Electrician License Requirements in Washington
| Licensing Authority | Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) |
| License Type | Electrical Certification (Journey Level EL01) |
| Experience Required | 01 Journey Level: 8,000 hours with at least 4,000 in commercial/industrial, plus 96 hours of approved classroom instruction. Specialty certifications require 2,000-4,000 hours depending on classification. |
| Education Substitute | Completion of a registered apprenticeship program satisfies experience and education requirements. An approved 2-year training school program may substitute for some classroom hours. After July 1, 2026, registered apprenticeship is mandatory for new 01 Journey Level candidates. |
| Exam Required | Yes — 01 General Journey Level - NEC & Theory + 01 General Journey Level - WA Laws & Rules + 06A HVAC/R - NEC & Theory + 06A HVAC/R - WA Laws & Rules |
| Bond Required | Yes — $4,000 |
| Insurance | General liability: required. Workers comp: required with employees |
| Continuing Education | 24 hours 3 years |
| Processing Time | 2-4 weeks for certification after passing exam |
Fee Breakdown
| Application Fee | $107.60 |
| Exam Fee | $65 |
| Initial License Fee | $107.60 |
| Est. Initial Total | $280.20 |
Related & additional fees
Separate or ongoing costs — not included in the estimate above.
| Electrical trainee application/renewal | $46.30 |
| Electrical contractor license | $293.60 |
| Electrical contractor administrator assignment | $44 |
| Electrical contractor surety bond | $4,000 |
| 06A HVAC/R specialty exam (PSI) | $65 |
| 06B HVAC/R restricted exam (PSI) | $55 |
Renewal: $76.9 every 3 years
Exam Requirements
01 General Journey Level - NEC & Theory
01 General Journey Level - WA Laws & Rules
06A HVAC/R - NEC & Theory
06A HVAC/R - WA Laws & Rules
Exam provider: PSI
Recommended exam prep
Formal prep pays for itself against a $100+ retake. Many states examine contractors on two separate papers — the trade exam and a business and law exam — so we list the course covering both first, with trade-specific depth after.
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Mometrix · SponsoredContractor License Online Study CourseFull online prep course covering the trade and business-and-law exams — video lessons, practice questions, and a study plan built for a first-try pass.See the course →
Mometrix · SponsoredElectrician Exam Secrets Study GuideFull review of the National Electrical Code, electrical theory, and safety practices for the journeyman and master electrician exams — concept breakdowns and practice questions built for a first-try pass.See the study guide →Set up the business before you apply in Washington
Most states license the company as well as the person, so the application usually asks for an LLC or corporation and a registered agent in Washington. Northwest forms the entity and acts as your registered agent — a flat fee, no upsell funnel.
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Form an LLC with Northwest→License Tiers
01 - General Journey Level Electrician
8,000 hours (4+ years), with at least 4,000 hours in commercial/industrial. Plus 96 hours of basic classroom instruction (or registered apprenticeship).
Exam: Required
02 - Residential Electrician
4,000 hours (2+ years) of residential electrical work. Plus 48 hours of basic classroom instruction.
Exam: Required
06A - HVAC/Refrigeration Electrician
4,000 hours (2+ years) of HVAC/R electrical work. Plus 48 hours of education.
Exam: Required
06B - HVAC/Refrigeration Restricted Electrician
2,000 hours (1+ year) of HVAC/R electrical work. Plus 24 hours of education.
Exam: Required
07 - Limited Energy (Low Voltage) Electrician
4,000 hours (2+ years) of limited energy work. Plus 48 hours of education.
Exam: Required
Electrical Trainee
No experience required to start. Must work under supervision of certified electrician. Renews every 2 years.
Exam: Not required
License Reciprocity
This state has reciprocity agreements with 1 state. View full reciprocity details — You may be able to skip the trade exam if you hold a valid license from one of these states.
Notes
- CRITICAL 2026 CHANGE: After July 1, 2026, all new 01 Journey Level candidates must complete a registered apprenticeship program. The temporary exception for non-apprenticed trainees with 3,000+ hours before July 2023 expires on this date.
- Exam is open-book — authorized NEC codebook and WA code materials allowed
- Must wait 14 days between exam retakes; after 3 failures must wait 3 months
- One year from approval date to pass all exam sections
- Trainee renewal requires 48 hours of approved classroom instruction (no online/correspondence) per 2-year cycle
- CE requirements: 8 hours on current NEC changes, 4 hours on WA RCW 19.28 and WAC, 12 hours elective from approved courses
- Late renewal fee doubles; >90 days late requires retesting
- $41.40 of application fee is nonrefundable after submission
You're licensed in Washington as an electrician — the next 30 days
Most of the steps below are required before your first paid job; the order is the order the state and its counties will ask for them.
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Form the business and get an EIN.
The Department of Labor & Industries issues the Electrical Certification (Journey Level EL01); the business that invoices Washington customers is a separate decision. A sole proprietorship is the default, an LLC keeps business liability off your personal assets, and either needs an EIN before the first payroll. Settle it before the license number goes on an estimate.
Post the bond.
Washington requires a $4,000 surety bond. Electrical contractors must file a $4,000 surety bond (separate from general contractor bond). Individual electricians (non-contractors) do not need a bond. How contractor bonds work→
Carry the insurance the license requires.
Washington requires general liability insurance for this license. Electrical contractors must carry general liability insurance ($250,000 combined single limit). Workers comp through WA State Fund (L&I) required if you have employees. Individual certified electricians working as employees do not carry their own insurance. Contractor insurance requirements→
Register locally.
Seattle requires a separate city electrical license. Other cities may have additional requirements.
Set up quoting, scheduling and invoicing before the first call.
Your first customers will ask for a written estimate and expect to pay by card on site. Most one-truck electrician businesses run that on field-service software; Housecall Pro is the one we link because it is built for this size of company and this link carries 20% off your first 12 months. Start a free trial of Housecall Pro→
Keep the license.
Renewal is every 3 years at $76.90. Continuing education: 24 hours every 3 years.
Other licenses in Washington
- General Contractor license in Washington
Statewide registration, not a license · $150.2 in fees · L&I
- Plumber license in Washington
Statewide license required · $497.7 in initial government fees · L&I
- HVAC Technician license in Washington
Statewide license required · $313.7 in initial government fees · L&I
- Roofing Contractor license in Washington
Statewide registration, not a license · $141.1 in fees · L&I
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an electrician license in Washington?
Yes, Washington requires a statewide electrician license through the Department of Labor & Industries.
How much does an electrician license cost in Washington?
The estimated initial cost is $280.2, including application, exam, and license fees. A $4,000 surety bond is also required.
What experience do I need for an electrician license in Washington?
01 Journey Level: 8,000 hours with at least 4,000 in commercial/industrial, plus 96 hours of approved classroom instruction. Specialty certifications require 2,000-4,000 hours depending on classification. Education substitute: Completion of a registered apprenticeship program satisfies experience and education requirements. An approved 2-year training school program may substitute for some classroom hours. After July 1, 2026, registered apprenticeship is mandatory for new 01 Journey Level candidates.
What exams are required for an electrician license in Washington?
You must pass the 01 General Journey Level - NEC & Theory and 01 General Journey Level - WA Laws & Rules and 06A HVAC/R - NEC & Theory and 06A HVAC/R - WA Laws & Rules exams. A passing score of 70% is required. Exams are administered by PSI.
Do I need a bond for an electrician license in Washington?
Yes, a $4,000 surety bond is required. Electrical contractors must file a $4,000 surety bond (separate from general contractor bond). Individual electricians (non-contractors) do not need a bond.
Does Washington have electrician license reciprocity?
Yes, Washington has reciprocity agreements with 1 state that may apply to electricians. Licensed contractors from these states may be eligible to skip certain exams or have an expedited application process.
How long does it take to get an electrician license in Washington?
Processing time is typically 2-4 weeks for certification after passing exam after submitting a complete application.
Is continuing education required for electricians in Washington?
Yes, 24 hours per 3 years is required for license renewal.
Next steps
You know the requirements for electricians in Washington— here's how to actually pass and apply.
Data last verified: 2026-04-02 | Source: L&I