SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5599
As of January 10, 2022
Title: An act relating to journey level electrician certifications of competency.
Brief Description: Concerning journey level electrician certifications of competency.
Sponsors: Senators Salda?a and Keiser.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Labor, Commerce & Tribal Affairs: 1/13/22.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Modifies the requirement that an applicant, in order to be eligible to take the journey level electrical examination, complete an approved electrical construction apprenticeship program, or an equivalent apprenticeship program, to a requirement that the applicant complete the work experience and education requirements of an 8000 hour electrical construction apprenticeship program. 
  • Adds provisions allowing for applicants who complete an 8000 hour electrical apprenticeship program in another jurisdiction or have 16,000 hours of experience in the electrical construction trade in another jurisdiction to be eligible for the journey level electrical examination. 
  • Adds a provision allowing applicants with 8000 hours of experience in the electrical construction trade while serving in a construction battalion in the armed forces to be eligible for the journey level electrical examination. 
SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR, COMMERCE & TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Staff: Jarrett Sacks (786-7448)
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 Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) issues licenses and certificates of competency and administers the regulation of electricians and electrical work. 

 

In 2018, the Legislature passed SSB 6126, which requires completion of an apprenticeship program to receive a journey level electrician certificate of competency beginning July 1, 2023.  The bill also allowed L&I, until 2025, to permit an applicant who obtained experience and training equivalent to a journey level apprenticeship program to take the examination if the applicant had good cause for not completing the minimum hours of work. 
Summary of Bill:

To be eligible for the examination for a journey level certificate of competency, an applicant must have:

  • successfully completed the work experience and education requirements of an approved 8000 hour electrical construction trade apprenticeship program—of the 8000 hours, 4000 must be in new electrical installations in industrial or commercial facilities under supervision;
  • successfully completed an 8000 hour electrical construction trade apprenticeship program in another jurisdiction equivalent to an apprenticeship program approved in Washington, 4000 hours of which must be new electrical installations in industrial or commercial facilities; 
  • 16,000 hours experience in electrical construction trade installing and maintaining electrical wiring and equipment in another jurisdiction, 8000 hours of which must be new electrical installations in industrial or commercial facilities; or
  • 8000 hours of experience in the electrical construction trade while serving in a construction battalion in the armed forces of the United States. 

 

The provision, set to take effect in 2023, that allows L&I, until July 1, 2025, to permit an applicant who obtained equivalent training and experience to a journey level apprenticeship program to take the examination if the applicant establishes good cause is repealed. 
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 6, 2022.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: The bill contains multiple effective dates. Please refer to the bill.