Fortunately, the path to becoming an electrician in Washington state is not too complicated. There’s a lot of experience and on-site training needed, but it’s not quite the same commitment as something like going to medical school. Electric services are a big deal, though – we can’t just let anybody in!
For starters, a general electrician license (01) covers all types of electrical construction work, from simple maintenance to complex installation. People who pursue these come mostly from one of two fields – either as a trainee or from out-of-state.
Getting certified as a trainee
Before getting any license or certificate, you need to meet the minimum requirements for qualifying in Washington state, as defined by WAC 296-46B-945. Then, you need to have the necessary prior experience. What that means is:
- 8,000 hours working under the supervision of a certified electrician (4,000 of which must be done so on a commercial or industrial installation project)
- 96 hours of classroom instruction
Following that, you need to take your electrician exam. To do so, you need to apply and receive approval from the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). Then you can schedule your exam.
Should you pass, then you can pursue and get certified within other specialties – see examples below.
Getting certified as an out-of-state electrician
You may be coming into Washington state with out-of-state electrical experience. The most important part of this process is submitting the proper documentation that proves your previous work (as required by RCW 19.28.191).
This paperwork should include the time frame of your work, the type of work you did, and how many hours you completed. Also, most importantly, this letter needs to be notarized.
In addition, you need to submit a copy of your electricrian license for where you previously worked. You are required to also turn in proof of payroll (paystubs or payroll summary will do).
What do you do once you have your license?
There are many types of jobs for electricians. Fortunately, now is as good a time as any to be a qualified and licensed electrician. The job market in Washington state has been on the rise, especially with the recent shortages in skilled labor.
At Prairie Electric, we are always looking for skilled electricians to join our team. We promise a career that will expand your skill-set and always keep you fresh and stimulated.
To learn more, visit our Careers page.
Specialities in Electrical Construction
Once you have your license, you could consider specializing. There are multiple electrician specialties available, including:
- Residential (02)
- Pump and irrigation (03).
- Signs (04).
- Limited energy system (06).
- HVAC/refrigeration system (06A).
- Nonresidential maintenance (07)
- Domestic well (3A)
- HVAC/refrigeration – restricted (6B)
- Nonresidential lighting maintenance and lighting retrofit (7A)
- Residential maintenance (7B)
- Restricted nonresidential maintenance (7C)
- Appliance repair (7D)
- Equipment repair (7E)
- Door, gate, and similar systems (10)
Learn more about these specialties and their requirements.
Being an electrician is a very rewarding career with seemingly unlimited applications, career types, and specialties. If you’re interested in working with Prairie Electric, we’re always hiring for our residential, commercial, and industrial projects in Washington and Oregon.
