Washington Propane Training Requirements Under PEP — 2026 Guide
The short answer
Washington's LP-gas training rule — based on a compliance-network summary, not yet primary-source-confirmed — reads as "CETP or PERC courses or equivalent courses approved by the State Fire Marshal," with a three-year refresher. That wording may be the best transitional posture in the West: because the rule names PERC courses alongside CETP, PEP — as PERC's current program — appears to already qualify without any state update. The catch: no Washington State Fire Marshal bulletin confirms it, and the exact rule language hasn't been verified against the primary Washington Administrative Code. Probably smooth; confirm before relying on it.
What does Washington law say about propane training?
ashington law actually says
Washington regulates LP-gas through the State Fire Marshal under the Washington State Patrol. Licenses renew annually; applicants need $1M in Commercial General Liability coverage (license fee $200). LP-gas installations and operations are governed by Washington Administrative Code provisions including WAC 296-155-275, WAC 296-24-47505, and WAC 296-307-41005.
The training language, per a compliance-network summary of Washington's LP-gas rules:
"Training and testing requirements can be satisfied by proof of substantial completion of 'certified employee training program (CETP) or propane education and research council (PERC) courses or equivalent courses approved by the state fire marshal'."
"Refresher training is required every three years."
The plain-language read: like Arizona, Washington uses a disjunctive (either/or) standard — CETP or PERC courses or a Fire-Marshal-approved equivalent. Because PEP courses *are* PERC courses, the rule appears to recognize PEP on its face. Honesty note: this comes from a secondary source (a compliance network), not a direct read of the primary WAC text. Treat the favorable read as probable, not confirmed. **
What changed for Washington operators?
PERC is archiving CETP module by module — each retires roughly 12 months after its PEP equivalent releases, with no single national cutoff. PEP replaces it: role-based, modular, a Learning Center transcript instead of a paper certificate, module assessments plus employer-tracked OJT.
Washington's likely advantage is the "or PERC courses" language: an employee completing PEP is completing PERC courses, which the standard already appears to accept — so the compliance gap is far smaller than in states that name only CETP. The real exposure is awareness and timing: operators whose records only ever show "CETP" may not realize PEP already fits the existing pathway, and the three-year refresher puts anyone trained in 2022 due now — on PEP, the current vehicle.
What is the Washington compliance trap?
Washington's specific landmine is assuming the favorable wording is settled fact. "PERC courses" probably covers PEP — but the language is unconfirmed against primary WAC and no Fire Marshal bulletin states it. Don't tell an auditor "Washington already accepts PEP" as established; say "Washington's rule accepts PERC courses, and we've confirmed PEP qualifies" — only after you actually confirm it. The second trap is the three-year refresher lapsing on the assumption the transition took care of itself.
What should Washington operators do now?
- Treat PEP as your training path. Under Washington's apparent "PERC courses" standard, completing PEP appears to satisfy the requirement.
- Confirm the read with the State Fire Marshal — because it rests on a secondary source, get written confirmation that PEP completion satisfies the "CETP or PERC courses" standard before relying on it for an audit or licensing decision.
- Track the three-year refresher. Anyone trained in 2022 is due — schedule their refresher on PEP now.
- Keep your annual license and CGL current. Washington renews annually with a $1M CGL requirement; don't let either lapse alongside the training question.
Who regulates propane training in Washington?
Washington State Fire Marshal (Division of Fire Safety, Washington State Patrol)
Ask specifically: *"Your LP-gas training/testing standard accepts 'CETP or PERC courses or equivalent courses approved by the State Fire Marshal.' Now that PERC has replaced CETP with PEP, does completing PEP satisfy the requirement as a PERC course, and does it count for the three-year refresher?"* Get the answer in writing if you can.
What should Washington operators document?
- The completion date of each employee's training (anchors the three-year refresher).
- The Learning Center transcript for PEP-trained employees — your proof of "PERC courses" completion.
- Any prior CETP certificates — they remain valid records in the PERC Learning Center; keep them.
- A documented three-year refresher record per employee.
- Your annual license and $1M CGL documentation.
- OJT worksheets for hands-on verification — the Learning Center auto-tracks eLearning only.
Will my insurer accept PEP in Washington?
Washington already requires $1M CGL at the license level. Separately, your carrier may have its own training-documentation expectations, and some carrier materials still reference "CETP" because they predate PEP. We do not know your carrier's position, and no major propane carrier has published PEP-equivalency guidance. Verify directly with your carrier whether a PEP transcript satisfies what your policy or underwriter expects — keep it distinct from the Fire Marshal's training standard.
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*This is an information resource. Verify with your state authority before relying on this for licensing or employment decisions.*
Get your full Washington PEP report — the Fire Marshal contact, the "CETP or PERC courses" standard, and what still needs confirming — at the PEP Checker. And if tracking annual licenses, $1M CGL, and three-year refreshers across your crew is the work, see how TankSpotter's Training pillar tracks PEP completion and refresher timing in one place: book a demo at /demo-tankspotter.
Washington — at a glance
CETP named in law
Yes
PEP recognized
Silent (no specific guidance)
Transition guidance published
No
Research confidence
Medium
Last verified
2026-06-12
Your regulator
Washington State Fire Marshal (Division of Fire Safety, Washington State Patrol)
Washington: Statute names CETP; no PEP equivalency ruling yet. Verified 2026-06-12.
Verify with your regulator — always
State positions on PEP are changing. Even where we have a verdict, the operator with a dated written confirmation from their state authority is the one who’s protected. Ask your regulator: “Does PEP completion satisfy your state’s current training requirements for LP-gas licensing?” Get the answer in writing.
- Regulator: Washington State Fire Marshal (Division of Fire Safety, Washington State Patrol)
- PERC (training questions): 1-800-757-1554 · training.propane.com
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Disclaimer: This is an information resource maintained by Tank Spotter. It is not legal advice and does not constitute a compliance determination. Verify with your state regulator and your own insurer before relying on any information here for licensing or employment decisions.