- There are no prerequisites for the administrator exam. A journey level master electrician must first be certified as a general journey level electrician for at least 4 years, or 2 years for a specialty master. The journey level (01) electrician exam needs 8,000 hours of work experience and 96 hours of basic classroom instruction.
- Plan for a trade exam.
- A $4,000 electrical contractor surety bond, or an assignment of savings account.
- The contractor license must be renewed every 2 years. Master electrician certificates renew every 3 years on your birthdate, with 24 hours of approved continuing education, including at least 8 hours of code update and 4 hours of RCW/WAC review.
Do you need a state license in Washington?
Washington licenses electrical work at the state level through the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I), Electrical Program. Below is what the board asks for, in the order you will run into it.
Washington license types for electrical work
Washington splits the work into 4 licenses. Pick the one that matches the jobs you take, since working outside its scope is the same as working without one.
| License | What it covers |
|---|---|
| General electrical (01) contractor | All types of electrical and telecommunications installations |
| Specialty electrical contractor | Work in one category only, such as residential, pump and irrigation, limited energy system or signs |
| General electrical administrator (AD01) | Can be assigned to one general electrical contractor or any specialty contractor; not certified to do hands-on work |
| Master electrician | Can do hands-on work and also act as the contractor's administrator |
Steps to get licensed in Washington
- Get a UBI number from the Department of Revenue or the Secretary of State.
- Pass the administrator exam with PSI, or become a master electrician after 4 years as a certified journey level electrician.
- Send your passing score reports and fee to L&I within 90 days of your last passing score.
- Buy a $4,000 electrical contractor bond, and open a workers' comp account if you will hire.
- Mail the Application for Electrical or Telecommunications Contractor License (F500-018-000) and assign your administrator or master with form F503-009-000.
- Renew the contractor license every 2 years.
Experience and other requirements
Experience. There are no prerequisites for the administrator exam. A journey level master electrician must first be certified as a general journey level electrician for at least 4 years, or 2 years for a specialty master. The journey level (01) electrician exam needs 8,000 hours of work experience and 96 hours of basic classroom instruction.
The license to apply for. Electrical contractor license (general 01 or specialty), with an assigned administrator or master electrician.
Washington electrical exams
Trade exam. Yes. Administrator and master electrician exams are given by PSI at its testing centers. You must pass all sections within 1 year and send the scores and fee to L&I within 90 days.
Business and law exam. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
What it costs in Washington
The board lists 5 fees along the way. These are the state's own numbers. Insurance, any bond, exam prep and your business registration come on top.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Contractor license, 24 months, in person or by mail | $353.90 |
| Contractor license renewal done online | $306.20 |
| Electrical administrator original certificate | $160.00 |
| Master electrician exam application (includes certificate) | $204.60 |
| Master electrician or administrator renewal, in person or by mail | $202.20 |
Insurance and bond
Insurance. L&I encourages but does not require general liability insurance for electrical contractors. You need a workers' compensation account if the business hires employees.
Bond. A $4,000 electrical contractor surety bond, or an assignment of savings account.
Renewal and licenses from other states
Renewal. The contractor license must be renewed every 2 years. Master electrician certificates renew every 3 years on your birthdate, with 24 hours of approved continuing education, including at least 8 hours of code update and 4 hours of RCW/WAC review.
Reciprocity. Washington offers a reciprocal general journey level (01) electrician certificate to some Oregon electricians, generally those whose Oregon general journeyman license came after an 8,000-hour apprenticeship with at least 576 classroom hours.
Good to know in Washington
- The state electrical contractor license and bond are exclusive. Cities and counties may not require their own license or bond for the same purpose.
- If the business also does non-electrical work, it may also need to register as a construction contractor.
- All electrical work must be done by properly certified electricians.
After you are licensed
The license lets you take the work. Getting the work is the next job.
- Register the business. If you work under a name other than your own, register it where your state asks (often the Secretary of State, sometimes the county), and keep the name the same on your license, your truck and your invoices.
- Claim your Google Business Profile. It is the listing people see when they search for an electrician near them. Fill in your service area, hours and real photos of your work.
- Put up a website that shows the license. Customers look for it before they call. Koira builds a contractor website for you and keeps it current.
- See where you stand. The free Koira report checks how your business shows up in search and on maps against shops near you.
Where this comes from
Every fact on this page comes from the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I), Electrical Program and the official pages below, checked October 8, 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the board before you file.
More for your trade: how electrical contractors run on Koira.