Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Labor & Workforce Development Committee |
SB 6133
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Requiring training for eligibility for certain electrician certifications.
Sponsors: Senators Conway, Roach, Kohl-Welles, Nelson, Kline and Keiser.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/15/12
Staff: Joan Elgee (786-7106).
Background:
The Department of Labor and Industries (Department) administers electrical contracting and certification laws. To work as an electrician, a person must possess a certificate of competency issued by the Department. There are several types of certificates, including journeyman electrician and specialty electrician, and exam and work experience requirements apply to each type of certificate. For example, to take the journeyman electrician exam a person must have 8,000 hours of work experience. Specialty electrician applicants must have either 2,000 or 4,000 hours to take the exam. Persons may alternatively go through an apprenticeship program to gain work experience. In addition, completion of a community or technical college or trade school program may be substituted for some of the work experience.
Persons learning the electrical trade obtain a trainee certificate, which must be renewed biennially. Trainees must obtain classroom training to renew a trainee certificate. In 2010, the Legislature increased the trainee classroom renewal hours from 16 to 32 hours beginning on July 1, 2011 and 48 hours beginning on July 1, 2013. The hours must be approved classroom training covering the electrical laws, the national electrical code, or electrical theory; or equivalent classroom training taken as part of an apprenticeship or school program.
Summary of Bill:
In-class education requirements are established for journeyman and specialty electrician applicants to obtain a certificate of competency. The number of in-class hours depends on the hours of work required for the certificate:
Work hours | In-class hours |
2000 - 3999 | 24 |
4000 - 5999 | 48 |
6000 - 7999 | 72 |
8000 or more | 96 |
Classroom training taken to renew a trainee certificate qualifies as in-class education, and "in-class education" is defined to be the same as education required for trainee certificate renewal.
The new requirements take effect July 1, 2013.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect on July 1, 2013.