(1) The issuance of a certificate of competency is dependent on employment with a licensed contractor. All applications for a certificate of competency must be submitted with the fire protection sprinkler system contractor's license application or under an existing license. A certificate application will not be processed without the fire protection sprinkler system contractor's license application unless they are currently licensed. All applications must be made on the forms provided by the director and include the required fees provided by WAC
212-80-098 and documentation for the required level of certification as provided by this section.
(a) For Level 1 design certification, the applicant must:
(i) Have satisfactorily passed with a final score of 80 percent or better an examination administered by the director, or present a copy of a current certificate from the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies showing that the applicant has achieved Level 2 certification in the field of water-based fire protection system layout; or
(ii) Be a Washington licensed professional engineer.
(b) For Level 2 design certification, the applicant must:
(i) Present a copy of a current certificate from the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies showing that the applicant has achieved a Level 2 in the field of water-based fire protection systems layout; or
(ii) Be a Washington licensed professional engineer.
(c) For Level 3 design certification, the applicant must either:
(i) Present a copy of a current certificate from the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies showing that the applicant has achieved a Level 3 in the field of water-based fire protection systems layout; or
(ii) Be a Washington licensed professional engineer.
(d) For Level U certification, the applicant must have satisfactorily passed with a final score of 80 percent or better an examination administered by the director.
(e) For inspection and testing technician certification, the applicant must:
(i) Possess a National Institute for Certification and Engineering Technologies Inspection, Testing and Maintenance Level 2 or Level 3 certification; or
(ii) Possess the American Society of Sanitary Engineers 15010 Field Technician Certification; and
(iii) Perform work consistent with the employing contractor's licensing level.
(f) For a professional engineer to act as a Level 1, 2, or 3 certificate of competency holder and be issued a stamp, the professional engineer must:
(i) Be licensed by the department of licensing;
(ii) Obtain a Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 certificate;
(iii) Properly register with the department of licensing;
(iv) Complete the application process for certification provided by WAC 212-80-093;
(vi) Supply the director with proof that he or she holds a current, valid state of Washington registration as a professional engineer; and
(vii) Otherwise the professional engineer is exempt from certification when acting solely in a professional capacity as an engineer.
(2) Proof of competency to the satisfaction of the director is mandatory.
Certificate of Competency Holder Requirements |
Certificate of Competency Level | Application Required | Certification or Exam Required | Stamp Issued | Type of work performed by Certificate of Competency Holder |
Level 1 | Yes | NICET Level 2 or pass an exam (See WAC 212-80-093 (1)(a)) | Yes | Designs NFPA 13D fire sprinkler systems (NFPA 25) for NFPA 13D |
Level 2 | Yes | NICET Level 2 (See WAC 212-80-093 (1)(b)) | Yes | Designs NFPA 13D, 13R or certain NFPA 24 (Restricted to only certain NFPA 13R systems, see WAC 212-80-018 (1)(b)) fire sprinkler systems (NFPA 25) for NFPA 13D or 13R |
Level 3 | Yes | NICET Level 3 or 4 (See WAC 212-80-093 (1) (c)) | Yes | Designs NFPA 13, 13D, 13R or 24 fire sprinkler systems (NFPA 25) for NFPA 13, 13D or 13R |
Level "U" | Yes | Pass an exam (See WAC 212-80-093 (1) (d)) | Yes | Supervises or performs the underground installation of fire sprinkler system piping |
Inspection, Testing Technician (ITT) Employed by an Inspection & Testing Contractor | Yes | NICET Level 2 or ASSE 15010 (See WAC 212-80-093 (1) (e)) | No | Performs inspection or testing on NFPA 13R or 13, wet and dry pipe fire protection systems only |
Inspection, Testing Technician (ITT) Employed by a Level 2 Contractor | Yes | NICET Level 2 or ASSE 15010 (See WAC 212-80-093 (1) (e)) | No | Performs inspection and testing on NFPA 13R or 13, wet and dry pipe fire protection systems only |
Inspection, Testing Technician (ITT) Employed by a Level 3 Contractor | Yes | NICET Level 2 or ASSE 15010 (See WAC 212-80-093 (1) (e)) | No | Same as ITT above and includes the testing of other fire protection systems such as preaction, deluge, foam, or fire pump |
Professional Engineer (P.E.) Licensed in Washington State | Only if acting as a Level 1, 2 or 3 certificate of competency holder | Licensed with department of licensing | By DOL unless acting as a Level 1, 2, or 3 certificate of competency holder | Designs, evaluates or consults on fire protection fire sprinkler systems |
(3) All information submitted by an applicant to the director to apply for a certificate must be true and accurate. If the director finds that information or documents submitted by an applicant is false, misleading, or has been altered in an effort to meet the requirements provided by this chapter, the finding will constitute a Level 3 violation.
(4) A violation of this section that involves a contractor allowing an employee to engage in performing fire protection sprinkler system work:
(a) Without a license or certificate, or with a license or certificate that has been expired for one or more years is a Level 3 violation.
(b) With a license or certificate that has been expired for more than 90 days and less than one year is a Level 2 violation.
(c) With a license or certificate that has been expired less than 90 days is a Level 1 violation.
[Statutory Authority: Chapters
18.160 and
18.270 RCW. WSR 22-22-072, § 212-80-093, filed 10/31/22, effective 1/1/23. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.270.900 and
18.160.030. WSR 19-24-059, § 212-80-093, filed 11/27/19, effective 12/28/19; WSR 17-10-031, § 212-80-093, filed 4/26/17, effective 5/27/17; WSR 14-03-019, § 212-80-093, filed 1/7/14, effective 2/7/14. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.270.900. WSR 09-01-114, § 212-80-093, filed 12/19/08, effective 1/19/09. Statutory Authority: Chapters
43.43 and
18.160 RCW. WSR 05-17-099, § 212-80-093, filed 8/16/05, effective 9/16/05; WSR 05-05-006, amended and recodified as § 212-80-093, filed 2/4/05, effective 3/7/05. Statutory Authority: Chapters
43.63A and
18.160 RCW. WSR 94-24-032, § 212-80-045, filed 12/1/94, effective 1/1/95; WSR 91-14-086 (Order 91-06), § 212-80-045, filed 7/1/91, effective 8/1/91.]
