As an electrician or electrical contractor in Washington, it’s essential to understand the licensing process, requirements, and renewal procedures. This comprehensive guide will provide you with all the necessary information to establish eligibility, apply for, and renew your electrician license in Washington. It also covers the reciprocity agreements with other states, specific details for different locations and counties within Washington, and outlines the license bond requirements and insurance needs for electricians in the state.

Licensing Requirements

Journeyman Electrician

To become a journeyman electrician in Washington, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Be at least 18 years old.
  • Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
  • Complete an approved electrician apprenticeship program, which includes 576 hours of classroom instruction and 8,000 hours of on-the-job training over four years.
  • Pass the journeyman electrician examination.

The application fee for the journeyman electrician license is $35, and the exam fee is $30. The license is valid for four years and must be renewed by March 30th of the expiration year. The renewal fee is $100. More information can be found on the Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) website.

Electrical Trainee

An electrical trainee in Washington is an individual who is learning the trade under the supervision of a licensed electrician. The requirements for becoming an electrical trainee are:

  • Be at least 16 years old.
  • Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
  • Be enrolled in an approved electrician apprenticeship program.

The application fee for the electrical trainee certificate is $36.70. The certificate is valid for two years and must be renewed biennially. The renewal fee is $40.70. More information can be found on the L&I website.

Master Electrician

To become a master electrician in Washington, you must have the required amount of experience as an electrician and take and pass the master electrician exam in your specialty. Master electricians are certified to act as an administrator. Both master electricians and administrators ensure that an electrical contractor’s work is in compliance with the electrical laws and rules. But only master electricians can work with the tools of the trade as an installer.

There are two levels of certification for master electricians: general journey level and specialty master electricians.

  • Journey level master electrician: To qualify for the master electrician exam you must be certified as a general journey level electrician by L&I for at least 4 years.
  • Specialty master electrician: To qualify for the exam you must be certified by L&I in a specialty, for at least 2 years.

The application fee for the master electrician certificate is $169.80. The certificate expires on your birthdate and must be renewed every three years. The renewal fee is $145.80, or $291.80 if renewing late. More information can be found on the L&I website.

Electrical Contractor

To engage in the business of the electrical construction trade in Washington, you must get an electrical contractor license from L&I. General electrical (01) contractors are licensed to perform all types of electrical and telecommunications installations. Specialty electrical contractors are licensed to perform work within a category described in WAC 296-46B-920(2).

The application requirements for an electrical contractor license are:

  • A valid UBI number issued by the Department of Revenue or Secretary of State’s office.
  • A certified, assigned electrical administrator or master electrician.
  • An original, $4,000 electrical/telecommunication contractor’s surety bond, or assignment of savings account.
  • A workers’ compensation account if the business hires employees.

The license fee for an electrical contractor license is $254.00. The license expires two years from its effective date, and should be renewed before it expires. The renewal fee is $293.60. More information can be found on the L&I website.

Electrician License Reciprocity

Washington has reciprocity agreements with several states for the journeyman electrician license. These states include Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. This means that if you hold a journeyman electrician license in any of these states, you can apply for a journeyman electrician license in Washington without having to take the Washington state exam. However, you must provide proof of having passed the exam in the reciprocal state and meet all other Washington licensing requirements.

License Bond Requirements in Washington

In Washington, electricians are required to carry a $4,000 license bond. This bond is a type of insurance that protects the public from any damages or losses resulting from the electrician’s work. The bond must be issued by a surety company licensed to do business in Washington.

Insurance Needs for Electricians in Washington

While Washington does not require electricians to carry general liability insurance, it is highly recommended. General liability insurance can protect your business from claims of bodily injury, property damage, and personal injury. The coverage amount will depend on the size and type of your business, but a typical policy might offer $500,000 to $1 million in coverage per occurrence.

In addition to general liability insurance, if you have employees, you are required to have a workers’ compensation account. Workers’ compensation insurance covers medical expenses and lost wages for employees who are injured on the job.

Electrician License Reciprocity in Washington

License reciprocity is a concept where states recognize a license acquired in another state, without requiring the contractor to go through all the steps to get a new license. This is similar to how states treat your driver’s license: you don’t need to prove that you can drive in each state; each state recognizes the driver’s license of every other state. However, getting a contractor license isn’t always that simple. Depending on the state and the type of business you run, you most likely need to get a license to perform construction work in your state.

In the case of Washington, the state has a reciprocal agreement with Oregon for general journey level electrician licenses. This means that if you are a general journey level electrician or a master general journey level electrician in Oregon, you may be eligible for a reciprocal license in Washington. However, this reciprocity is not automatic. You will need to submit an Application for a Reciprocal (01) General Journey Level Electrician Certificate to the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries, along with verification of your Oregon license.

It’s worth noting that just because a state doesn’t have a reciprocal agreement with your state doesn’t mean you can’t carry a license there. You’ll simply have to apply, meet the requirements, and take the full exam like any other contractor. Once you carry that license (through the typical route), you might qualify for licenses in states that have reciprocity agreements with that state.

License Bond Requirements in Washington

In Washington, electricians are required to post a contractor license bond to legally operate. This bond is a type of surety bond that protects your clients by providing a guarantee that you will adhere to all laws and regulations in your work. If a client suffers a financial loss due to your work, they can make a claim against your bond. The surety company that issued the bond will then compensate the client for their loss, up to the full amount of the bond.

The amount of the bond required can vary depending on the type of contractor license you hold. For example, a general electrical contractor in Washington is required to have a $4,000 bond, while a specialty contractor is required to have a $2,000 bond.

Insurance Needs for Electricians in Washington

In addition to license bonds, electricians in Washington also need to have insurance to protect their business. At a minimum, you should have General Liability Insurance. This type of insurance protects your business from any covered claim for any injuries or damages to third-party persons or property as a result of your work. This also includes legal fees to defend your business from any covered claim.

The policy limits of $1,000,000 single claim $2,000,000 aggregate will be sufficient in 95% of cases. In the case, there are specific contractual terms that require you to have greater limits, you can obtain these.

In addition to General Liability Insurance, there are other types of insurance that electricians should consider:

  • Commercial Auto Insurance: This covers vehicles used in your business.
  • Inland Marine Insurance: This covers tools and equipment from loss or theft.
  • Worker’s Compensation Insurance: This covers your employees from injury or illness caused by their employment.
  • Surety Bonds: These may be required for licenses, permits, or contractor registrations.
  • Umbrella Insurance Coverage: This covers you for catastrophic losses that exceed the underlying policy limits.

Remember, the specific insurance needs for your business can vary depending on the nature of the work you do, the size of your business, and other factors. It’s always a good idea to work with an experienced insurance agent to make sure you have the right coverage for your needs.

Conclusion

Becoming a licensed electrician in Washington involves several steps, including education, experience, examination, and insurance. Although the process may seem daunting, it is a necessary part of ensuring that all electricians in the state are qualified and capable of performing their work safely and effectively. By understanding and following the licensing process, you can establish a successful and rewarding career as an electrician in Washington.