WSR 25-10-083
PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
DEPARTMENT OF
LABOR AND INDUSTRIES
[Filed May 6, 2025, 1:18 p.m.]
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Electrical rules; WAC 296-46B-010 General, 296-46B-334 Nonmetallic-sheathed cable, and 296-46B-942 Training certificate required.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter
19.28 RCW, Electricians and electrical installations, including RCW
19.28.031 and
19.28.251.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department of labor and industries (L&I) is considering amendments to the electrical rules under chapter 296-46B WAC. The purpose is to adopt the latest national safety standards for electrical in the state of Washington and update and clarify other rules.
The amendments under consideration include:
| |
| • | Adopting the 2026 edition of the National Fire Protection Agency 70, the National Electrical Code (NEC) by reference with a delayed effective date. |
| • | Amending the adopted NEC restriction for nonmetallic-sheathed cable to allow calculations for minimum conductor sizes to be calculated at a higher temperature rating. |
| • | Clarifying the existing requirements for trainee hours of experience submittal. |
The 2026 edition of the NEC will be published in the fall of 2025. The NEC sets the standard for safe electrical installations in homes, businesses, and institutions to protect people and property from hazards arising from the use of electricity. L&I is considering adopting the 2026 NEC in its entirety by reference under this rule making with a delayed effective [date] of December 31, 2026 (tentative), to give stakeholders advance notice of its adoption and more opportunity for review and comment, prior to its publication and L&I's formal rule review process. Following the adoption of rules under this rule making, L&I plans to engage in a subsequent rule making next year to begin the formal review process of the 2026 NEC. As part of the subsequent rule making, stakeholders will have the opportunity to submit proposals for amendments to the 2026 NEC code requirements and make recommendations to L&I on adoption of the rules prior to effective date for the 2026 NEC.
Additional amendments to rules also being considered in this rule making are to eliminate an unnecessary temperature restriction for certain cable types and to provide better clarity on existing requirements for trainee hours of experience submittal.
Process for Developing New Rule: Interested parties can participate in the formulation of the proposed amendments before publication by contacting the individual listed below. The public can also participate after amendments are proposed by providing written comments and/or testimony during the public hearing and comment process.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Meagan Edwards, L&I, Field Services and Public Safety Division, P.O. Box 44400, Olympia, WA 98504-4400, phone 360-522-0125, fax 360-704-1980, email Meagan.Edwards@Lni.wa.gov, website https://www.lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/electrical/laws-rules-policies#rule-development.
May 6, 2025
Joel Sacks
Director