AN ACT Relating to certification of electricians; and amending RCW 19.28.006, 19.28.041, 19.28.051, 19.28.061, 19.28.161, 19.28.191, 19.28.201, 19.28.211, and 19.28.241.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. RCW 19.28.006 and 2001 c 211 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

The definitions in this section apply throughout this subchapter.

(1) "Administrator" means a person designated by an electrical contractor to supervise electrical work and electricians in accordance with the rules adopted under this chapter.

(2) "Board" means the electrical board under RCW 19.28.311.

(3) "Chapter" or "subchapter" means the subchapter, if no chapter number is referenced.

(4) "Department" means the department of labor and industries.

(5) "Director" means the director of the department or the director's designee.

(6) "Electrical construction trade" includes but is not limited to installing or maintaining electrical wires and equipment that are used for light, heat, or power and installing and maintaining remote control, signaling, power limited, or communication circuits or systems.

(7) "Electrical contractor" means a person, firm, partnership, corporation, or other entity that offers to undertake, undertakes, submits a bid for, or does the work of installing or maintaining wires or equipment that convey electrical current.

(8) "Equipment" means any equipment or apparatus that directly uses, conducts, or is operated by electricity but does not mean plug-in ((~~household~~)) appliances or equipment as determined by the department by rule.

(9) "Industrial control panel" means a factory-wired or user-wired assembly of industrial control equipment such as motor controllers, switches, relays, power supplies, computers, cathode ray tubes, transducers, and auxiliary devices. The panel may include disconnect means and motor branch circuit protective devices.

(10) "Journeyman electrician" means a person who has been issued a journeyman electrician certificate of competency by the department.

(11) "Master electrician" means either a master journeyman electrician or master specialty electrician.

(12) "Master journeyman electrician" means a person who has been issued a master journeyman electrician certificate of competency by the department and who may be designated by an electrical contractor to supervise electrical work and electricians in accordance with rules adopted under this chapter.

(13) "Master specialty electrician" means a person who has been issued a specialty electrician certificate of competency by the department and who may be designated by an electrical contractor to supervise electrical work and electricians in accordance with rules adopted under this chapter.

(14) "Specialty electrician" means a person who has been issued a specialty electrician certificate of competency by the department.

Sec. 2. RCW 19.28.041 and 2001 c 211 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) It is unlawful for any person, firm, partnership, corporation, or other entity to engage in, conduct, or carry on the business of installing or maintaining wires or equipment to convey electric current, or installing or maintaining equipment to be operated by electric current as it pertains to the electrical industry, without having an unrevoked, unsuspended, and unexpired electrical contractor license, issued by the department in accordance with this chapter. All electrical contractor licenses expire twenty-four calendar months following the day of their issue. The department may issue an electrical contractors license for a period of less than twenty-four months only for the purpose of equalizing the number of electrical contractor licenses that expire each month. Application for an electrical contractor license shall be made in writing to the department, accompanied by the required fee. The application shall state:

(a) The name and address of the applicant; in case of firms or partnerships, the names of the individuals composing the firm or partnership; in case of corporations, the names of the managing officials thereof;

(b) The location of the place of business of the applicant and the name under which the business is conducted;

(d) Evidence of workers' compensation coverage for the applicant's employees working in Washington, as follows:

(i) The applicant's industrial insurance account number issued by the department;

(ii) The applicant's self-insurer number issued by the department; or

(iii) For applicants domiciled in a state or province of Canada subject to an agreement entered into under RCW 51.12.120(7), as permitted by the agreement, filing a certificate of coverage issued by the agency that administers the workers' compensation law in the applicant's state or province of domicile certifying that the applicant has secured the payment of compensation under the other state's or province's workers' compensation law;

(e) Employment security department number;

(f) State excise tax registration number;

(g) Unified business identifier (UBI) account number may be substituted for the information required by (d) of this subsection if the applicant will not employ employees in Washington, and by (e) and (f) of this subsection; and

(h) Whether a general or specialty electrical contractor license is sought and, if the latter, the type of specialty. Electrical contractor specialties include, but are not limited to: Residential, ((~~domestic appliances,~~)) pump and irrigation, limited energy system, signs, nonresidential maintenance, and a combination specialty. A general electrical contractor license shall grant to the holder the right to engage in, conduct, or carry on the business of installing or maintaining wires or equipment to carry electric current, and installing or maintaining equipment, or installing or maintaining material to fasten or insulate such wires or equipment to be operated by electric current, in the state of Washington. A specialty electrical contractor license shall grant to the holder a limited right to engage in, conduct, or carry on the business of installing or maintaining wires or equipment to carry electrical current, and installing or maintaining equipment; or installing or maintaining material to fasten or insulate such wires or equipment to be operated by electric current in the state of Washington as expressly allowed by the license.

(2) The department may verify the workers' compensation coverage information provided by the applicant under subsection (1)(d) of this section, including but not limited to information regarding the coverage of an individual employee of the applicant. If coverage is provided under the laws of another state, the department may notify the other state that the applicant is employing employees in Washington.

(3) The application for ((a)) an electrical contractor license shall be accompanied by a bond in the sum of four thousand dollars with the state of Washington named as obligee in the bond, with good and sufficient surety, to be approved by the department. The bond shall at all times be kept in full force and effect, and any cancellation or revocation thereof, or withdrawal of the surety therefrom, suspends the license issued to the principal until a new bond has been filed and approved as provided in this section. Upon approval of a bond, the department shall on the next business day deposit the fee accompanying the application in the electrical license fund and shall file the bond in the office. The department shall upon request furnish to any person, firm, partnership, corporation, or other entity a certified copy of the bond upon the payment of a fee that the department shall set by rule. The fee shall cover but not exceed the cost of furnishing the certified copy. The bond shall be conditioned that in any installation or maintenance of wires or equipment to convey electrical current, and equipment to be operated by electrical current, the principal will comply with the provisions of this chapter and with any electrical ordinance, building code, or regulation of a city or town adopted pursuant to RCW 19.28.010(3) that is in effect at the time of entering into a contract. The bond shall be conditioned further that the principal will pay for all labor, including employee benefits, and material furnished or used upon the work, taxes and contributions to the state of Washington, and all damages that may be sustained by any person, firm, partnership, corporation, or other entity due to a failure of the principal to make the installation or maintenance in accordance with this chapter or any applicable ordinance, building code, or regulation of a city or town adopted pursuant to RCW 19.28.010(3). In lieu of the surety bond required by this section the license applicant may file with the department a cash deposit or other negotiable security acceptable to the department. If the license applicant has filed a cash deposit, the department shall deposit the funds in a special trust savings account in a commercial bank, mutual savings bank, or savings and loan association and shall pay annually to the depositor the interest derived from the account.

(4) The department shall issue general or specialty electrical contractor licenses to applicants meeting all of the requirements of this chapter. The provisions of this chapter relating to the licensing of any person, firm, partnership, corporation, or other entity including the requirement of a bond with the state of Washington named as obligee therein and the collection of a fee therefor, are exclusive, and no political subdivision of the state of Washington may require or issue any licenses or bonds or charge any fee for the same or a similar purpose. No person, firm, partnership, corporation, or other entity holding more than one specialty contractor license under this chapter may be required to pay an annual fee for more than one such license or to post more than one four thousand dollar bond, equivalent cash deposit, or other negotiable security.

(5) To obtain a general or specialty electrical contractor license the applicant must designate an individual who currently possesses ((an)) a valid master journeyman electrician's certificate of competency, valid master specialty electrician's certificate of competency in the specialty for which application has been made, valid administrator's certificate as a general electrical contractor administrator or as a specialty electrical contractor administrator in the specialty for which application has been made.

(6) Administrator certificate specialties include but are not limited to: Residential, ((~~domestic, appliance,~~)) pump and irrigation, limited energy system, signs, nonresidential maintenance, and combination specialty. To obtain an administrator's certificate an individual must pass an examination as set forth in RCW 19.28.051 unless the applicant was a licensed electrical contractor at any time during 1974. Applicants who were electrical contractors licensed by the state of Washington at any time during 1974 are entitled to receive a general electrical contractor administrator's certificate without examination if the applicants apply prior to January 1, 1984. The board of electrical examiners shall certify to the department the names of all persons who are entitled to either a general or specialty electrical contractor administrator's certificate.

Sec. 3. RCW 19.28.051 and 2001 c 211 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

It shall be the purpose and function of the board to establish, in addition to a general electrical contractors' license, such classifications of specialty electrical contractors' licenses as it deems appropriate with regard to individual sections pertaining to state adopted codes in this chapter. In addition, it shall be the purpose and function of the board to establish and administer written examinations for general electrical administrators' certificates and the various specialty electrical administrators' certificates. Examinations shall be designed to reasonably ((~~insure~~)) ensure that general and specialty electrical administrators' certificate holders are competent to engage in and supervise the work covered by this statute and their respective licenses. The examinations shall include questions from the following categories to assure proper safety and protection for the general public: (1) Safety, (2) state electrical code, and (3) electrical theory. The department with the consent of the board shall be permitted to enter into a contract with a professional testing agency to develop, administer, and score these examinations. A person may take the administrator's examination as many times as necessary without limit. The fee for the examination may be set by the department in its contract with the professional testing agency. The department may direct that the applicant pay the fee to the professional testing agency. The fee shall cover but not exceed the costs of preparing and administering the examination. It shall be the further purpose and function of this board to advise the director as to the need of additional electrical inspectors and compliance officers to be utilized by the director on either a full-time or part-time employment basis and to carry out the duties enumerated in RCW 19.28.161 through 19.28.271 as well as generally advise the department on all matters relative to RCW 19.28.161 through 19.28.271.

Sec. 4. RCW 19.28.061 and 1996 c 241 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Each applicant for an electrical contractor's license, other than an individual, shall designate a supervisory employee or member of the firm to take the required master electrician's or administrator's examination. Effective July 1, 1987, a supervisory employee designated as the electrical contractor's master electrician or administrator shall be a full-time supervisory employee. This person shall be designated as master electrician or administrator under the license. No person may concurrently qualify as master electrician or administrator for more than one contractor. If the relationship of the master electrician or administrator with the electrical contractor is terminated, the contractor's license is void within ninety days unless another master electrician or administrator is qualified by the board. However, if the master electrician or administrator dies or is otherwise incapacitated, the contractor's license is void within one hundred eighty days unless another master electrician or administrator is qualified by the board. ((~~A certificate issued under this section is valid for two years from the nearest birthdate of the administrator, unless revoked or suspended, and further is nontransferable.~~)) The contractor must notify the department in writing within ten days if the master electrician's or administrator's relationship with the contractor terminates due to the master electrician's or administrator's death or incapacitation.

(2) The department must issue an administrator's certificate to all applicants who have passed the examination provided in RCW 19.28.051 and this section, and who have complied with the rules adopted under this chapter. The administrator's certificate must bear the date of issuance, expires on the holder's birthday, and is nontransferable. The certificate must be renewed every three years, upon application, on or before the holder's birthday.

(a) If the certificate holder demonstrates to the department that he or she has satisfactorily completed an annual eight-hour continuing education course, the certificate may be renewed by appropriate application without examination unless the certificate has been revoked, suspended, or not renewed within ninety days after the expiration date.

(b) The contents and requirements for satisfactory completion of the continuing education course must be determined by the director and approved by the board.

(c) The department must accept proof of a certificate holder's satisfactory completion of a continuing education course offered in another state as meeting the requirements for maintaining a current Washington state certificate if the department is satisfied the course is comparable in nature to that required in Washington state for maintaining a current certificate.

(3) A fee must be assessed for each administrator's certificate and for each renewal. An individual holding more than one administrator's certificate under this chapter is not required to pay fees for more than one certificate. If the certificate is not renewed before the expiration date, the individual must pay twice the usual fee. The department must set the fees by rule for issuance and renewal of a certificate. The fees must cover, but not exceed, the costs of issuing the certificates and of administering and enforcing the electrician certification requirements of this chapter.

(4) The department may deny an application for an administrator's certificate for up to two years if the applicant's previous administrator's certificate has been revoked for a serious violation and all appeals concerning the revocation have been exhausted. For the purposes of this section only, a serious violation is a violation that presents imminent danger to the public. ((The certificate may be renewed for a two-year period without examination by appropriate application unless the certificate has been revoked, suspended, or not renewed within ninety days after the expiration date. If the certificate is not renewed before the expiration date, the individual shall pay twice the usual fee. An individual holding more than one administrator's certificate under this chapter shall not be required to pay annual fees for more than one certificate. A person may take the administrator's test as many times as necessary without limit.

~~(2)~~)) (5) The designated master electrician or administrator shall:

(a) Be a member of the firm or a supervisory employee and shall be available during working hours to carry out the duties of an administrator under this section;

(b) Ensure that all electrical work complies with the electrical installation laws and rules of the state;

(d) Ensure that all electrical labels, permits, and licenses required to perform electrical work are used;

(e) See that corrective notices issued by an inspecting authority are complied with; and

(f) Notify the department in writing within ten days if the master electrician or administrator terminates the relationship with the electrical contractor.

((~~(3)~~)) (6) The department shall not by rule change the administrator's duties under subsection ((~~(2)~~)) (5) of this section.

Sec. 5. RCW 19.28.161 and 1997 c 309 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) No person may engage in the electrical construction trade without having a ((~~current~~)) valid master journeyman electrician certificate of competency, journeyman electrician certificate of competency, master specialty electrician certificate of competency, or a current specialty electrician certificate of competency issued by the department in accordance with this chapter. Electrician certificate of competency specialties include, but are not limited to: Residential, ((~~domestic appliances,~~)) pump and irrigation, limited energy system, signs, and nonresidential maintenance.

(2) A person who is indentured in an apprenticeship program approved under chapter 49.04 RCW for the electrical construction trade or who is learning the electrical construction trade may work in the electrical construction trade if supervised by a certified master journeyman electrician, journeyman electrician, master specialty electrician in that electrician's specialty, or a certified specialty electrician in that electrician's specialty. All apprentices and individuals learning the electrical construction trade shall obtain an electrical training certificate from the department. The certificate shall authorize the holder to learn the electrical construction trade while under the direct supervision of a master journeyman electrician, journeyman electrician, master specialty electrician working in that electrician's specialty, or a specialty electrician working in ((~~his or her~~)) that electrician's specialty. The holder of the electrical training certificate shall renew the certificate ((~~annually~~)) biennially. At the time of renewal, the holder shall provide the department with an accurate list of the holder's employers in the electrical construction industry for the previous year and the number of hours worked for each employer. ((~~An annual~~)) A biennial fee shall be charged for the issuance or renewal of the certificate. The department shall set the fee by rule. The fee shall cover but not exceed the cost of administering and enforcing the trainee certification and supervision requirements of this chapter. Apprentices and individuals learning the electrical construction trade shall have their electrical training certificates in their possession at all times that they are performing electrical work. They shall show their certificates to an authorized representative of the department at the representative's request.

(3) Any person who has been issued an electrical training certificate under this chapter may work if that person is under supervision. Supervision shall consist of a person being on the same job site and under the control of either a certified master journeyman electrician, journeyman electrician, master specialty electrician working in that electrician's specialty, or ((~~an appropriate~~)) a specialty electrician ((who has an applicable certificate of competency issued under this chapter. Either a journeyman electrician or an appropriate specialty electrician shall be on the same job site as the noncertified individual for a minimum of seventy-five percent of each working day unless otherwise provided in this chapter)) working in that electrician's specialty.

(4) The ratio of noncertified individuals to certified master journeymen electricians, journeymen electricians, master specialty electricians, or specialty electricians ((~~working~~)) on ((a)) any one job site ((~~shall be~~)) is as follows:

(a) When working as a specialty electrician, not more than two noncertified individuals ((~~working on any one job site~~)) for every certified master specialty electrician working in that electrician's specialty, specialty electrician working in that electrician's specialty, master journeyman electrician, or journeyman electrician ((~~working as a specialty electrician~~)), except that the ratio requirements are one certified master specialty electrician working in that electrician's specialty, certified specialty electrician working in that electrician's specialty, certified master journeyman electrician, or certified journeyman electrician working as a specialty electrician to no more than four students enrolled in and working as part of an electrical construction program at public community or technical colleges, or not-for-profit nationally accredited trade or technical schools licensed by the work force training and education coordinating board under chapter 28C.10 RCW. In meeting the ratio requirements for students enrolled in an electrical construction program at a trade school, a trade school may receive input and advice from the electrical board; and

(b) When working as a journeyman electrician, not more than one noncertified individual ((~~working on any one job site~~)) for every certified master journeyman electrician or certified journeyman electrician, except that the ratio requirements shall be one certified master journeyman electrician or certified journeyman electrician to no more than four students enrolled in and working as part of an electrical construction program at public community or technical colleges, or not-for-profit nationally accredited trade or technical schools licensed by the work force training and education coordinating board under chapter 28C.10 RCW. In meeting the ratio requirements for students enrolled in an electrical construction program at a trade school, a trade school may receive input and advice from the electrical board.

An individual who has a current training certificate and who has successfully completed or is currently enrolled in an approved apprenticeship program or in an electrical construction program at 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 under chapter 28C.10 RCW, may work without direct on-site supervision during the last six months of meeting the practical experience requirements of this chapter.

(5) For the residential (as specified in WAC 296-46A-930(2)(a)), pump and irrigation (as specified in WAC 296-46A-930(2)(b)(i)), sign (as specified in WAC 296-46A-930(2)(c)), limited energy (as specified in WAC 296-46A-930(2)(e)(i)), or nonresidential maintenance (as specified in WAC 296-46A-930(2)(f)(i)) specialties, either a master journeyman electrician, journeyman electrician, master specialty electrician working in that electrician's specialty, or an appropriate specialty electrician working in that electrician's specialty must be on the same job site as the noncertified individual for a minimum of seventy-five percent of each working day. Other specialties must meet the requirements specified in RCW 19.28.191(1)(f)(ii). When the ratio of certified electricians to noncertified individuals on a job site is one certified electrician to three or four noncertified individuals the certified electrician must:

(a) Directly supervise and instruct the noncertified individuals and the certified electrician may not directly make or engage in an electrical installation; and

(b) Be on the same job site as the noncertified individual for a minimum of one hundred percent of each working day.

(6) The electrical contractor shall accurately verify and attest to the electrical trainee hours worked by electrical trainees on behalf of the electrical contractor.

Sec. 6. RCW 19.28.191 and 1997 c 309 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Upon receipt of the application, the department shall review the application and determine whether the applicant is eligible to take an examination for the master journeyman electrician, journeyman electrician, master specialty electrician, or specialty electrician certificate of competency.

(a) Before July 1, 2005, an applicant who possesses a valid general administrator's certificate and possesses a valid journeyman electrician certificate of competency in effect for the previous four years may apply for a master journeyman electrician certificate of competency without examination.

(b) Before July 1, 2005, an applicant who possesses a valid specialty administrator's certificate, in the specialty applied for, and possesses a valid specialty electrician certificate of competency, in the specialty applied for, for the previous two years may apply for a master specialty electrician certificate of competency without examination.

(c) To be eligible to take the examination for a master journeyman electrician certificate of competency the applicant must have possessed a valid journeyman electrician certificate of competency for four years.

(d) To be eligible to take the examination for a master specialty electrician certificate of competency the applicant must have possessed a valid specialty electrician certificate of competency, in the specialty applied for, for two years.

(e) To be eligible to take the examination for a journeyman certificate of competency the applicant must have:

(i) Worked in the electrical construction trade for a minimum of ((~~four years~~)) eight thousand hours employed full time, of which ((~~two years~~)) four thousand hours shall be in industrial or commercial electrical installation under the supervision of a journeyman electrician and not more than a total of ((~~two years~~)) four thousand hours in all specialties under the supervision of a journeyman electrician or an appropriate specialty electrician. Specialty electricians with less than a four thousand hour work experience requirement cannot credit the time required to obtain that specialty towards qualifying to become a journeyman electrician; or

(ii) Successfully completed an apprenticeship program approved under chapter 49.04 RCW for the electrical construction trade.

((~~(b)~~)) (f) To be eligible to take the examination ((~~to become~~)) for a specialty electrician certificate of competency the applicant ((~~shall~~)) must have:

(i) Worked in ((~~that specialty of the electrical construction trade, under the supervision of a journeyman electrician or an appropriate specialty electrician, for a minimum of two years employed full time~~)) the residential, pump and irrigation, sign, limited energy, or nonresidential maintenance specialties of the electrical construction trade under the supervision of a master journeyman electrician, journeyman electrician, master specialty electrician working in that electrician's specialty, or a specialty electrician working in that electrician's specialty for a minimum of four thousand hours; or

(ii) Worked in other than the designated specialties in (f)(i) of this subsection for a minimum of two thousand hours. A minimum of the initial ninety days, or longer if set by rule by the department, must be spent under one hundred percent supervision of a master journeyman electrician, journeyman electrician, master specialty electrician working in that electrician's specialty, or specialty electrician working in that electrician's specialty. After the minimum full supervision period, a person may take the specialty examination. If the person passes the examination, the person may work unsupervised for the balance of the two thousand hours required to attain certification; or

(iii) Successfully completed an approved apprenticeship program under chapter 49.04 RCW for the applicant's specialty in the electrical construction trade.

((~~(c)~~)) (g) Any applicant for a journeyman electrician certificate of competency who has successfully completed a two-year program in the electrical construction trade at 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 under chapter 28C.10 RCW may substitute up to two years of the technical or trade school program for two years of work experience under a master journeyman electrician or a journeyman electrician. The applicant shall obtain the additional two years of work experience required in industrial or commercial electrical installation prior to the beginning, or after the completion, of the technical school program. ((~~Any applicant who has received training in the electrical construction trade in the armed service of the United States may be eligible to take the examination for the certificate of competency.~~

~~(d)~~)) (h) An applicant for a specialty electrician certificate of competency who, after January 1, 2000, has successfully completed a two-year program in the electrical construction trade at a public community or technical college, or a not-for-profit nationally accredited technical or trade school licensed by the work force training and education coordinating board under chapter 28C.10 RCW, may substitute up to one year of the technical or trade school program for one year of work experience under a master journeyman electrician, journeyman electrician, master specialty electrician working in that electrician's specialty, or specialty electrician working in that electrician's specialty.

(i) The department must determine whether hours of training and experience in the military or school program are in the electrical construction trade and appropriate as a substitute for hours of work experience. The department must use the following criteria for evaluating the equivalence of classroom electrical training programs and work in the electrical construction trade:

(i) A two-year electrical training program must consist of three thousand or more hours of student/instructor contact time.

(ii) In a two-year electrical training program, a minimum of two thousand four hundred hours of student/instructor contact time must be technical electrical instruction directly related to the scope of work of the electrical specialty. Student/instructor contact time includes lecture, in-school lab, and may include off-site instructor-supervised electrical installation.

(iii) External intern programs must not be used to comply with the student/instructor contact hours requirement, but will be eligible for electrical trainee work experience credit if performed in accordance with this chapter.

(iv) The department may not allow credit for a program that accepts more than one thousand hours transferred from another school's program.

(v) Electrical specialty training school programs of less than two years will have all of the above student/instructor contact time hours proportionately reduced. Such programs may not apply to more than fifty percent of the work experience required to attain certification.

(vi) Electrical training programs of less than two years may not be credited towards qualification for journeyman electrician unless the training program is used to gain qualification for a two-year electrical specialty.

(j) No other requirement for eligibility may be imposed.

(2) The department shall establish reasonable rules for the examinations to be given applicants for certificates of competency. In establishing the rules, the department shall consult with the board. Upon determination that the applicant is eligible to take the examination, the department shall so notify the applicant, indicating the time and place for taking the examination.

Sec. 7. RCW 19.28.201 and 2001 c 211 s 13 are each amended to read as follows:

The department, in coordination with the board, shall prepare an examination to be administered to applicants for master journeyman electrician, journeyman electrician, master specialty electrician, and specialty electrician certificates of competency.

The department, with the consent of the board, may enter into a contract with a professional testing agency to develop, administer, and score electrician certification examinations. The department may set the examination fee by contract with the professional testing agency.

The department must, at least four times annually, administer the examination to persons eligible to take it under RCW 19.28.191. The fee must cover, but not exceed, the costs of preparing and administering the examination.

The department must certify the results of the examination upon the terms and after such a period of time as the department, in cooperation with the board, deems necessary and proper.

(1)(a) The master electrician's certificates of competency examinations must include questions from the following categories to ensure proper safety and protection for the general public: (i) Safety; (ii) the state electrical code; and (iii) electrical theory.

(b) A person may take the master electrician examination as many times as necessary without limit. All applicants must, before taking the examination, pay the required examination fee to the agency administering the examination.

(2) The journeyman electrician and specialty electrician examinations shall be constructed to determine:

((~~(1)~~)) (a) Whether the applicant possesses varied general knowledge of the technical information and practical procedures that are identified with the status of journeyman electrician or specialty electrician; and

((~~(2)~~)) (b) Whether the applicant is sufficiently familiar with the applicable electrical codes and the rules of the department pertaining to electrical installations and electricians.

((The department shall, at least four times annually, administer the examination to persons eligible to take it under RCW 19.28.191. A person may take the journeyman or specialty test as many times as necessary without limit. All applicants shall, before taking the examination, pay the required examination fee to the agency administering the examination. The fee shall cover but not exceed the costs of preparing and administering the examination.

~~The department shall certify the results of the examination upon such terms and after such a period of time as the department, in cooperation with the board, deems necessary and proper.~~

(3) The department upon the consent of the board may enter into a contract with a professional testing agency to develop, administer, and score journeyman and/or specialty electrician certification examinations. The department may set the examination fee by contract with the professional testing agency.))

A person may take the examination as many times as necessary without limit. All applicants must, before taking the examination, pay the required examination fee to the agency administering the examination.

Sec. 8. RCW 19.28.211 and 2001 c 211 s 14 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The department shall issue a certificate of competency to all applicants who have passed the examination provided in RCW 19.28.201, and who have complied with RCW 19.28.161 through 19.28.271 and the rules adopted under this chapter. The certificate shall bear the date of issuance, and shall expire on the holder's birthday. The certificate shall be renewed every three years, upon application, on or before the holder's birthdate. A fee shall be assessed for each certificate and for each annual renewal.

(2) If the certificate holder demonstrates to the department that he or she has satisfactorily completed an annual eight-hour continuing education course, the certificate may be renewed without examination by appropriate application unless the certificate has been revoked, suspended, or not renewed within ninety days after the expiration date.

(a) The contents and requirements for satisfactory completion of the continuing education course shall be determined by the director and approved by the board.

(b) The department shall accept proof of a certificate holder's satisfactory completion of a continuing education course offered in another state as meeting the requirements for maintaining a current Washington state certificate of competency if the department is satisfied the course is comparable in nature to that required in Washington state for maintaining a current certificate of competency.

(3) If the certificate is not renewed before the expiration date, the individual shall pay twice the usual fee. The department shall set the fees by rule for issuance and renewal of a certificate of competency. The fees shall cover but not exceed the costs of issuing the certificates and of administering and enforcing the electrician certification requirements of this chapter.

(4) The certificates of competency and temporary permits provided for in this chapter grant the holder the right to work in the electrical construction trade as a master electrician, journeyman electrician, or specialty electrician in accordance with their provisions throughout the state and within any of its political subdivisions without additional proof of competency or any other license, permit, or fee to engage in such work.

Sec. 9. RCW 19.28.241 and 2001 c 211 s 17 are each amended to read as follows:

(1)(a) The department may revoke any certificate of competency upon the following grounds:

((~~(a)~~)) (i) The certificate was obtained through error or fraud;

((~~(b)~~)) (ii) The holder thereof is judged to be incompetent to work in the electrical construction trade as a journeyman electrician or specialty electrician;

((~~(c)~~)) (iii) The holder thereof has violated any of the provisions of ((~~RCW 19.28.161 through 19.28.271~~)) or any rule adopted under this chapter;

(iv) For commission of a serious violation that is defined as a violation that presents imminent danger to the public or property.

(b) The department may deny an application for a certificate of competency for up to two years if the applicant's previous certificate of competency has been revoked.

(2) Before any certificate of competency shall be revoked, the holder shall be given written notice of the department's intention to do so, mailed by registered mail, return receipt requested, to the holder's last known address. The notice shall enumerate the allegations against the holder, and shall give the holder the opportunity to request a hearing before the board. At the hearing, the department and the holder may produce witnesses and give testimony. The hearing shall be conducted in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW. The board shall render its decision based upon the testimony and evidence presented, and shall notify the parties immediately upon reaching its decision. A majority of the board shall be necessary to render a decision.

(3) The department shall immediately suspend the license or certificate of a person who has been certified pursuant to RCW 74.20A.320 by the department of social and health services as a person who is not in compliance with a support order. If the person has continued to meet all other requirements for reinstatement during the suspension, reissuance of the license or certificate shall be automatic upon the department's receipt of a release issued by the department of social and health services stating that the licensee is in compliance with the order.