Chapter 19.

28 RCW
ELECTRICIANS AND ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS

PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS

19.28.006 Definitions.
The definitions in this section apply throughout this subchapter.
(1) "Administrator" means a person designated by an electrical contractor to supervise electrical work and
electricians in accordance with the rules adopted under this chapter.
(2) "Basic electrical work" means the work classified in (a) and (b) of this subsection as class A and class
B basic electrical work:
(a) "Class A basic electrical work" means the like-in-kind replacement of a: Contactor, relay, timer,
starter, circuit board, or similar control component; household appliance; circuit breaker; fuse; residential
luminaire; lamp; snap switch; dimmer; receptacle outlet; thermostat; heating element; luminaire ballast
with an exact same ballast; ten horsepower or smaller motor; or wiring, appliances, devices, or equipment
as specified by rule.
(b) "Class B basic electrical work" means work other than class A basic electrical work that requires
minimal electrical circuit modifications and has limited exposure hazards. Class B basic electrical work
includes the following:
(i) Extension of not more than one branch electrical circuit limited to one hundred twenty volts and
twenty amps each where:
(A) No cover inspection is necessary; and
(B) The extension does not supply more than two outlets.
(ii) Like-in-kind replacement of a single luminaire not exceeding two hundred seventy-seven volts and
twenty amps;
(iii) Like-in-kind replacement of a motor larger than ten horsepower;
(iv) The following low voltage systems:
(A) Repair and replacement of devices not exceeding one hundred volt-amperes in Class 2, Class 3, or
power limited low voltage systems in one and two-family dwellings.
(B) Repair and replacement of the following devices not exceeding one hundred volt-amperes in Class 2,
Class 3, or power limited low voltage systems in other buildings, provided the equipment is not for fire
alarm or nurse call systems and is not located in an area classified as hazardous by the national electrical
code; or
(v) Wiring, appliances, devices, or equipment as specified by rule.
(3) "Board" means the electrical board under RCW 19.28.311.
(4) "Chapter" or "subchapter" means the subchapter, if no chapter number is referenced.
(5) "Department" means the department of labor and industries.
(6) "Director" means the director of the department or the director's designee.
(7) "Electrical construction trade" includes, but is not limited to, installing or maintaining electrical wires
and equipment that are used for light, heat, or power and installing and maintaining remote control,
signaling, power limited, or communication circuits or systems.
(8) "Electrical contractor" means a person, firm, partnership, corporation, or other entity that offers to
undertake, undertakes, submits a bid for, or does the work of installing or maintaining wires or equipment
that convey electrical current.
(9) "Equipment" means any equipment or apparatus that directly uses, conducts, insulates, or is operated
by electricity but does not mean: Plug-in appliances; or plug-in equipment as determined by the
department by rule.
(10) "Industrial control panel" means a factory-wired or user-wired assembly of industrial control
equipment such as motor controllers, switches, relays, power supplies, computers, cathode ray tubes,
transducers, and auxiliary devices. The panel may include disconnect means and motor branch circuit
protective devices.
(11) "Journey level electrician" means a person who has been issued a journey level electrician certificate
of competency by the department.
(12) "Like-in-kind" means having similar characteristics such as voltage requirements, current draw, and
function, and being in the same location.
(13) "Master electrician" means either a master journey level electrician or master specialty electrician.
(14) "Master journey level electrician" means a person who has been issued a master journey level
electrician certificate of competency by the department and who may be designated by an electrical
contractor to supervise electrical work and electricians in accordance with rules adopted under this
chapter.
(15) "Master specialty electrician" means a person who has been issued a specialty electrician certificate
of competency by the department and who may be designated by an electrical contractor to supervise
electrical work and electricians in accordance with rules adopted under this chapter.
(16) "Specialty electrician" means a person who has been issued a specialty electrician certificate of
competency by the department.
RCW 19.28.010 Electrical wiring requirements—General—Exceptions.
(1) All wires and equipment, and installations thereof, that convey electric current and installations of
equipment to be operated by electric current, in, on, or about buildings or structures, except for telephone,
telegraph, radio, and television wires and equipment, and television antenna installations, signal strength
amplifiers, and coaxial installations pertaining thereto shall be in strict conformity with this chapter, the
statutes of the state of Washington, and the rules issued by the department, and shall be in conformity
with approved methods of construction for safety to life and property. The following are exempt from the
requirements of this chapter: All wires and equipment that fall within section 90.2(b)(5) of the National
Electrical Code, 1981 edition; all wires and equipment within the communication worker safety zone and
supply space, as defined in the National Electrical Safety Code, on poles supporting electric utility
transmission or distribution lines or wires; and electric utility-owned equipment between a meter base and
meter. The regulations and articles in the National Electrical Code, the National Electrical Safety Code,
and other installation and safety regulations approved by the national fire protection association, as
modified or supplemented by rules issued by the department in furtherance of safety to life and property
under authority hereby granted, shall be prima facie evidence of the approved methods of construction.
All materials, devices, appliances, and equipment used in such installations shall be of a type that
conforms to applicable standards or be indicated as acceptable by the established standards of any
electrical product testing laboratory which is accredited by the department. Industrial control panels,
utilization equipment, and their components do not need to be listed, labeled, or otherwise indicated as
acceptable by an accredited electrical product testing laboratory unless specifically required by the
National Electrical Code, 1993 edition.
(2) Residential buildings or structures moved into or within a county, city, or town are not required to
comply with all of the requirements of this chapter, if the original occupancy classification of the building
or structure is not changed as a result of the move. This subsection shall not apply to residential buildings
or structures that are substantially remodeled or rehabilitated.
(3) This chapter shall not limit the authority or power of any city or town to enact and enforce under
authority given by law, any ordinance, rule, or regulation requiring an equal, higher, or better standard of
construction and an equal, higher, or better standard of materials, devices, appliances, and equipment than
that required by this chapter. A city or town shall require that its electrical inspectors meet the
qualifications provided for state electrical inspectors in accordance with RCW 19.28.321. In a city or
town having an equal, higher, or better standard the installations, materials, devices, appliances, and
equipment shall be in accordance with the ordinance, rule, or regulation of the city or town.
(4) Incorporated cities and towns where electrical inspections are required by local ordinances may
enforce the provisions of RCW 19.28.041(1), 19.28.161, 19.28.271(1), 19.28.420(1), and applicable
licensing and certification rules within their respective jurisdictions. Nothing in this subsection diminishes
the authority of the department to enforce the provisions of RCW 19.28.041(1), 19.28.161, 19.28.271(1),
19.28.420(1), and applicable licensing and certification rules within any city or town.
(5) Electrical equipment associated with spas, hot tubs, swimming pools, and hydromassage bathtubs
shall not be offered for sale or exchange unless the electrical equipment is certified as being in
compliance with the applicable product safety standard by bearing the certification mark of an approved
electrical products testing laboratory.
(6) Nothing in this chapter may be construed as permitting the connection of any conductor of any electric
circuit with a pipe that is connected with or designed to be connected with a waterworks piping system,
without the consent of the person or persons legally responsible for the operation and maintenance of the
waterworks piping system.

RCW 19.28.021Disputes regarding local regulations—Arbitration—Appeal.

Disputes arising under RCW 19.28.010(3) regarding whether the city or town's electrical rules,
regulations, or ordinances are equal to the rules adopted by the department shall be resolved by
arbitration. The department shall appoint two members of the board to serve on the arbitration panel, and
the city or town shall appoint two persons to serve on the arbitration panel. These four persons shall
choose a fifth person to serve. If the four persons cannot agree on a fifth person, the presiding judge of the
superior court of the county in which the city or town is located shall choose a fifth person. A decision of
the arbitration panel may be appealed to the superior court of the county in which the city or town is
located within thirty days after the date the panel issues its final decision.

RCW 19.28.031 Rules, regulations, and standards.

(1) Prior to January 1st of each year, the director shall obtain an authentic copy of the national electrical
code, latest revision. The department, after consulting with the board and receiving the board's
recommendations, shall adopt reasonable rules in furtherance of safety to life and property. All rules shall
be kept on file by the department. Compliance with the rules shall be prima facie evidence of compliance
with this chapter. The department upon request shall deliver to all persons, firms, partnerships,
corporations, or other entities licensed under this chapter a copy of the rules.
(2) The department shall also obtain and keep on file an authentic copy of any applicable regulations and
standards of any electrical product testing laboratory which is accredited by the department prescribing
rules, regulations, and standards for electrical materials, devices, appliances, and equipment, including
any modifications and changes that have been made during the previous year.

RCW 19.28.041 License required—General or specialty licenses—Fees—Application—Bond or

cash deposit.
(1) It is unlawful for any person, firm, partnership, corporation, or other entity to advertise, offer to do
work, submit a bid, engage in, conduct, or carry on the business of installing or maintaining wires or
equipment to convey electric current, or installing or maintaining equipment to be operated by electric
current as it pertains to the electrical industry, without having an unrevoked, unsuspended, and unexpired
electrical contractor license, issued by the department in accordance with this chapter. All electrical
contractor licenses expire twenty-four calendar months following the day of their issue. The department
may issue an electrical contractor license for a period of less than twenty-four months only for the
purpose of equalizing the number of electrical contractor licenses that expire each month. Application for
an electrical contractor license shall be made in writing to the department, accompanied by the required
fee. The application shall state:
(a) The name and address of the applicant; in case of firms or partnerships, the names of the individuals
composing the firm or partnership; in case of corporations, the names of the managing officials thereof;
(b) The location of the place of business of the applicant and the name under which the business is
conducted;
(c) Employer social security number;
(d) Evidence of workers' compensation coverage for the applicant's employees working in Washington, as
follows:
(i) The applicant's industrial insurance account number issued by the department.
(ii) The applicant's self-insurer number issued by the department; or
(iii) For applicants domiciled in a state or province of Canada subject to an agreement entered into under
RCW 51.12.120(7), as permitted by the agreement, filing a certificate of coverage issued by the agency
that administers the workers' compensation law in the applicant's state or province of domicile certifying
that the applicant has secured the payment of compensation under the other state's or province's workers'
compensation law;
(e) Employment security department number.
(f) State excise tax registration number.
(g) Unified business identifier (UBI) account number may be substituted for the information required by
(d) of this subsection if the applicant will not employ employees in Washington, and by (e) and (f) of this
subsection; and
(h) Whether a general or specialty electrical contractor license is sought and, if the latter, the type of
specialty. Electrical contractor specialties include, but are not limited to: Residential, pump and irrigation,
limited energy system, signs, nonresidential maintenance, restricted nonresidential maintenance,
appliance repair, and a combination specialty. A general electrical contractor license shall grant to the
holder the right to engage in, conduct, or carry on the business of installing or maintaining wires or
equipment to carry electric current, and installing or maintaining equipment, or installing or maintaining
material to fasten or insulate such wires or equipment to be operated by electric current, in the state of
Washington. A specialty electrical contractor license shall grant to the holder a limited right to engage in,
conduct, or carry on the business of installing or maintaining wires or equipment to carry electrical
current, and installing or maintaining equipment; or installing or maintaining material to fasten or insulate
such wires or equipment to be operated by electric current in the state of Washington as expressly allowed
by the license.
(2) The department may verify the workers' compensation coverage information provided by the applicant
under subsection (1)(d) of this section, including but not limited to information regarding the coverage of
an individual employee of the applicant. If coverage is provided under the laws of another state, the
department may notify the other state that the applicant is employing employees in Washington.
(3) The application for an electrical contractor license shall be accompanied by a bond in the sum of four
thousand dollars with the state of Washington named as obligee in the bond, with good and sufficient
surety, to be approved by the department. The bond shall at all times be kept in full force and effect, and
any cancellation or revocation thereof, or withdrawal of the surety therefrom, suspends the license issued
to the principal until a new bond has been filed and approved as provided in this section. Upon approval
of a bond, the department shall on the next business day deposit the fee accompanying the application in
the electrical license fund and shall file the bond in the office. The department shall upon request furnish
to any person, firm, partnership, corporation, or other entity a certified copy of the bond upon the
payment of a fee that the department shall set by rule. The fee shall cover but not exceed the cost of
furnishing the certified copy. The bond shall be conditioned that in any installation or maintenance of
wires or equipment to convey electrical current, and equipment to be operated by electrical current, the
principal will comply with the provisions of this chapter and with any electrical ordinance, building code,
or regulation of a city or town adopted pursuant to RCW 19.28.010(3) that is in effect at the time of
entering into a contract. The bond shall be conditioned further that the principal will pay for all labor,
including employee benefits, and material furnished or used upon the work, taxes and contributions to the
state of Washington, and all damages that may be sustained by any person, firm, partnership, corporation,
or other entity due to a failure of the principal to make the installation or maintenance in accordance with
this chapter or any applicable ordinance, building code, or regulation of a city or town adopted pursuant
to RCW 19.28.010(3). In lieu of the surety bond required by this section, the license applicant may file
with the department a cash deposit or other negotiable security acceptable to the department. If the license
applicant has filed a cash deposit, the department shall deposit the funds in a special trust savings account
in a commercial bank, mutual savings bank, or savings and loan association and shall pay annually to the
depositor the interest derived from the account.
(4) The department shall issue general or specialty electrical contractor licenses to applicants meeting all
of the requirements of this chapter. The provisions of this chapter relating to the licensing of any person,
firm, partnership, corporation, or other entity including the requirement of a bond with the state of
Washington named as obligee therein and the collection of a fee therefor, are exclusive, and no political
subdivision of the state of Washington may require or issue any licenses or bonds or charge any fee for
the same or a similar purpose. No person, firm, partnership, corporation, or other entity holding more than
one specialty contractor license under this chapter may be required to pay an annual fee for more than one
such license or to post more than one four thousand dollar bond, equivalent cash deposit, or other
negotiable security.
(5) To obtain a general or specialty electrical contractor license, the applicant must designate an
individual who currently possesses a valid master journey level electrician's certificate of competency,
master specialty electrician's certificate of competency in the specialty for which application has been
made, or administrator's certificate as a general electrical contractor administrator or as a specialty
electrical contractor administrator in the specialty for which application has been made.
(6) Administrator certificate specialties include, but are not limited to: Residential, pump and irrigation or
domestic pump, limited energy system, signs, nonresidential maintenance, restricted nonresidential
maintenance, appliance repair, and combination specialty. To obtain an administrator's certificate, an
individual must pass an examination as set forth in RCW 19.28.051 unless the applicant was a licensed
electrical contractor at any time during 1974. Applicants who were electrical contractors licensed by the
state of Washington at any time during 1974 are entitled to receive a general electrical contractor
administrator's certificate without examination if the applicants apply prior to January 1, 1984. The board
of electrical examiners shall certify to the department the names of all persons who are entitled to either a
general or specialty electrical contractor administrator's certificate.
(7) For a contractor doing domestic water pumping system work as defined by RCW 18.106.010(14)(c),
the department shall consider the requirements of subsections (1)(a) through (h), (2), and (3) of this
section to have been met to be a pump and irrigation or domestic pump licensed electrical contractor if:
(a) The contractor has met the plumbing contractor licensing requirements of chapter 18.106 RCW. The
department shall establish a single licensing document for those who qualify for both a plumbing
contractor license as defined in chapter 18.106 RCW and a pump and irrigation, or domestic pump
electrical contractor license as defined by this chapter; or
(b) Until January 1, 2021, the contractor has met the contractor registration requirements of chapter 18.27
RCW. The department shall establish a single registration/licensing document for those who qualify for
both a general contractor registration as defined in chapter 18.27 RCW and a pump and irrigation, or
domestic pump electrical contractor license as defined by this chapter.

RCW 19.28.051 Examinations—Fees.

It shall be the purpose and function of the board to establish, in addition to a general electrical contractors'
license, such classifications of specialty electrical contractors' licenses as it deems appropriate with regard
to individual sections pertaining to state adopted codes in this chapter. In addition, it shall be the purpose
and function of the board to establish and administer written examinations for general electrical
administrators' certificates and the various specialty electrical administrators' certificates. Examinations
shall be designed to reasonably ensure that general and specialty electrical administrators' certificate
holders are competent to engage in and supervise the work covered by this statute and their respective
licenses. The examinations shall include questions from the following categories to ensure proper safety
and protection for the general public: (1) Safety, (2) state electrical code, and (3) electrical theory. The
department with the consent of the board shall be permitted to enter into a contract with a professional
testing agency to develop, administer, and score these examinations, or accept certifications or other
appropriate demonstrations established by independent entities that otherwise fulfill the examination
requirements of this section. The fee for the examination may be set by the department in its contract with
the professional testing agency. The department may direct that the applicant pay the fee to the
professional testing agency. The fee shall cover but not exceed the costs of preparing and administering
the examination. It shall be the further purpose and function of this board to advise the director as to the
need of additional electrical inspectors and compliance officers to be utilized by the director on either a
full-time or part-time employment basis and to carry out the duties enumerated in RCW 19.28.161
through 19.28.271 as well as generally advise the department on all matters relative to RCW 19.28.161
through 19.28.271.

RCW 19.28.061 Electrical contractors—Designee of firm to take master electrician or

administrator's examination—Administrator's certificate—Fee—Certificate duration, denial,
renewal, nontransferable—Master electrician or administrator's duties.
(1) Each applicant for an electrical contractor's license, other than an individual, shall designate a
supervisory employee or member of the firm to take the required master electrician's or administrator's
examination. Effective July 1, 1987, a supervisory employee designated as the electrical contractor's
master electrician or administrator shall be a full-time supervisory employee. This person shall be
designated as master electrician or administrator under the license. No person may concurrently qualify as
master electrician or administrator for more than one contractor. If the relationship of the master
electrician or administrator with the electrical contractor is terminated, the contractor's license is void
within ninety days unless another master electrician or administrator is qualified by the board. However,
if the master electrician or administrator dies or is otherwise incapacitated, the contractor's license is void
within one hundred eighty days unless another master electrician or administrator is qualified by the
board. The contractor must notify the department in writing within ten days if the master electrician's or
administrator's relationship with the contractor terminates due to the master electrician's or administrator's
death or incapacitation.
(2) The department must issue an administrator's certificate to all applicants who have passed the
examination as provided in RCW 19.28.051 and this section, and who have complied with the rules
adopted under this chapter. The administrator's certificate must bear the date of issuance, expires on the
holder's birthday, and is nontransferable. The certificate must be renewed every three years, upon
application, on or before the holder's birthday.
(a) If the certificate holder demonstrates to the department that he or she has satisfactorily completed an
annual eight-hour continuing education course, the certificate may be renewed by appropriate application
without examination unless the certificate has been revoked, suspended, or not renewed within ninety
days after the expiration date. For holders of pump and irrigation or domestic pump specialty
administrator certificates, the continuing education may comprise both electrical and plumbing education.
(b) The contents and requirements for satisfactory completion of the continuing education course must be
determined by the director and approved by the board.
(c) The department must accept proof of a certificate holder's satisfactory completion of a continuing
education course offered in another state as meeting the requirements for maintaining a current
Washington state certificate if the department is satisfied the course is comparable in nature to that
required in Washington state for maintaining a current certificate.
(3) A fee must be assessed for each administrator's certificate and for each renewal. An individual holding
more than one administrator's certificate under this chapter is not required to pay fees for more than one
certificate. The department must set the fees by rule for issuance and renewal of a certificate. The fees
must cover, but not exceed, the costs of issuing the certificates and of administering and enforcing the
administrator certification requirements of this chapter.
(4) The department may deny an application for an administrator's certificate for up to two years if the
applicant's previous administrator's certificate has been revoked for a serious violation and all appeals
concerning the revocation have been exhausted. For the purposes of this section only, a serious violation
is a violation that presents imminent danger to the public. The certificate may be renewed for a three-year
period without examination by appropriate application unless the certificate has been revoked, suspended,
or not renewed within ninety days after the expiration date. If the certificate is not renewed before the
expiration date, the individual shall pay twice the usual fee. A person may take the administrator's
examination as many times as necessary to pass without limit.
(5) The designated master electrician or administrator shall:
(a) Be a member of the firm or a supervisory employee and shall be available during working hours to
carry out the duties of an administrator under this section;
(b) Ensure that all electrical work complies with the electrical installation laws and rules of the state;
(c) Ensure that the proper electrical safety procedures are used;
(d) Ensure that all electrical labels, permits, and licenses required to perform electrical work are used;
(e) See that corrective notices issued by an inspecting authority are complied with; and
(f) Notify the department in writing within ten days if the master electrician or administrator terminates
the relationship with the electrical contractor.
(6) The department shall not by rule change the administrator's duties under subsection (5) of this section.

RCW 19.28.071 Licensee's bond—Action on—Priorities—Cash deposit, payment from.

Any person, firm, or corporation sustaining any damage or injury by reason of the principal's breach of
the conditions of the bond required under RCW 19.28.041 may bring an action against the surety named
therein, joining in the action the principal named in the bond; the action shall be brought in the superior
court of any county in which the principal on the bond resides or transacts business, or in the county in
which the work was performed as a result of which the breach is alleged to have occurred; the action shall
be maintained and prosecuted as other civil actions. Claims or actions against the surety on the bond shall
be paid in full in the following order of priority: (1) Labor, including employee benefits, (2) materials and
equipment used upon such work, (3) taxes and contributions due to the state, (4) damages sustained by
any person, firm or corporation due to the failure of the principal to make the installation in accordance
with the provisions of chapter 19.28 RCW, or any ordinance, building code, or regulation applicable
thereto: PROVIDED, That the total liability of the surety on any bond shall not exceed the sum of four
thousand dollars and the surety on the bond shall not be liable for monetary penalties; and any action shall
be brought within one year from the completion of the work in the performance of which the breach is
alleged to have occurred. The surety shall mail a conformed copy of the judgment against the bond to the
department within seven days.
In the event that a cash or securities deposit has been made in lieu of the surety bond, and in the event of a
judgment being entered against such depositor and deposit, the director shall upon receipt of a certified
copy of a final judgment, pay said judgment from such deposit.

RCW 19.28.081 Actions—Local permits—Proof of licensure.

No person, firm or corporation engaging in, conducting or carrying on the business of installing wires or
equipment to convey electric current, or installing apparatus to be operated by said current, shall be
entitled to commence or maintain any suit or action in any court of this state pertaining to any such work
or business, without alleging and proving that such person, firm or corporation held, at the time of
commencing and performing such work, an unexpired, unrevoked and unsuspended license issued under
the provisions of this chapter; and no city or town requiring by ordinance or regulation a permit for
inspection or installation of such electrical work, shall issue such permit to any person, firm or
corporation not holding such license.

RCW 19.28.091 Licensing—Exemptions.

(1) No license under the provision of this chapter shall be required from any utility or any person, firm,
partnership, corporation, or other entity employed by a utility because of work in connection with the
installation, repair, or maintenance of lines, wires, apparatus, or equipment owned by or under the control
of a utility and used for transmission or distribution of electricity from the source of supply to the point of
contact at the premises and/or property to be supplied and service connections and meters and other
apparatus or appliances used in the measurement of the consumption of electricity by the customer.
(2) No license under the provisions of this chapter shall be required from any utility because of work in
connection with the installation, repair, or maintenance of the following:
(a) Lines, wires, apparatus, or equipment used in the lighting of streets, alleys, ways, or public areas or
squares;
(b) Lines, wires, apparatus, or equipment owned by a commercial, industrial, or public institution
customer that are an integral part of a transmission or distribution system, either overhead or
underground, providing service to such customer and located outside the building or structure:
PROVIDED, That a utility does not initiate the sale of services to perform such work;
(c) Lines and wires, together with ancillary apparatus, and equipment, owned by a customer that is an
independent power producer who has entered into an agreement for the sale of electricity to a utility and
that are used in transmitting electricity from an electrical generating unit located on premises used by
such customer to the point of interconnection with the utility's system.
(3) Any person, firm, partnership, corporation, or other entity licensed under RCW 19.28.041 may enter
into a contract with a utility for the performance of work under subsection (2) of this section.
(4) No license under the provisions of this chapter shall be required from any person, firm, partnership,
corporation, or other entity because of the work of installing and repairing ignition or lighting systems for
motor vehicles.
(5) No license under the provisions of this chapter shall be required from any person, firm, partnership,
corporation, or other entity because of work in connection with the installation, repair, or maintenance of
wires and equipment, and installations thereof, exempted in RCW 19.28.010.
(6) The department may by rule exempt from licensing requirements under this chapter work performed
on premanufactured electric power generation equipment assemblies and control gear involving the
testing, repair, modification, maintenance, or installation of components internal to the power generation
equipment, the control gear, or the transfer switch.
(7) This chapter does not require an electrical contractor license if: (a) An appropriately certified
electrician or a properly supervised certified electrical trainee is performing the installation, repair, or
maintenance of wires and equipment for a nonprofit corporation that holds a current tax exempt status as
provided under 26 U.S.C. Sec. 501(c)(3) or a nonprofit religious organization; (b) the certified electrician
or certified electrical trainee is not compensated for the electrical work; and (c) the value of the electrical
work does not exceed thirty thousand dollars.
(8) An entity that currently holds a valid plumbing contractor's license under chapter 18.106 RCW, or,
until January 1, 2021, an entity that currently holds a valid specialty or general plumbing contractor's
registration under chapter 18.27 RCW may employ a certified plumber, a certified residential plumber, or
a plumber trainee meeting the requirements of chapter 18.106 RCW to perform electrical work that is
incidentally, directly, and immediately appropriate to the like-in-kind replacement of a household
appliance or other small household utilization equipment that requires limited electric power and limited
waste and/or water connections. A plumber trainee must be supervised by a certified plumber or a
certified residential plumber while performing electrical work. The electrical work is subject to the
permitting and inspection requirements of this chapter.
RCW 19.28.095 Equipment repair specialty—Scope of work.
(1) The scope of work for the equipment repair specialty involves servicing, maintaining, repairing, or
replacing utilization equipment or wiring, appliances, devices, or equipment as specified by rule of the
department.
(2) "Utilization equipment" means equipment that is: (a) Self-contained on a single skid or frame; (b)
factory built to standardized sizes or types; (c) listed or field evaluated by a laboratory or approved by the
department under WAC 296-46B-030; and (d) connected as a single unit to a single source of electrical
power limited to a maximum of six hundred volts. The equipment may also be connected to a separate
single source of electrical control power limited to a maximum of two hundred fifty volts. Utilization
equipment does not include devices used for occupant space heating by industrial, commercial, hospital,
educational, public, and private commercial buildings, and other end users.
(3) "Servicing, maintaining, repairing, or replacing utilization equipment" includes:
(a) The like-in-kind replacement of the equipment if the same unmodified electrical circuit is used to
supply the equipment being replaced;
(b) The like-in-kind replacement or repair of remote control components that are integral to the operation
of the equipment;
(c) The like-in-kind replacement or repair of electrical components within the equipment; and
(d) The disconnection, replacement, and reconnection of low-voltage control and line voltage supply
whips not over six feet in length provided there are no modifications to the characteristics of the branch
circuit.
(4) "Servicing, maintaining, repairing, or replacing utilization equipment" does not include:
(a) The installation, repair, or modification of wiring that interconnects equipment and/or remote
components, branch circuit conductors, services, feeders, panelboards, disconnect switches, motor control
centers, remote magnetic starters/contactors, or raceway/conductor systems interconnecting multiple
equipment or other electrical components;
(b) Any work providing electrical feeds into the power distribution unit or installation of conduits and
raceways; or
(c) Any electrical work governed under article(s) 500, 501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 510, 511, 513, 514, 515,
or 516 NEC (i.e., classified locations), except for electrical work in sewage pumping stations.

RCW 19.28.101Inspections—Notice to repair and change—Disconnection—Entry—Concealment—

Accessibility—Connection to utility—Permits, fees—Limitation—Waiver of provisions during state
of emergency.
(1) The director shall cause an inspector to inspect all wiring, appliances, devices, and equipment to
which this chapter applies except for basic electrical work as defined in this chapter. The department may
not require an electrical work permit for class A basic electrical work unless deficiencies in the
installation or repair require inspection. The department may inspect class B basic electrical work on a
random basis as specified by the department in rule. Nothing contained in this chapter may be construed
as providing any authority for any subdivision of government to adopt by ordinance any provisions
contained or provided for in this chapter except those pertaining to cities and towns pursuant to RCW
19.28.010(3).
(2) Upon request, electrical inspections will be made by the department within forty-eight hours,
excluding holidays, Saturdays, and Sundays. If, upon written request, the electrical inspector fails to make
an electrical inspection within twenty-four hours, the serving utility may immediately connect electrical
power to the installation if the necessary electrical work permit is displayed: PROVIDED, That if the
request is for an electrical inspection that relates to a mobile home installation, the applicant shall provide
proof of a current building permit issued by the local government agency authorized to issue such permits
as a prerequisite for inspection approval or connection of electrical power to the mobile home.
(3) Whenever the installation of any wiring, device, appliance, or equipment is not in accordance with this
chapter, or is in such a condition as to be dangerous to life or property, the person, firm, partnership,
corporation, or other entity owning, using, or operating it shall be notified by the department and shall
within fifteen days, or such further reasonable time as may upon request be granted, make such repairs
and changes as are required to remove the danger to life or property and to make it conform to this
chapter. The director, through the inspector, is hereby empowered to disconnect or order the
discontinuance of electrical service to conductors or equipment that are found to be in a dangerous or
unsafe condition and not in accordance with this chapter. Upon making a disconnection the inspector
shall attach a notice stating that the conductors have been found dangerous to life or property and are not
in accordance with this chapter. It is unlawful for any person to reconnect such defective conductors or
equipment without the approval of the department, and until the conductors and equipment have been
placed in a safe and secure condition, and in a condition that complies with this chapter.
(4) The director, through the electrical inspector, has the right during reasonable hours to enter into and
upon any building or premises in the discharge of his or her official duties for the purpose of making any
inspection or test of the installation of new construction or altered electrical wiring, electrical devices,
equipment, or material contained in or on the buildings or premises. No electrical wiring or equipment
subject to this chapter may be concealed until it has been approved by the inspector making the
inspection. At the time of the inspection, electrical wiring or equipment subject to this chapter must be
sufficiently accessible to permit the inspector to employ any testing methods that will verify conformance
with the national electrical code and any other requirements of this chapter.
(5) Persons, firms, partnerships, corporations, or other entities making electrical installations shall obtain
inspection and approval from an authorized representative of the department as required by this chapter
before requesting the electric utility to connect to the installations. Electric utilities may connect to the
installations if approval is clearly indicated by certification of the electrical work permit required to be
affixed to each installation or by equivalent means, except that increased or relocated services may be
reconnected immediately at the discretion of the utility before approval if an electrical work permit is
displayed. The permits shall be furnished upon payment of the fee to the department.
(6) The director, subject to the recommendations and approval of the board, shall set by rule a schedule of
license and electrical work permit fees that will cover the costs of administration and enforcement of this
chapter. The rules shall be adopted in accordance with the administrative procedure act, chapter 34.05
RCW. No fee may be charged for plug-in mobile homes, recreational vehicles, or portable appliances.
(7) Nothing in this chapter shall authorize the inspection of any wiring, appliance, device, or equipment,
or installations thereof, by any utility or by any person, firm, partnership, corporation, or other entity
employed by a utility in connection with the installation, repair, or maintenance of lines, wires, apparatus,
or equipment owned by or under the control of the utility. All work covered by the national electric code
not exempted by the 1981 edition of the national electric code 90-2(B)(5) shall be inspected by the
department.
(8) During a state of emergency declared under RCW 43.06.010(12), the governor may waive or suspend
the collection of fees under this section or any portion of this section or under any administrative rule, and
issue any orders to facilitate the operation of state or local government or to promote and secure the safety
and protection of the civilian population.

RCW 19.28.111 Nonconforming installations—Disputes—Reference to board.

It is unlawful for any person, firm, partnership, corporation, or other entity to install or maintain any
electrical wiring, appliances, devices, or equipment not in accordance with this chapter. In cases where
the interpretation and application of the installation or maintenance standards prescribed in this chapter is
in dispute or in doubt, the board shall, upon application of any interested person, firm, partnership,
corporation, or other entity, determine the methods of installation or maintenance or the materials,
devices, appliances, or equipment to be used in the particular case submitted for its decision.

RCW 19.28.121 Board—Request for ruling—Fee—Costs.

Any person, firm, partnership, corporation, or other entity desiring a decision of the board pursuant to
RCW 19.28.111 shall, in writing, notify the director of such desire and shall accompany the notice with a
certified check payable to the department in the sum of two hundred dollars. The notice shall specify the
ruling or interpretation desired and the contention of the person, firm, partnership, corporation, or other
entity as to the proper interpretation or application on the question on which a decision is desired. If the
board determines that the contention of the applicant for a decision was proper, the two hundred dollars
shall be returned to the applicant; otherwise it shall be used in paying the expenses and per diem of the
members of the board in connection with the matter. Any portion of the two hundred dollars not used in
paying the per diem and expenses of the board in the case shall be paid into the electrical license fund.

RCW 19.28.131 Specialty electrical contractor license—Written warning, penalty—Violations of

RCW 19.28.010 through 19.28.141 and 19.28.311 through 19.28.361—Schedule of penalties—
Appeal.
Until July 1, 2007, the department shall issue a written warning to any specialty contractor, performing
the scope of work defined by rule for the pump and irrigation or domestic pump specialties, not having a
valid electrical contractor license. The warning will state that the contractor must be qualified for and
apply for a specialty electrical contractor license under the requirements in RCW 19.28.041 within thirty
calendar days of the warning. Only one warning will be issued to any contractor. If the contractor fails to
comply with this section, the department shall issue a penalty or penalties as authorized in this section to
the contractor. Any person, firm, partnership, corporation, or other entity violating any of the provisions
of RCW 19.28.010 through 19.28.141 and 19.28.311 through 19.28.361 shall be assessed a penalty of not
less than fifty dollars or more than ten thousand dollars. The department shall set by rule a schedule of
penalties for violating RCW 19.28.010 through 19.28.141 and 19.28.311 through 19.28.361. The
department shall notify the person, firm, partnership, corporation, or other entity violating any of the
provisions of RCW 19.28.010 through 19.28.141 and 19.28.311 through 19.28.361 of the amount of the
penalty and of the specific violation using a method by which the mailing can be tracked or the delivery
can be confirmed sent to the last known address of the assessed party. Any penalty is subject to review by
an appeal to the board. The filing of an appeal stays the effect of the penalty until the board makes its
decision. The appeal shall be filed within twenty days after notice of the penalty is given to the assessed
party using a method by which the mailing can be tracked or the delivery can be confirmed, sent to the
last known address of the assessed party and shall be made by filing a written notice of appeal with the
department. The notice shall be accompanied by a certified check for two hundred dollars or ten percent
of the penalty amount, whichever is less, but in no event less than one hundred dollars, which shall be
returned to the assessed party if the decision of the department is not sustained by the board. If the board
sustains the decision of the department, the amount of the check shall be applied by the department to the
payment of the per diem and expenses of the members of the board incurred in the matter, and any
balance remaining after payment of per diem and expenses shall be paid into the electrical license fund.
The hearing and review procedures shall be conducted in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW. The board
shall assign its hearings to an administrative law judge to conduct the hearing and issue a proposed
decision and order. The board shall be allowed a minimum of twenty days to review a proposed decision
and shall issue its decision no later than the next regularly scheduled board meeting.

RCW 19.28.141 RCW 19.28.101 inapplicable in certain cities and towns, electricity supply agency
service areas, and rights-of-way of state highways.
(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, the provisions of RCW 19.28.101 shall not apply:
(a) Within the corporate limits of any incorporated city or town which has heretofore adopted and
enforced or subsequently adopts and enforces an ordinance requiring an equal, higher or better standard
of construction and of materials, devices, appliances and equipment than is required by this chapter.
(b) Within the service area of an electricity supply agency owned and operated by a city or town which is
supplying electricity and enforcing a standard of construction and materials outside its corporate limits
[on] July 1, 1963. The city, town, or agency shall enforce by inspection within its service area outside its
corporate limits the same standards of construction and of materials, devices, appliances and equipment
as are enforced by the department of labor and industries under this chapter. Fees charged in connection
with such enforcement shall not exceed those established in RCW 19.28.101.
(c) Within the rights-of-way of state highways, provided the state department of transportation maintains
and enforces an equal, higher or better standard of construction and of materials, devices, appliances and
equipment than is required by RCW 19.28.010 through 19.28.141 and 19.28.311 through 19.28.361.
(2) A city, town, or electrical supply agency is permitted, but not required, to enforce the same permitting
and inspection standards applicable to basic electrical work as are enforced by the department of labor
and industries.
RCW 19.28.151 RCW 19.28.010 through 19.28.141 and 19.28.311 through 19.28.361 inapplicable to
telegraph or telephone companies exercising certain functions.
The provisions of RCW 19.28.010 through 19.28.141 and 19.28.311 through 19.28.361 shall not apply to
the work of installing, maintaining or repairing any and all electrical wires, apparatus, installations or
equipment used or to be used by a telegraph company or a telephone company in the exercise of its
functions and located outdoors or in a building or buildings used exclusively for that purpose.
RCW 19.28.161 Certification—Apprentices and trainees—Supervision—Ratio of noncertified and
certified workers—Trainee hours verification.
(1) No person may engage in the electrical construction trade without having a valid master journey level
electrician certificate of competency, journey level electrician certificate of competency, master specialty
electrician certificate of competency, or specialty electrician certificate of competency issued by the
department in accordance with this chapter. Electrician certificate of competency specialties include, but
are not limited to: Residential, pump and irrigation, limited energy system, signs, nonresidential
maintenance, restricted nonresidential maintenance, and appliance repair.
(2)(a) A person who is: (i) Registered in an apprenticeship program approved under chapter 49.04 RCW
or equivalent apprenticeship program approved by the department for the electrical construction trade; (ii)
learning the electrical construction trade while working in a specialty; or (iii) learning the electrical
construction trade in a program described in RCW 19.28.191(1) (e) or (f) for a journey level certificate of
competency may work in the electrical construction trade if supervised by a certified master journey level
electrician, journey level electrician, master specialty electrician in that electrician's specialty, or specialty
electrician in that electrician's specialty.
(b) All apprentices and individuals learning the electrical construction trade shall obtain an electrical
training certificate from the department. The certificate shall authorize the holder to learn the electrical
construction trade while under the direct supervision of a master journey level electrician, journey level
electrician, master specialty electrician working in that electrician's specialty, or specialty electrician
working in that electrician's specialty. The certificate may include a photograph of the holder. The holder
of the electrical training certificate shall renew the certificate biennially. At the time of renewal, the
holder shall provide the department with an accurate list of the holder's employers in the electrical
construction industry for the previous biennial period and the number of hours worked for each employer.
The holder shall also provide proof of forty-eight hours of: Approved classroom training covering this
chapter, the national electrical code, or electrical theory; or equivalent classroom training taken as part of
an approved apprenticeship program under chapter 49.04 RCW or an approved electrical training
program under RCW 19.28.191(1)(e). A biennial fee shall be charged for the issuance or renewal of the
certificate. The department shall set the fee by rule. The fee shall cover but not exceed the cost of
administering and enforcing the trainee certification and supervision requirements of this chapter.
(c)(i) Apprentices and individuals learning the electrical construction trade shall have their electrical
training certificates in their possession at all times that they are performing electrical work. They shall
show their certificates to an authorized representative of the department at the representative's request.
(ii) Unless working in a specialty, apprentices and individuals learning the electrical construction trade
must also have in their possession proof of apprenticeship or training program registration. They shall
show their apprenticeship or training program registration documents to an authorized representative of
the department at the representative's request.
(3) Any person who has been issued an electrical training certificate under this chapter may work: (a) If
that person is under supervision, and is (b) unless working in a specialty, (i) registered in an approved
journey level apprenticeship program, as appropriate; or (ii) learning the electrical construction trade in a
program described in RCW 19.28.191(1)(e) for a journey level certificate of competency. Supervision
shall consist of a person being on the same jobsite and under the control of either a certified master
journey level electrician, journey level electrician, master specialty electrician working in that
electrician's specialty, or specialty electrician working in that electrician's specialty. Either a certified
master journey level electrician, journey level electrician, master specialty electrician working in that
electrician's specialty, or specialty electrician working in that electrician's specialty shall be on the same
jobsite as the noncertified individual for a minimum of seventy-five percent of each working day unless
otherwise provided in this chapter.
(4) The ratio of noncertified individuals to certified master journey level electricians, journey level
electricians, master specialty electricians, or specialty electricians on any one jobsite is as follows:
(a) When working as a specialty electrician, not more than two noncertified individuals for every certified
master specialty electrician working in that electrician's specialty, specialty electrician working in that
electrician's specialty, master journey level electrician, or journey level electrician, except that the ratio
requirements are one certified master specialty electrician working in that electrician's specialty, specialty
electrician working in that electrician's specialty, master journey level electrician, or journey level
electrician working as a specialty electrician to no more than four students enrolled in and working as part
of an electrical construction program at public community or technical colleges, or not-for-profit
nationally accredited trade or technical schools licensed by the workforce training and education
coordinating board under chapter 28C.10 RCW. In meeting the ratio requirements for students enrolled in
an electrical construction program at a trade school, a trade school may receive input and advice from the
electrical board; and
(b) When working as a journey level electrician, not more than one noncertified individual for every
certified master journey level electrician or journey level electrician, except that the ratio requirements
shall be one certified master journey level electrician or journey level electrician to no more than four
students enrolled in and working as part of an electrical construction program at public community or
technical colleges, or not-for-profit nationally accredited trade or technical schools licensed by the
workforce training and education coordinating board under chapter 28C.10 RCW. In meeting the ratio
requirements for students enrolled in an electrical construction program at a trade school, a trade school
may receive input and advice from the electrical board.
An individual who has a current training certificate and who has successfully completed or is currently
enrolled in an approved apprenticeship program or in an electrical construction program at public
community or technical colleges, or not-for-profit nationally accredited technical or trade schools licensed
by the workforce training and education coordinating board under chapter 28C.10 RCW, may work
without direct on-site supervision during the last six months of meeting the practical experience
requirements of this chapter.
(5) For the residential (as specified in WAC 296-46B-920(2)(a)), pump and irrigation (as specified in
WAC 296-46B-920(2)(b)), sign (as specified in WAC 296-46B-920(2)(d)), limited energy (as specified in
WAC 296-46B-920(2)(e)), nonresidential maintenance (as specified in WAC 296-46B-920(2)(g)),
restricted nonresidential maintenance as determined by the department in rule, or other new
nonresidential specialties, not including appliance repair, as determined by the department in rule, either a
master journey level electrician, journey level electrician, master specialty electrician working in that
electrician's specialty, or specialty electrician working in that electrician's specialty must be on the same
jobsite as the noncertified individual for a minimum of seventy-five percent of each working day. Other
specialties must meet the requirements specified in RCW 19.28.191(1)(d)(ii). When the ratio of certified
electricians to noncertified individuals on a jobsite is one certified electrician to three or four noncertified
individuals, the certified electrician must:
(a) Directly supervise and instruct the noncertified individuals and the certified electrician may not
directly make or engage in an electrical installation; and
(b) Be on the same jobsite as the noncertified individual for a minimum of one hundred percent of each
working day.
(6) The electrical contractor shall accurately verify and attest to the electrical trainee hours worked by
electrical trainees on behalf of the electrical contractor.

RCW 19.28.171 Electrical trainee hours—Audit—Rules—Confidentiality.

The department may audit the records of an electrical contractor that has verified the hours of experience
submitted by an electrical trainee to the department under RCW 19.28.161(2) in the following
circumstances: Excessive hours were reported; hours reported outside the normal course of the
contractor's business; the type of hours reported do not reasonably match the type of permits purchased;
or for other similar circumstances in which the department demonstrates a likelihood of excessive hours
being reported. The department shall limit the audit to records necessary to verify hours. The department
shall adopt rules implementing audit procedures. Information obtained from an electrical contractor under
the provisions of this section is confidential and is not open to public inspection under chapter 42.56
RCW.

RCW 19.28.181 Application for certificate of competency.

Any person desiring to be issued a certificate of competency as provided in this chapter shall deliver
evidence in a form prescribed by the department affirming that said person has met the qualifications
required under RCW 19.28.191 and 19.28.205. An electrician from another jurisdiction applying for a
certificate of competency must provide evidence in a form prescribed by the department affirming that the
person has the equivalent qualifications to those required under RCW 19.28.191.

RCW 19.28.191 Certificate of competency—Eligibility for examination—Rules.

(1) Upon receipt of the application, the department shall review the application and determine whether the
applicant is eligible to take an examination for the master journey level electrician, journey level
electrician, master specialty electrician, or specialty electrician certificate of competency.
(a) To be eligible to take the examination for a master journey level electrician certificate of competency,
the applicant must have possessed a valid journey level electrician certificate of competency for four
years.
(b) To be eligible to take the examination for a master specialty electrician certificate of competency, the
applicant must have possessed a valid specialty electrician certificate of competency, in the specialty
applied for, for two years.
(c) To be eligible to take the examination for a journey level certificate of competency, the applicant must
have:
(i) Successfully completed the work experience and education requirements of an 8,000 hour electrical
construction trade apprenticeship program approved under chapter 49.04 RCW. Four thousand of the
hours must be new industrial or commercial electrical installations under the supervision of a master
journey level electrician or journey level electrician and not more than a total of 4,000 hours in all
specialties under the supervision of a master journey level electrician, journey level electrician, master
specialty electrician working in that electrician's specialty, or specialty electrician working in that
electrician's specialty. Specialty electricians with less than a 4,000 hour work experience requirement
cannot credit the time required to obtain that specialty towards qualifying to become a journey level
electrician. The holder of a specialty electrician certificate of competency with a 4,000 hour work
experience requirement shall be allowed to credit the work experience required to obtain that certificate
towards apprenticeship requirements for qualifying to take the examination for a journey level electrician
certificate of competency;
(ii) Successfully completed an 8,000 hour electrical construction trade apprenticeship program in another
jurisdiction equivalent to an apprenticeship program approved under chapter 49.04 RCW. Four thousand
of the hours must be new industrial or commercial electrical installations;
(iii) An out-of-state journey level electrician certificate obtained through examination by a state licensing
jurisdiction requiring at least 8,000 hours of supervised experience in the electrical construction trade
installing and maintaining electrical wiring and equipment for installations of a type regulated under this
chapter. Four thousand of the hours must be new industrial or commercial electrical installations. All
experience applied toward qualifying for examination must be experience gained in the state that issued
the certificate or military experience not exceeding that allowed under this chapter, or both;
(iv) At least 16,000 hours of out-of-state experience in the electrical construction trade installing and
maintaining electrical wiring and equipment for installations of a type regulated under this chapter. Four
thousand of the hours must be new industrial or commercial electrical installations; or
(v) Eight thousand hours of experience in the electrical construction trade installing and maintaining
electrical wiring and equipment for installations of a type regulated under this chapter while serving in a
construction battalion in the armed forces of the United States.
(d) To be eligible to take the examination for a specialty electrician certificate of competency, the
applicant must have:
(i) Worked in the residential (as specified in WAC 296-46B-920(2)(a)), pump and irrigation (as specified
in WAC 296-46B-920(2)(b)), sign (as specified in WAC 296-46B-920(2)(d)), limited energy (as specified
in WAC 296-46B-920(2)(e)), nonresidential maintenance (as specified in WAC 296-46B-920(2)(g)), or
other new nonresidential specialties as determined by the department in rule under the supervision of a
master journey level electrician, journey level electrician, master specialty electrician working in that
electrician's specialty, or specialty electrician working in that electrician's specialty for a minimum of
4,000 hours;
(ii) Worked in the appliance repair specialty as determined by the department in rule, restricted
nonresidential maintenance as determined by the department in rule, the equipment repair specialty as
determined by the department in rule, the pump and irrigation specialty other than as defined by (d)(i) of
this subsection or domestic pump specialty as determined by the department in rule, or a specialty other
than the designated specialties in (d)(i) of this subsection for a minimum of the initial ninety days, or
longer if set by rule by the department. The restricted nonresidential maintenance specialty is limited to a
maximum of 277 volts and 20 amperes for lighting branch circuits and/or a maximum of 250 volts and 60
amperes for other circuits excluding the replacement or repair of circuit breakers. The department may
alter the scope of work for the restricted nonresidential maintenance specialty by rule. The initial period
must be spent under one hundred percent supervision of a master journey level electrician, journey level
electrician, master specialty electrician working in that electrician's specialty, or specialty electrician
working in that electrician's specialty. After this initial period, a person may take the specialty
examination. If the person passes the examination, the person may work unsupervised for the balance of
the minimum hours required for certification. A person may not be certified as a specialty electrician in
the appliance repair specialty or in a specialty other than the designated specialties in (d)(i) of this
subsection, however, until the person has worked a minimum of 2,000 hours in that specialty, or longer if
set by rule by the department;
(iii) Successfully completed an approved apprenticeship program under chapter 49.04 RCW for the
applicant's specialty in the electrical construction trade; or
(iv) In meeting the training requirements for the pump and irrigation or domestic pump specialties, the
individual shall be allowed to obtain the experience required by this section at the same time the
individual is meeting the experience required by RCW 18.106.040(1)(d). After meeting the training
requirements provided in this section, the individual may take the examination and upon passing the
examination, meeting additional training requirements as may still be required for those seeking a pump
and irrigation, or a domestic pump specialty certificate as defined by rule, and paying the applicable fees,
the individual must be issued the appropriate certificate. The department may include an examination for
specialty plumbing certificate defined in RCW 18.106.010(14)(c) with the examination required by this
section. The department, by rule and in consultation with the electrical board, may establish additional
equivalent ways to gain the experience requirements required by this subsection. The department shall
establish a single document for those who have received both an electrical specialty certification as
defined by this subsection and have also met the certification requirements for the specialty plumber as
defined by RCW 18.106.010(14)(c), showing that the individual has received both certifications. No other
experience or training requirements may be imposed.
(e) Any applicant for a journey level electrician certificate of competency who has successfully
completed a two-year program in the electrical construction trade at public community or technical
colleges, or not-for-profit nationally accredited technical or trade schools licensed by the workforce
training and education coordinating board under chapter 28C.10 RCW, may substitute up to two years of
the technical or trade school program for two years of work experience under a master journey level
electrician or journey level electrician required under the apprenticeship program. The applicant shall
obtain the additional two years of work experience required in industrial or commercial electrical
installation prior to the beginning, or after the completion, of the technical school program. Any applicant
who has received training in the electrical construction trade in the armed service of the United States
may be eligible to apply armed service work experience towards qualification to complete an
apprenticeship and take the examination for the journey level electrician certificate of competency.
(f) An applicant for a specialty electrician certificate of competency who, after January 1, 2000, has
successfully completed a two-year program in the electrical construction trade at a public community or
technical college, or a not-for-profit nationally accredited technical or trade school licensed by the
workforce training and education coordinating board under chapter 28C.10 RCW, may substitute up to
one year of the technical or trade school program for one year of work experience under a master journey
level electrician, journey level electrician, master specialty electrician working in that electrician's
specialty, or specialty electrician working in that electrician's specialty. Any applicant who has received
training in the electrical construction trade in the armed services of the United States may be eligible to
apply armed service work experience towards qualification to take the examination for an appropriate
specialty electrician certificate of competency.
(g) The department must determine whether hours of training and experience in the armed services or
school program are in the electrical construction trade and appropriate as a substitute for hours of work
experience. The department must use the following criteria for evaluating the equivalence of classroom
electrical training programs and work in the electrical construction trade:
(i) A two-year electrical training program must consist of 3,000 or more hours.
(ii) In a two-year electrical training program, a minimum of 2,400 hours of student/instructor contact time
must be technical electrical instruction directly related to the scope of work of the electrical specialty.
Student/instructor contact time includes lecture and in-school lab.
(iii) The department may not allow credit for a program that accepts more than 1,000 hours transferred
from another school's program.
(iv) Electrical specialty training school programs of less than two years will have all of the above
student/instructor contact time hours proportionately reduced. Such programs may not apply to more than
fifty percent of the work experience required to attain certification.
(v) Electrical training programs of less than two years may not be credited towards qualification for
journey level electrician unless the training program is used to gain qualification for a 4,000 hour
electrical specialty.
(h) No other requirement for eligibility may be imposed.
(2) The department shall establish reasonable rules for the examinations to be given applicants for
certificates of competency. In establishing the rules, the department shall consult with the board. Upon
determination that the applicant is eligible to take the examination, the department shall so notify the
applicant, indicating instructions for taking the examination.
(3) No noncertified individual may work unsupervised more than one year beyond the date when the
trainee would be eligible to test for a certificate of competency if working on a full-time basis after
original application for the trainee certificate. For the purposes of this section, "full-time basis" means
2,000 hours.

RCW 19.28.195 Examination—Exception for lawful work experience and training school program
completion. (Expires July 1, 2026.)
(1) Until July 1, 2026, notwithstanding RCW 19.28.161(2)(a)(i) and 19.28.191(1)(c)(i), the department
shall permit:
(a) A person issued an electrical training certificate to work to gain the experience required to qualify for
the journey level electrician certification examination without registering in an apprenticeship program
approved under chapter 49.04 RCW or equivalent out-of-state apprenticeship program if before July 1,
2023, the trainee has:
(i) 3,000 hours of lawful experience worked in the electrical construction trade regulated under this
chapter; or
(ii) Completed a two-year training school program pursuant to RCW 19.28.191(1)(e);
(b) Electrical trainees described in (a) of this subsection to qualify for the journey level electrician
certification examination without completing the work and education requirements of an apprenticeship
approved under chapter 49.04 RCW or completing an equivalent out-of-state apprenticeship program. To
be eligible to take the examination for a journey level certificate of competency, the applicant must
demonstrate 8,000 hours of lawful experience working in the electrical construction trade regulated under
this chapter. Four thousand of the hours must be new industrial or commercial electrical installations.
(2) This section expires July 1, 2026.

RCW 19.28.201 Examination—Times—Certification of results—Contents—Fees.

The department, in coordination with the board, shall prepare an examination to be administered to
applicants for master journey level electrician, journey level electrician, master specialty electrician, and
specialty electrician certificates of competency.
The department, with the consent of the board, may enter into a contract with a professional testing
agency to develop, administer, and score electrician certification examinations. The department may set
the examination fee by contract with the professional testing agency.
The department must, at least four times annually, administer the examination to persons eligible to take
it under RCW 19.28.191. The fee must cover, but not exceed, the costs of preparing and administering the
examination.
The department must certify the results of the examination upon the terms and after such a period of time
as the department, in cooperation with the board, deems necessary and proper.
(1)(a) The master electrician's certificates of competency examinations must include questions from the
following categories to ensure proper safety and protection for the general public: (i) Safety; (ii) the state
electrical code; and (iii) electrical theory.
(b) A person may take the master electrician examination as many times as necessary without limit. All
applicants must, before taking the examination, pay the required examination fee to the agency
administering the examination.
(2) The journey level electrician and specialty electrician examinations shall be constructed to determine:
(a) Whether the applicant possesses varied general knowledge of the technical information and practical
procedures that are identified with the status of journey level electrician or specialty electrician; and
(b) Whether the applicant is sufficiently familiar with the applicable electrical codes and the rules of the
department pertaining to electrical installations and electricians.
A person may take the examination as many times as necessary without limit. All applicants must, before
taking the examination, pay the required examination fee to the agency administering the examination.

RCW 19.28.205 In-class education requirements.

(1) An applicant for a journey level certificate of competency under RCW 19.28.191(1)(c) or a specialty
electrician certificate of competency under RCW 19.28.191(1)(d) must demonstrate to the satisfaction of
the department completion of in-class education as follows:
(a) Twenty-four hours of in-class education if two thousand hours or more but less than four thousand
hours of work are required for the certificate;
(b) Forty-eight hours of in-class education if four thousand or more but less than six thousand hours of
work are required for the certificate;
(c) Seventy-two hours of in-class education if six thousand or more but less than eight thousand hours of
work are required for the certificate;
(d) Ninety-six hours of in-class education if eight thousand or more hours of work are required for the
certificate.
(2) For purposes of this section, "in-class education" means approved classroom training covering this
chapter, the national electric code, or electrical theory; or equivalent classroom training taken as part of
an approved apprenticeship program under chapter 49.04 RCW or an approved electrical training
program under RCW 19.28.191(1)(e).
(3) Classroom training taken to qualify for trainee certificate renewal under RCW 19.28.161 qualifies as
in-class education under this section.

RCW 19.28.211 Certificate of competency—Issuance—Renewal—Continuing education—Fees—

Effect.
(1) The department shall issue a certificate of competency to all applicants who have passed the
examination provided in RCW 19.28.201, met the in-class education requirements of RCW 19.28.205 if
applicable, and who have complied with RCW 19.28.161 through 19.28.271 and the rules adopted under
this chapter. The certificate may include a photograph of the holder. The certificate shall bear the date of
issuance, and shall expire on the holder's birthday. The certificate shall be renewed every three years,
upon application, on or before the holder's birthdate. A fee shall be assessed for each certificate and for
each annual renewal.
(2) If the certificate holder demonstrates to the department that he or she has satisfactorily completed an
annual eight-hour continuing education course, the certificate may be renewed without examination by
appropriate application unless the certificate has been revoked, suspended, or not renewed within ninety
days after the expiration date. For pump and irrigation or domestic pump specialty electricians, the
continuing education course may combine both electrical and plumbing education provided that there is a
minimum of four hours of electrical training in the course.
(a) The contents and requirements for satisfactory completion of the continuing education course shall be
determined by the director and approved by the board.
(b) The department shall accept proof of a certificate holder's satisfactory completion of a continuing
education course offered in another state as meeting the requirements for maintaining a current
Washington state certificate of competency if the department is satisfied the course is comparable in
nature to that required in Washington state for maintaining a current certificate of competency.
(3) If the certificate is not renewed before the expiration date, the individual shall pay twice the usual fee.
The department shall set the fees by rule for issuance and renewal of a certificate of competency. The fees
shall cover but not exceed the costs of issuing the certificates and of administering and enforcing the
electrician certification requirements of this chapter.
(4) The certificates of competency and temporary permits provided for in this chapter grant the holder the
right to work in the electrical construction trade as a master electrician, journey level electrician, or
specialty electrician in accordance with their provisions throughout the state and within any of its political
subdivisions without additional proof of competency or any other license, permit, or fee to engage in such
work.

RCW 19.28.221 Persons engaged in trade or business on July 16, 1973.

No examination shall be required of any applicant for a certificate of competency who, on July 16, 1973,
was engaged in a bona fide business or trade as a journey level electrician in the state of Washington.
Applicants qualifying under this section shall be issued a certificate by the department upon making an
application as provided in RCW 19.28.181 and paying the fee required under RCW 19.28.201:
PROVIDED, That no applicant under this section shall be required to furnish such evidence as required
by RCW 19.28.181.

RCW 19.28.231 Temporary permits.

The department is authorized to grant and issue temporary permits in lieu of certificates of competency
whenever an electrician coming into the state of Washington from another state requests the department
for a temporary permit to engage in the electrical construction trade as an electrician during the period of
time between filing of an application for a certificate as provided in RCW 19.28.181 and the date the
results of taking the examination provided for in RCW 19.28.201 are furnished to the applicant. The
temporary permit may include a photograph of the holder. The department is authorized to enter into
reciprocal agreements with other states providing for the acceptance of such states' journey level and
specialty electrician certificate of competency or its equivalent when such states requirements are equal to
the standards set by this chapter. No temporary permit shall be issued to:
(1) Any person who has failed to pass the examination for a certificate of competency, except that any
person who has failed the examination for competency under this section shall be entitled to continue to
work under a temporary permit for ninety days if the person is enrolled in a journey level electrician
refresher course and shows evidence to the department that he or she has not missed any classes. The
person, after completing the journey level electrician refresher course, shall be eligible to retake the
examination for competency at the next scheduled time.
(2) Any applicant under this section who has not furnished the department with such evidence required
under RCW 19.28.181.
(3) Any apprentice electrician.

RCW 19.28.241 Revocation of certificate of competency—Grounds—Procedure.

(1) The department may revoke any certificate of competency upon the following grounds:
(a) The certificate was obtained through error or fraud;
(b) The holder thereof is judged to be incompetent to work in the electrical construction trade as a journey
level electrician or specialty electrician;
(c) The holder thereof has violated any of the provisions of RCW 19.28.161 through 19.28.271 or any
rule adopted under this chapter; or
(d) The holder thereof has committed a serious violation of this chapter or any rule adopted under this
chapter. A serious violation is a violation that presents imminent danger to the public.
(2) The department may deny an application for a certificate of competency for up to two years if the
applicant's previous certificate of competency has been revoked.
(3) Before any certificate of competency shall be revoked, the holder shall be given written notice of the
department's intention to do so, mailed by registered mail, return receipt requested, to the holder's last
known address. The notice shall enumerate the allegations against the holder, and shall give the holder the
opportunity to request a hearing before the board. At the hearing, the department and the holder may
produce witnesses and give testimony. The hearing shall be conducted in accordance with chapter 34.05
RCW. The board shall render its decision based upon the testimony and evidence presented, and shall
notify the parties immediately upon reaching its decision. A majority of the board shall be necessary to
render a decision.
(4) The department shall immediately suspend the license or certificate of a person who has been certified
pursuant to RCW 74.20A.320 by the department of social and health services as a person who is not in
compliance with a support order. If the person has continued to meet all other requirements for
reinstatement during the suspension, reissuance of the license or certificate shall be automatic upon the
department's receipt of a release issued by the department of social and health services stating that the
licensee is in compliance with the order.

RCW 19.28.251 Powers and duties of director—Administration of RCW 19.28.161 through

19.28.271 by the department.
The director may promulgate rules, make specific decisions, orders, and rulings, including demands and
findings, and take other necessary action for the implementation and enforcement of RCW 19.28.161
through 19.28.271. In the administration of RCW 19.28.161 through 19.28.271 the department shall not
enter any controversy arising over work assignments with respect to the trades involved in the
construction industry.

RCW 19.28.261 Exemptions from RCW 19.28.161 through 19.28.271.

(1) Nothing in RCW 19.28.161 through 19.28.271 shall be construed to require that a person obtain a
license or a certified electrician in order to do electrical work at his or her residence or farm or place of
business or on other property owned by him or her unless:
(a) The electrical work is on the construction of a new building intended for rent, sale, or lease; or
(b) The electrical work is on property that is offered for sale within 12 months after obtaining the
property.
However, if the construction is of a new residential building with up to four units intended for rent, sale,
or lease, the owner may receive an exemption from the requirement to obtain a license or use a certified
electrician if he or she provides a signed affidavit to the department stating that he or she will be
performing the work and will occupy one of the units as his or her principal residence. The owner shall
apply to the department for this exemption and may only receive an exemption once every twenty-four
months. It is intended that the owner receiving this exemption shall occupy the unit as his or her principal
residence for twenty-four months after completion of the units.
(2) Nothing in RCW 19.28.161 through 19.28.271 shall be intended to derogate from or dispense with the
requirements of any valid electrical code enacted by a city or town pursuant to RCW 19.28.010(3), except
that no code shall require the holder of a certificate of competency to demonstrate any additional proof of
competency or obtain any other license or pay any fee in order to engage in the electrical construction
trade.
(3) RCW 19.28.161 through 19.28.271 shall not apply to common carriers subject to Part I of the
*Interstate Commerce Act, nor to their officers and employees.
(4) Nothing in RCW 19.28.161 through 19.28.271 shall be deemed to apply to the installation or
maintenance of telephone, telegraph, radio, or television wires and equipment; nor to any electrical utility
or its employees in the installation, repair, and maintenance of electrical wiring, circuits, and equipment
by or for the utility, or comprising a part of its plants, lines, or systems.
(5) The licensing provisions of RCW 19.28.161 through 19.28.271 shall not apply to:
(a) Persons making electrical installations on their own property or to regularly employed employees
working on the premises of their employer, unless the electrical work is on:
(i) The construction of a new building intended for rent, sale, or lease; or
(ii) Property offered for sale within 12 months after obtaining the property;
(b) Employees of an employer while the employer is performing utility type work of the nature described
in RCW 19.28.091 so long as such employees have registered in the state of Washington with or
graduated from a state-approved outside lineworker apprenticeship course that is recognized by the
department and that qualifies a person to perform such work;
(c) Any work exempted under RCW 19.28.091(6); and
(d) Certified plumbers, certified residential plumbers, or plumber trainees meeting the requirements of
chapter 18.106 RCW and performing exempt work under RCW 19.28.091(8).
(6) Nothing in RCW 19.28.161 through 19.28.271 shall be construed to restrict the right of any
householder to assist or receive assistance from a friend, neighbor, relative, or other person when none of
the individuals doing the electrical installation hold themselves out as engaged in the trade or business of
electrical installations.
(7) Nothing precludes any person who is exempt from the licensing requirements of this chapter under
this section from obtaining a journey level or specialty certificate of competency if they otherwise meet
the requirements of this chapter.
RCW 19.28.265 Licensing, certification, and inspection—Exemptions—Modifications—Industrial
equipment defined.
(1) A person, firm, partnership, corporation, or other entity and a manufacturer's authorized engineers and
factory-trained service technicians it employs are exempt from licensing requirements under RCW
19.28.041, certification requirements under RCW 19.28.161, and inspection requirements under this
chapter for the maintenance, repair, or replacement of components and the disconnection and
reconnection of existing low voltage digital control system connections within the confines of the
manufacturer's industrial equipment. Except for disconnection and reconnection of existing low voltage
digital control system connections, this exemption does not include any: (a) Installation, maintenance,
repair, disconnection, or reconnection of any premises wiring or electrical equipment connected to
industrial equipment; (b) on-site assembly of industrial equipment; or (c) electrical interconnections
between industrial equipment units.
(2) Modifications may not include any changes to the original intended equipment configuration. Any
entity making modifications is responsible for maintaining conformance to applicable electrical product
safety standards. Proof of conformance must be in accordance with this chapter.
(3) For the purposes of this section, "industrial equipment" means utilization equipment that is: (a) Fully
assembled at the manufacturer's facility; (b) self-contained on a single skid or frame; (c) of a type that
conforms to applicable standards or is indicated as acceptable by the established standards of any
electrical product testing laboratory which is accredited by the department; and (d) directly used in
manufacturing or industrial process not accessible to the public.

RCW 19.28.271 Violations of RCW 19.28.161 through 19.28.271—Schedule of penalties—Appeal.

(1) It is unlawful for any person, firm, partnership, corporation, or other entity to employ an individual for
purposes of RCW 19.28.161 through 19.28.271 who has not been issued a certificate of competency, a
temporary permit, or a training certificate. It is unlawful for any individual to engage in the electrical
construction trade or to maintain or install any electrical equipment or conductors without having in his or
her possession a certificate of competency, a temporary permit, or a training certificate under RCW
19.28.161 through 19.28.271, and photo identification. The department may establish by rule a
requirement that the individual also wear and visibly display his or her certificate or permit.
(2) Any person, firm, partnership, corporation, or other entity found in violation of RCW 19.28.161
through 19.28.271 shall be assessed a penalty of not less than fifty dollars or more than five hundred
dollars. The department shall set by rule a schedule of penalties for violating RCW 19.28.161 through
19.28.271. An appeal may be made to the board as is provided in RCW 19.28.131. The appeal shall be
filed within twenty days after the notice of the penalty is given to the assessed party using a method by
which the mailing can be tracked or the delivery can be confirmed, sent to the last known address of the
assessed party and shall be made by filing a written notice of appeal with the department. Any equipment
maintained or installed by any person who does not possess a certificate of competency under RCW
19.28.161 through 19.28.271 shall not receive an electrical work permit and electrical service shall not be
connected or maintained to operate the equipment. Each day that a person, firm, partnership, corporation,
or other entity violates RCW 19.28.161 through 19.28.271 is a separate violation.
(3) A civil penalty shall be collected in a civil action brought by the attorney general in the county
wherein the alleged violation arose at the request of the department if any of RCW 19.28.161 through
19.28.271 or any rules adopted under RCW 19.28.161 through 19.28.271 are violated.

RCW 19.28.281 Electric vehicle infrastructure—Rule adoption.

The director shall adopt by rule standards for the installation of electric vehicle infrastructure, including
all wires and equipment that convey electric current and any equipment to be operated by electric current,
in, on, or about buildings or structures. The rules must be consistent with rules adopted under RCW
19.27.540.

RCW 19.28.291 Violations of chapter—Issuance of subpoenas—Application.

(1) If he or she has reason to believe there has been a violation of this chapter, the director and the
director's authorized representatives may issue subpoenas to enforce the production and examination of
any information, whether written or electronic, necessary to enforce this chapter. The subpoena must
describe the possible violation, cite the relevant sections of this chapter and rules adopted under this
chapter, and must explain how the information being subpoenaed is reasonably related to the possible
violation.
(2) The subpoena may be issued only if an electrical contractor, administrator, electrician, or other entity
or person to which this chapter applies fails to provide the above information when requested by the
department. The department's request for information must describe the possible violation, cite the
relevant sections of this chapter and rules adopted under this chapter, and must explain how the
information being requested is reasonably related to the possible violation.
(3) The superior court has the power to enforce such a subpoena by proper proceedings.
(4) This section applies to all electrical contractors, administrators, electricians, other entities and persons,
and electrical work to which this chapter applies.
PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS AND
TELECOMMUNICATIONS INSTALLATIONS

RCW 19.28.301 Application—Subchapter heading.

(1) RCW 19.28.311 through 19.28.381 apply throughout this chapter.
(2) RCW 19.28.311 through 19.28.381 constitute the subchapter "provisions applicable to electrical
installations and telecommunications installations."

RCW 19.28.311 Electrical board.

There is hereby created an electrical board, consisting of fifteen members to be appointed by the governor
with the advice of the director of labor and industries as herein provided. It shall be the purpose and
function of the board to advise the director on all matters pertaining to the enforcement of this chapter
including, but not limited to, standards of electrical and telecommunications installation, minimum
inspection procedures, and the adoption of rules pertaining to the electrical inspection division:
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That no rules shall be amended or repealed until the electrical board has first
had an opportunity to consider any proposed amendments or repeals and had an opportunity to make
recommendations to the director relative thereto. The members of the electrical board shall be selected
and appointed as follows: One member shall be an employee or officer of a corporation or public agency
generating or distributing electric power; one member must be an employee or officer of a facilities-based
telecommunications service provider regulated by the Washington state utilities and transportation
commission; three members shall be licensed electrical contractors: PROVIDED, That one of these
members may be a representative of a trade association in the electrical industry; one member shall be a
licensed telecommunications contractor; one member shall be an employee, or officer, or representative
of a corporation or firm engaged in the business of manufacturing or distributing electrical and
telecommunications materials, equipment, or devices; one member shall be a person with knowledge of
the electrical industry, not related to the electrical industry, to represent the public; three members shall
be certified electricians; one member shall be a telecommunications worker; one member shall be a
licensed professional electrical engineer qualified to do business in the state of Washington and
designated as a registered communications distribution designer; one member shall be an outside line
worker; and one nonvoting member must be a building official from an incorporated city or town with an
electrical inspection program established under RCW 19.28.141. The regular term of each member shall
be four years: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, The original board shall be appointed on June 9, 1988, for the
following terms: The first term of the member representing a corporation or public agency generating or
distributing electric power shall serve four years; two members representing licensed electrical
contractors shall serve three years; the member representing a manufacturer or distributor of electrical
equipment or devices shall serve three years; the member representing the public and one member
representing licensed electrical contractors shall serve two years; the three members selected as certified
electricians shall serve for terms of one, two, and three years, respectively; the member selected as the
licensed professional electrical engineer shall serve for one year. In appointing the original board, the
governor shall give due consideration to the value of continuity in membership from predecessor boards.
Thereafter, the governor shall appoint or reappoint board members for terms of four years and to fill
vacancies created by the completion of the terms of the original members. When new positions are
created, the governor may appoint the initial members to the new positions to staggered terms of one to
three years. The governor shall also fill vacancies caused by death, resignation, or otherwise for the
unexpired term of such members by appointing their successors from the same business classification.
The same procedure shall be followed in making such subsequent appointments as is provided for the
original appointments. The board, at this first meeting shall elect one of its members to serve as chair.
Any person acting as the chief electrical inspector shall serve as secretary of the board during his or her
tenure as chief state inspector. Meetings of the board shall be held at least quarterly in accordance with a
schedule established by the board. Each member of the board shall receive compensation in accordance
with RCW 43.03.240 and shall be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and
43.03.060 which shall be paid out of the electrical license fund, upon vouchers approved by the director
of labor and industries.

RCW 19.28.311 Electrical board.

There is hereby created an electrical board, consisting of fifteen members to be appointed by the governor
with the advice of the director of labor and industries as herein provided. It shall be the purpose and
function of the board to advise the director on all matters pertaining to the enforcement of this chapter
including, but not limited to, standards of electrical and telecommunications installation, minimum
inspection procedures, and the adoption of rules pertaining to the electrical inspection division:
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That no rules shall be amended or repealed until the electrical board has first
had an opportunity to consider any proposed amendments or repeals and had an opportunity to make
recommendations to the director relative thereto. The members of the electrical board shall be selected
and appointed as follows: One member shall be an employee or officer of a corporation or public agency
generating or distributing electric power; one member must be an employee or officer of a facilities-based
telecommunications service provider regulated by the Washington state utilities and transportation
commission; three members shall be licensed electrical contractors: PROVIDED, That one of these
members may be a representative of a trade association in the electrical industry; one member shall be a
licensed telecommunications contractor; one member shall be an employee, or officer, or representative
of a corporation or firm engaged in the business of manufacturing or distributing electrical and
telecommunications materials, equipment, or devices; one member shall be a person with knowledge of
the electrical industry, not related to the electrical industry, to represent the public; three members shall
be certified electricians; one member shall be a telecommunications worker; one member shall be a
licensed professional electrical engineer qualified to do business in the state of Washington and
designated as a registered communications distribution designer; one member shall be an outside line
worker; and one nonvoting member must be a building official from an incorporated city or town with an
electrical inspection program established under RCW 19.28.141. The regular term of each member shall
be four years: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, The original board shall be appointed on June 9, 1988, for the
following terms: The first term of the member representing a corporation or public agency generating or
distributing electric power shall serve four years; two members representing licensed electrical
contractors shall serve three years; the member representing a manufacturer or distributor of electrical
equipment or devices shall serve three years; the member representing the public and one member
representing licensed electrical contractors shall serve two years; the three members selected as certified
electricians shall serve for terms of one, two, and three years, respectively; the member selected as the
licensed professional electrical engineer shall serve for one year. In appointing the original board, the
governor shall give due consideration to the value of continuity in membership from predecessor boards.
Thereafter, the governor shall appoint or reappoint board members for terms of four years and to fill
vacancies created by the completion of the terms of the original members. When new positions are
created, the governor may appoint the initial members to the new positions to staggered terms of one to
three years. The governor shall also fill vacancies caused by death, resignation, or otherwise for the
unexpired term of such members by appointing their successors from the same business classification.
The same procedure shall be followed in making such subsequent appointments as is provided for the
original appointments. The board, at this first meeting shall elect one of its members to serve as chair.
Any person acting as the chief electrical inspector shall serve as secretary of the board during his or her
tenure as chief state inspector. Meetings of the board shall be held at least quarterly in accordance with a
schedule established by the board. Each member of the board shall receive compensation in accordance
with RCW 43.03.240 and shall be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and
43.03.060 which shall be paid out of the electrical license fund, upon vouchers approved by the director
of labor and industries.

RCW 19.28.321 Enforcement—State Electrical Inspectors Qualifications—Salaries and expenses.

The director of labor and industries of the state of Washington and the officials of all incorporated cities
and towns where electrical inspections are required by local ordinances shall have power and it shall be
their duty to enforce the provisions of this chapter in their respective jurisdictions. The director of labor
and industries shall appoint a chief electrical inspector and may appoint other electrical inspectors as the
director deems necessary to assist the director in the performance of the director's duties. The chief
electrical inspector, subject to the review of the director, shall be responsible for providing the final
interpretation of adopted state electrical standards, rules, and policies for the department and its
inspectors, assistant inspectors, electrical plan examiners, and other individuals supervising electrical
program personnel. If a dispute arises within the department regarding the interpretation of adopted state
electrical standards, rules, or policies, the chief electrical inspector, subject to the review of the director,
shall provide the final interpretation of the disputed standard, rule, or policy. All electrical inspectors
appointed by the director of labor and industries shall have not less than: Four years experience as journey
level electricians in the electrical construction trade installing and maintaining electrical wiring and
equipment; or four years experience as a journey level electrician performing the duties of an electrical
inspector employed by the department or a city or town with an approved inspection program under RCW
19.28.141, except that for work performed in accordance with the national electrical safety code and
covered by this chapter, such inspections may be performed by a person certified as an outside
journeyperson lineworker, under RCW 19.28.261(5)(b), with four years experience or a person with four
years experience as a certified outside journeyperson lineworker performing the duties of an electrical
inspector employed by an electrical utility. Such state inspectors shall be paid such salary as the director
of labor and industries shall determine, together with their travel expenses in accordance with RCW
43.03.050 and 43.03.060 as now existing or hereafter amended. As a condition of employment, inspectors
hired exclusively to perform inspections in accordance with the national electrical safety code must
possess and maintain certification as an outside journeyperson lineworker. The expenses of the director of
labor and industries and the salaries and expenses of state inspectors incurred in carrying out the
provisions of this chapter shall be paid entirely out of the electrical license fund, upon vouchers approved
by the director of labor and industries.
RCW 19.28.325 Enforcement—Local authority—Penalties—Appeals.
This chapter shall not limit the authority or power of any city or town where electrical inspections are
required by local ordinances to enact and enforce under authority given by law, any ordinance, rule, or
regulation enforcing the same requirements of this chapter for having or possessing or displaying a
license or a certificate, employing certified individuals, supervision of trainees, or duties of an
administrator in their respective jurisdictions. Penalties are to be established within the limits provided in
this chapter. No person, firm, partnership, corporation, or other entity may be penalized by both a city or
town and the department for the same violation. Each day that a person, firm, partnership, corporation, or
other entity violates this chapter is a separate violation. Penalties upheld through an appellate process of a
city or town may be appealed to the board by filing a written notice of appeal to the secretary of the
board. All costs of an appeal under this section payable from the electrical license fund shall be
reimbursed by the city or town that is party to the matter. The process for service and hearings before the
board shall be conducted according to the rules enacted by the department.

RCW 19.28.331 Inspection reports.

If any inspection made under this chapter requires any correction or change in the work inspected, a
written report of the inspection shall be made by the inspector, in which report the corrections or changes
required shall be plainly stated. A copy of the report shall be furnished to the person, firm, partnership,
corporation, or other entity doing the installation work, and a copy shall be filed with the department.

RCW 19.28.341 Revocation or suspension of license—Grounds—Appeal to board—Fee—Costs.

(1) The department has the power, in case of serious noncompliance with the provisions of this chapter, to
revoke or suspend for such a period as it determines, any electrical or telecommunications contractor
license or electrical or telecommunications contractor administrator certificate issued under this chapter.
The department shall notify the holder of the license or certificate of the revocation or suspension using a
method by which the mailing can be tracked or the delivery can be confirmed. A revocation or suspension
is effective twenty days after the holder receives the notice. Any revocation or suspension is subject to
review by an appeal to the board. The filing of an appeal stays the effect of a revocation or suspension
until the board makes its decision. The appeal shall be filed within twenty days after notice of the
revocation or suspension is given using a method by which the mailing can be tracked or the delivery can
be confirmed sent to the address of the holder of the license or certificate as shown on the application for
the license or certificate, and shall be effected by filing a written notice of appeal with the department,
accompanied by a certified check for two hundred dollars, which shall be returned to the holder of the
license or certificate if the decision of the department is not sustained by the board. The hearing shall be
conducted in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW. If the board sustains the decision of the department,
the two hundred dollars shall be applied by the department to the payment of the per diem and expenses
of the members of the board incurred in the matter, and any balance remaining after payment of per diem
and expenses shall be paid into the electrical license fund.
(2) The department shall immediately suspend the license or certificate of a person who has been certified
pursuant to RCW 74.20A.320 by the department of social and health services as a person who is not in
compliance with a support order. If the person has continued to meet all other requirements for
reinstatement during the suspension, reissuance of the license or certificate shall be automatic upon the
department's receipt of a release issued by the department of social and health services stating that the
licensee is in compliance with the order.

RCW 19.28.351 Electrical license fund.

All sums received from licenses, permit fees, or other sources, herein shall be paid to the state treasurer
and placed in a special fund designated as the "electrical license fund," and paid out upon vouchers duly
and regularly issued therefor and approved by the director of labor and industries or the director's
designee following determination by the board that the sums are necessary to accomplish the intent of
chapter 19.28 RCW. The treasurer shall keep an accurate record of payments into, or receipts of, the fund,
and of all disbursements therefrom.
During the 2013-2015 biennium, the legislature may transfer moneys from the electrical license fund to
the state general fund such amounts as reflect the excess fund balance of the fund.

RCW 19.28.361 Liability for injury or damage.

Nothing contained in this chapter will be construed to relieve from or lessen the responsibility or liability
of any person for injury or damage to person or property caused by or resulting from any defect of any
nature in any electrical or telecommunications work performed by said person or in any electrical or
telecommunications equipment owned, controlled, installed, operated or used by him or her; nor shall the
state of Washington, or any officer, agent, or employee thereof incur or be held as assuming any liability
by reason or in consequence of any permission, certificate of inspection, inspection or approval
authorized herein, or issued or given as herein provided, or by reason of consequence of any things done
or acts performed pursuant to any provision of this chapter.

RCW 19.28.371 Medical device—Installation, maintenance, or repair—Compliance with chapter—

Limit of exemption.
(1) A medical device which is not in violation of the Medical Device Amendments of 1976, Public Law
No. 94-295, 90 Stat. 539, as amended from time to time, and as interpreted by the Food and Drug
Administration of the United States Department of Health and Human Services or its successor, shall be
deemed to be in compliance with all requirements imposed by this chapter.
(2) The installation, maintenance, or repair of a medical device deemed in compliance with this chapter is
exempt from licensing requirements under RCW 19.28.091, certification requirements under RCW
19.28.161, and inspection and permitting requirements under RCW 19.28.101. This exemption does not
include work providing electrical feeds into the power distribution unit or installation of conduits and
raceways. This exemption covers only those factory engineers or third-party service companies with
equivalent training who are qualified to perform such service.
RCW 19.28.381 Denial of renewal of certificate or license for outstanding penalties—Notice—
Appeal—Hearing.
The department may deny renewal of a certificate or license issued under this chapter, if the applicant for
renewal owes outstanding penalties for a final judgment under this chapter. The department shall notify
the applicant of the denial by registered mail, return receipt requested, to the address on the application.
The applicant may appeal the denial within twenty days by filing a notice of appeal with the department
accompanied by a certified check for two hundred dollars or ten percent of the amount of the outstanding
penalties, whichever is less, but in no event less than one hundred dollars. The check shall be returned to
the applicant if the decision of the department is not upheld by the board. The office of administrative
hearings shall conduct the hearing under chapter 34.05 RCW. The electrical board shall review the
proposed decision at the next regularly scheduled board meeting. If the board sustains the decision of the
department, the amount of the check must be applied to the cost of the hearing.

PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO TELECOMMUNICATIONS INSTALLATIONS

RCW 19.28.400 Definitions.
The definitions in this section apply throughout this subchapter unless the context clearly requires
otherwise.
(1) "Board" means the electrical board under RCW 19.28.311.
(2) "Department" means the department of labor and industries.
(3) "Director" means the director of the department or the director's designee.
(4) "Telecommunications administrator" means a person designated by a telecommunications contractor
to supervise the installation of telecommunications systems in accordance with rules adopted under this
chapter.
(5) "Telecommunications backbone cabling systems" means a system that provides interconnections
between telecommunications closets, equipment rooms, and entrance facilities in the telecommunications
cabling system structure. Backbone cabling consists of the backbone cables, intermediate and main cross-
connects, mechanical terminations, and patch cords or jumpers used for backbone to backbone cross-
connection. Backbone cabling also includes cabling between buildings.
(6) "Telecommunications closet" means a room for housing telecommunications equipment, cable
terminations, and cross-connect wiring that serve that particular floor. The closet is the recognized
transition point between the backbone and horizontal cabling systems.
(7) "Telecommunications contractor" means a person, firm, partnership, corporation, or other entity that
advertises, offers to undertake, undertakes, submits a bid for, or does the work of installing or maintaining
telecommunications systems.
(8) "Telecommunications horizontal cabling systems" means the portions of the telecommunications
cabling system that extend from the work area telecommunications outlet or connector to the
telecommunications closet. The horizontal cabling includes the horizontal cables, the telecommunications
outlet or connector in the work area, the mechanical termination, and horizontal cross-connections located
in the telecommunications closet.
(9) "Telecommunications network demarcation point" means the point or interconnection between the
service provider's communications cabling, terminal equipment, and protective apparatus and the
customer's premises telecommunications cabling system. The location of this point for regulated carriers
is determined by federal and state regulations. The carrier should be contacted to determine the location
policies in effect in the area.
(10) "Telecommunications scope of work" means the work of a telecommunications contractor as defined
in this section and as specified by rule of the department. This includes, but is not limited to, the
installation, maintenance, and testing of telecommunications systems, equipment, and associated
hardware, pathway systems, and cable management systems, which excludes cable tray and conduit
raceway systems. The scope also includes installation of open wiring systems of telecommunications
cables, surface nonmetallic raceways designated and used exclusively for telecommunications, optical
fiber innerduct raceway, underground raceways designated and used exclusively for telecommunications
and installed for additions or extensions to existing telecommunications systems not to exceed fifty feet
inside the building, and incidental short sections of circular or surface metal raceway, not to exceed ten
feet, for access or protection of telecommunications cabling and installation of cable trays and ladder
racks in telecommunications service entrance rooms, spaces, or closets.
(11) "Telecommunications service entrance room or space" means a room or space used as the building
serving facility in which the joining of inter-building and intra-building backbone facilities takes place.
The service entrance room may also house electronic equipment serving any telecommunications
function.
(12) A "telecommunications structured cabling system" is the complete collective configuration of
cabling and associated hardware at a given site and installed to perform specific telecommunications
functions.
(13) "Telecommunications systems" means structured cabling systems that begin at the demarcation point
between the local service provider and the customer's premises structured cabling system or the wiring,
appliances, devices, or equipment as specified by rule of the department.
(a) Telecommunications systems include, but are not limited to, all forms of information generation,
processing, and transporting of signals conveyed electronically or optically within or between buildings,
including voice, data, video, and audio.
(b) Telecommunications systems include, but are not limited to, structured cabling systems, compatible
connecting hardware, telecommunications equipment, premises switching equipment providing
operational power to the telecommunications device, infrared, fiber optic, radio-frequency, power
distribution associated with telecommunications systems, and other limited-energy interconnections
associated with telecommunications systems or appliances.
(c) Telecommunications systems do not include horizontal cabling used for fire protection signaling
systems, intrusion alarms, access control systems, patient monitoring systems, energy management
control systems, industrial and automation control systems, HVAC/refrigeration control systems, lighting
or lighting control systems, and stand-alone amplified sound or public address systems.
(d) Telecommunications systems may interface with other building signal systems including security,
alarms, and energy management at cross-connection junctions within telecommunications closets or at
extended points of demarcation. Horizontal cabling for a telecommunications outlet, necessary to
interface with any of these systems outside of a telecommunications closet, is the work of the
telecommunications contractor. Telecommunications systems do not include the installation or
termination of premises line voltage service, feeder, or branch circuit conductors or equipment.
(14) "Telecommunications worker" means a person primarily and regularly engaged in the installation
and/or maintenance of telecommunications systems, equipment, and infrastructure as defined in this
chapter.
(15) "Telecommunications workstation" means a building space where the occupant normally interacts
with telecommunications equipment. The telecommunications outlet in the work area is the point at which
end user equipment plugs into the building telecommunications utility formed by the pathway, space, and
building wiring system.

RCW 19.28.410 Telecommunications systems installations—Subject to this subchapter.

(1) All installations of wires and equipment defined as telecommunications systems are subject to the
requirements of this subchapter. Installations shall be in conformity with approved methods of
construction for safety to life and property. The national electrical code, approved standards of the
telecommunications industries association, the electronic industries association, the American national
standards institute, and other safety standards approved by the department shall be evidence of approved
methods of installation.
(2) This chapter may not limit the authority or power of any city or town to enact and enforce under
authority given by law in RCW 19.28.141, any ordinance, or rule requiring an equal, higher, or better
standard of construction and an equal, higher, or better standard of materials, devices, appliances, and
equipment than that required by this chapter.

RCW 19.28.420 Telecommunications contractor license—Application—Bond—Issuance of license.

(1) It is unlawful for any person, firm, partnership, corporation, or other entity to advertise, offer to do
work, submit a bid, engage in, conduct, or carry on the business of installing or maintaining
telecommunications systems without having a telecommunications contractor license. Electrical
contractors licensed as general electrical (01) or specialty electrical (06) contractors under this chapter
and their designated administrators qualify to perform all telecommunications work defined in this
chapter. Telecommunications contractors licensed under this chapter are not required to be registered
under chapter 18.27 RCW. All telecommunications licenses expire twenty-four calendar months
following the day of their issue. A telecommunications contractor license is not required for a licensed
specialty electrical contractor to perform telecommunications installations or maintenance integral to the
equipment or occupancy limitations of their electrical specialty. A telecommunications contractor license
is not required for persons making telecommunications installations or performing telecommunications
maintenance on their own property or for regularly employed employees working on the premises of their
employer, unless on:
(a) A new building intended for rent, sale, or lease; or
(b) Property offered for sale within 12 months after obtaining the property.
(2) Application for a telecommunications contractor license shall be made in writing to the department
accompanied by the required fee. The applications shall state:
(a) The name and address of the applicant. In the case of firms or partnerships, the applications shall state
the names of the individuals composing the firm or partnership. In the case of corporations, the
applications shall state the names of the corporation's managing officials;
(b) The location of the place of business of the applicant and the name under which the business is
conducted;
(c) The employer social security number or tax identification number.
(d) Evidence of workers' compensation coverage for the applicant's employees working in Washington, as
follows:
(i) The applicant's industrial insurance account number issued by the department.
(ii) The applicant's self-insurer number issued by the department; or
(iii) For applicants domiciled in a state or province of Canada subject to an agreement entered into under
RCW 51.12.120(7), as permitted by the agreement, filing a certificate of coverage issued by the agency
that administers the workers' compensation law in the applicant's state or province of domicile certifying
that the applicant has secured the payment of compensation under the other state's or province's workers'
compensation law;
(e) The employment security department number; and
(f) The state excise tax registration number.
(3) The unified business identifier account number may be substituted for the information required by
subsection (2)(d), (e), and (f) of this section if the applicant will not employ employees in Washington.
(4) The department may verify the workers' compensation coverage information provided by the applicant
under subsection (2)(d) of this section including, but not limited to, information regarding the coverage of
an individual employee of the applicant. If coverage is provided under the laws of another state, the
department may notify the other state that the applicant is employing employees in Washington.
(5) To obtain a telecommunications contractor license the applicant must designate an individual who
currently possesses a telecommunications administrator certificate. To obtain an administrator's certificate
an individual must pass an examination as set forth in this chapter. Examination criteria will be
determined by the board.
(6) No examination may be required of any applicant for an initial telecommunications administrator
certificate qualifying under this section. Applicants qualifying under this section shall be issued an
administrator certificate by the department upon making an application and paying the required fee.
Individuals must apply before July 1, 2001, to qualify for an administrator certificate without examination
under this section. The board shall certify to the department the names of all persons entitled to this
administrator certificate.
Prior to July 1, 2001, bona fide registered contractors under chapter 18.27 RCW engaged in the business
of installing or maintaining telecommunications wiring in this state on or before June 8, 2000, may
designate the following number of persons to receive a telecommunications administrator certificate
without examination:
(a) One owner or officer of a contractor, registered under chapter 18.27 RCW on or before June 8, 2000,
currently engaged in the business of installing telecommunications wiring.
(b) One employee, principal, or officer, with a minimum of two years experience performing
telecommunications installations, per registered telecommunications contractor; and
(c) One employee for each one hundred employees, or fraction thereof, with a minimum of two years
experience performing telecommunications installations.
(7) The application for a contractor license shall be accompanied by a bond in the sum of four thousand
dollars with the state of Washington named as obligee in the bond, with good and sufficient surety, to be
approved by the department. The bond shall at all times be kept in full force and effect, and any
cancellation or revocation thereof, or withdrawal of the surety therefrom, suspends the license issued to
the principal until a new bond has been filed and approved as provided in this section. Upon approval of a
bond, the department shall, on the next business day, deposit the fee accompanying the application in the
electrical license fund and shall file the bond in the office. The department shall, upon request, furnish to
any person, firm, partnership, corporation, or other entity a certified copy of the bond upon the payment
of a fee that the department shall set by rule. The fee shall cover but not exceed the cost of furnishing the
certified copy. The bond shall be conditioned that the principal will pay for all labor, including employee
benefits, and material furnished or used upon the work, taxes and contributions to the state of
Washington, and all damages that may be sustained by any person, firm, partnership, corporation, or other
entity due to a failure of the principal to make the installation or maintenance in accordance with this
chapter. In lieu of the surety bond required by this section the applicant may file with the department a
cash deposit or other negotiable security acceptable to the department. If the applicant has filed a cash
deposit, the department shall deposit the funds in a special trust savings account in a commercial bank,
mutual savings bank, or savings and loan association and shall pay annually to the depositor the interest
derived from the account.
(8) Any person, firm, or corporation sustaining any damage or injury by reason of the principal's breach
of the conditions of the bond required under this section may bring an action against the surety named
therein, joining in the action the principal named in the bond; the action shall be brought in the superior
court of any county in which the principal on the bond resides or transacts business, or in the county in
which the work was performed as a result of which the breach is alleged to have occurred; the action shall
be maintained and prosecuted as other civil actions. Claims or actions against the surety on the bond shall
be paid in full in the following order of priority: (a) Labor, including employee benefits, (b) materials and
equipment used upon such work, (c) taxes and contributions due to the state, (d) damages sustained by
any person, firm, or corporation due to the failure of the principal to make the installation in accordance
with this chapter, or any ordinance, building code, or regulation applicable thereto. However, the total
liability of the surety on any bond may not exceed the sum of four thousand dollars, and the surety on the
bond may not be liable for monetary penalties. Any action shall be brought within one year from the
completion of the work in the performance of which the breach is alleged to have occurred. The surety
shall mail a conformed copy of the judgment against the bond to the department within seven days. In the
event that a cash or securities deposit has been made in lieu of the surety bond, and in the event of a
judgment being entered against the depositor and deposit, the director shall upon receipt of a certified
copy of a final judgment, pay the judgment from the deposit.
(9) The department shall issue a telecommunications contractor license to applicants meeting all of the
requirements of this chapter applicable to electrical and telecommunications installations. The provisions
of this chapter relating to the licensing of any person, firm, partnership, corporation, or other entity
including the requirement of a bond with the state of Washington named as obligee and the collection of a
fee for that bond, are exclusive, and no political subdivision of the state of Washington may require or
issue any licenses or bonds or charge any fee for the same or a similar purpose.
RCW 19.28.430 Administrator's examination—Certificate—Administrator's requirements.
(1) Each applicant for a telecommunications contractor license shall designate a supervisory employee or
member of the firm to take the administrator's examination. This person shall be designated as
administrator under the contractor's license and must be a full-time supervisory employee of the applicant.
No person may qualify as administrator for more than one contractor. If the relationship of the
administrator with the telecommunications contractor is terminated, the contractor's license is void within
ninety days unless another administrator is qualified by the board. However, if the administrator dies, the
contractor's license is void within one hundred eighty days unless another administrator is qualified by the
board.
(2) A certificate issued under this section is valid for two years from the nearest birthdate of the
administrator, unless revoked or suspended, and is nontransferable. The certificate may be renewed for a
two-year period without examination by appropriate application unless the certificate has been revoked,
suspended, or not renewed within ninety days after the expiration date. If the certificate is not renewed
before the expiration date, the individual shall pay twice the usual fee. A person may take the
administrator's test as many times as necessary to pass, without limit.
(3) The administrator shall:
(a) Be a member of the firm or a supervisory employee and shall be available during working hours to
carry out the duties of an administrator under this section;
(b) Ensure that all telecommunications work complies with the telecommunication[s] installation laws
and rules;
(c) Ensure proper permits are required and inspections made;
(d) See that corrective notices issued by an inspecting authority are complied with; and
(e) Notify the department in writing within ten days if the administrator relationship is terminated with
the telecommunications contractor.

RCW 19.28.440 Examination for telecommunications administrators' certificates.

It is the purpose and function of the board to establish and administer written examinations for
telecommunications administrators' certificates. Examinations shall be designed to reasonably ensure that
telecommunications administrators' certificate holders are competent to engage in and supervise the work
regulated under this subchapter and their respective licenses. The examinations shall include questions to
assure proper safety and protection for the general public. The department, with the consent of the board,
is permitted to enter into a contract with a professional testing agency to develop, administer, and score
these examinations. The fee for the examination may be set by the department in its contract with the
professional testing agency. The department may direct that the applicant pay the fee to the professional
testing agency. The fee shall cover but not exceed the costs of preparing and administering the
examination.
RCW 19.28.450 Local enforcement of subchapter—Enforcement of chapter.
(1) The director and the officials of all incorporated cities and towns where electrical inspections are
required by local ordinances, allowed by RCW 19.28.141, may require by local ordinance the
enforcement of this subchapter in their respective jurisdictions. If an incorporated city or town elects to
enforce this subchapter, the city or town has the power and shall enforce the provisions of this subchapter.
(2) The director, through the chief electrical inspector and other inspectors appointed under RCW
19.28.321, shall enforce this chapter. Compliance enforcement may be performed by contractor
compliance inspectors appointed under chapter 18.27 RCW. The expenses of the director and the salaries
and expenses of state inspectors incurred in carrying out the provisions of this chapter shall be paid
entirely out of the electrical license fund, on vouchers approved by the director.

RCW 19.28.460 Disputes regarding local regulations—Arbitration—Panel.

Disputes arising under this chapter regarding whether any city or town's telecommunications rules,
regulations, or ordinances are equal to the rules adopted by the department shall be resolved by
arbitration. The department shall appoint two members of the board to serve on the arbitration panel, and
the city or town shall appoint two persons to serve on the arbitration panel. These four persons shall
choose a fifth person to serve. If the four persons cannot agree on a fifth person, the presiding judge of the
superior court of the county in which the city or town is located shall choose a fifth person. A decision of
the arbitration panel may be appealed to the superior court of the county in which the city or town is
located within thirty days after the date the panel issues its final decision.

RCW 19.28.470 Inspections—Report—Required repairs/changes—Accessibility of

telecommunications systems.
(1) The director shall require permits and require an inspector to inspect all installations of
telecommunications systems on the customer side of the network demarcation point for projects greater
than ten outlets. However:
(a) All projects penetrating fire barriers, passing through hazardous locations and all backbone
installations regardless of size shall be inspected;
(b) All installations in single-family residences, duplex residences, and horizontal cabling systems within
apartment residential units, including cooperatives and condominiums, do not require permits or
inspections;
(c) No permits or inspections may be required for installation or replacement of cord and plug connected
telecommunications equipment or for patch cord and jumper cross-connected equipment;
(d) The chief electrical inspector may allow a building owner or licensed electrical/telecommunications
contractor to apply for annual permitting and regularly scheduled inspection of telecommunications
installations made by licensed electrical/telecommunications contractors or the building owner for large
commercial and industrial installations where:
(i) The building owner or licensed electrical/telecommunications contractor has a full-time
telecommunications maintenance staff or a yearly maintenance contract with a licensed
electrical/telecommunications contractor;
(ii) The permit is purchased before beginning any telecommunications work; and
(iii) The building owner or licensed electrical/telecommunications contractor assumes responsibility for
correcting all installation deficiencies.
(2) Upon request, the department shall make the required inspection within forty-eight hours. The forty-
eight hour period excludes holidays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
(3) A written report of the inspection, which plainly and clearly states any corrections or changes
required, shall be made by the inspector. A copy of the report shall be furnished to the person or entity
doing the installation work, and a copy shall be filed by the department.
(4) Whenever the installation of any telecommunications cabling and associated hardware is not in
accordance with this chapter, or is in such a condition as to be dangerous to life or property, the person,
firm, partnership, corporation, or other entity owning, using, or operating it shall be notified by the
department and shall within fifteen working days, or such further reasonable time as may upon request be
granted, make such repairs and changes as are required to remove the danger to life or property and to
make it conform to this chapter. The director, through the inspector, is empowered to disconnect or order
the discontinuance of the telecommunications cabling or electrical service to conductors or equipment
that are found to be in a dangerous or unsafe condition and not in accordance with this chapter. Upon
making a disconnection, the inspector shall attach a notice stating that the conductors have been found
dangerous to life or property and are not in accordance with this chapter. It is unlawful for any person to
reconnect such defective conductors or equipment without the approval of the department, and until the
conductors and equipment have been placed in a safe and secure condition that complies with this
chapter.
(5) The director, through the electrical inspector, has the right during reasonable hours to enter into and
upon any building or premises in the discharge of his or her official duties related to permitting activities
for the purpose of making any inspection or test of the installation of new or altered telecommunications
systems contained in or on the buildings or premises. No telecommunications cabling subject to this
chapter may be concealed until it has been approved by the inspector making the inspection. At the time
of the inspection, wiring or equipment subject to this chapter must be sufficiently accessible to permit the
inspector to verify installation conformance with the adopted codes and any other requirements of this
chapter.

RCW 19.28.480 Unlawful acts—Interpretation of chapter.

(1) It is unlawful for any person, firm, partnership, corporation, or other entity to install or maintain any
telecommunications cabling and associated hardware in violation of this chapter. When the interpretation
and application of the installation or maintenance standards provided for in this chapter are in dispute or
in doubt, the board shall, upon application of any interested person, firm, partnership, corporation, or
other entity, determine the methods of installation or maintenance of the cabling materials and hardware
to be used in the case submitted for its decision.
(2) Any person, firm, partnership, corporation, or other entity desiring a decision of the board under this
section shall, in writing, notify the director of such desire and shall accompany the notice with a certified
check payable to the department in the sum of two hundred dollars. The notice shall specify the ruling or
interpretation desired and the contention of the person, firm, partnership, corporation, or other entity as to
the proper interpretation or application on the question on which a decision is desired. If the board
determines that the contention of the applicant for a decision was proper, the two hundred dollars shall be
returned to the applicant; otherwise it shall be used in paying the expenses and per diem of the members
of the board in connection with the matter. Any portion of the two hundred dollars not used in paying the
per diem and expenses of the board in the case shall be paid into the electrical license fund.

RCW 19.28.490 Violation of chapter—Penalty—Appeal.

Any person, firm, partnership, corporation, or other entity violating any of the provisions of this chapter
may be assessed a penalty of not less than one hundred dollars or more than ten thousand dollars per
violation. The department, after consulting with the board and receiving the board's recommendations,
shall set by rule a schedule of penalties for violating this chapter. The department shall notify the person,
firm, partnership, corporation, or other entity violating any of these provisions of the amount of the
penalty and of the specific violation. The notice shall be sent using a method by which the mailing can be
tracked or the delivery can be confirmed to the last known address of the assessed party. Penalties are
subject to review by an appeal to the board. The filing of an appeal stays the effect of the penalty until the
board makes its decision. The appeal shall be filed within twenty days after notice of the penalty is given
to the assessed party, and shall be made by filing a written notice of appeal with the department. The
notice shall be accompanied by a certified check for two hundred dollars or ten percent of the penalty
amount, whichever is less, but in no event less than one hundred dollars. The check shall be returned to
the assessed party if the decision of the department is not sustained by the board. If the board sustains the
decision of the department, the amount of the check shall be applied by the department to the payment of
the per diem and expenses of the members of the board incurred in the matter, and any balance remaining
after payment of per diem and expenses shall be paid into the electrical license fund. The hearing and
review procedures shall be conducted in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW. The board shall assign its
hearings to an administrative law judge to conduct the hearing and issue a proposed decision and order.
The board shall be allowed a minimum of twenty days to review a proposed decision and shall issue its
decision no later than the next regularly scheduled board meeting.

RCW 19.28.501 Insurance/financial responsibility.

(1) At the time of licensing and subsequent relicensing, the applicant shall furnish insurance or financial
responsibility in the form of an assigned account in the amount of twenty thousand dollars for injury or
damages to property, fifty thousand dollars for injury or damage including death to any one person, and
one hundred thousand dollars for injury or damage including death to more than one person, or financial
responsibility to satisfy these amounts.
(2) Failure to maintain insurance or financial responsibility relative to the contractor's activities is cause to
suspend or deny the contractor's license.
(3)(a) Proof of financial responsibility authorized in this section may be given by providing, in the
amount required by subsection (1) of this section, an assigned account acceptable to the department. The
assigned account shall be held by the department to satisfy any execution on a judgment issued against
the contractor for damage to property or injury or death to any person occurring in the contractor's
contracting operation, according to the provisions of the assigned account agreement. The department
shall have no liability for payment in excess of the amount of the assigned account.
(b) The assigned account filed with the director as proof of financial responsibility shall be canceled three
years after:
(i) The contractor's license has expired or been revoked;
(ii) The contractor has furnished proof of insurance as required by subsection (1) of this section; or
(iii) No legal action has been instituted against the contractor or on the account at the end of the three-
year period.
(c) If a contractor chooses to file an assigned account as authorized in this section, the contractor shall, on
a contracting project, notify each person with whom the contractor enters into a contract or to whom the
contractor submits a bid, that the contractor has filed an assigned account in lieu of insurance and that
recovery from the account for any claim against the contractor for property damage or personal injury or
death occurring on the project requires the claimant to obtain a court judgment.

RCW 19.28.511 Individual certification not required.

Individual worker certification is not required for work under this subchapter. This subchapter does not
preclude any person performing telecommunications work from obtaining a limited energy credit towards
an electrical certificate of competency if they otherwise meet the certification requirements under this
chapter that are applicable to electrical installations.

RCW 19.28.521 Limitation of action—Proof of valid license required.

No person, firm, or corporation engaging in or conducting or carrying on the business of
telecommunications installation shall be entitled to commence or maintain any suit or action in any court
of this state pertaining to any such work or business, without alleging and proving that such person, firm
or corporation held, at the time of commencing and performing such work, an unexpired, unrevoked, and
unsuspended license issued under this subchapter; and no city or town requiring by ordinance or
regulation a permit for inspection or installation of such telecommunications installation work, shall issue
such permit to any person, firm or corporation not holding such license.

RCW 19.28.531 Unlawful installation/maintenance—Disputed interpretation—Board to determine

methods.
It is unlawful for any person, firm, partnership, corporation, or other entity to install or maintain
telecommunications equipment not in accordance with this subchapter. In cases where the interpretation
and application of the installation or maintenance standards under this subchapter are in dispute or in
doubt, the board shall, upon application of any interested person, firm, partnership, corporation, or other
entity, determine the methods of installation or maintenance or the materials, devices, appliances, or
equipment to be used in the particular case submitted for its decision.

RCW 19.28.541 Entity desiring board decision—Process.

Any person, firm, partnership, corporation, or other entity desiring a decision of the board pursuant to
RCW 19.28.531 shall, in writing, notify the director of such desire and shall accompany the notice with a
certified check payable to the department in the sum of two hundred dollars. The notice shall specify the
ruling or interpretation desired and the contention of the person, firm, partnership, corporation, or other
entity as to the proper interpretation or application on the question on which a decision is desired. If the
board determines that the contention of the applicant for a decision was proper, the two hundred dollars
shall be returned to the applicant; otherwise it shall be used in paying the expenses and per diem of the
members of the board in connection with the matter. Any portion of the two hundred dollars not used in
paying the per diem and expenses of the board in the case shall be paid into the electrical license fund.

RCW 19.28.551 Director's authority—Adoption of rules.

(1) The director may adopt rules, make specific decisions, orders, and rulings, including demands and
findings, and take other necessary action for the implementation and enforcement of this subchapter after
consultation with the board and receiving the board's recommendations. In the administration of this
subchapter the department shall not enter any controversy arising over work assignments with respect to
the trades involved in the construction industry.
(2) Compliance with the rules adopted under subsection (1) of this section is prima facie evidence of
compliance with the subchapter. Copies of all rules shall be maintained by the department and made
available upon request.

RCW 19.28.910 Effective date—1963 c 207.

This act shall take effect on July 1, 1963.