Overview
Washington State has one of the more structured electrical apprentice programs in the country, administered by the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). To earn a journeyman electrician license (officially called a "01 General Journeyman Electrician" certificate), you must complete 8,000 hours of on-the-job training across four work categories, plus a minimum of 96 hours of classroom instruction. Washington divides electrical work into distinct categories and requires a significant concentration in commercial and industrial settings, ensuring that licensed electricians have deep experience with the most demanding types of electrical installations.
A major policy change took effect in July 2023: any apprentice with fewer than 3,000 hours of documented experience must now be enrolled in a state-registered apprenticeship program. Previously, apprentices could log hours independently under any licensed electrician. This change was implemented to improve training quality and reduce workplace electrical injuries. If you are just starting your electrical career in Washington, you must enroll in a registered program before your hours will count.
Washington is also notable for its strict documentation requirements. Hour verification is done via Form F500-149 (Affidavit of Experience), which requires original signatures from both the apprentice and the supervising journeyman. The form does not accept corrections — if you make a mistake, you must start over with a fresh form. All submissions are paper-based; L&I does not accept electronic affidavits. These requirements make meticulous hour tracking critical from the very beginning of your apprenticeship.
Hour Categories & Requirements
Washington requires 8,000 hours across 4 categories. Plus 96 hours of classroom instruction.
Commercial/Industrial
Electrical installation, maintenance, and repair in commercial buildings and industrial facilities. This is the core category and carries a 4,000-hour minimum — meaning at least half of your total hours must come from commercial or industrial work. Includes conduit systems, motor controls, switchgear, distribution panels, and three-phase systems.
Residential
Wiring of single-family homes, duplexes, and multifamily residential buildings. Covers Romex wiring, residential panels, lighting circuits, GFCI/AFCI protection, and service entrance installations. Capped at 4,000 hours maximum credit.
Low Voltage
Installation of systems operating below 91 volts including fire alarm, security, telecommunications, data networking, and building automation systems. Limited to 2,000 hours maximum.
Maintenance & Repair
Troubleshooting, maintenance, and repair of existing electrical systems. Distinct from new installation work. Includes diagnostic testing, circuit tracing, component replacement, and preventive maintenance procedures. Capped at 4,000 hours.
Application Process
- 1
Enroll in a Washington state-registered apprenticeship program. As of July 2023, this is mandatory for anyone with fewer than 3,000 hours of experience. Contact L&I's Apprenticeship section or find approved programs through the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council (WSATC).
- 2
Log hours continuously throughout your apprenticeship. Record each day's work with the correct category, the jobsite location, and the name of your supervising journeyman.
- 3
Complete the required 96 hours of classroom instruction through your apprenticeship program or an L&I-approved education provider. Classroom hours cover NEC code, electrical theory, safety, and blueprint reading.
- 4
When you have accumulated 8,000 total hours (with at least 4,000 in Commercial/Industrial), obtain Form F500-149 (Affidavit of Experience) from the L&I website.
- 5
Fill out the form completely and accurately. Have your supervising journeyman(s) sign the form with original ink signatures. Do not use correction fluid or strike-throughs. If you worked under multiple journeymen, each must sign for the period they supervised.
- 6
Submit the completed affidavit(s) to L&I along with proof of classroom instruction completion and the examination application fee.
- 7
Once L&I verifies your hours and education, you will receive authorization to schedule and take the 01 General Journeyman Electrician examination.
- 8
Pass the exam and pay the license fee. Your journeyman certificate will be issued and is valid for three years.
Important Rules & Gotchas
Registered apprenticeship requirement (July 2023): If you have fewer than 3,000 hours and are not enrolled in a registered program, your hours do not count. This catches many people who thought they could simply work under a journeyman and log time.
Commercial/Industrial minimum is 4,000 hours: This is the single most common reason applications are delayed. If you have been doing primarily residential work, you will not qualify even with 8,000+ total hours.
No corrections on Form F500-149: Any white-out, crossed-out text, or overwritten information will cause the form to be rejected. Print clearly and double-check before signing.
Original signatures only: Photocopied, faxed, or digitally signed forms are rejected. If your supervisor moved to another state, you may need to mail the form for an original signature.
Residential cap of 4,000 hours: Apprentices at residential-focused shops often hit this cap around the halfway mark. Plan ahead to get commercial/industrial experience.
Classroom hours must be from approved providers: Not just any electrical course counts. Verify your classroom instruction is from a provider recognized by L&I.
Hour verification audits: L&I occasionally audits submitted affidavits. If your employer cannot verify the hours you claimed, they may be disqualified. Keep your own independent records.
Classroom & Education Requirements
Washington requires a minimum of 96 hours of classroom instruction to qualify for the journeyman electrician exam. This is significantly lower than many states (Massachusetts requires 600), but the hours must cover specific subjects prescribed by L&I.
Required classroom topics include: the current National Electrical Code (NEC), electrical theory and calculations, blueprint and schematic reading, electrical safety practices (including OSHA 10 or equivalent), and Washington state electrical laws and rules.
Most registered apprenticeship programs integrate classroom instruction into their curriculum, typically scheduling evening classes or weekend sessions. If you are not in a JATC program, you must find an L&I-approved education provider and complete the 96 hours independently.
Keep all certificates of completion and transcripts from your classroom instruction. You will need to submit proof of completion along with your experience affidavit when applying for the exam.
License Renewal & Continuing Education
Washington journeyman electrician certificates are valid for three years and must be renewed before the expiration date printed on your certificate.
The renewal fee is $91 (as of 2026). You must also complete 24 hours of continuing education (CE) during each renewal cycle.
At least 8 of the 24 CE hours must cover updates to the National Electrical Code. The remaining hours may cover safety, specialized electrical topics, or renewable energy systems.
L&I sends renewal notices approximately 90 days before expiration. If you miss the renewal deadline, your certificate becomes inactive and you may not perform electrical work. Late renewal within one year of expiration requires the standard renewal fee plus a $50 late penalty. After one year, you must reapply and may be required to re-examine.
CE courses must be from providers approved by the Washington Electrical Board. Your employer or union may offer approved courses, or you can find independent providers through the L&I website.
Tips for Tracking Your Hours
Start with a registered program. Do not work a single hour before confirming you are enrolled in an L&I-registered apprenticeship. Hours logged outside a registered program (for those under 3,000 hours) are not recoverable.
Focus on commercial/industrial early. Many apprentices default to whatever work is available, which is often residential. Actively seek commercial and industrial assignments to build your 4,000-hour minimum requirement.
Track categories daily, not weekly. It is much easier to categorize work on the day you performed it than to reconstruct categories from memory weeks later.
Record supervisor names and license numbers. You will need this information on the F500-149 affidavit, and tracking it in real time saves significant headaches later.
Keep a separate personal log in addition to your employer's records. Employers change, shops close, and records get lost. Your personal log is your backup if company records are unavailable.
WireHours is built specifically for Washington's four-category system and tracks your commercial/industrial minimum in real time. You will see exactly where you stand against the 4,000-hour minimum and each category cap at a glance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be in a registered apprenticeship program in Washington?
Yes, as of July 2023, anyone with fewer than 3,000 documented hours must be enrolled in a Washington state-registered electrical apprenticeship program. Hours logged outside a registered program do not count toward your license.
How many hours of commercial work do I need in Washington?
You need a minimum of 4,000 hours in the Commercial/Industrial category. This is the single largest requirement and the most common reason for delayed applications. At least half your total hours must be commercial or industrial.
Can I submit my Washington experience affidavit electronically?
No. Washington L&I requires paper Form F500-149 with original ink signatures. Electronic, faxed, or photocopied signatures are not accepted. The form also does not allow corrections — any mistake requires a fresh form.
How many classroom hours does Washington require?
Washington requires a minimum of 96 hours of approved classroom instruction covering the NEC, electrical theory, blueprint reading, and safety. This is in addition to the 8,000 hours of on-the-job training.
Built for Washington's Requirements
WireHours tracks your hours against Washington's exact categories, credit caps, and rules. See your progress in real time and never miss a requirement.
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