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How to become a licensed electrician in Washington. State-level licensing required. Apprenticeship: 8,000 hours. Total initial fees: $268.20. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Electrician
Governing Authority
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), Electrical Program
Official website →Some information on this page has not been fully verified.
70% of data points are verified against official sources. 10 fields based on preliminary research. 4 fields need verification. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Yes
State Licensed?
Apprentice Hours
3 levels
License Levels
Total Initial Fees
CE Hours
NEC Version
Regulation Status
VerifiedState Licensed
Yes
Regulation Level
state
License Types
Notes
Washington uses 'certification' for individual electricians (issued by L&I). The state has a uniquely granular specialty system with 16+ categories. Beginning July 2023, all trainees must be enrolled in a state-approved apprenticeship program. Electrical contractor businesses are licensed separately by L&I.
State-Level Licensing Required
Regulated by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), Electrical Program
Official Title
Electrical Trainee
Experience Required
No prior experience required; must be enrolled in a state-approved apprenticeship program (effective July 2023)
Exam Required
No
Additional Requirements
Official Title
01 General Journey Level Electrician
Experience Required
8,000 hours of supervised work experience, of which at least 4,000 hours must be in new industrial or commercial electrical installations
Exam Required
Yes
Additional Requirements
Official Title
Master (01) General Journey Level Electrician
Experience Required
Must hold a valid 01 General Journey Level Electrician certificate; additional master-level exam required
Exam Required
Yes
Additional Requirements
Apprenticeship
Hours Breakdown
8,000
Total Hours
4
Years
8,000
On-the-Job
DOL Registered Apprenticeship
Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
Journeyman Exam
Required
Master Exam
Exam Provider
PSI Services LLC
NEC Version
2023 NEC (NFPA 70-2023), effective April 1, 2024
Open Book
Yes
Journeyman Exam Details
77
Questions
180 min
Time Limit
70%
Passing Score
Master Exam Details
70%
Passing Score
Retake Policy
Must wait 14 days after failure. After 3 failures, must wait 3 months. All sections must be passed within 1 year of first attempt.
Minimum Age
Education
Background Check
Insurance Required
Bonding Required
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Journeyman License Fee Application/exam fee for 01 General Journey Level; $41.40 is nonrefundable after submission. Certification fee: $160.60 (triennial). | |
Master License Fee Application/exam fee for Master (01) Electrician; $41.40 is nonrefundable. Certificate fee: $80.10. | |
Exam Fee Exam fees billed by the hour through PSI; included in the application process | |
Renewal Fee Triennial renewal; online or at L&I office. Certification fee: $160.60. | |
Total Initial Fees 01 General Journey Level: $107.60 application + $160.60 certification fee |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified3 years (triennial), expires on licensee's date of birth
Renewal Period
24 hrs
CE Hours Required
CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$137.90
Triennial renewal; online or at L&I office
Regulatory Board
Electrician licenses must be renewed on schedule. Most states require continuing education covering NEC code updates, safety practices, and applicable state/local amendments.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
Reciprocity Type
Limited reciprocity (Oregon only, 01 General Journey Level only)
Transfer Details
Reciprocity with Oregon only, for 01 General Journey Level Electricians. Oregon General Journeyman (J) or General Supervising (S) holders who obtained license through exam and 8,000-hour apprenticeship may apply for WA 01 certificate without examination. Application fee: $107.60 ($41.40 nonrefundable). No reciprocity for any specialty categories.
Additional Requirements for Transfer
Electrician license reciprocity varies significantly by state. Some states offer endorsement for experienced electricians, while others require passing the state exam regardless of prior credentials.
Washington has one of the most granular electrician specialty systems in the US with 16+ distinct certification categories (e.g., 06A HVAC/Refrigeration, 06B HVAC Restricted, 07A Lighting Retrofit, 07D Appliance Repair, 10 Door/Gate Systems). Beginning July 2023, all trainees must be in a state-approved apprenticeship program. The state has limited reciprocity with Oregon only, and only for 01 General Journey Level. Certification expires on the licensee's date of birth on a triennial cycle.
Washington has one of the most granular specialty electrician systems in the US, with 16+ distinct certification categories beyond the general journey level.
Beginning July 2023, all electrical trainees must be enrolled in a state-approved apprenticeship program. Previously, trainees could accumulate hours outside of formal apprenticeship.
Specialty certifications (02 Residential, 03 Pump/Irrigation, 06A HVAC, etc.) require 2,000-4,000 hours depending on category and have separate exams.
Washington has reciprocity with Oregon only, and only for 01 General Journey Level Electricians.
Electrical contractor businesses require separate licensing from L&I, including a $4,000 surety bond (per RCW 19.28.041).
The 2023 NEC was adopted effective April 1, 2024.
Master Electrician certification is available for 01 General Journey Level holders; application fee is $192.10.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Washington.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#2 of 51
Cost
#29 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Electricians (SOC 47-2111)
Entry Level
$69,520
25th percentile
Median
$96,530
+55% vs. national avg ($62,350)Experienced
$115,970
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
18,380 employed in this state
Source: BLS OEWS – Electricians (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+7.1%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
+60,000
over 10 years
Annual Openings
68,500
per year (avg.)
839,600 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Electrical Career Ladder+7% salary growth potential
You are here
Electrician (Journeyman)
$96,530
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
You are here
Electrician (Journeyman)
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
$96,530
Master electrician license + contractor license
$103,290
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 212–224 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Washington Department of Labor and Industries - Electrical Section — Licensing Requirements
2–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Washington Department of Labor and Industries - Electrical Section — Licensing Requirements
Study guides and NEC code practice tests for the electrician licensing exam.
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Shop essential tools and supplies to get started in your career.
Primary source for WA electrician certification
Accessed 2026-03-19
Washington Administrative Code listing all specialty types
Accessed 2026-03-19
Experience hour requirements by category
Accessed 2026-03-19
Official application form with fees
Accessed 2026-03-19
NEC adoption and state electrical code
Accessed 2026-03-19
LNI announcement on OR-WA reciprocity
Accessed 2026-03-19
Official reciprocal application form
Accessed 2026-03-19
Washington requires state-level licensing. An apprenticeship of 8,000 hours is required. All licensing is managed through the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), Electrical Program.
Requirements vary by state and local jurisdiction. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.