Electrical Licenses & Certificates
 
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You must have a valid Washington State electrical certificate or license to do electrical work in Washington State.

Use the links below to find out the requirements, the process and the fees for getting or renewing your electrical certificate or license.

Trainee
To learn to be an electrician, you need to begin as a trainee. An electrical trainee must have a trainee certificate and work under the supervision of a certified electrician.

Electrician

To become a certified journeyman or specialty electrician, you must have a required amount of experience and education and pass the appropriate exam or qualify under one of the reciprocal agreements Washington State has with other states.

Electrical administrator

To become an electrical administrator, you must pass a qualifying exam. Electrical administrators ensure that an electrical contractor's work is in compliance with the electrical laws and rules. (Note: Administrator certification does not enable the holder to work as an installer in the electrical trade.)

Telecommunications administrator

To become a telecommunications administrator, you must pass a qualifying exam. Telecommunication administrators ensure that a telecommunications contractor's electrical work is in compliance with electrical laws and rules.

Electrical contractor

To engage in the business of doing electrical work, you must get an electrical contractor license from L&I, submit the required bond or assignment of savings. You must also designate a master electrician or electrical administrator to ensure that your work complies with the appropriate laws and rules.

Telecommunications contractor 

To engage in the business of doing telecommunications work, you must get a telecommunications contractor license from L&I, submit the required bond or assignment of savings and get the required insurance. You must also designate a telecommunications electrical administrator to ensure that your work complies with the appropriate laws and rules.