FINAL BILL REPORT

                  HB 1757

                         C 192 L 93

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Requiring continuing education for electricians.

By Representatives Heavey, Veloria, Brumsickle, Lisk and King.

House Committee on Commerce & Labor

Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce

Background:  A person working as an electrician must have a certificate issued by the Department of Labor and Industries, unless the specific work is exempted from the certification requirement.

The department issues a certificate of competency to qualified applicants who pass an examination administered by the department.  The certificate expires every two years,  but, is renewed without examination upon application and the payment of a fee.  Reexamination may be required if the certificate has been revoked, suspended, or not renewed within 90 days after the expiration date.  There is no requirement of continuing education for certified electricians.

Summary:  In order to renew a journeyman or specialty electrician certificate of competency, the certificate holder must demonstrate to the department that he or she has satisfactorily completed an annual eight-hour continuing education course.  The contents and requirements of the course shall be determined by the director and approved by the electrical board.  The certificate shall be renewed every three years.

A continuing education course offered in another state may meet the requirements for renewing a certificate if the department is satisfied that the course is comparable in nature to the course required in Washington.  

Votes on Final Passage:

House  92 5

Senate 46 2

Effective:  July 25, 1993