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SB 5694

Concerning public employee salary surveys.

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by Sam Hunt and 2 co-sponsors

Creates a statewide boiler operator certification program in Washington, administered by L&I with Board of Boiler Rules oversight, exams, CE, and grandfathering provisions.

By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
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Bill Summary · SB 5694

SB 5694 — Establishing a statewide boiler operator certification

Status (as of documents): Returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading (by resolution, 2025-04-27). Introduced 2025-02-06.

Purpose

Create a uniform, statewide boiler operator certification and training program administered by the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), with Board of Boiler Rules oversight, to improve boiler safety and portability of credentials across the state.

Key provisions

  • Establishes a statewide boiler operator certification program in chapter 70.79 RCW; defines “Board” (Board of Boiler Rules) and “Department” (L&I).
  • Initial administrative rules to implement the certification program must be adopted and take effect January 1, 2028.
  • Makes it unlawful to operate a boiler without a valid boiler operator certification beginning January 1, 2029 (House summary).
  • Creates five grades of boiler operator certification (Grades I–V) with differing experience, education, and observation requirements:
    • Grade I: typically 5 years experience, or 3 years + technical school, or 4 years + recognized training program.
    • Grade II: typically 4 years experience, or 2 years + technical school, or 3 years + training program.
    • Grade III: typically 3 years experience, or 1 year + technical school, or 2 years + training program.
    • Grade IV: typically 1 year experience, or completion of tech school + 80 hours observation, or training program + 120 hours observation.
    • Grade V: qualification by examination as required by the Department.
  • Examination: L&I (with Board consent) prepares exams to test technical knowledge, practical procedures, and familiarity with applicable codes/laws. L&I may contract with a nationally recognized testing agency; fees charged must cover, but not exceed, testing costs. Applicants who meet minimum qualifications may take the exam; failures may retake unlimited times.
  • Continuing education: rules may require renewal CE; minimum of 8 hours every 4 years.
  • Temporary permits: L&I may issue temporary permits to out-of-state operators for the period between application and examination (subject to limitations).
  • Grandfathering: applicants holding valid local jurisdiction licenses who were engaged in boiler operation/maintenance on Dec 31, 2027 may qualify for state certification without exam if they apply by October 1, 2028.
  • Fees: issuance/renewal fees to be set in rule and must cover administrative costs.
  • Enforcement: L&I (chief inspector) may issue, suspend, or revoke certifications for fraud, incompetence, or violations; must provide written notice and hearing opportunities consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act. Existing penalty authority for boiler-related violations remains available.

Exemptions

Common exemptions retained include:
- Boilers/unfired pressure vessels used solely on farms for agricultural purposes;
- Certain small residential boilers and hot water heaters (pressure and size thresholds specified);
- Certain pressure vessels on fertilizer applicator rigs, domestic water vessels, and liquefied petroleum gas vessels.
(Additional detailed exemptions are listed in the bill text.)

Who is affected

  • Primary: boiler operators statewide and employers/facilities that operate boilers (hospitals, schools, commercial/industrial plants, etc.).
  • Secondary: training providers, testing agencies, local jurisdictions that previously issued boiler licenses, L&I and the Board of Boiler Rules.
  • Small private residences and some agricultural operations remain exempt.

Timeline & procedural notes

  • Introduced Feb 6, 2025; moved through Senate and House committees; House passed (3/10/2025).
  • Initial rules required by Jan 1, 2028; statewide prohibition on unlicensed operation effective Jan 1, 2029 (per House summaries).
  • Current status: returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading (4/27/2025).

Potential impacts

  • Standardizes qualifications and improves portability of boiler operator credentials across Washington.
  • Likely increased compliance costs for some operators (training, testing, fees) but expected safety benefits through standardized training and oversight.
  • Local licensing programs and credentialing practices will need alignment with the new statewide system; existing valid local certificates can be grandfathered if applicants meet timing requirements.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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