Brief Summary of Engrossed Bill

Requires completion of an apprenticeship program to obtain a journey level or residential specialty electrician certificate beginning July 1, 2021.
Provides that beginning July 1, 2021, hours worked to obtain a 4,000 hour specialty electrician certificate count as work experience in a journey level apprenticeship program.
Provides that before January 1, 2019, school employees may apply one hour for every two hours worked in the electrical trade toward obtaining certain specialty electrician certificates.

Background:

An electrical contractor license is required to engage in the business of installing or maintaining wires or equipment to convey electric current, or equipment to be operated by electric current. To work as an electrician, an individual must have a journey level (01) or specialty electrician certificate of competency. The specialties include residential (02), and multiple other specialties. Some individuals performing electrical work, such as employees working on their employers' premises, do not need to be certified. The Department of Labor and Industries (Department) issues licenses and certificates of competency and otherwise administers the regulation of electricians and electrical work.

To be certified as a journey level electrician, an individual must work in the electrical construction trade for at least 8,000 hours to take the required examination. For the residential specialty (02) certificate, the applicant must work in the specialty for at least 4,000 hours to take the examination.

An applicant for a journey level or any of the electrical specialty certificates may alternatively complete an apprenticeship program approved by the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council. Apprenticeship program standards include a provision that program sponsors may, but are not required to, grant credit for work experience hours approved by the Department of Labor and Industries.

An applicant who has completed a two-year program at a community or technical college or technical or trade school may substitute up to two years of the school program for two years of work experience. Training in the electrical construction trade in the military may also be credited as work experience.

To obtain the necessary work experience to become a journey level or specialty electrician, persons must obtain an electrical training certificate, and in general, trainees must work under the supervision of a journey level or the appropriate specialty electrician.

Summary of Engrossed Bill:

Beginning July 1, 2021, applicants for a journey level (01) or residential specialty (02) electrician certificate of competency must complete an apprenticeship program to take the examination. The applicant must have worked under supervision for a minimum of 8,000 hours for the journey level certificate or 4,000 hours for the residential specialty certificate.

Applicants may substitute a school program or military experience for the work experience required under an apprenticeship program. Trainees must be either in an apprenticeship program, learning a specialty other than residential, or learning the trade in a school program. Journey level and residential specialty trainees must have in their possession proof of apprenticeship or training program registration and must show these documents to a representative of the Department upon request.

Until July 1, 2023, the Department may permit an applicant who obtained experience and training equivalent to an apprenticeship program to take the journey level or residential specialty examination, as appropriate, if the applicant demonstrates good cause for not completing the required minimum hours of work before the new apprenticeship requirements take effect.

Beginning July 1, 2021, hours worked to obtain a 4,000 hour specialty electrician certificate count as work experience in a journey level apprenticeship program.

Before January 1, 2019, an individual employed by a school district may apply one hour for every two hours worked in the electrical trade toward taking the examination for the following specialty electrician certificates of competency: limited energy (06), HVAC/refrigeration systems (06A), and nonresidential maintenance (07). The individual must obtain a training certificate and submit evidence of the work experience in a Department-approved affidavit. Each hour of work experience may be applied toward eligibility for only one certificate of competency.

Obsolete language in several statutes is deleted and obsolete terminology is updated.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This bill is part of the larger idea of more support for apprenticeship programs as an alternative pathway to attending a university. Supporting apprenticeships tells students we want you to be successful in high wage jobs. Currently, only about half the applicants go through an apprenticeship program. In contrast, apprenticeship is the training mode in Oregon and Idaho. Oregon does not allow reciprocal licensing because apprenticeships are not required in Washington. This bill will make it easier for electricians in border areas and help create a trans-state workforce. Apprenticeships are the safest and most effective way to be trained in this dangerous profession. The bill will protect both workers and the public. Apprentices receive over 1,800 hours of monitored and diverse training. There is a shortage of workers and the average age is about 40. It's very easy to become an apprenticeship provider and put family members through the program. Apprenticeships are industry-funded. Both union and non-union apprenticeship programs support this bill.

(In support with amendment(s)) School employees who do plant and machine maintenance electrical cannot use their experience to sit for a specialty exam because of a quirk in the law. Language was worked on and it should be added.

(Opposed) It's too limiting to have apprenticeship be the only option. It's common for people to train their family members. Some electrical contractors are concerned.

Persons Testifying: (In support) Representative Reykdal, prime sponsor; Nicole Grant, Certified Electrical Workers of Washington; Halene Sigmund, Construction Industry Training Council of Washington; William McCarthin, Puget Sound Electrical JATC; Randy Ambuehl, Northwest Washington Electrician Joint Apprenticeship Training Council; and Larry Stevens, National Electrical Contractors Association.

(In support with amendment(s)) David Westberg, IUOE Local 609.

(Opposed) Gary Smith, Independent Business Association.