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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.
To become a certified journeyman or specialty electrician, you must have the required amount of experience and education and pass the appropriate exam.
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.
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.
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.
Master electrician's certificate
To become a master electrician, you must have the required amount of experience as an electrician and take and pass the appropriate exam. Master electricians are certified to do both; when assigned, act as an administrator to ensure that an electrical contractor's work is in compliance with the electrical laws and rules when assigned, and work with the tools of the trade as an installer.
