FINAL BILL REPORT
SSB 6126
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. |
C 249 L 18
Synopsis as Enacted
Brief Description: Requiring completion of an apprenticeship program to receive a journey level electrician certificate of competency.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce (originally sponsored by Senators Saldaña, Hasegawa, Chase, Conway, Zeiger, Keiser and Kuderer).
Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce
House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards
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.
To obtain certification as a journey level electrician, an individual must work in the electrical construction trade for at least 8000 hours to take the required examination. Alternatively, an applicant may complete an apprenticeship program approved by the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council. An applicant who has completed a two-year program at a community or technical college or a 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 armed services may also be credited as work experience.
To obtain the necessary work experience to become a journey level electrician, an individual must obtain an electrical trainee certificate, and, in general, trainees must work under the supervision of a journey level electrician.
The Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) issues licenses and certificates of competency and administers the regulation of electricians and electrical work.
Summary: Applicants for a journey level (01) electrician certificate of competency must complete an apprenticeship program to take the examination. The applicant must have worked under supervision for a minimum of 8000 hours. The holder of a specialty electrician certificate of competency with 4000 hours of work experience can credit the work experience toward the apprenticeship program work requirements. Applicants may substitute a school program or armed services experience for the work experience required under an apprenticeship program.
Until 2025, L&I may permit an applicant who obtained experience and training equivalent to a journey level apprenticeship program if the applicant has good cause for not completing the minimum hours of work.
Votes on Final Passage:
Senate | 44 | 5 | |
House | 62 | 36 | (House amended) |
Senate | 43 | 6 | (Senate concurred) |
Effective: | July 1, 2023 |