Electrician licensing is set by each state (and in some places by a city). This explainer covers Washington State only, where electricians and electrical trainees are certified by the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). It answers one practical question from L&I's own pages: when you work as an electrical trainee, which hours count toward the electrician exam, and which do not? Nothing here describes a rule change, and nothing here applies to any other state.
Do you need a certificate to work as an electrical trainee?
Yes. L&I's Electrician page states: "To work in the electrical construction trade in Washington, you must have a valid electrician certificate issued by L&I." For people who are not yet electricians, the Electrical Trainee page states: "Electrical trainees and apprentices must have a training certificate" and "work under the supervision of a certified electrician."
Under "To get started as an electrical trainee," L&I lists: "Trainees must be 16 years or older."
What supervision does L&I require?
The Electrical Trainee page states: "You and the electrician supervising you must be on the same jobsite." It gives the ratios this way: "In general, supervision ratios are:"
- "1 trainee to 1 general journey level electrician when doing journey level type work, or"
- "2 trainees to 1 specialty electrician when doing specialty type work."
For the specialties that need 2,000 hours of experience, L&I's Electrician page states: "Trainees must be supervised by a specialty electrician certified to do the kind of work being done or by a journey level electrician and be supervised 100% of the time until they pass examination."
Which hours do not count?
L&I's Electrical Trainee page answers this under "What hours do not count?" It starts: "Experience gained by violating the electrical laws does not count toward qualifying for an electrician exam." The items it lists include:
- "Working without a training certificate, or working with an expired one."
- "Working for an unlicensed electrical contractor or one that has an expired, suspended, or revoked license."
- "When not properly supervised by a certified electrician."
- "Working out of ratio."
How long does the trainee certificate last?
Two years. L&I states that trainees "must renew their certificate every 2 years until they pass an exam." Under "Trainee responsibilities," the page says: "Renewal requires 48 hours of Basic Classroom Instruction."
When are affidavits of experience due?
Hours are reported on affidavits of experience, and L&I sets a deadline: "L&I must receive your affidavit(s) for the previous two years no later than 180 days after each expiration date printed on your training certificate." L&I tells trainees to "request affidavits of experience from your employers," and says: "They have 20 days to provide them to you." L&I notes that hours covered by Washington or recognized Oregon apprenticeship programs are not subject to the 180-day deadline.
The page puts its warning in capitals: "YOU WILL LOSE CREDIT FOR YOUR HOURS IF YOUR AFFIDAVIT IS LATE."
How many hours lead to the journey level exam?
For in-state applicants, L&I's Electrician page lists for a journey level (01) exam: "Hours of education: Basic Classroom Instruction– 96 for (01) journey level exams, 48 for 4,000 hour specialties." For work experience: "For a 01 journey level exam– 8,000 hours, no more than 4,000 of which can be worked in 4,000 hour specialties."
Once certified, the page states: "You must renew your electrician certificate every 3 years. It expires on your birthdate." Renewal needs "24 hours of approved continuing education credit including 8 hours of code update, 4 hours of RCW/WAC," and L&I adds: "Not renewable if expired more than 90 days; retest is your only option."
How this relates to OSHA's "qualified person"
A state electrician certificate is not the same thing as OSHA's federal "qualified person" training rules for workplace electrical safety. Our earlier explainer covers that difference: OSHA qualified person versus an electrician license. For OSHA's construction electrical rules, see the OSHA construction safety study material.
Where to check before you act
These are L&I's requirements as shown on its pages on the date above. L&I's pages are the authority, so confirm the current requirements there before you count hours or apply for an exam. Electrician licensing is a planned topic on goraedu; see all certifications for its status.
goraedu is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries or any government agency.