Electrical Laws & Rules
Current electrical laws (RCW)
Electrical Chapter 19.28 RCW (F500-143-000) Effective June 2018.
This printed document is also available for a fee in L&I field offices or by mail.
Replacement/insert pages due to changes in legislation. Please replace/insert pages below in your print version of 2018 RCW 19.28.
- Replacement page 5 — Change is due to 2019 legislation - SHB 1594.
- Replacement page 7 — Change is due to 2020 plumbing legislation - SB 6170
- Replacement page 9 — Change is due to 2020 plumbing legislation - SB 6170
- Replacement page 16 — Change is due to 2020 plumbing legislation - SB 6170
- Replacement page 18 — Change is due to 2020 plumbing legislation - SB 6170
- Replacement page 22 — Change is due to 2021 legislation - SSB 5267.
- Insert page 22.5 — Please insert this page between pages 22 and 23. Change is due to 2020 legislation - SSB 6409 which added new section 19.28.265.
- Replacement page 27 — Change is due to 2021 legislation - SSB 5267
Chapter 19.28 RCW — Electricians and Electrical Installation official copy formatted in the protocol of the Office of the Code Reviser.
Current electrical rules (WAC)
Electrical WAC Rule 296-46B (F500-142-000) Effective October 29, 2020.
This printed document is also available for a fee in L&I field offices or by mail.
Replacement pages due to rule changes. Please replace pages below in your October 29, 2020 print version of WAC 296-46B.
- Replacement fee schedule pages (Effective July 1, 2021) — Changes reflect 5.79% fee increase.
- Replacement page 89 — Change is due to rule revisions of WAC 296-46B-940 Reciprocal agreements between Washington and other states.
Chapter 296-46B WAC — Electrical Safety Standards, Administration, and Installation official copy formatted in the protocol of the Office of the Code Reviser.
Amusement ride laws and rules
Chapter 67.42 RCW — Amusement rides or structures.
Chapter 296-403A WAC — Amusement rides or structures.
NFPA codes and standards
Visit the website of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for read-only access to the NFPA codes and standards adopted by L&I in Chapter 296-46B-010 WAC.
2023 rulemaking
L&I has adopted rule changes that provide more opportunities to qualify for the journey level (01) examination.
A new law, implemented under 2018’s Substitute Senate Bill (SSB) 6126, provided L&I the opportunity to engage in rulemaking. L&I’s used its discretion provided by the law to continue to help the electrical industry while implementing the bill. Below is an overview of the adopted changes, and where to go to see a complete text of the adopted rule.
L&I filed a CR-103 Rulemaking Order to adopt the changes on Feb. 14. The new rules take effect on July 1.
An important note:
These changes do not apply to specialty electrical contractors or the trainees they employ. Also unchanged is the process for trainees to submit hours of experience to the Electrical Program’s licensing division
Overview of proposed changes
The adopted changes allow journey-level candidates to take the 01 exam based on a “good cause” exemption available under law. The exemption would be in effect through July 1, 2025. The adopted rule, in part, recognizes:
- State-licensed electricians from other jurisdictions that require 8,000 hours of experience (4,000 hours must be new commercial or industrial installations) as journey level electricians;
- Individuals with military experience from a construction battalion while in the U.S. military, or those from other jurisdictions with 16,000 hours working in the electrical trade (4,000 hours must be commercial or industrial installations), to qualify for the 01 journey level electrician examination.
- Individuals with 4,000 hours performing industrial or commercial installations accrued prior to July 1, 2023. The individual can continue accruing remaining specialty experience and qualify for the journey level electrician examination without joining an apprenticeship program.
This rulemaking also adopts other changes to the rule for updates and housekeeping.
Rulemaking documents
Notice of Intent 8/02/2022
- CR-101 Preproposal
- First Draft WAC 296-46B-945 Proposed Amendments
- Second Draft WAC 296-46B-945 Proposed Amendments
- Third Draft WAC 296-46B-945 Proposed Amendments
Proposed Rule Language 11/22/2022
- CR-102 Proposed Rulemaking
- CR-102 Proposed Rule Language
- Preliminary Cost Benefit Analysis
- Public Hearing Information Packet
Final Adoption 2/14/2023
- CR-103 Adoption
- CR-103 Adoption Language
- Final Cost Benefit Analysis
- Concise Explanatory Statement (CES)
Here's what happens next
July 1, 2023: The adopted rule takes effect.
Related resources
- Trades & Licensing Rules Under Development (listed alphabetically) to find electrical safety standards, administration, and installation.
- Current electrical rulemaking.
- Join the Electrical Bulletin to get email notices with important dates and other information about rule changes.
As new policies are approved, they will be posted here. Please check back on a regular basis.
| Policy Number | Effective Date |
| none current or pending | None as of 10/1/2013 |