/R specialty, and the electrical boundary is drawn in the WAC:
| Question | Washington answer | Source |
|---|---|---|
| State HVAC/mechanical licence | none exists — the credential is the ch. 18.27 registration under the HVAC/R specialty | S-WA-WAC-296-200A-016 |
| What the HVAC/R specialty covers | WAC 296-200A-016 HVAC/R scope including gas piping from service and solar-thermal work | S-WA-18-27-010 |
| External electrical work | the external electrical boundary at WAC 296-46B-920(2)(f) — beyond it the job needs the electrical contractor licence (ch. 19.28) | S-WA-LNI-ELEC-CONTRACTOR |
| Plumbing limb (gas piping / water) | the plumbing contractor licence governs where the job includes plumbing work (ch. 18.106) | S-WA-LNI-PLUMB-CONTRACTOR |
| Like-in-kind replacement | the incidental exception lets a plumbing or electrical certified worker cross the trade for a like-for-like replacement (RCW 18.106.150(8) / 19.28.091(8)) | S-WA-18-106-150 |
| Mechanical permit | a local matter — Seattle's mechanical permit rules are the researched example; LOCAL_AUTHORITY_REQUIRED elsewhere | S-WA-SEATTLE-PERMIT |
The HVAC/R specialty scope is the state answer; local mechanical permits are a separate layer, never collapsed into the state registration. S-WA-18-27-020
12 Permit and verification layer
Washington separates the credential from the permit: the STATE decides who may work (the ch. 18.27 registration and the two trade licences), while the city or county issues the permit. RCW 18.27.110 makes the permit issuer verify the registration before issuing, print the number and give the homeowner-risk notice, and forfeits the permit if the exemption was falsified; ch. 18.106.440 is the plumbing twin. S-WA-18-27-110
A permit is per JOB, a credential is per WHO, and RCW 18.27.130 bars a local contractor licence (with carve-outs for a general business licence and non-registrable contractors) — but the city still sets its permit rules and general business licence. S-WA-19-28-101
Verify the credential that actually applies on the official lookup before relying on any outcome here: L&I Contractor Lookup (covers the ch. 18.27 registration; electrical and plumbing credentials have their own L&I verification paths). S-WA-LNI-VERIFY
Source S-WA-SEATTLE-PERMIT — City of Seattle — Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI)
Seattle SDCI — Do You Need a Permit? ($6,000/6-month minor-work threshold, exemptions) — Seattle Do-You-Need-a-Permit / Re-Roof / Electrical / Mechanical pages verbatim (read 2026-10-04)
https://www.seattle.gov/construction-and-inspections/permits/do-you-need-a-permit
Retrieved 2026-10-04 · last verified 2026-10-04
LOCAL EXAMPLE — read 2026-10-04 (HTTP 200). Verbatim: 'Minor repairs or alterations. You don't need a permit for minor repairs or alterations that cost $6,000 or less in any 6-month period. The $6,000 limit is based on fair market value of labor and parts, even if you do the work yourself.' 'You need a permit for any work on load-bearing supports, changes to the building envelope, and work that reduces egress, light, ventilation, or fire resistance no matter how small the project.' Usually no permit: painting/cleaning, re-pointing a chimney, installing kitchen cabinets, paneling/surface finishes over existing systems, insulating existing buildings, hazardous-material abatement, limited in-kind repair; on-grade patios/slabs; sheds <120 sq ft; retaining walls ≤4 ft; fences <8 ft; platforms/walks/driveways <18 in. above grade; dish/panel antennas ≤6.56 ft. 'Even if you don't need a permit, your project must meet all code requirements.' Seattle Residential Code R105.2 / Building Code 106.2 referenced (research §M.1/§N.2).