Construction / Electrician Continuing Education / Washington
- Washington
- Electrician CE
- Administrator, General, Master & Trainee
- Updated Oct 2026
Washington Electrician Continuing Education: Hours, Deadline and Approved Courses
Washington electrical administrators, journey level, specialty and master electricians need 24 hours of approved CE every 3-year renewal by their birthdate, including 8 hours of NEC changes and 4 hours of RCW 19.28 and WAC rules.
Last updated October 28, 2026 from Washington Department of Labor and Industries requirements
Hours per cycle
24 hrs
Administrators, journey, specialty and master; trainees need 48
Cycle
3 years
Trainees renew every 2 years
Deadline
Your birthdate
Every 3 years on or before your birthdate (trainees every 2 years)
Online allowed?
Yes, except trainees
Trainee Basic Classroom Instruction must be in-person
Who needs CE
Who needs continuing education for a Washington electrician license?
Washington electrical administrators, journey level electricians, specialty electricians, master electricians and electrical trainees all need education hours to renew. Renewal is handled by the state through the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I).
CE applies to
- Electrical Administrators
- Journey Level & Specialty Electricians
- Master Electricians
- Electrical Trainees
Exemptions
- None stated in WAC 296-46B-970
Trainees follow different rules
Under WAC 296-46B-970, electrical trainees need 48 hours of Basic Classroom Instruction (BCI) every 2-year renewal cycle, taken in an in-person classroom format with a passing exam score of at least 75%.
Washington electrician CE at a glance
Washington electrician renewal, one box
| Renewed with | Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) |
| CE required? | Yes |
| Hours per cycle | 24 hrs (trainees 48 hrs) |
| Cycle | 3 years (trainees 2 years) |
| Required topics | 8 hrs NEC changes, 4 hrs RCW 19.28 & WAC 296-46B |
| Online allowed? | Yes, except trainees |
| Deadline | Your birthdate, every 3 years (trainees every 2 years) |
| Who reports | Course sponsor (online within 7 days) |
| Carryover | No |
| Grace period | 90-day late renewal window (late fee applies; no work while expired) |
| Renewal fee | $92.60 online journey/specialty; $175.70 online master/admin; $59.20 online trainee |
| Last updated | October 28, 2026 |
Hours
How many CE hours does a Washington electrician license need?
Administrators, journey level, specialty and master electricians need 24 hours every 3-year renewal: 8 hours on currently adopted NEC changes, 4 hours on RCW 19.28 and WAC 296-46B rules, and 12 hours of other approved topics (up to 4 hours may be behavioral health and wellness training). Trainees need 48 hours of Basic Classroom Instruction every 2 years in an in-person classroom.
| Class | Total | Required topics | Electives | Delivery limits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Administrator | 24 hrs | 8 hrs NEC changes, 4 hrs RCW 19.28 & WAC 296-46B | 12 hrs approved topics (up to 4 hrs behavioral health) | Online or classroom; no duplicate classes in a cycle |
| Journey, Specialty & Master Electrician | 24 hrs | 8 hrs NEC changes, 4 hrs RCW 19.28 & WAC 296-46B | 12 hrs approved topics (up to 4 hrs behavioral health) | Online or classroom; no duplicate classes in a cycle |
| Electrical Trainee | 48 hrs | NEC, electrical theory, or RCW 19.28 & WAC 296-46B | None | In-person Basic Classroom Instruction only |
RCW is the Revised Code of Washington and WAC is the Washington Administrative Code. All courses must be approved by L&I under WAC 296-46B-970.
Deadline
When is the Washington electrician license renewal deadline?
Washington electrician, master electrician and administrator certificates expire every 3 years on the holder’s birthdate (up to 90 days before expiration is open for renewal). Electrical trainee certificates expire every 2 years.
| Deadline rule | On or before your birthdate |
| Cycle | 3 years (trainees every 2 years) |
| Grace period | Up to 90 days past expiration with a late fee (cannot work while expired) |
| Late penalty | Doubled renewal fee within 90 days ($185.30 online journey/specialty; $351.40 online master/admin; $83.00 online trainee); retesting required after 90 days |
| CE completion deadline | Before you submit your renewal (sponsors have 7 days to report rosters) |
Steps
How to renew a Washington electrician license, step by step
- Take approved CEBefore your deadline
Complete 24 hours of L&I-approved CE, including 8 hours of NEC changes and 4 hours of RCW 19.28 and WAC 296-46B. Trainees take 48 hours of in-person Basic Classroom Instruction every 2 years. - Get your certificateSame day
Save the certificate of completion for each course you finish. - Confirm it’s reportedWithin 7 days of class
Course sponsors must submit electronic completion rosters to L&I within 7 days. Check L&I’s online Verify tool to make sure your hours are posted before you renew. - Pay the renewal fee$92.60–$175.70 online
Submit your renewal to L&I online ($92.60 for journey/specialty, $175.70 for master/administrator, or $59.20 for trainees) or by mail at the paper rate. - Check your license statusAfter renewal
Look up your certificate on L&I’s Verify system to confirm the new expiration date.
Providers
Approved Washington electrician license CE providers
We haven’t compared CE providers for this license yet. Use the board’s approved provider list to confirm a course counts before you pay. Courses must be approved by the Washington Department of Labor and Industries to count.
Approval
How to check a Washington electrician CE course is approved
Washington electrician CE courses must be approved by the Department of Labor and Industries under WAC 296-46B-970. Your 24 hours must include the required NEC and RCW/WAC topics, and you cannot take the exact same course ID more than once in the same renewal cycle.
- Confirm the course is approved by L&I before you pay.
- Make sure your mix includes 8 hours of NEC changes and 4 hours of RCW 19.28 and WAC 296-46B.
- If you’re a trainee, choose an approved in-person Basic Classroom Instruction course; online courses won’t count for you.
Reporting
How Washington electrician CE is reported, and what happens in an audit
Under WAC 296-46B-970, approved course sponsors must submit your completion electronically to L&I within 7 days of class completion. You cannot renew online until your required hours appear on your L&I record.
- Print or save every certificate of completion.
- Check L&I’s Verify tool to confirm your sponsor reported your hours within 7 days.
- Finish classes early enough for the 7-day reporting window before your birthday deadline.
Cost
How much does Washington electrician license renewal cost?
| Item | Fee | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| Journey level or specialty electrician renewal | $92.60 online ($106.40 mail/in person) | Washington L&I |
| Master electrician or administrator renewal | $175.70 online ($202.20 mail/in person) | Washington L&I |
| Electrical trainee renewal (2 years) | $59.20 online ($67.90 mail/in person) | Washington L&I |
| Late renewal (within 90 days of expiration) | $185.30 online journey/specialty; $351.40 online master/admin; $83.00 online trainee | Washington L&I |
| CE courses (24 hours) | Varies by provider | CE provider |
Fees from WAC 296-46B-909, checked October 2026.
Late or lapsed
Late, expired or inactive Washington electrician license
Under WAC 296-46B-940 and WAC 296-46B-935, you can renew an expired certificate up to 90 days after your expiration date by completing your CE and paying the late renewal fee, which is double the standard fee. If your certificate is expired for more than 90 days, you cannot renew it and must retake the competency exam.
90-day late renewal window
You have up to 90 days after your birthday expiration date to renew with a doubled fee, but you cannot legally perform electrical work while expired.
Expired more than 90 days
Certificates expired more than 90 days cannot be renewed; you must reapply and pass the state competency examination again.
Makeup CE
You must have all 24 hours of CE (or 48 hours of BCI for trainees) posted with L&I before your late renewal can be processed.
Who controls
Who controls Washington electrician license renewal?
Renewal authority
Washington Department of Labor and Industries
Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I), Electrical Program
PO Box 44460, Olympia, WA 98504-4460
Responsibilities
- Issues and renews Washington electrical certificates and trainee cards
- Approves electrician CE and Basic Classroom Instruction courses
- Enforces RCW 19.28 and WAC Chapter 296-46B
Getting licensed
Getting a Washington electrician license
Need the license first? Our Washington guide covers who needs a license, the classes, exams, fees and the steps to apply.
FAQ
Washington electrician license CE FAQs
How many CE hours does a Washington electrician need?
24 hours every 3-year renewal for administrators, journey level, specialty and master electricians: 8 hours of NEC changes, 4 hours of RCW 19.28 and WAC 296-46B, and 12 hours of other approved topics.
How many hours do electrical trainees need?
48 hours of Basic Classroom Instruction every 2-year renewal cycle, taken in an in-person classroom format.
When is the deadline?
Electrician, master electrician and administrator certificates expire every 3 years on your birthdate (trainee cards every 2 years). Finish your hours early enough for the sponsor to report them before you renew.
Can I take CE online?
Yes for administrators, journey level, specialty and master electricians using L&I-approved courses. Trainees must take in-person classroom courses.
Who reports my hours?
Approved course sponsors must submit electronic completion rosters to L&I within 7 days of class completion under WAC 296-46B-970.
Do hours carry over?
No. WAC 296-46B-970 requires hours to be completed within the prior certification period, and extra hours do not carry forward.
Sources
Official sources for Washington electrician CE rules
- Washington L&I, Electrical Continuing Education
- WAC 296-46B-970, Continuing Education and Classroom Education Requirements
- WAC 296-46B-909, Electrical/Telecommunications Fee Schedule
- WAC 296-46B-940, Electrician Certificate of Competency Renewal
Last updated October 28, 2026. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Exam Insiders is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the Washington Department of Labor and Industries.