Electrician license
Washington electrician license
The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) certifies electricians and licenses electrical contractors statewide. To work in the electrical construction trade you need a valid L&I electrician or trainee certificate. The licenses are Electrical Trainee (training certificate), General Journey Level Electrician (01), Residential Specialty Electrician (02), Master Journey Level Electrician, Electrical Administrator and Electrical Contractor License (general or specialty). Each is below with its hours, exam, fees and official source, followed by how to apply, renewal, reciprocity and the official license lookup.
Licenses at a glance
| License | Experience | Exam | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Trainee (training certificate) | Not set in hours | No exam | $48.10 if you apply online, $56.00 in person, by mail or by fax |
| General Journey Level Electrician (01) | 8,000 hours | 77 questions, 2020 NEC | $114.60 application, which includes the original certificate; renewal is $92.60 online or $106.40 by mail |
| Residential Specialty Electrician (02) | 4,000 hours | 57 questions, 2020 NEC | $114.60 application, which includes the original certificate |
| Master Journey Level Electrician | Not set in hours | 110 questions, 2020 NEC | $204.60 exam application, which includes the original certificate; renewal is $175.70 online or $202.20 by mail |
| Electrical Administrator | Not set in hours | Yes | $160.00 original certificate |
| Electrical Contractor License (general or specialty) | Not set in hours | No exam | $353.90 per 24-month license; online renewal is $306.20 |
How to get each Washington license
Electrical Trainee (training certificate)
Requirements. Be at least 16 and hold a training certificate before working. Trainees work on the same jobsite as a certified electrician who supervises them, and renew the certificate every 2 years until they pass an electrician exam.
Exam. No exam for this license.
Fees. $48.10 if you apply online, $56.00 in person, by mail or by fax.
Trainees must finish 48 hours of basic classroom instruction every two years to renew.
Sources: L&I: Electrical Trainee; WAC 296-46B-909, electrical license, certificate and examination fees; L&I: Basic classroom instruction and continuing education.
General Journey Level Electrician (01)
Requirements. Complete the work experience and education of an approved 8,000-hour electrical construction apprenticeship, with 4,000 of the hours in new commercial or industrial installations, plus 96 hours of basic classroom instruction. Since July 1, 2026 the trainee-only route without a registered apprenticeship is closed; out-of-state and military routes exist.
Experience. 8,000 hours.
Exam. Required.
| Testing company | PSI |
|---|---|
| Code edition | 2020 NEC |
| Questions | 77 questions |
| Time | 240 minutes (4 hours) |
| Passing score | 70% on each section |
| Code book | Open book: bring your own 2020 NEC (permanent tabs only, no handwritten notes), printed copies of RCW 19.28 and WAC 296-46B in a three-ring binder, and other original copyrighted references. |
| Exam fee | PSI bills electrician exams by the hour, from $45 for one hour to $105 for seven hours. This fee is in addition to the L&I application fee. |
| Official bulletin | PSI candidate information bulletin, Washington Department of Labor & Industries electrical certification (10/30/2025) |
Fees. $114.60 application, which includes the original certificate; renewal is $92.60 online or $106.40 by mail.
The exam has two sections: NEC and Theory (about 60 questions, 3 hours) and Washington Codes on RCW 19.28 and WAC 296-46B (about 17 questions, 1 hour). Up to 10 unscored experimental questions may be added.
You have one year from your L&I approval letter to pass. After a failed section you wait at least 14 days; after three failures in a year, 90 days between attempts.
Free practice. The journeyman electrician practice test with 2026 and 2023 NEC versions has 30 questions on code and calculations, scored by subject, with no account. It is general NEC practice, not built from the Washington exam outline.
Sources: WAC 296-46B-945, qualifying for master, journey level and specialty electrician examinations; WAC 296-46B-909, electrical license, certificate and examination fees; L&I: Electrical Examination; PSI candidate information bulletin, Washington L&I electrical certification (10/30/2025).
Residential Specialty Electrician (02)
Requirements. 4,000 hours of supervised experience in the residential specialty, supervised at least 75% of the time, and 48 hours of basic classroom instruction.
Experience. 4,000 hours.
Exam. Required.
| Testing company | PSI |
|---|---|
| Code edition | 2020 NEC |
| Questions | 57 questions |
| Time | Not confirmed: check with the board |
| Passing score | 70% on each section |
| Code book | Open book, same references as the 01 exam. |
| Exam fee | Billed by the hour by PSI, from $45 for one hour. |
| Official bulletin | PSI candidate information bulletin, Washington Department of Labor & Industries electrical certification (10/30/2025) |
Fees. $114.60 application, which includes the original certificate.
Washington has 14 specialty certificates. The 4,000-hour ones are Residential (02), Pump and irrigation (03), Signs (04), Limited energy system (06), HVAC/refrigeration (06A) and Nonresidential maintenance (07); others need 2,000 hours.
Sources: L&I: Electrician; WAC 296-46B-909, electrical license, certificate and examination fees; L&I: Electrical Examination; PSI candidate information bulletin, Washington L&I electrical certification (10/30/2025).
Master Journey Level Electrician
Requirements. Hold a valid Washington journey level electrician certificate for four years, then pass the master exam. A master electrician can serve as the master electrician of record for an electrical contractor.
Exam. Required.
| Testing company | PSI |
|---|---|
| Code edition | 2020 NEC |
| Questions | 110 questions |
| Time | 420 minutes (7 hours) |
| Passing score | 70% on each section |
| Code book | Open book, same references as the 01 exam. |
| Exam fee | Not confirmed: check with the board |
| Official bulletin | PSI candidate information bulletin, Washington Department of Labor & Industries electrical certification (10/30/2025) |
Fees. $204.60 exam application, which includes the original certificate; renewal is $175.70 online or $202.20 by mail.
The master exam has three sections: NEC and Theory (80 questions, 4 hours), Washington Codes (20 questions, 1 hour) and Major Load Calculations (10 questions, 2 hours).
Sources: RCW 19.28.191, certificate of competency eligibility for examination; WAC 296-46B-909, electrical license, certificate and examination fees; L&I: Electrical Examination; PSI candidate information bulletin, Washington L&I electrical certification (10/30/2025).
Electrical Administrator
Requirements. No experience is needed to sit the administrator exam, but the certificate does not allow you to do electrical work. An administrator qualifies an electrical contractor's license as its designated full-time supervisory employee.
Exam. Required.
| Testing company | PSI |
|---|---|
| Code edition | 2020 NEC |
| Questions | Not confirmed: check with the board |
| Time | Not confirmed: check with the board |
| Passing score | Not confirmed: check with the board |
| Code book | Not confirmed: check with the board |
| Exam fee | Not confirmed: check with the board |
| Official bulletin | PSI candidate information bulletin, Washington Department of Labor & Industries electrical certification (10/30/2025) |
Fees. $160.00 original certificate.
Sources: L&I: Electrical Examination; WAC 296-46B-909, electrical license, certificate and examination fees; PSI candidate information bulletin, Washington L&I electrical certification (10/30/2025).
Electrical Contractor License (general or specialty)
Requirements. A business license. The contractor must designate a full-time supervisory master electrician or electrical administrator, and file a $4,000 bond with the state along with workers' compensation and tax registration details. Licenses run 24 months.
Exam. No exam for this license.
Fees. $353.90 per 24-month license; online renewal is $306.20.
Sources: RCW 19.28.061, electrical contractor's master electrician or administrator; RCW 19.28.041, electrical contractor license required, bond; WAC 296-46B-909, electrical license, certificate and examination fees.
How to apply
In-state candidates apply for the exam online or by mailing the In-State Application for Electrical Examination with their last affidavits of experience; out-of-state candidates mail the out-of-state application. After L&I verifies your hours it mails an approval letter telling you how to schedule with PSI. Apply on the official site.
Source: L&I: Electrical Examination.
Renewal and continuing education
| Renewal | Every three years, on or before your birthday. |
|---|---|
| Continuing education | 24 hours of approved continuing education in the three years between renewals: 8 hours on currently adopted NEC changes, 4 hours on RCW 19.28 and WAC 296-46B, and 12 hours of other approved courses. |
Sources: RCW 19.28.211, certificate of competency renewal and continuing education; L&I: Basic classroom instruction and continuing education.
Reciprocity with other states
Washington has a reciprocal agreement with Oregon only. Oregon General Journeyman (J) holders who got the license after an 8,000-hour apprenticeship with at least 576 classroom hours and an Oregon exam, or Oregon General Supervising (S) holders by exam, can apply for a Washington 01 certificate.
Source: L&I: Electrician.
Look up a Washington electrician license
To check that an electrician or contractor is licensed, use the official L&I Verify a Contractor, Tradesperson or Business.
Good to know
Washington's electrician exams are still written to the 2020 NEC. Bring a 2020 code book.
Trainees who were gaining 01 hours without registering as apprentices had to have their exam applications in before July 1, 2026. New 01 candidates now go through a registered apprenticeship.
Sources: L&I: Electrical Examination; WAC 296-46B-945, qualifying for master, journey level and specialty electrician examinations.
Common questions
Who issues electrician licenses in Washington?
The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) certifies electricians and licenses electrical contractors statewide. To work in the electrical construction trade you need a valid L&I electrician or trainee certificate.
How do I get a journeyman electrician license in Washington?
General Journey Level Electrician (01): Complete the work experience and education of an approved 8,000-hour electrical construction apprenticeship, with 4,000 of the hours in new commercial or industrial installations, plus 96 hours of basic classroom instruction. Since July 1, 2026 the trainee-only route without a registered apprenticeship is closed; out-of-state and military routes exist. In-state candidates apply for the exam online or by mailing the In-State Application for Electrical Examination with their last affidavits of experience; out-of-state candidates mail the out-of-state application. After L&I verifies your hours it mails an approval letter telling you how to schedule with PSI.
How many hours do you need to become a journeyman electrician in Washington?
8,000 hours for the General Journey Level Electrician (01).
How many questions are on the Washington journeyman electrician exam?
77 questions in 240 minutes (4 hours), and the passing score is 70% on each section.
Does Washington accept electrician licenses from other states?
Washington has a reciprocal agreement with Oregon only. Oregon General Journeyman (J) holders who got the license after an 8,000-hour apprenticeship with at least 576 classroom hours and an Oregon exam, or Oregon General Supervising (S) holders by exam, can apply for a Washington 01 certificate.
How often does a Washington electrician license renew?
Every three years, on or before your birthday. Continuing education: 24 hours of approved continuing education in the three years between renewals: 8 hours on currently adopted NEC changes, 4 hours on RCW 19.28 and WAC 296-46B, and 12 hours of other approved courses.
How do I look up an electrician license in Washington?
Use the official L&I Verify a Contractor, Tradesperson or Business at https://secure.lni.wa.gov/verify/
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from Washington's own licensing board, statute or rule, or the testing company the board names. Where a fact could not be confirmed from one of them, the page says to check with the board. Rules and fees change: confirm with the board before you apply.
- L&I: Electrician, opened November 11, 2026
- L&I: Electrical Trainee, opened November 11, 2026
- L&I: Basic classroom instruction and continuing education, opened November 11, 2026
- L&I: Electrical Examination, opened November 11, 2026
- WAC 296-46B-909, electrical license, certificate and examination fees, opened November 11, 2026
- WAC 296-46B-945, qualifying for master, journey level and specialty electrician examinations, opened November 11, 2026
- PSI candidate information bulletin, Washington L&I electrical certification (10/30/2025), opened November 11, 2026
- RCW 19.28.191, certificate of competency eligibility for examination, opened November 11, 2026
- RCW 19.28.061, electrical contractor's master electrician or administrator, opened November 11, 2026
- RCW 19.28.041, electrical contractor license required, bond, opened November 11, 2026
- RCW 19.28.211, certificate of competency renewal and continuing education, opened November 11, 2026
- L&I Verify a Contractor, Tradesperson or Business, opened November 11, 2026
Electrician license requirements in every state · How to become an electrician · Journeyman electrician license · Master electrician license
Last verified November 11, 2026.