Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Labor & Workplace Standards Committee
HB 1831
Brief Description: Concerning installation, maintenance, and related certification requirements for electric vehicle support equipment.
Sponsors: Representatives Bronoske, Berry, Macri and Ramel.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Requires certification under an electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure training program for certain work on EV supply equipment.
Hearing Date: 1/18/22
Staff: Lily Smith (786-7175).
Background:

The regulatory scheme for electricians consists of licensure for electrical contractors and certification for electricians, both administered by the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I).  Anyone who works in the electrical construction trade must be certified as a journey level or specialty electrician. There are several specialty electrician certifications available, with limited scopes of work. After a specified amount of work experience and passing the relevant exam, either journey level or specialty electricians may become a certified master electrician. 
Summary of Bill:

Certain installation and maintenance work on electric vehicle (EV) supply equipment is exempted from the scope of work permitted for master, journey level, or specialty electricians.  This work may only be done with at least one electrician present that is certified under an EV infrastructure training program to be specified by L&I in rule.  Where installation of the EV supply equipment includes a charging port intended to supply 25 kilowatts or more, at least 25 percent of the electricians present must be certified under the training program. 

 

Exemptions under the existing electrical contractor licensing and certification requirements do not apply to this work.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 11, 2022.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.