Construction / HVAC License / Washington
- Washington
- HVAC License
- 06A HVAC/R Specialty
- Updated Oct 2026
How to Get Your Washington 06A HVAC/R Specialty Electrician License
In Washington, the electrical side of HVAC and refrigeration work needs the 06A HVAC/R specialty electrician certificate from Labor & Industries. Here’s what it covers, the hours you need and how the two PSI exams work.
Last updated October 27, 2026 from Washington State Department of Labor & Industries requirements
Application fee
$114.60
Plus $65 PSI exam fee
Exam time
3 hrs
2 hrs NEC & Theory + 1 hr Laws & Rules
Time to get license
4,000 hrs
Supervised work, plus 48 classroom hours
Continuing ed
24 hrs
Each licensing period
Overview
Do you need a Washington HVAC license?
Yes, if you work on the electrical parts of HVAC/R equipment. The 06A specialty covers low-voltage and line-voltage components with no limit on voltage, phase or amperage. Until you’re certified, you work as a supervised trainee.
License required when
- You install, repair, replace or maintain line-voltage components inside HVAC/R units
- You run control wiring in residential and certain commercial settings
- You install flexible whips under 6 feet or short protective raceway for low-voltage cable
- You bond metal gas piping to an existing grounding conductor
Common exceptions
- Trainees can do 06A work before certifying if a certified 06A specialty electrician or journey-level electrician supervises them at least 75% of the time
- Journey-level electricians, who can supervise 06A trainees, already cover this work
Penalties for unlicensed work
Our source notes don’t list penalty amounts. L&I can take action against people doing electrical work without the right certificate, so stay supervised until you’re certified.
Your fast-track Washington HVAC license checklist
The Washington application, one page
- 4,000 hours of supervised trainee experience
- 48 hours of basic classroom instruction
- Experience affidavit on file with L&I
- Application and fees submitted to L&I
- PSI exam scheduled after your approval notice
- Passing scores on NEC & Theory and WA Laws & Rules
Types
Washington HVAC license types and classifications
The 06A certificate is one of Washington’s specialty electrician certificates. You start as a trainee and certify once your hours are done.
06A
Most common
HVAC/R specialty electrician
Installs, repairs, replaces and maintains low- and line-voltage HVAC/R components, including control wiring, internal disconnects and bonding gas piping. Doesn’t cover parts in motor control centers or panelboards.
Exam
NEC & Theory + WA Laws & Rules
Limit
No voltage, phase or amp limit
TRN
Start here
Electrical trainee
Builds the 4,000 hours of experience you need. Must be supervised at least 75% of the time by a certified 06A specialty or journey-level electrician.
Exam
None
Limit
No circuits over 600 volts
Requirements
Washington HVAC license requirements, class by class
You have to meet the experience and classroom requirements before L&I will let you sit for the exam.
| Requirement | 06A HVAC/R specialty |
|---|---|
| Classroom | 48 hrs of basic classroom instruction |
| Work experience | 4,000 hrs |
| Supervision as a trainee | At least 75% of the time, by a 06A specialty or journey-level electrician |
| Experience affidavit | On file with L&I before you apply |
| Exams | NEC & Theory and WA Laws & Rules |
| CE to renew | 24 hrs each licensing period |
| Minimum age | Not stated |
Steps
How to get your Washington HVAC license, step by step
- Work as a supervised trainee4,000 hrs
Log your hours under a certified 06A specialty or journey-level electrician, supervised at least 75% of the time. - Complete basic classroom instruction48 hrs
Finish the required basic classroom instruction before you apply. - File your experience affidavitBefore you apply
L&I needs an affidavit of your experience and classroom hours on file. Call 360-902-5269 to confirm it’s been filed. - Submit your application and feesMail, online or in person
Send your application and the $114.60 fee to L&I, or drop them off at a local L&I office. If approved, L&I mails you instructions for scheduling the exam. - Pass both PSI examsExam day
Schedule with PSI at 855-746-8173. Take the NEC & Theory exam (2 hrs, 70% to pass) and the WA Laws & Rules exam (1 hr). - Receive your certificateAfter you pass
Once everything is complete, L&I issues your 06A HVAC/R certificate.
Exam
What to expect on the Washington HVAC exam
The 06A exam has two parts: an open-book NEC & Theory section and a Washington Laws & Rules section. Question counts are approximate and can vary slightly.
Format
Open book
Questions
34 + 17
Passing score
70%
Exam vendor
PSI
Scoring & content
- NEC & Theory: about 34 questions, 2 hours, 70% to pass
- WA Laws & Rules: about 17 questions, 1 hour
- References include the NEC (NFPA 70), RCW 19.28 and WAC 296-46B
- References can be tabbed and highlighted
- Check with PSI which NEC edition your exam uses
Retake policy
- Retake waiting period: 14 days after a failed attempt; 3 months after a third failure
- Retake fee: PSI bills retest sections by the hour ($45 for 1 hour, $55 for 2 hours)
- You can only schedule after L&I approves your application
- Schedule through PSI’s Washington L&I page or 855-746-8173
Exam references · Open book
Both 06A HVAC/R exams (NEC and Theory, and WA Laws and Rules) are open book, and you can tab and highlight these references and bring them into the PSI exam.
| Book | Edition | Use |
|---|---|---|
| NFPA 70: National Electrical Code (NEC) | 2020 | Allowed in exam |
| RCW Chapter 19.28: Electricians and Electrical Installations | Not stated | Allowed in exam |
| WAC Chapter 296-46B: Electrical Safety Standards, Administration, and Installation | Not stated | Allowed in exam |
Washington has adopted the 2023 NEC, but the exams haven’t switched over yet (no date set), so check which NEC edition your exam uses before you buy.
Prep
Best Washington HVAC exam prep, compared
We haven’t compared prep courses for this exam yet.
Costs
How much does a Washington HVAC license cost?
| Item | Type | Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| L&I application fee | Fixed | $114.60 (includes original certificate) |
| PSI exam fee | Fixed | $65 (3-hour exam) |
| Electrical trainee certificate | Fixed | $56.00 ($48.10 online) |
| 48 hrs basic classroom instruction | Variable | Varies |
| NEC code book | Variable | Varies |
| State fees and exams | L&I application plus PSI exam; excludes trainee certificate, classes and books | $179.60 |
Fees from WAC 296-46B-909 (effective July 1, 2026) and the PSI Washington L&I electrical candidate bulletin, checked October 2026.
Reciprocity
Does Washington accept out-of-state HVAC licenses?
Washington has a reciprocity agreement with Idaho. Everyone else applies as a new applicant.
Idaho — reciprocity agreement
Washington and Idaho have a reciprocity agreement. Confirm with L&I which certificates it covers and what’s waived before you apply.
All other states — no agreement
Apply as a new applicant: document your hours, file your affidavit and pass both exams.
Local
Do Washington cities and counties have their own HVAC licensing rules?
Your 06A certificate comes from the state and works across Washington. Permits and inspections still apply to each job.
State handles
- 06A specialty electrician certificates and trainee supervision rules
- Experience affidavits and applications
- Exams, through PSI
- Continuing education and renewals
City & county handle
- Building and mechanical permits
- Local business licenses, where required
Governance
Who regulates HVAC/R electricians in Washington
Licensing authority
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), Electrical Program
360-902-5269
Oversight responsibilities
- Issues 06A and other specialty electrician certificates
- Keeps experience affidavits and classroom hours on file
- Approves applicants to schedule the PSI exam
- Sets continuing education for renewal
Maintenance
How to renew your Washington HVAC license and keep it active
Licensed electricians, including 06A specialty electricians, complete 24 hours of continuing education each licensing period to renew. Renewal costs $106.40, or $92.60 online. Our source notes don’t give the cycle length.
Renewal cycle
Not stated
CE hours
24
Renewal fee
$106.40 ($92.60 online)
Late penalty
Late renewal is $212.90 ($185.30 online)
Washington electrical continuing education
Basic classroom instruction and CE rules from L&I
FAQ
Washington HVAC license FAQs
Do I need a license to do HVAC work in Washington?
You need the 06A HVAC/R specialty electrician certificate to work on the electrical parts of HVAC/R equipment. Until then, you work as a trainee under supervision.
How many hours do I need for the 06A certificate?
4,000 hours of work experience plus 48 hours of basic classroom instruction, both completed before you take the exam.
Is the 06A exam open book?
Yes. The NEC & Theory exam is open book with about 34 questions in 2 hours, and you need 70% to pass. There’s also a 1-hour WA Laws & Rules exam.
Who can supervise a 06A trainee?
A certified 06A specialty electrician or a journey-level electrician. Trainees must be supervised at least 75% of the time.
Can a trainee work on high-voltage circuits?
No. Electrical trainees may not work on circuits over 600 volts.
Does Washington have reciprocity for HVAC/R?
Washington has a reciprocity agreement with Idaho. Applicants from other states apply as new applicants.
How much continuing education do I need?
24 hours each licensing period to renew.
Sources
Official sources for the Washington HVAC license
- Washington L&I, Electrical licensing, exams & education
- L&I, Basic classroom instruction and continuing education
- RCW Chapter 19.28, Electricians and Electrical Installations (PDF)
- WAC Chapter 296-46B, Electrical Safety Standards (PDF)
- PSI, Washington L&I exam scheduling
- WAC 296-46B-909, Electrical certificate and examination fees
- PSI, Washington L&I electrical candidate information bulletin (PDF)
Last updated October 27, 2026. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Exam Insiders is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries.