Original Notice.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 10-19-112.

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Chapter 296-46B WAC, Electrical safety standards, administration, and installation.

     Hearing Location(s): Department of Labor and Industries, 7273 Linderson Way S.W., Room S117, Tumwater, WA 98501, on April 26, 2011, at 9:00 a.m.

     Date of Intended Adoption: May 17, 2011.

     Submit Written Comments to: Sally Elliott, P.O. Box 44400, Olympia, WA 98504-4400, e-mail yous235@lni.wa.gov, fax (360) 902-5292, by 5:00 p.m. on April 26, 2011.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Sally Elliott by April 12, 2011, at yous235@lni.wa.gov or (360) 902-6411.

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: Chapter 33, Laws of 2010 (SHB 2546), which passed the 2010 legislature, requires the program to conduct rule making regarding electrical trainees. SHB 2546 increases the classroom education hours required for an electrical trainee to renew their electrical training certificate. The department needs to adopt rules implementing SHB 2546 by July 1, 2011.

     Reasons Supporting Proposal: See Purpose above.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: Chapter 19.28 RCW and chapter 33, Laws of 2010 (SHB 2546).

     Statute Being Implemented: Chapter 19.28 RCW.

     Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

     Name of Proponent: Department of labor and industries, governmental.

     Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Ron Fuller, Tumwater, Washington, (360) 902-5249; Implementation and Enforcement: Steve McLain, Tumwater, Washington, (360) 902-6348.

     No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. This rule is specifically exempt from the small business economic impact statement requirement because the proposed changes are required to reflect Washington state statutes (see RCW 34.05.328 (5)(b)(iii)).

     A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. This rule is specifically exempt from the cost-benefit analysis requirement because the proposed changes are required to reflect Washington state statutes (see RCW 34.05.310 (4)(c)).

March 22, 2011

Judy Schurke

Director

OTS-3842.2

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 09-20-032, filed 9/29/09, effective 10/31/09)

WAC 296-46B-970   Continuing education and classroom education requirements.   ((General requirements - continuing education classes requirements for administrator, master electrician, and electrician renewal.))

     (1) DEFINITIONS - for purposes of this section.

     (a) "Applicant" means the entity submitting an application for review.

     (b) "Application" means a submittal made by an applicant seeking instructor or class approval.

     (c) "Calendar day" means each day of the week, including weekends and holidays.

     (d) "Class" means continuing education class or course.

     (e) "Contractor" means the entity who has contracted with the department to review and approve/deny continuing education classes and instructors.

     (f) "Date of notification" means the date of a request for additional information from the contractor or the approval/denial letter sent to the applicant by the contractor.

     (g) "Individual" means an administrator or electrician seeking credit for continuing education.

     (h) "Instructor" means an individual who is authorized to instruct an approved continuing education class.

     (i) "Working day" means Monday through Friday, excluding state of Washington holidays.

     (2) GENERAL.

     (a) The department and the electrical board have the right to monitor all approved classes without notice and at no charge.

     If the department or electrical board determines that the class or instructor does not meet or exceed the minimum requirements for approval or course length or instructor qualifications, the department may revoke the class or instructor approval and reduce the number of credited hours for the class.

     (b) Department-offered classes and the instructors used for those classes are automatically approved and do not need to be sent to the contractor for review.

     (c) Instructors who meet the minimum requirements using subsection (5)(b)(i)(D) of this section may only instruct classes sponsored by the manufacturer(s) who verified the instructors' qualifications under subsection (5)(b)(i)(D) of this section.

     (d) An individual will not be given credit for the same approved continuing education class taken more than once. A course sponsor may not submit an individual's name on a roster(s) for multiple classes (i.e., multiple class numbers) when the classes are given simultaneously (e.g., code update, industry related, and/or basic electrical classroom training class that have similar class content given during the same class session). No credit will be granted for any class not approved per this section.

     (e) Telecommunications administrators do not require continuing educations.

     (f) Other administrators, master electricians, and electricians:

     (i) To be eligible for renewal of an administrator certificate, master electrician or electrician certificate of competency, the individual must have completed at least eight hours of approved continuing education for each year of the prior certification period. The individual is not required to take the classes in separate years.

     (A) At least eight hours of the total required continuing education must be on the changes in the 2008 National Electrical Code. For certificate renewal, "currently adopted" means a valid course approved as code update by the department and taken by the applicant since their last renewal date.

     (B) Four hours of the required continuing education must be on the currently adopted chapter 19.28 RCW and its related WAC(s).

     (ii) An individual changing an electrical administrator and an electrician certificate of competency into a master electrician's certificate of competency as allowed in RCW 19.28.191 (1)(a) or (b) must have completed at least eight hours of approved continuing education for each year of the prior electrician certificate period. The individual is not required to take the classes in separate years.

     (A) Eight hours of the required continuing education must be on the changes in the currently adopted National Electrical Code. For certificate renewal, "currently adopted" means a valid course approved as code update by the department and taken by the applicant since their last renewal date.

     (B) Four hours of the required continuing education must be on the currently adopted chapter 19.28 RCW and its related WAC(s).

     (iii) Any portion of a year of a prior administrator or electrician certificate period is equal to one year for the purposes of the required continuing educations.

     (iv) An individual who has both an electrician certificate and an administrator certification may use the same class to fulfill the requirements for continuing education.

     (g) Training certificates:

     (i) To be eligible for renewal of a training certificate, the individual must have completed:

     (A) Effective July 1, 2011, at least ((sixteen)) thirty-two hours of approved basic classroom electrical training classes and effective July 1, 2013, at least forty-eight hours of approved electrical training classes. The individual cannot use a basic classroom electrical training class as credit for the continuing education requirements for renewing an electrician or administrator certificate(s) when the class is also used to satisfy the training certificate renewal requirements; or

     (B) Equivalent electrical training ((courses)) classes taken as a part of an approved:

     • Apprenticeship program under chapter 49.04 RCW; or

     • Electrical training program under RCW 19.28.191 (1)(h).

     Equivalent classes must be submitted to and approved by the chief electrical inspector.

     (ii) Note that only trainees seeking experience credit in the pump and irrigation (03) or domestic pumping (03A) specialties may take pumping industry basic classroom training classes;

     In addition, trainees working in the pump and irrigation (03) or domestic pump (03A) specialties may be credited for courses approved as a part of the requirements for plumber trainees required in RCW 18.106.070(5).

     (h) A continuing education class attended or completed by an individual before the class's effective date cannot be used to meet the certificate renewal requirements.

     (i) If neither the electrical board nor the department has a contract in effect as described in this section, the department may, at its option, elect to act as the contractor. If a contractor is not in place and the department elects not to act as the contractor, the electrical board will act as the contractor. If either the electrical board or the department acts as the contractor, the following will apply:

     (i) The fee for class or instructor submittal is as set in WAC 296-46B-909.

     (ii) The electrical board or the department will:

     (A) Review the application for completeness within fifteen working days after receipt.

     (B) If the application is incomplete, notify the applicant within seven working days of the status of the review and what additional information is required.

     (C) Complete the review and approval/denial process within fifteen working days upon receipt of a complete application or additional requested information.

     (iii) An appeal of a denial by the department will be heard by the full electrical board in accordance with WAC 296-46B-995.

     (3) CLASS AND INSTRUCTOR - GENERAL APPROVAL PROCESS.

     (a) The contractor will review submitted class and instructor applications to determine whether the application meets the minimum requirements for approval.

     (b) The contractor will deny approval of applications that do not meet the minimum requirements.

     (c) All applications will be considered to be new applications (i.e., Classes and instructors may not be renewed. All applications must include all information necessary to show conformance with the minimum requirements).

     (d) Minimum requirements:

     (i) Application review fees:

     (A) The contractor may charge a fee for review of an application. Such fees, paid by the applicant, are nonrefundable.

     (B) The fee will be as set by contractor between the department and the contractor.

     (C) The fee will be set for a minimum of one year.

     (D) Upon mutual agreement between the department and the contractor, the fee may be raised or lowered.

     (ii) Application:

     (A) The applicant must submit a complete application to the contractor at least thirty calendar days prior to offering or instructing a class.

     (B) The contractor will only consider material included with the application when reviewing an application.

     (C) All applications will consist of:

     • One copy of all material;

     • Applicant's name, address, contact name, and telephone number;

     • All required fees;

     • Any other information the applicant wants to consider during the review; and

     • Class applications will include:

     – Sponsor's name, address, contact name, and telephone number;

     – Class title;

     – Number of continuing education hours requested for the class;

     – Category of class for which approval is sought (i.e., code update, RCW/WAC update, industry related, basic classroom electrical training, pumping industry, or pumping industry basic classroom training);

     – Any required examinations;

     – Statement of whether the class is open to the public;

     – Class syllabus (e.g., general description of the training, specific NEC articles referenced, time allowed for various subject matter, etc.). Note that for all pumping industry classes, curriculum must include fifty percent electrical and fifty percent plumbing instruction;

     – List of resources (e.g., texts, references, etc.);

     – Copies of all visual aids;

     – Sample of the completion certificate.

     • Instructor application will include:

     – Instructor's name, address, telephone number;

     – Copies of credentials or other information showing conformance with the instructor minimum qualifications.

     • The sponsor of a distance learning (i.e., correspondence and internet classes) class will provide the following information with the application:

     – How will the sponsor provide an orientation session with the instructor or an affiliated representative of the sponsor.

     – The application must include a complete description of any hardware, software, or other technology to be used by the provider and needed by the student to effectively engage in the delivery and completion of the class material. Provide an assessment of the availability and adequacy of the equipment, software, or other technologies. In the case of computer-based instruction, describe how the class software addresses automatic shutdown after a period of inactivity.

     – How will the sponsor provide security to ensure that the student who receives credit for the class is the student who enrolled in and completed the class. The approved sponsor and the student must certify that the student has completed the class and the required number of clock hours.

     – The application must describe the process and the acceptable methods of how students can contact approved instructors to answer questions regarding the class.

     – The application must describe the consistent and regular interactive events appropriate to the delivery method. The interactive elements must be designed to promote student involvement in the learning process and must directly support the student's achievement of the class learning objectives.

     – The application must demonstrate that the class includes the same or reasonably similar information content as a course that would otherwise qualify for the requisite number of clock hours of classroom-based instruction.

     – The application must demonstrate how you determined the number of clock hours requested.

     – The application must demonstrate how mastery of the material is provided by: Describing how the material is divided into major learning units and describing how these learning units are divided into modules of instruction, describing how the student's progress toward completion of the mastery requirement will be measured, and describing how the class will provide a mechanism of individual remediation to correct any deficiencies in each module of instruction.

     (e) Contractor's review process:

     (i) When the application is received, the contractor must:

     (A) Date stamp the application;

     (B) Review the application for completeness within seven working days after receipt.

     (ii) If the application is incomplete, the contractor must within two working days notify the applicant of the status of the review and what additional information is required.

     (A) The applicant must provide any additional information requested by the contractor within five working days after the date of notification.

     (B) The contractor will deny the application if the additional required information is not received within the five working days after the date of notification.

     (iii) When the contractor has received a complete application, the contractor must review and evaluate the application for compliance with the minimum requirements.

     The contractor must complete the review and approval/denial process within seven working days upon receipt of a complete application or additional requested information and within two working days notify:

     • The applicant in writing; and

     • The chief electrical inspector in writing and electronically. The contractor's electronic notification to the chief electrical inspector must be made in a format approved by the chief electrical inspector.

     (iv) A notification of denial must include:

     (A) Applicant's name and telephone number;

     (B) Date of denial;

     (C) Sponsor's name and class title if applicable;

     (D) Instructor's name if applicable; and

     (E) The reason for denial.

     (v) A notification of approval:

     (A) For classes must include:

     • Applicant's name and telephone number;

     • Sponsor's name and telephone number;

     • Class title;

     • Class number;

     • Number of hours approved for the class. Note that the contractor may reduce the hours requested in the application if the review shows that the requested number of hours is excessive;

     • Effective date for this class;

     • Expiration date of class;

     • Category for which the class is approved (i.e., code update, RCW/WAC update, industry related, basic classroom electrical training, pumping industry, or pumping industry basic classroom training);

     • Sample of written class roster and attendance sheet;

     • Type of class (i.e., classroom, correspondence, internet); and

     • Whether the class is open to the public.

     (B) For instructors must include:

     • Applicant's name and telephone number;

     • Instructor's name and telephone number;

     • Effective date for the approval; and

     • Expiration date of the approval.

     (vi) Applicant's request for review of the contractor's decision:

     The applicant's may request a review of the contractor's decision to deny or modify an application:

     • All requests for review must be:

     • Made in writing;

     • Received by the chief electrical inspector within twenty calendar days of the contractor's denial; and

     • Accompanied by a review fee of $109.50. The review fee is nonrefundable.

     (4) CLASS APPROVAL PROCESS.

     (a) Class approval will be valid for three years except:

     (i) If the class is "code update" and a new NEC is adopted by the department within the class approval period, the class approval will be considered automatically revoked; or

     (ii) If the class is modified after the application is approved, the class approval will be considered automatically revoked (i.e., change in syllabus, hours, examination, etc.).

     (b) Minimum requirements:

     (i) Class content:

     (A) Industry-related classes must be based on:

     • Codes or rules included in the NEC chapters 19.28 RCW or 296-46B WAC;

     • Electrical theory based on currently published documents that are readily available for retail purchase; and/or

     • Materials and methods that pertain to electrical construction, building management systems, electrical maintenance, or workplace health and safety such as NFPA 70E - Handbook for Electrical Safety in the Workplace. First aid type classes must be approved and will be limited to four hours of credit towards the individual's total continuing education requirement.

     (B) Code update classes must be based on the latest adopted version of the NEC and must specify the NEC articles to be addressed in the class presentation.

     (C) RCW/WAC update classes must be based on the latest adopted versions of chapter 19.28 RCW and/or chapter 296-46B WAC.

     (D) All basic classroom electrical training classes and pumping industry basic classroom training classes must be classroom instruction only and based upon basic electrical theory, use of the NEC, and/or use of the electrical laws and rules. Correspondence and internet classes are not allowed. All basic classroom electrical training classes must include an appropriate written examination to ensure the participant understands the basic concepts of the class. To successfully complete the class, the participant must score at least seventy percent on the examination.

     (E) In addition, for pumping industry classes, curriculum must include fifty percent electrical and fifty percent plumbing instruction.

     (ii) Class length:

     (A) The minimum allowed length of a class is two hours; however, the minimum length for a basic classroom electrical trainee classroom training or pumping industry basic classroom trainee classroom training is eight hours that can be delivered in multiple classroom sessions of not less than two hours each.

     (B) The maximum allowed credit for a class is twenty-four hours.

     (C) Class length must based on two-hour increments (e.g., 2, 4, 6, 8, etc.).

     (D) Class length must be based on the following:

     • Classroom instruction will be based on the total hours the individual is in the classroom. A class may be divided into multiple sections so long as each section is not less than two hours in length and all sections are taken within a one month period.

     • Distance learning (i.e., correspondence and internet classes) will be based on clock hours necessary to complete the class if it was presented in a classroom setting. See the application process in subsection (3)(d)(ii) of this section for distance learning classes for additional information.

     (iii) Certificates of completion:

     (A) The sponsor must award a completion certificate to each individual successfully completing the approved class. To successfully complete a correspondence or internet class, a participant must score at least 70% on the examination required for the class.

     (B) The completion certificate must include the:

     • Name of participant;

     • Participant's Washington certificate number;

     • Name of sponsor;

     • Name of class;

     • Date of class;

     • Name of instructor;

     • Location of the class:

     – If a classroom-type class, the city and state in which the class was given;

     – If a correspondence class, state the class is a correspondence class;

     – If an internet class, state the class is an internet class;

     • Class approval number;

     • Number of continuing units; and

     • Type of continuing education units.

     (iv) Instructors:

     (A) For classroom instruction except first-aid training, all instructors must be approved per this section; and

     (B) For correspondence and internet instruction, the applicant must show that the sponsor regularly employs at least one staff member who meets the requirements for instructors in this section.

     (5) INSTRUCTOR APPROVAL PROCESS:

     (a) Instructor approval will be valid for three years except:

     (i) If the instructor's credentials are invalidated (e.g., suspension or revocation by the issuing entity) for any reason, approval will be automatically revoked.

     (ii) When the instructor approval expires or is revoked, a new application must be submitted to regain approved instructor status.

     (b) Minimum requirements:

     (i) The application must show that the instructor meets one of the following:

     (A) Has a valid Washington administrator, master electrician, or electrician's certificate and has appropriate knowledge of and experience working as an electrical/electronic trainer; or

     (B) Is an instructor in a two-year program in the electrical construction trade licensed by the Washington work force training and education coordinating board. The instructor's normal duties must include providing electrical/electronic education; or

     (C) Is a high school vocational teacher, community college, college, qualified instructor with a state of Washington approved electrical apprenticeship program, or university instructor. The instructor's normal duties must include providing electrical/electronic education; or

     (D) Works for and is approved by a manufacturer of electrical products to teach electrical continuing education.

     (ii) Any other information the applicant wants to be considered during the review.

     (6) FORMS:

     (a) The contractor will:

     Develop an appropriate form(s) for the applicant's use when submitting for instructor or class approval;

     (b) Applicants must use the contractor's form when submitting an application for review.

     (7) PUBLICATIONS:

     The contractor will provide the department with appropriate material for use by the department on the electrical program web site and may post the application process, review, and approval requirements on the contractor's web site.

     (8) CLASS ATTENDANCE:

     (a) The contractor is not responsible for monitoring any individual's attendance or class completion.

     (b) The department is not responsible for providing verification of an individual's continuing education or basic electrical classroom training history with the class sponsor;

     (c) Electrical approved classes offered in Washington:

     (i) The sponsor must provide the department with an accurate course attendance/completion roster for each class given. Class attendance will only be verified based on the attendance/completion roster provided by the sponsor. Completion certificates are not an acceptable method of verifying attendance at a class approved in Washington under this chapter.

     (A) Within seven days of a student completing the class, the course sponsor must provide the attendance/completion roster in an internet format provided by the department.

     (B) The attendance/completion roster must show each individual's name, Washington certificate number, class number, location of class, date of completion, and instructor's name.

     (ii) The sponsor must provide the individual a certificate of completion within fifteen days after successful class completion for the individual's personal records. See subsection (4) of this section.

     (iii) Individuals will not be granted credit for a class unless the sponsor's attendance/completion roster shows the individual successfully completed the class.

     (d) For classes approved under chapter 18.106 RCW for the pumping industry, a class number will be created for electrical continuing education. Sponsors for these classes must verify attendance for the electrical credit using the format described in subsection (c) of this section.

     (9) Contractor requirements:

     (a) The contractor cannot be a sponsor or instructor.

     (b) The contractor cannot be an employee of the department.

     (c) The contractor must:

     (i) Be an independent entity with no organizational, managerial, financial, design, or promotional affiliation with any sponsor or instructor covered under the contractor's review and approval/denial process;

     (ii) Employ at least one staff member having a valid 01-General Administrator or 01-General Master Electrician Certificate. This staff member:

     (A) Is responsible for reviewing and determining an application's approval or denial; and

     (B) Must sign the written notification provided to applicants for all approvals and denials:

     (iii) Receive, review, and process all applications as required in this section;

     (iv) Allow the department access to the contractor's facilities during normal working hours to audit the contractor's ability to conform to the contract requirements;

     (v) Treat all applications as proprietary information;

     (vi) Respond to and attempt to resolve complaints contesting the review or approval/denial process performed by the applicant;

     (vii) Notify the department within ten working days of any change in business status or ability to conform to this section;

     (viii) Maintain one copy, original or electronic, of all applications and associated materials for a period of three years from the date of receipt.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.28.006, 19.28.010, 19.28.031, 19.28.041, 19.28.061, 19.28.101, 19.28.131, 19.28.161, 19.28.171, 19.28.191, 19.28.201, 19.28.211, 19.28.241, 19.28.251, 19.28.281, 19.28.311, 19.28.321, 19.28.400, 19.28.420, 19.28.490, 19.28.551. 09-20-032, § 296-46B-970, filed 9/29/09, effective 10/31/09; 08-24-048, § 296-46B-970, filed 11/25/08, effective 12/31/08; 08-08-084, § 296-46B-970, filed 4/1/08, effective 5/2/08; 06-24-041, § 296-46B-970, filed 11/30/06, effective 12/31/06; 05-10-024, § 296-46B-970, filed 4/26/05, effective 6/30/05. Statutory Authority: Chapter 19.28 RCW. 04-21-086, § 296-46B-970, filed 10/20/04, effective 11/22/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.28.006, 19.28.010, 19.28.031, 19.28.041, 19.28.061, 19.28.101, 19.28.131, 19.28.161, 19.28.171, 19.28.191, 19.28.201, 19.28.211, 19.28.241, 19.28.251, 19.28.271, 19.28.311, 19.28.321, 19.28.400, 19.28.420, 19.28.490, 19.28.551, 2003 c 399, 2003 c 211, 2003 c 78, and 2003 c 242. 04-12-049, § 296-46B-970, filed 5/28/04, effective 6/30/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.28.006, 19.28.010, 19.28.031, 19.28.041, 19.28.061, 19.28.101, 19.28.131, 19.28.161, 19.28.171, 19.28.191, 19.28.201, 19.28.211, 19.28.241, 19.28.251, 19.28.271, 19.28.311, 19.28.321, 19.28.400, 19.28.420, 19.28.490, 19.28.551, 2002 c 249, chapters 34.05 and 19.28 RCW. 03-09-111, § 296-46B-970, filed 4/22/03, effective 5/23/03.]

© Washington State Code Reviser's Office