Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Commerce & Labor Committee

HB 1373

Brief Description:  Modifying certificates of competency for specialty electricians.

Sponsors:  Representatives B. Chandler, Clements, McMorris and Lisk.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Modifies the manner in which a person may fulfill the work experience requirements to become a specialty electrician.

Hearing Date:  2/16/01

Staff:  Jill Reinmuth (786‑7134).

Background: 

In general, to work as an electrician, a person must have a journey level electrician certificate of competency, a specialty electrician certificate of competency, or an electrical training certificate.  The Department of Labor and Industries issues certificates of competency to qualified persons who pass examinations, and training certificates to apprentices and other persons learning the electrical construction trade. 

To qualify to take the examination to become a certified specialty electrician, a person must complete either two years of full-time work experience or an apprenticeship program in the appropriate specialty.  A person may work in the specialty, so long as he or she is supervised by a certified specialty electrician.  Up to two noncertified persons may be supervised by a certified specialty electrician. 

To qualify to take the examination to become a certified journey level electrician, a person must complete either four years of full-time work experience or an apprenticeship program in the electrical construction trade.  A person who has completed a training program at certain schools may substitute up to two years of the training program for up to two years of required work experience.  A person may work in the trade, so long as he or she is supervised by a certified journey level electrician.  One noncertified person or up to four persons enrolled in a training program at certain schools may be supervised by a certified journey level electrician.  A person in an apprenticeship program or a training program at certain schools may work without direct supervision during the last six months of required work experience.

With regard to work experience in either the electrical construction trade or in an electrical specialty, certain schools are "public community or technical colleges, or not-for-profit nationally accredited technical or trade schools licensed by the work force training and education coordinating board."

Summary of Bill: 

The manner in which a person may fulfill the work experience requirements to become a specialty electrician is modified. 

A person who has completed an appropriate specialty training program at certain schools may substitute up to 2,000 hours of the training program for up to 2,000 hours of required work experience.  (A department rule provides that one year of work experience is equal to 2,000 hours of work experience.)

Either up to two noncertified persons or up to four persons enrolled in an appropriate specialty training program at certain schools may be supervised by a certified specialty electrician.  A person in a specialty training program at certain schools may work without direct supervision during the last six months of required work experience.

With regard to work experience in an electrical specialty, certain schools are "public community or technical colleges, nationally accredited technical or trade schools, or technical or trade schools licensed by the work force training and education coordinating board."

Rules Authority:   The bill does not contain provisions addressing the rule-making powers of an agency.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.