Washington Electrical License Renewal: A Guide to L&I CEUs

While it might seem like just another task on the to-do list, viewing your L&I continuing education as a strategic investment can make all the difference. It sharpens your skills, reinforces your expertise, and keeps you competitive in a rapidly evolving field. This guide breaks down the requirements to help you navigate the process with confidence.

Understanding Washington’s Universal CEU Requirement

The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries has streamlined continuing education requirements for certified electricians, making the rules consistent across several license types. According to L&I, all certified Electrical Administrators, Master Electricians, and Journeyman-level or Specialty Electricians must complete 24 hours of approved continuing education every three years to be eligible for renewal. This requirement is codified in the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 296-46B-970.

This universal 24-hour rule simplifies compliance, but the curriculum itself is highly specific. Your chosen courses must adhere to a strict breakdown to ensure you receive credit. The renewal period itself is a three-year cycle that expires on your birthday, a detail that’s easy to remember but critical not to forget.

The Core Curriculum: Your 24-Hour Breakdown

To successfully complete your Washington electrical license renewal, your 24 hours of CEUs can’t be just any courses. The L&I mandates a specific structure to ensure every electrician receives training on the most critical updates affecting their work.

8 Hours: NEC Code Update Course

A full third of your continuing education must be dedicated to an NEC code update course. With the state’s transition to the 2023 National Electrical Code, this block of training is more vital than ever. These courses delve into the significant revisions that impact everything from daily installations to major project planning. Understanding how definition changes in the NEC have impacted electrical work is fundamental, as it alters the very language of compliance. Furthermore, for those working in commercial and industrial settings, grasping how the 2023 NEC arc-flash hazard warning requirements are different is essential for job site safety and liability.

4 Hours: RCW/WAC Update

Four hours of your training must focus on Washington’s specific laws and rules, as detailed in the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 19.28 and the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 296-46B. This RCW/WAC update is non-negotiable and ensures you’re aligned with state-level regulations that may differ from or supplement the NEC. This knowledge is what separates a proficient electrician from a true Washington-based expert, protecting both you and your clients.

12 Hours: Industry-Related Electrical Training

The remaining 12 hours offer flexibility, allowing you to pursue topics that align with your career goals. These are categorized as “industry-related” credits. You can choose from a wide range of approved electrical courses covering advanced technical skills, new technologies, or safety protocols. A popular and highly relevant topic is electrical safety, particularly the standards set by the NFPA. Taking a course that explains how NFPA 70E 2024 updates have changed electrical job safety planning provides actionable knowledge that enhances safety for you and your crew. Interestingly, L&I also allows up to four of these hours to be from an approved first aid course, recognizing its importance in the field, per WAC 296-46B-970.

Licensed Electricians vs. Electrical Trainees: A Critical Distinction

While the requirements for licensed professionals are uniform, the path for an electrical trainee is fundamentally different. It is crucial not to confuse the two, as their educational mandates are distinct in hours, timeframe, and delivery method. Misunderstanding these differences can lead to significant delays in certification.

This distinction is vital for those managing teams or mentoring apprentices. While a journeyman electrician can complete their renewal using convenient online electrical courses, a trainee must attend an approved electrician school or training program in a classroom setting to meet their 48-hour requirement over two years.

Navigating the L&I Renewal Process: Deadlines & Details

Successfully completing your CEUs is the biggest step, but proper submission is just as important. Your certificate expires every three years on your birthday. L&I recommends renewing before this date to avoid penalties. According to WAC 296-46B-999, if your license expires, renewing within 90 days incurs a penalty fee that doubles the renewal cost. If it remains expired for more than 90 days, the certificate becomes invalid, and you must re-take the certification exam to become licensed again.

For master electricians and electrical administrators who may be working out-of-state or taking a break from the trade, L&I offers a valuable option. You can pay your renewal fee without completing the CEUs to place your certificate in an “inactive status”. You cannot legally perform electrical work with an inactive card, but it protects your certification from expiring and saves you from the stress and expense of re-testing.

Finding Approved Courses and Checking Your Status

Only courses approved by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries will count toward your renewal. When you complete a course from an approved provider, that provider has seven days to report your credits to L&I’s system. You are responsible for ensuring your credits are recorded correctly.

Before you renew, you can use L&I’s public “Verify” tool to check your electrical license status and view your record of completed continuing education. This is the best way to confirm that L&I has received your credits from your course provider. If you find a discrepancy, you should contact the provider directly.

Staying on top of your CEU requirements is a hallmark of a true professional. With a clear understanding of the 24-hour rule, topic breakdowns, and renewal process, you can manage your Washington electrical license renewal efficiently and keep your focus where it belongs: on providing safe, expert service to your clients. When you’re ready to tackle your renewal, you can browse our courses to find the right training for your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do I have to complete all 24 hours of continuing education at once?

No. According to WAC 296-46B-970, the hours must be completed within your three-year certification period, but you are not required to take the classes in separate years or all at once. You can spread them out as you see fit.

Can I get credit for taking the same class multiple times within one renewal cycle?

No. The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries explicitly states that an individual will not be given credit for the same approved continuing education class taken more than once during their 3-year cycle.

What happens if I miss my renewal deadline?

If you miss your renewal deadline (your birthday), your renewal fees will double if you renew within 90 days. If your certificate is not renewed within 90 days after the expiration date, it becomes invalid and non-renewable, and you will be required to re-take the state examination to regain your certification per WAC 296-46B-999.