Electrician License Requirements in Washington
- Training hours
- 8000 hrs
- Upfront cost
- $219.6
- Exam
- 01 General Journey Level Electrician Examination
- Renewal cycle
- Every 3 years
- Issuing board
- Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), Electrical Section
How to get licensed
- 1
Meet the prerequisites
Be at least 16 years old. L&I's electrical program pages state applicants must have a valid Social Security number, but no explicit criminal-history background-check requirement was found on the electrician certification pages. The 16-year minimum age applies at the Electrical Trainee entry point (the path to accumulating the 8,000 hours required for the 01 General Journey Level exam) — L&I's electrician page does not state a separate age floor for the journey-level exam/certificate itself. [1]
- 2
Complete approved training
Complete 8000 hours of training. 8,000 hours of supervised electrical work experience are required to qualify for the 01 General Journey Level exam, of which no more than 4,000 hours may be in specialty (non-general) categories. Hours are typically earned as an L&I-certified Electrical Trainee (minimum age 16) working under a certified electrician/administrator, though out-of-state or military-equivalent experience can also be credited via affidavit. [1]
- 3
01 General Journey Level Electrician Examination
Pass the 01 General Journey Level Electrician Examination (fee: $105). Three sections taken together: NEC & Theory (4 hours, ~80 questions), Washington Laws & Rules/RCW & WAC (1 hour, ~20 questions), and Major Load Calculations (2 hours, ~10 questions) — 7 hours and ~110 questions total; open-book against the current NEC and WAC 296-46B; 70% required to pass each section. PSI bills per hour of exam time ($45 for 1 hour up to $105 for 7 hours) rather than a flat fee; the $105 figure here is the cost of the full combined 7-hour initial exam session. If a candidate must retest, only the failed section(s) are rebilled at the corresponding hourly rate, not the full $105. Registration/exam fees are non-refundable and valid for one year. [2]
- 4
Submit your application
Submit your application to Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), Electrical Section with the $114.6 application fee. [3]
- 5
Receive your license
Once your application is approved, Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), Electrical Section issues your 01 General Journey Level Electrician Certificate for Washington.
Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee [3] | $114.6 |
| License fee [3] | None specified |
| Renewal fee [3] | $106.4 |
| 01 General Journey Level Electrician Examination [2] | $105 |
| Late renewal, within 90 days of expiration [3] | $212.9 |
Per L&I's official In-State Application for Electrical Examination form, the exam-application fee is $114.60, of which $44.20 is nonrefundable once submitted. Per L&I's official Administrator/Electrician/Master Electrician Certificate Renewal form, on-time renewal (GL 1251) is $106.40 and late renewal within 90 days is $212.90; certificates cannot be renewed once expired more than 90 days. license is null because L&I does not itemize a separate certificate-issuance fee beyond the exam application fee.
Renewal & continuing education
Renew every 3 years. 24 continuing education hours required per cycle.
Certificates expire every 3 years on the holder's birthdate. Renewal requires 24 hours of continuing education, including 8 hours of code-update coursework and 4 hours on RCW/WAC (Washington electrical law and rules).
Reciprocity
Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.
Washington has a reciprocal certification agreement only with Oregon: a holder of an Oregon General Journeyman Electrician (J) license earned via an approved 8,000-hour apprenticeship (with the required classroom hours) and Oregon's written exam can apply for a Washington reciprocal 01 General Journey Level certificate (form F500-148-000) without retaking the Washington exam; the reverse pathway (WA to OR) is also available. Washington does not have a reciprocity agreement with Idaho or other neighboring states — those applicants must apply as standard out-of-state applicants (notarized proof of the 8,000 hours, including 4,000 commercial/industrial hours) and pass the full Washington exam. No interstate licensure compact covers electricians.
Cost calculator
- $114.6
- $105
Frequently asked questions
How many hours of experience does Washington require for a journey-level electrician certificate?
8,000 hours of supervised electrical work experience, with no more than 4,000 of those hours in specialty (non-general) categories.
Who administers the Washington 01 General Journey Level exam and what does it cost?
PSI Services LLC. The combined exam has three sections (NEC & Theory, Washington Laws & Rules, and Major Load Calculations) totaling about 7 hours and 110 questions, billed by PSI at an hourly rate — up to $105 for the full 7-hour session. A 70% passing score is required on each section.
How much does a Washington journey-level electrician certificate cost?
The L&I exam-application fee is $114.60 ($44.20 nonrefundable). On-time renewal is $106.40 every 3 years; late renewal within 90 days of expiration is $212.90, and certificates cannot be renewed once expired beyond 90 days.
Does Washington have reciprocity with other states?
Only with Oregon. An Oregon General Journeyman Electrician license earned via an 8,000-hour apprenticeship and Oregon's written exam qualifies for a Washington reciprocal certificate without retaking the Washington exam. Other states, including neighboring Idaho, require the full Washington application and exam.
How often do I renew, and what continuing education is required?
Every 3 years, on your birthdate. You need 24 hours of continuing education: 8 hours of code-update coursework and 4 hours on Washington electrical law and rules (RCW/WAC).
Sources
- [1] lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/electrical/electrical-licensing-exams-education/electrician — accessed 2026-07-11
- [2] lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/_docs/display_bulletin.pdf — accessed 2026-07-11
- [3] lni.wa.gov/forms-publications/F500-045-000.pdf — accessed 2026-07-11
- [4] lni.wa.gov/forms-publications/F500-148-000.pdf — accessed 2026-07-11