Short answer: Washington’s Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) issues a General Journey Level Electrician (01) certificate, not a license. For most people starting in Washington, the standard path is an electrical trainee certificate and an approved 8,000-hour registered apprenticeship. Applicants with qualifying out-of-state experience, out-of-state credentials or military experience may have a different route. The law also requires 96 hours of in-class education, and the classroom training in your apprenticeship counts toward it. Then you need 70% on both sections of the open-book PSI exam: 60 NEC and theory questions and 17 Washington law questions.
The WA Codes section is scored on its own. You need 70% on 17 questions from RCW 19.28 and WAC 296-46B, no matter how well you do on the NEC. Our Washington law module is an independent printable PDF: 40 practice questions on RCW 19.28 and WAC 296-46B, each with the official citation, split into 3 printable drills. Two drills of 17 match the size of the WA Codes section, with a suggested 1-hour practice target, and a final drill has 6. The timing is a practice target, not a PSI simulation. Instant download, US$19 once.
Tsai Electro is an independent learning site. Not affiliated with the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries or PSI. NEC is a registered trademark of NFPA. This page summarizes the official pages we opened in October 2026. Confirm every requirement with L&I before you apply.
Who issues the Washington journeyman electrician license
Washington does not use the word “journeyman” in its law. The state issues certificates of competency, and the general one is “General journey level (01)” (WAC 296-46B-940). A journey level electrician is a person who holds that certificate from L&I (RCW 19.28.006). The 01 certificate covers all types of electrical and telecommunications installations (WAC 296-46B-920). L&I also issues 14 specialty certificates, such as residential (02), with shorter hour requirements (L&I electrician page).
How to become an electrician in Washington State: hours, classroom and the trainee card
If you are starting your electrical career in Washington, the usual first step is an electrical trainee certificate. Applicants with qualifying out-of-state or military experience may have a different path. A trainee must hold and visibly display an electrical training certificate, the “trainee card”, and work under a journey level or master electrician (WAC 296-46B-942).
| Requirement | What L&I asks for |
|---|---|
| Age | At least 16 to get a training certificate |
| Trainee card | Electrical training certificate, renewed every 2 years with 48 hours of basic trainee classes |
| Apprenticeship | Work and education of an 8,000-hour electrical construction trade apprenticeship approved under chapter 49.04 RCW |
| Commercial work | 4,000 of the 8,000 hours on new industrial or commercial installations |
| Specialty hours | Not more than 4,000 hours in specialties |
| Classroom | 96 hours of in-class education; apprenticeship classroom training counts (RCW 19.28.205) |
| Supervision | One trainee per journey level electrician on 01 work; a journey level or master electrician on the same jobsite at least 75% of each working day |
Sources: RCW 19.28.161, RCW 19.28.191, RCW 19.28.205, WAC 296-46B-945 and the L&I trainee page.
For new applicants on the standard in-state path, a registered apprenticeship is now required. A temporary rule let some trainees qualify without a registered apprenticeship, but only if L&I received the exam application before July 1, 2026 (WAC 296-46B-945). L&I’s July 2026 newsletter says only registered apprentices can now gain 01 hours (Electrical Currents, July 2026). Other paths exist for out-of-state apprenticeships, out-of-state journey certificates earned by exam, 16,000 hours of out-of-state experience, and military construction battalion work. A two-year electrical program at a public college or accredited trade school can replace up to two years of work experience (RCW 19.28.191). To compare how other states count hours, see our journeyman hours by state guide.
The Washington journeyman electrician test
PSI runs the exam for L&I. You cannot book it until L&I approves your application and sends a letter with your Exam Unique ID (L&I exam page). The 01 electrician exam has two sections, and you must score 70% on each (PSI bulletin 4232, dated 10/30/2025; WAC 296-46B-960).
| NEC & Theory | WA Codes | |
|---|---|---|
| Questions | 60 | 17 |
| Time | 3 hours | 1 hour |
| Passing score | 70% (42 correct) | 70% (12 correct, our arithmetic) |
| Based on | 2020 NEC plus general theory | Current RCW 19.28 and WAC 296-46B |
| Largest areas | Wiring methods, Articles 300 to 398 (10); General trade knowledge and theory (7) | Washington Laws & Rules (RCW & WAC), all 17 |
PSI may add up to 10 unscored experimental questions, and the time for them does not count against you. The test is on computer at PSI centers in Washington (Arlington, Bremerton, Everett, Kent, Olympia, Puyallup, Richland, Seattle (Bellevue), Snohomish, Spokane, Tacoma, Vancouver, Yakima) and other states. Your score shows on screen at the end.
All Washington electrical exams are open book. You may bring any original copyrighted book, a silent, nonprinting, nonprogrammable calculator, and printed copies of chapter 19.28 RCW and chapter 296-46B WAC (WAC 296-46B-960). L&I says to bring the 2020 NEC and to put the RCW and WAC printouts in a three-ring binder. Books may have highlighting, underlining and permanent tabs only. Handwritten notes, sticky notes and removable tabs are not allowed. PSI gives you two sheets of scratch paper and a pencil.
RCW 19.28 and WAC 296-46B: the WA Codes section
PSI says all law and rule questions come from the current version of RCW 19.28 and WAC 296-46B. The two documents do different jobs:
- Chapter 19.28 RCW is the statute passed by the Legislature: certificates, trainees, supervision ratios, exam eligibility, renewal and penalties.
- Chapter 296-46B WAC is L&I’s rule chapter: Washington amendments to the NEC, permits and fees, certificate types, training certificates, exams and continuing education.
L&I publishes an “exam friendly” printable version of each: F500-143-000 for the RCW and F500-142-000 for the WAC. Both are labeled “Valid for current 2020 NEC exams” (L&I Electrical Laws, Rules & Policies). Print them, punch them and tab them before test day. With only 17 questions, missing 6 means you fail the section.
NEC edition: 2020 on the exam, 2023 on the job, 2026 from December 31, 2026
Washington has three NEC editions in play at once:
- Exam: PSI bulletin 4232 bases code questions on the 2020 NEC, and the L&I exam page lists the 2020 edition under “What to bring”.
- Job sites now: WAC 296-46B-010 adopts the 2023 NEC. It took effect April 1, 2024 (Electrical Currents, April 2024 special edition).
- Next: the same rule says the 2026 NEC replaces the 2023 edition effective December 31, 2026. It applies to electrical permits issued on or after that date, with exceptions.
L&I’s September 2026 newsletter says “The state electrical examinations will be updated to the 2026 NEC in July of 2027” (Electrical Currents, September 2026). We found no exact date or new PSI bulletin yet. One L&I page still says exams would move to the 2023 NEC “in 2025. Date TBD”, but we found no notice that this happened. If you test near July 2027, check the current PSI bulletin for the edition.
Fees
L&I raised electrical fees 6.51% on July 1, 2026. The amounts below are from the current WAC 296-46B-909 (effective July 1, 2026) and the PSI bulletin.
| Fee | Amount | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| Training certificate, first one, online | $48.10 ($56.00 in person, mail or fax) | L&I |
| Training certificate renewal, online | $59.20 ($67.90 in person, mail or fax) | L&I |
| Journey level exam application, includes original certificate | $114.60 ($44.20 of it nonrefundable once submitted) | L&I |
| Exam, both sections (4 hours at the hourly rate) | $75 | PSI |
| Retest, WA Codes only (1 hour) | $45 | PSI |
| Retest, NEC & Theory only (3 hours) | $65 | PSI |
| Certificate renewal, online | $92.60 ($106.40 in person, mail or fax) | L&I |
| Late renewal, online | $185.30 | L&I |
PSI bills electrician exams by the hour, and its fees are not refundable or transferable. PSI lists a $75 fee for a four-hour exam. The General Journey Level (01) exam has three hours for NEC and Theory and one hour for WA Codes, so the first full sitting costs $75 under that schedule. Confirm the amount when you book. First certificate cost if you pass both sections the first time, not counting trainee fees: $114.60 + $75 = $189.60. RCW 19.28.211 mentions a fee for “each annual renewal”, and WAC 296-46B-909 prorates certificates by year, so check L&I for the exact total due at your renewal.
Renewal and continuing education
The certificate expires on your birthday and is renewed every three years (RCW 19.28.211). Your first certificate runs 25 to 36 months, depending on your exam date and birthdate. If it has been expired more than 90 days, you must retest (L&I electrician page).
Each renewal needs 24 hours of approved continuing education: at least 8 hours on changes in the currently adopted NEC, 4 hours on chapter 19.28 RCW and chapter 296-46B WAC, and 12 hours of other approved courses (WAC 296-46B-970). Up to four hours of approved behavioral health and wellness training can count. L&I says code update courses based on an older edition are revoked on the date a new NEC is adopted, so plan around December 31, 2026 (Electrical Currents, September 2026).
Reciprocity
WAC 296-46B-940 lets L&I sign reciprocal agreements with states that have equal requirements. The L&I electrician page describes one with Oregon. An Oregon general journeyman (J) license earned by exam after an 8,000-hour apprenticeship with at least 576 classroom hours generally qualifies for a Washington 01 reciprocal certificate. Coming from another state? Out-of-state applicants document their hours and education under WAC 296-46B-945 and take the Washington exam.
Where candidates get stuck
- Late trainee hours. Every two years, L&I must receive your affidavits of experience within 180 days after your training certificate’s expiration date. Late affidavits lose credit for those hours (L&I trainee page). Registered apprentices in Washington programs report through their program instead.
- Hours that do not count. Work with an expired trainee card, without a required apprenticeship registration, out of ratio, or for an unlicensed contractor is unlawful experience and is not credited.
- Retake timing. You have one year from your approval letter to pass all sections. After a fail, wait two weeks. Fail a section three times in that year and you wait three months (WAC 296-46B-960); the L&I exam page says 90 days between all later attempts. Proposed change, not yet in effect: L&I has proposed changes to the exam window and retake waits under AO 25-20 (CR-102). Until a final rule takes effect, follow the current one-year window and retake rules above, and check your exam approval letter before you schedule.
- Answering from the wrong code. Field electricians work to the 2023 NEC every day, but the exam is still on the 2020 edition. Look the answer up in the book you bring.
- Writing in the book. Highlighting, underlining and permanent tabs are allowed; handwritten notes, sticky notes and removable tabs are not, and PSI treats added markings as an attempt to cheat. Prepare your books before test day.
Moving to Texas later? The Texas path is different: TDLR, 8,000 hours and a two-part exam. See our Texas journeyman license guide.
Washington journeyman electrical practice test: check yourself
Our own practice questions. Answers below each.
- You score 44 of 60 on NEC & Theory and 11 of 17 on WA Codes. Do you pass? Answer: Not yet. 44 of 60 is about 73%, so NEC & Theory passes. 11 of 17 is about 65%, under 70%; you need 12. You retake WA Codes only, at least two weeks later and within your one-year exam period.
- Under the standard ratio for general (01) journey level work, two journey level electricians work on one jobsite. How many trainees can they supervise there? Answer: Two. On journey level work the ratio is one trainee per journey level or master journey level electrician (RCW 19.28.161).
- How many continuing education hours do you need per three-year renewal, and how are they split? Answer: 24 hours: at least 8 on NEC changes, 4 on RCW 19.28 and WAC 296-46B, and 12 on other approved courses.
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A reference book you may bring in
Ugly’s Electrical References, 2026 Edition. A pocket book of formulas, tables and conversions for theory and calculation questions. It is not the code book, and it follows the 2026 NEC while the Washington exam still uses the 2020 NEC, so check code values in your own 2020 NEC. The L&I exam page names Ugly’s as original copyrighted material you may bring into the exam, with highlighting, underlining and permanent tabs only.
FAQ
How many hours do you need for a journeyman electrician license in Washington?
8,000 hours in an approved electrical construction trade apprenticeship, with 4,000 on new commercial or industrial work, plus 96 hours of in-class education, which the classroom training in your apprenticeship can satisfy. You work those hours on an electrical training certificate.
How many questions are on the Washington journeyman electrician test?
Two sections: NEC & Theory has 60 questions in 3 hours, and WA Codes has 17 questions in 1 hour. You need 70% on each section.
What is the RCW 19.28 exam friendly version?
A printable copy of chapter 19.28 RCW that L&I publishes for the exam (F500-143-000), with a matching WAC 296-46B version (F500-142-000). Bring them printed in a three-ring binder.
What is a Washington electrical trainee card?
It is the electrical training certificate from L&I. You must be at least 16, display it on the job, work under supervision, and renew it every two years with 48 hours of basic trainee classes.
Sources checked October 2026
- L&I Electrical Examination page: https://www.lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/electrical/electrical-licensing-exams-education/electrical-examination
- L&I Electrician page (requirements, renewal, Oregon reciprocity): https://www.lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/electrical/electrical-licensing-exams-education/electrician
- L&I Electrical Trainee page: https://www.lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/electrical/electrical-licensing-exams-education/electrical-trainee
- L&I Electrical Laws, Rules & Policies (exam friendly RCW and WAC, rulemaking): https://www.lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/electrical/laws-rules-policies
- PSI candidate bulletin 4232, dated 10/30/2025: https://test-takers.psiexams.com/api/content/bulletin/4232
- Chapter 19.28 RCW, full chapter: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=19.28&full=true
- RCW 19.28.006: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=19.28.006
- RCW 19.28.161: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=19.28.161
- RCW 19.28.191: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=19.28.191
- RCW 19.28.205: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=19.28.205
- RCW 19.28.211: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=19.28.211
- Chapter 296-46B WAC, full chapter: https://app.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=296-46B&full=true
- WAC 296-46B-010: https://app.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=296-46B-010
- WAC 296-46B-909: https://app.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=296-46B-909
- WAC 296-46B-920: https://app.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=296-46B-920
- WAC 296-46B-940: https://app.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=296-46B-940
- WAC 296-46B-942: https://app.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=296-46B-942
- WAC 296-46B-945: https://app.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=296-46B-945
- WAC 296-46B-960: https://app.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=296-46B-960
- WAC 296-46B-970: https://app.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=296-46B-970
- Electrical Currents, April 2024 special edition: https://lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/_docs/Elc2404SE.pdf
- Electrical Currents, July 2026: https://lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/_docs/Elc2607.pdf
- Electrical Currents, September 2026: https://lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/_docs/Elc2609.pdf
- AO 25-20 CR-102 (exam rule proposal): https://www.lni.wa.gov/rulemaking-activity/AO25-20/2520CR102.pdf
