The Washington 01 journey level certificate is the state's general electrician credential. It covers the full range of electrical construction work, so it is the one most electricians aim for.

Since 1 July 2026 there is one main way to get it: through a registered apprenticeship. The old grace period for trainees who were not in an apprenticeship program has ended.

This guide explains the requirements, the application and the exam. This site is independent and is not affiliated with Washington L&I, PSI or NFPA.

In short

  • The standard route is an 8,000-hour approved apprenticeship, of which 4,000 hours are new industrial or commercial installations.1
  • You also need in-class education: 96 hours for a certificate that requires 8,000 hours.2
  • The trainee grace period without an apprenticeship ended on 1 July 2026.3
  • The 01 exam has two sections, 60 NEC and theory questions and 17 Washington law questions.4
  • The certificate is renewed every 3 years.5
Contents
  1. Training certificate and apprenticeship
  2. What changed on 1 July 2026
  3. Hours and classroom education
  4. Application and exam
  5. Other ways in
  6. Renewal
  7. Common questions
  8. Sources

Training certificate and apprenticeship

Everyone who learns the electrical construction trade must hold an electrical training certificate from the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I). The certificate is renewed every two years, with proof of 48 hours of approved classroom training.6

Unless you work in a specialty, you must also carry proof that you are registered in an approved journey level apprenticeship program.6 You always work under supervision of a certified electrician, who must be on the same jobsite for at least 75 percent of each working day.6

What changed on 1 July 2026

A temporary law had let some trainees keep working and collecting hours toward the 01 exam without being in an apprenticeship program. That law is no longer in effect after 1 July 2026.3

From that date, anyone doing 01-type work (work not included in a specialty) must be registered in a journey level apprenticeship program. L&I cannot approve 01 exam applications under the grace period if they arrive after 1 July 2026.3

Hours and classroom education

The law requires you to have completed the work experience and education of an 8,000-hour electrical construction apprenticeship. Four thousand of the hours must be new industrial or commercial installations under a master journey level or journey level electrician. No more than 4,000 hours in all specialties may count.1

Specialty hours help only if the specialty needs 4,000 hours. Specialties that need fewer hours cannot be credited toward the 01 certificate.1

The in-class education requirement for a certificate that needs 8,000 hours of work is 96 hours. It can be approved classroom training on the electrical law, the NEC or electrical theory, or the classroom part of an approved apprenticeship.2

Application and exam

You apply to L&I first. Once L&I approves you, you get an exam eligibility notice with your unique ID, and then you schedule the exam yourself with PSI.4 You have one year from your approval date to pass all sections.4

The 01 journey level exam has two sections: NEC and theory (60 questions, 3 hours) and Washington laws and rules, RCW and WAC (17 questions, 1 hour). You need 70 percent, and passed sections stay valid within that year.4

If you fail, wait 14 days to retest.4 The format is explained in more detail in our guide to the Washington electrical exam.

Get a feel for the questions with a free practice test.

Other ways in

The statute also lists routes for people from outside Washington: a completed 8,000-hour apprenticeship in another jurisdiction, an out-of-state journey certificate earned by exam with at least 8,000 supervised hours, 16,000 hours of out-of-state experience, or 8,000 hours served in a military construction battalion. In each case, 4,000 of the hours must be new industrial or commercial work.1

Renewal

Certificates are renewed every three years, on or before the holder's birthday. An annual eight-hour continuing education course is part of the renewal rules.5

Common questions

Can I still become a journey electrician as a trainee without an apprenticeship?

Not on the old basis. The grace period ended on 1 July 2026, and 01 work now requires apprenticeship registration.3

Is the Washington exam open book?

Yes. Any original copyrighted book is allowed, with permanent tabs and highlighting only.4

Which NEC edition is tested?

The bulletin says the questions are based on RCW 19.28, WAC 296-46B and the 2020 NEC.4

Sources

The statutes were read in their online version, and L&I newsletters were used for the 2026 change. Check lni.wa.gov for the current rules before you apply.

  1. RCW 19.28.191: Certificates of competency, eligibility to take the examination (app.leg.wa.gov)
  2. RCW 19.28.205: In-class education requirements (app.leg.wa.gov)
  3. Washington L&I: Electrical Currents newsletter, May 2026 (lni.wa.gov)
  4. PSI: Washington Electrical Candidate Information Bulletin (test-takers.psiexams.com)
  5. RCW 19.28.211: Certificate of competency, issuance and renewal (app.leg.wa.gov)
  6. RCW 19.28.161: Electrical training certificate and supervision (app.leg.wa.gov)