Original Notice.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 07-24-068.

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Chapter 296-46B WAC, Electrical safety standards, administration, and installation.

     Hearing Location(s): Department of Labor and Industries, 7273 Linderson Way S.W., Room S117, Tumwater, WA, on March 12, 2008, at 9:00 a.m.

     Date of Intended Adoption: April 1, 2008.

     Submit Written Comments to: Sally Elliott, P.O. Box 44400, Olympia, WA 98504-4400, e-mail yous235@lni.wa.gov, fax (360) 902-5292, by March 12, 2008.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Sally Elliott by March 1, 2008, at yous235@lni.wa.gov or (360) 902-6411.

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The purpose of the rule making is to amend language in WAC 296-46B-995, regarding appeals. The amendment will move the burden of proof from the appellant to the department for appeals heard before the office of administrative hearings (OAH) or directly by the electrical board. An emergency rule was filed on December 4, 2007, to protect the general welfare of the public. This will make the emergency change permanent. Additional changes will be made to continuing education courses, to better accommodate electrical administrators, master electricians, electricians, and L&I. Renewing electrical administrators, master electricians, and electricians must now show that they have taken a NEC code update class on the currently adopted code. The change will allow a seven month overlap period for taking either the 2005 or 2008 NEC code change update class required for renewal of an electrician or electrical administrator certificate.

     Reasons Supporting Proposal: See Purpose above.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 19.28.006, 19.28.010, 19.28.031, 19.28.041, 19.28.061, 19.28.101, 19.28.131, 19.28.161, 19.28.171, 19.28.191, 19.28.201, 19.28.211, 19.28.241, 19.28.251, 19.28.281, 19.28.311, 19.28.321, 19.28.400, 19.28.420, 19.28.490, 19.28.551.

     Statute Being Implemented: Chapter 19.28 RCW.

     Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

     Name of Proponent: Department of labor and industries, governmental.

     Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Ron Fuller, Tumwater, Washington, (360) 902-5249; Implementation and Enforcement: Patrick Woods, Tumwater, Washington, (360) 902-6348.

     No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. The department has considered whether these proposed rules are subject to the Regulatory Fairness Act and has determined they do not require a small business economic impact statement because the proposed rules clarify the language of the rule without changing its effect (see RCW 19.85.025 referencing exemptions listed under RCW 34.05.310 (4)(d)).

     A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. A cost-benefit analysis was not prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. The department considered whether these proposed rules are subject to the Regulatory Fairness Act and has determined they do not require a cost-benefit analysis because the proposed rules clarify the language of the rule without changing its effect (see exemptions, RCW 34.05.328 (5)(b)(iv)).

February 5, 2008

Judy Schurke

Director

OTS-1265.1

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 06-24-041, filed 11/30/06, effective 12/31/06)

WAC 296-46B-970   Continuing education.   General requirements - continuing education classes requirements for administrator, master electrician, and electrician renewal.

     (1) DEFINITIONS - for purposes of this section.

     (a) "Applicant" means the entity submitting an application for review.

     (b) "Application" means a submittal made by an applicant seeking instructor or class approval.

     (c) "Calendar day" means each day of the week, including weekends and holidays.

     (d) "Class" means continuing education class or course.

     (e) "Contractor" means the entity who has contracted with the department to review and approve/deny continuing education classes and instructors.

     (f) "Date of notification" means the date of a request for additional information from the contractor or the approval/denial letter sent to the applicant by the contractor.

     (g) "Individual" means an administrator or electrician seeking credit for continuing education.

     (h) "Instructor" means an individual who is authorized to instruct an approved continuing education class.

     (i) "Working day" means Monday through Friday, excluding state of Washington holidays.

     (2) GENERAL.

     (a) The department and the electrical board have the right to monitor all approved classes without notice and at no charge.

     If the department or electrical board determines that the class or instructor does not meet or exceed the minimum requirements for approval or course length or instructor qualifications, the department may revoke the class or instructor approval and reduce the number of credited hours for the class.

     (b) Department-offered classes and the instructors used for those classes are automatically approved and do not need to be sent to the contractor for review.

     (c) Instructors who meet the minimum requirements using subsection (5)(b)(i)(D) of this section may only instruct classes sponsored by the manufacturer(s) who verified the instructors' qualifications under subsection (5)(b)(i)(D) of this section.

     (d) An individual will not be given credit for the same approved continuing education class taken more than once. No credit will be granted for any class not approved per this section.

     (e) Telecommunications administrators do not require continuing educations.

     (f) Other administrators, master electricians, and electricians:

     (i) To be eligible for renewal of an administrator certificate, master electrician or electrician certificate of competency, the individual must have completed at least eight hours of approved continuing education for each year of the prior certification period. The individual is not required to take the classes in separate years. At least eight hours of the total required continuing education must be on the ((currently adopted)) changes in the 2008 National Electrical Code ((changes)) or if the renewal is before December 31, 2008, the 2005 National Electrical Code may be substituted. Beginning January 1, 2005, four hours of the required continuing education must be on the currently adopted chapter 19.28 RCW and its related WAC(s).

     (ii) An individual changing an electrical administrator and an electrician certificate of competency into a master electrician's certificate of competency as allowed in RCW 19.28.191 (1)(a) or (b) must have completed at least eight hours of approved continuing education for each year of the prior electrician certificate period. The individual is not required to take the classes in separate years. Eight hours of the required continuing education must be on the ((currently adopted)) changes in the 2008 National Electrical Code ((changes)) or if the renewal is before December 31, 2008, the 2005 National Electrical Code may be substituted. Beginning January 1, 2005, four hours of the required continuing education must be on the currently adopted chapter 19.28 RCW and its related WAC(s).

     (iii) Any portion of a year of a prior administrator or electrician certificate period is equal to one year for the purposes of the required continuing educations.

     (iv) An individual who has both an electrician certificate and an administrator certification may use the same class to fulfill the requirements for continuing education.

     (g) Training certificates:

     (i) Effective July 1, 2007, to be eligible for renewal of a training certificate, the individual must have completed:

     (A) At least sixteen hours of approved basic classroom electrical training classes; or

     (B) Equivalent electrical training courses taken as a part of an approved:

     • Apprenticeship program under chapter 49.04 RCW; or

     • Electrical training program under RCW 19.28.191 (1)(h).

     Note that trainees seeking experience credit in the pump and irrigation (03) or domestic pumping (03A) specialties must take pumping industry basic classroom training classes;

     In addition, trainees working in the pump and irrigation (03) or domestic pump (03A) specialties may be credited for courses approved as a part of the requirements for plumber trainees required in RCW 18.106.070(5).

     (h) A continuing education class attended or completed by an individual before the class's effective date cannot be used to meet the certificate renewal requirements.

     (i) If neither the electrical board nor the department has a contract in effect as described in this section, the department may, at its option, elect to act as the contractor. If a contractor is not in place and the department elects not to act as the contractor, the electrical board will act as the contractor. If either the electrical board or the department acts as the contractor, the following will apply:

     (i) The fee for class or instructor submittal is as set in WAC 296-46B-910(4).

     (ii) The electrical board or the department will:

     (A) Review the application for completeness within fifteen working days after receipt.

     (B) If the application is incomplete, notify the applicant within seven working days of the status of the review and what additional information is required.

     (C) Complete the review and approval/denial process within fifteen working days upon receipt of a complete application or additional requested information.

     (iii) An appeal of a denial by the department will be heard by the full electrical board in accordance with WAC 296-46B-995.

     (3) CLASS AND INSTRUCTOR - GENERAL APPROVAL PROCESS.

     (a) The contractor will review submitted class and instructor applications to determine whether the application meets the minimum requirements for approval.

     (b) The contractor will deny approval of applications that do not meet the minimum requirements.

     (c) All applications will be considered to be new applications (i.e., Classes and instructors may not be renewed. All applications must include all information necessary to show conformance with the minimum requirements).

     (d) Minimum requirements:

     (i) Application review fees:

     (A) The contractor may charge a fee for review of an application. Such fees, paid by the applicant, are nonrefundable.

     (B) The fee will be as set by contractor between the department and the contractor.

     (C) The fee will be set for a minimum of one year.

     (D) Upon mutual agreement between the department and the contractor, the fee may be raised or lowered.

     (ii) Application:

     (A) The applicant must submit a complete application to the contractor at least thirty calendar days prior to offering or instructing a class.

     (B) The contractor will only consider material included with the application when reviewing an application.

     (C) All applications will consist of:

     • One copy of all material;

     • Applicant's name, address, contact name, and telephone number;

     • All required fees;

     • Any other information the applicant wants to consider during the review; and

     • Class applications will include:

     – Sponsor's name, address, contact name, and telephone number;

     – Class title;

     – Number of continuing education hours requested for the class;

     – Category of class for which approval is sought (i.e., code update, RCW/WAC update, industry related, basic classroom electrical training, pumping industry, or pumping industry basic classroom training);

     – Any required examinations;

     – Statement of whether the class is open to the public;

     – Class syllabus (e.g., general description of the training, specific NEC articles referenced, time allowed for various subject matter, etc.). Note that for all pumping industry classes, curriculum must include fifty percent electrical and fifty percent plumbing instruction;

     – List of resources (e.g., texts, references, etc.);

     – Copies of all visual aids;

     – Sample of the completion certificate.

     • Instructor application will include:

     – Instructor's name, address, telephone number;

     – Copies of credentials or other information showing conformance with the instructor minimum qualifications.

     (e) Contractor's review process:

     (i) When the application is received, the contractor must:

     (A) Date stamp the application;

     (B) Review the application for completeness within seven working days after receipt.

     (ii) If the application is incomplete, the contractor must within two working days notify the applicant of the status of the review and what additional information is required.

     (A) The applicant must provide any additional information requested by the contractor within five working days after the date of notification.

     (B) The contractor will deny the application if the additional required information is not received within the five working days after the date of notification.

     (iii) When the contractor has received a complete application, the contractor must review and evaluate the application for compliance with the minimum requirements.

     The contractor must complete the review and approval/denial process within seven working days upon receipt of a complete application or additional requested information and within two working days notify:

     • The applicant in writing; and

     • The chief electrical inspector in writing and electronically. The contractor's electronic notification to the chief electrical inspector must be made in a format approved by the chief electrical inspector.

     (iv) A notification of denial must include:

     (A) Applicant's name and telephone number;

     (B) Date of denial;

     (C) Sponsor's name and class title if applicable;

     (D) Instructor's name if applicable; and

     (E) The reason for denial.

     (v) A notification of approval:

     (A) For classes must include:

     • Applicant's name and telephone number;

     • Sponsor's name and telephone number;

     • Class title;

     • Class number;

     • Number of hours approved for the class. Note that the contractor may reduce the hours requested in the application if the review shows that the requested number of hours is excessive;

     • Effective date for this class;

     • Expiration date of class;

     • Category for which the class is approved (i.e., code update, RCW/WAC update, industry related, basic classroom electrical training, pumping industry, or pumping industry basic classroom training);

     • Sample of written class roster and attendance sheet;

     • Type of class (i.e., classroom, correspondence, internet); and

     • Whether the class is open to the public.

     (B) For instructors must include:

     • Applicant's name and telephone number;

     • Instructor's name and telephone number;

     • Effective date for the approval; and

     • Expiration date of the approval.

     (vi) Applicant's request for review of the contractor's decision:

     The applicant's may request a review of the contractor's decision to deny or modify an application:

     • All requests for review must be:

     • Made in writing;

     • Received by the chief electrical inspector within twenty calendar days of the contractor's denial; and

     • Accompanied by a review fee of $109.50. The review fee is nonrefundable.

     (4) CLASS APPROVAL PROCESS.

     (a) Class approval will be valid for three years except:

     (i) If the class is "code update" and a new NEC is adopted by the department within the class approval period, the class approval will be considered automatically revoked; or

     (ii) If the class is modified after the application is approved, the class approval will be considered automatically revoked (i.e., change in syllabus, hours, examination, etc.).

     (b) Minimum requirements:

     (i) Class content:

     (A) Industry-related classes must be based on:

     • Codes or rules included in the NEC chapters 19.28 RCW or 296-46B WAC;

     • Electrical theory based on currently published documents that are readily available for retail purchase; and/or

     • Materials and methods that pertain to electrical construction, building management systems, electrical maintenance, or workplace health and safety.

     (B) Code update classes must be based on the latest adopted version of the NEC and must specify the NEC articles to be addressed in the class presentation.

     (C) RCW/WAC update classes must be based on the latest adopted versions of chapter 19.28 RCW and/or chapter 296-46B WAC.

     (D) All basic classroom electrical training classes and pumping industry basic classroom training classes must be classroom instruction only. Correspondence and internet classes are not allowed. All basic classroom electrical training classes must include an appropriate written examination to ensure the participant understands the basic concepts of the class. To successfully complete the class, the participant must score at least seventy percent on the examination.

     (E) In addition, for pumping industry classes, curriculum must include fifty percent electrical and fifty percent plumbing instruction.

     (ii) Class length:

     (A) The minimum allowed length of a class is two hours; however, the minimum length for a basic classroom electrical trainee classroom training or pumping industry basic classroom trainee classroom training is eight hours that can be delivered in multiple classroom sessions of not less than two hours each.

     (B) The maximum allowed credit for a class is twenty-four hours.

     (C) Class length must based on two-hour increments (e.g., 2, 4, 6, 8, etc.).

     (D) Class length must be based on the following:

     • Classroom instruction will be based on the total hours the individual is in the classroom. A class may be divided into multiple sections so long as each section is not less than two hours in length and all sections are taken within a one month period.

     • Correspondence instruction will be based on:

     – A written examination (i.e., twenty-five questions will equal one hour of classroom instruction). Individuals must be responsible to determine the correct answer without the assistance of the sponsor.

     • Internet instruction will be based on:

     – A written examination (i.e., twenty-five questions will equal one hour of classroom instruction).

     • Examinations must not direct or point the individual to a correct answer or reference. Individuals must be responsible to determine the correct answer without the assistance of the sponsor.

     • To successfully complete a correspondence or internet class, a participant must score at least 70% on the examination required for the class.

     (iii) Class material must include:

     Supplementary written instruction material appropriate to the type and length of the class.

     (iv) Class material may include:

     • Supplementary internet material;

     • Supplementary texts;

     • Other material as appropriate.

     (v) Certificates of completion:

     (A) The sponsor must award a completion certificate to each individual successfully completing the approved class. To successfully complete a correspondence or internet class, a participant must score at least 70% on the examination required for the class.

     (B) The completion certificate must include the:

     • Name of participant;

     • Participant's Washington certificate number;

     • Name of sponsor;

     • Name of class;

     • Date of class;

     • Name of instructor;

     • Location of the class:

     – If a classroom-type class, the city and state in which the class was given;

     – If a correspondence class, state the class is a correspondence class;

     – If an internet class, state the class is an internet class;

     • Class approval number;

     • Number of continuing units; and

     • Type of continuing education units.

     (vi) Instructors:

     (A) For classroom instruction, all instructors must be approved per this section; and

     (B) For correspondence and internet instruction, the applicant must show that the sponsor regularly employs at least one staff member who meets the requirements for instructors in this section.

     (5) INSTRUCTOR APPROVAL PROCESS:

     (a) Instructor approval will be valid for three years except:

     (i) If the instructor's credentials are invalidated (e.g., suspension or revocation by the issuing entity) for any reason, approval will be automatically revoked.

     (ii) When the instructor approval expires or is revoked, a new application must be submitted to regain approved instructor status.

     (b) Minimum requirements:

     (i) The application must show that the instructor meets one of the following:

     (A) Has a valid Washington administrator, master electrician, or electrician's certificate and has appropriate knowledge of and experience working as an electrical/electronic trainer; or

     (B) Is an instructor in a two-year program in the electrical construction trade licensed by the Washington work force training and education coordinating board. The instructor's normal duties must include providing electrical/electronic education; or

     (C) Is a high school vocational teacher, community college, college, qualified instructor with a state of Washington approved electrical apprenticeship program, or university instructor. The instructor's normal duties must include providing electrical/electronic education; or

     (D) Works for and is approved by a manufacturer of electrical products to teach electrical continuing education.

     (ii) Any other information the applicant wants to be considered during the review.

     (6) FORMS:

     (a) The contractor will:

     Develop an appropriate form(s) for the applicant's use when submitting for instructor or class approval;

     (b) Applicants must use the contractor's form when submitting an application for review.

     (7) PUBLICATIONS:

     The contractor will provide the department with appropriate material for use by the department on the electrical program web site and may post the application process, review, and approval requirements on the contractor's web site.

     (8) CLASS ATTENDANCE:

     (a) The contractor is not responsible for monitoring any individual's attendance or class completion.

     (b) The department is not responsible for providing verification of an individual's continuing education history with the class sponsor;

     (c) Electrical approved classes offered in Washington:

     (i) The sponsor must provide the department with an accurate and typed course attendance/completion roster for each class given. Class attendance will only be verified based on the attendance/completion roster provided by the sponsor. Completion certificates are not an acceptable method of verifying attendance at a class approved in Washington under this chapter.

     (A) The typed attendance/completion roster must be provided within thirty days of class completion.

     (B) In addition, within seven days, the course sponsor must provide the attendance/completion roster in an internet format provided by the department.

     (C) The attendance/completion roster must show each individual's name, Washington certificate number, class number, location of class, date of completion, and instructor's name. The typed roster must contain the signature of the class sponsor's authorized representative.

     (ii) The sponsor must provide the individual a certificate of completion within fifteen days after successful class completion. See subsection (4) of this section.

     (iii) Individuals will not be granted credit for continuing education classes unless the sponsor's attendance/completion roster shows the individual successfully completed the class.

     (iv) The department will keep submitted class rosters on file for four years.

     (d) Classes approved under chapter 18.106 RCW for the pumping industry will be verified through the normal roster reporting method for those classes.

     (e) Classes offered in other states:

     (i) For individuals to apply continuing education units earned from out-of-state classes, one of the following conditions must be met:

     (A) The individual must request that the class sponsor submit a complete continuing education class application and gain approval for the class as described in this section for classes and instructors. Application for class or instructor approval will not be considered more than three years after the date the class was offered; or

     (B) The department must have entered into a reciprocal agreement with the state providing class approval.

     (ii) The individual must provide a copy of an accurate and completed award or certificate from the class sponsor identifying the class location, date of completion, individual's names, and Washington certificate number. The department will only accept a copy of the sponsor's certificate or form as evidence that the individual attended and completed the class. The department must verify all out-of-state sponsor's certificates or forms with the issuing state prior to accepting them as evidence of class completion.

     (9) Contractor requirements:

     (a) The contractor cannot be a sponsor or instructor.

     (b) The contractor cannot be an employee of the department.

     (c) The contractor must:

     (i) Be an independent entity with no organizational, managerial, financial, design, or promotional affiliation with any sponsor or instructor covered under the contractor's review and approval/denial process;

     (ii) Employ at least one staff member having a valid 01-General Administrator or 01-General Master Electrician Certificate. This staff member:

     (A) Is responsible for reviewing and determining an application's approval or denial; and

     (B) Must sign the written notification provided to applicants for all approvals and denials:

     (iii) Receive, review, and process all applications as required in this section;

     (iv) Allow the department access to the contractor's facilities during normal working hours to audit the contractor's ability to conform to the contract requirements;

     (v) Treat all applications as proprietary information;

     (vi) Respond to and attempt to resolve complaints contesting the review or approval/denial process performed by the applicant;

     (vii) Notify the department within ten working days of any change in business status or ability to conform to this section;

     (viii) Maintain one copy, original or electronic, of all applications and associated materials for a period of three years from the date of receipt.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.28.006, 19.28.010, 19.28.031, 19.28.041, 19.28.061, 19.28.101, 19.28.131, 19.28.161, 19.28.171, 19.28.191, 19.28.201, 19.28.211, 19.28.241, 19.28.251, 19.28.281, 19.28.311, 19.28.321, 19.28.400, 19.28.420, 19.28.490, 19.28.551. 06-24-041, § 296-46B-970, filed 11/30/06, effective 12/31/06; 05-10-024, § 296-46B-970, filed 4/26/05, effective 6/30/05. Statutory Authority: Chapter 19.28 RCW. 04-21-086, § 296-46B-970, filed 10/20/04, effective 11/22/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.28.006, 19.28.010, 19.28.031, 19.28.041, 19.28.061, 19.28.101, 19.28.131, 19.28.161, 19.28.171, 19.28.191, 19.28.201, 19.28.211, 19.28.241, 19.28.251, 19.28.271, 19.28.311, 19.28.321, 19.28.400, 19.28.420, 19.28.490, 19.28.551, 2003 c 399, 2003 c 211, 2003 c 78, and 2003 c 242. 04-12-049, § 296-46B-970, filed 5/28/04, effective 6/30/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.28.006, 19.28.010, 19.28.031, 19.28.041, 19.28.061, 19.28.101, 19.28.131, 19.28.161, 19.28.171, 19.28.191, 19.28.201, 19.28.211, 19.28.241, 19.28.251, 19.28.271, 19.28.311, 19.28.321, 19.28.400, 19.28.420, 19.28.490, 19.28.551, 2002 c 249, chapters 34.05 and 19.28 RCW. 03-09-111, § 296-46B-970, filed 4/22/03, effective 5/23/03.]

     (1) Chapter 19.28 RCW provides the authority for the duties and responsibilities of the electrical board. Except as provided in chapter 19.28 RCW and this chapter, all proceedings will be conducted according to chapter 34.05 RCW the Administrative Procedure Act and chapter 10-08 WAC, Model rules of procedure. See chapter 34.05 RCW the Administrative Procedure Act for specific definitions not described in this chapter.

     (2) See RCW 19.28.311 for the composition of the electrical board.

     (3) The board adopts the current edition of the "Roberts' Rules of Order, Newly Revised."

     (4) The board will hold regular meetings on the last Thursday of January, April, July, and October of each year per RCW 19.28.311.

     (5) The director or the chairperson of the board may call a special meeting at any time.

     (6) Each board member must be notified in writing of the agenda, date, time, and place of each regular and special meeting. "Writing" includes by electronic mail, also known as "e-mail," if the member has provided an e-mail address for such notice.

     (7) The board or department may elect to have an appeal heard by the office of administrative hearings either tape recorded or transcribed by a court reporter; and the board may so elect regarding hearings or board reviews heard by the board as a whole.

     (8) A majority of the board constitutes a quorum for purposes of rendering any decision.

     (a) If a majority does not attend a hearing or board review on an appeal, the board may either continue the hearing or board review to a date certain or may hear the testimony and arguments.

     (b) If the board hears the testimony and arguments, the members of the board who are absent may make their decisions after hearing the tape recording or reading the transcript, of the hearing or board review.

     (c) If the board selects the method in subsection (8)(b) of this section, at the time of the hearing, the board shall set a date certain for the absent members to complete review of the record and for the board as a whole to vote on the decision. The vote in subsection (8)(b) and (c) of this section may occur by U.S. mail, facsimile or by electronic mail and shall be determined by the board at the hearing; the members' votes shall be public record.

     (9) All filings and documents for any matter before the board must be submitted to the chief electrical inspector, as secretary to the board, 7273 Linderson Way, P.O. Box 44460, Olympia, WA 98504-4460. The filings may be submitted by ordinary mail, certified or registered mail, or by personal delivery.

     (10) All hearings before the board as a whole shall be held on regularly scheduled meeting dates, as listed in subsection (4) of this section, unless the board determines that an alternate date is necessary. All notices of appeal, with a certified check payable to the department in the sum of two hundred dollars if required, must be received in the office of the chief electrical inspector, as secretary to the board, at least thirty days before the regularly scheduled board meeting at which the hearing would occur. The appellant must submit any written argument, briefs testimony or documents for the board's consideration at least twenty days prior to the scheduled hearing.

Appeals

     (11) Appeals of penalties issued by the department.

     (a) A party may appeal a penalty issued by the department, pursuant to chapter 19.28 RCW and this chapter, to the board. The appeal shall be assigned to the office of administrative hearings.

     (b) The appeal must be filed within twenty days after the notice of the decision or penalty is given to the assessed party either by personal service or by certified mail, return receipt requested, sent to the last known address of the assessed party and shall be made by filing a written notice of appeal with the chief electrical inspector, as secretary to the board. The request for an appeal must be accompanied with a certified check payable to the department in the sum of two hundred dollars.

     (12) Appeals of proposed decisions issued by the office of administrative hearings.

     (a) A party may appeal a proposed decision issued by the office of administrative hearings pursuant to chapter 19.28 RCW to the board. The appeal must be filed within twenty days after service of the decision and must be made by filing a written notice of appeal with the chief electrical inspector, as secretary to the board.

     (b) The notice of appeal of a proposed decision must be received in the office of the chief electrical inspector, as secretary to the board, at least thirty days before a regularly scheduled board meeting. All parties must submit any written argument, briefs testimony or documents for the board's consideration at least twenty days prior to the scheduled hearing.

     (13) Appeals of suspension, revocation, or nonrenewal.

     (a) An appeal of the suspension or revocation of a license or certificate of competency under RCW 19.28.241 and 19.28.341 or of nonrenewal of a license or certificate of competency under this chapter will be heard by the board in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW and not assigned to the office of administrative hearings. The board will conduct the hearing and may elect to have the assistance of an administrative law judge in the proceeding.

     (b) The notice of appeal, with the certified check payable to the department in the sum of two hundred dollars for appeals of a revocation or suspension of a contractor's or administrator's license, must be filed within twenty days after the notice of suspension or revocation is served on the subject of said action, either by personal service or by certified mail, return receipt requested, sent to the last known address of the subject and shall be filed by written notice of appeal with the chief electrical inspector, as secretary to the board.

     (14) Appeals of decisions on installation.

     (a) A party may seek board review for disputes relating to the interpretation and application of electrical/telecommunications installation or maintenance standards under RCW 19.28.111, 19.28.480, and 19.28.531. The board will conduct the hearing and may elect to have the assistance of an administrative law judge in the proceeding.

     (b) The notice of appeal, with the certified check payable to the department in the sum of two hundred dollars, must be received in the office of the chief electrical inspector, as secretary to the board, at least thirty days before a regularly scheduled board meeting. All parties must submit any written argument, briefs testimony or documents for the board's consideration at least twenty days prior to the scheduled hearing.

     (15) Appeals of a continuing education class or instructor for denials or revocations.

     A party may appeal a decision issued by the department, pursuant to WAC 296-46B-970 (3)(e)(vi), if the department acts as the contractor pursuant to WAC 296-46B-970 (2)(i) to the superior court per RCW 34.05.542(3).

     (16) Appeals pertaining to engineer approval or electrical testing laboratory recognition and accreditation.

     (a) A party may appeal a decision issued by the department pursuant to WAC 296-46B-997 or 296-46B-999. The appeal will be heard by the board in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW and not assigned to the office of administrative hearings. The board will conduct the hearing and may elect to have the assistance of an administrative law judge in the proceeding.

     (b) The notice of appeal, with the certified check payable to the department in the sum of two hundred dollars for appeals pertaining to engineer approval or recognition and accreditation of an electrical testing laboratory, must be filed within twenty days after the notice of the department's decision is served on the subject of said action, either by personal service or by certified mail, return receipt requested, sent to the last known address of the subject and shall be filed by written notice of appeal with the chief electrical inspector, as secretary to the board.

     (17) Judicial review of final decisions of the board.

     A party may seek judicial review of a final order of the board within thirty days after service of the decision. Appeals of final decisions and orders must be done in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW.

     (18) If appeal(s) according to subsections (11), (12), (13), and (15) of this section are not filed or the appeal is not filed timely, the proposed decision or action becomes final with no further action on the part of the department or the board.

     (19) Appeals - general requirements.

     (a) Appeals according to subsections (11), (12), or (15) of this section must specify the contentions of the appellant, and must for subsection (12) of this section specify to which conclusions of law and findings of fact the party takes exception. The appeal will be based on the record of the hearing. The board shall not grant a hearing de novo.

     (b) In appeals under subsections (12), (13), (14), and (15) of this section, the issues to be adjudicated must be made as precise as possible, in order that the board may proceed promptly to conduct the hearing on relevant and material matter only.

     (c) In all appeals of chapter 19.28 RCW and this chapter heard before the office of administrative hearings or directly by the board, the ((appellant)) department has the burden of proof by a preponderance of the evidence.

     (d) In all appeals of a decision by the office of administrative hearings to the board, the party aggrieved by the decision of the office of administrative hearings has the burden of proof by a preponderance of the evidence.

Appearance and practice before board.

     (20) No party may appear as a representative in proceedings other than the following:

     (a) Attorneys at law qualified to practice before the supreme court of the state of Washington;

     (b) Attorneys at law qualified to practice before the highest court of record of another state, if the attorneys at law of the state of Washington are permitted to appear as representatives before administrative agencies of the other state, and if not otherwise prohibited by Washington law; or

     (c) An owner, officer, partner, or full-time employee of a firm, association, organization, partnership, corporation, or other entity who appears for the firm, association, organization, partnership, corporation or other entity.

     (21) All persons appearing in proceedings as a representative must conform to the standards of ethical conduct required of attorneys before the courts of Washington. If a person does not conform to these standards, the board may decline to permit the person to appear as a representative in any proceeding before the board.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 19.28.006, 19.28.010, 19.28.031, 19.28.041, 19.28.061, 19.28.101, 19.28.131, 19.28.161, 19.28.171, 19.28.191, 19.28.201, 19.28.211, 19.28.241, 19.28.251, 19.28.281, 19.28.311, 19.28.321, 19.28.400, 19.28.420, 19.28.490, 19.28.551. 06-24-041, § 296-46B-995, filed 11/30/06, effective 12/31/06; 06-05-028, § 296-46B-995, filed 2/7/06, effective 5/1/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.28.006, 19.28.010, 19.28.031, 19.28.041, 19.28.061, 19.28.101, 19.28.131, 19.28.161, 19.28.171, 19.28.191, 19.28.201, 19.28.211, 19.28.241, 19.28.251, 19.28.271, 19.28.311, 19.28.321, 19.28.400, 19.28.420, 19.28.490, 19.28.551, 2003 c 399, 2003 c 211, 2003 c 78, and 2003 c 242. 04-12-049, § 296-46B-995, filed 5/28/04, effective 6/30/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 19.28.006, 19.28.010, 19.28.031, 19.28.041, 19.28.061, 19.28.101, 19.28.131, 19.28.161, 19.28.171, 19.28.191, 19.28.201, 19.28.211, 19.28.241, 19.28.251, 19.28.271, 19.28.311, 19.28.321, 19.28.400, 19.28.420, 19.28.490, 19.28.551, 2002 c 249, chapters 34.05 and 19.28 RCW. 03-09-111, § 296-46B-995, filed 4/22/03, effective 5/23/03.]

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