About Becoming an Electrical Contractor

Individuals working in the electrical contractor trade must have a valid electrical contractor's license.

What is required to become an Electrical Contractor?

1. Apply online and pay the fee for an electrical contractor license.
2. Submit the following items together in a packet to L&I by mail or in person in one of L&I's local offices.
   • The Application for Electrical Contractor's License.
   • The Assignment of Administrator's/Master Certificate form designating an Administrator or Master Electrician.
   • An original, current surety bond to the state of Washington.
     OR assignment of savings account.
3. If you are going to hire employees you will also need an Industrial Insurance account.
4. NOTE: If you are doing other non-electrical type work you may also need to be registered with the Contractor Registration Section as well. For more information see RCW 18.27 or contact them at 360-902-5226.

What is required to renew your Electrical Contractor license?

1. Renew your license online or at any L&I office and pay the renewal fee for an electrical contractor license.
   Note: You may not renew online if your license has been expired more than 90 days.
2. The following items must be on file at the department for you to renew online:
   • The Assignment of Administrator's/Master Certificate form designating an Electrical Administrator/Master.
   • An current and unimpaired surety bond to the state of Washington
     OR assignment of savings account.
3. You must not have any outstanding, unpaid citations with L&I.
4. If your license is suspended for any reason, you may not renew online. You must contact L&I about reinstating it.

For more information, see:

• Find out more about the Electrical Program.
• Read the Electrical law Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 19.28.
• Read the Electrical rules Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 296-46B. See Electrician certificate and examination (WAC 296-46B-910).
• Join the Electrical Listserv to receive e-mails with the Electrical Currents Newsletter and other important information.

Apply for an Electrical Contractors' license

Individuals or businesses working as a contractor in the electrical construction trade must have a valid electrical contractor's license.

What you need to do

1. Apply online and pay your fee of $281.80 ($245.00 + $36.80) by credit card (VISA or MasterCard only). However, L&I will not issue the license until the original required documents listed below have been received. You will need the following:
   • Have your UBI number.
   • Have your credit card handy. (Visa or Master Card only)
   • Be prepared to mail or drop off at your local L&I office the required documents described above.

   Note: Fees are nonrefundable after license has been issued. Refund requests must be made in writing to the department. Mail to the address listed below.

2. Submit the following items together in a packet to L&I.
   • A completed Application for Electrical Contractor’s License (296 KB PDF), including:
     • Uniform Business Identifier (UBI) number (issued by the Department of Licensing).
     • Complete address and phone number for company.
     • The company owners/principal information including mailing address:
       • SSN for each owner (required);
       • The role of each owner (for example corporations have president, registered agent, etc.)
   • An original, current surety bond (100 KB PDF) or assignment of savings account (191 KB PDF)
     Note: The forms must be completed by your bonding company or financial institution.
   • The administrator/master certificate number and the Assignment of Administrator's/Master Certificate (134 KB PDF) form must be completed and notarized and mailed to the address below within 7 days. (The fee is paid through the online application)
     
Department of Labor & Industries
Electrical Program
PO Box 44460
Olympia, WA 98501
3. You will also need an Industrial Insurance Account, if you are going to hire employees.
4. You must not have any outstanding, unpaid citations with L&I.

What L&I will do

Verify that the following information is on file with L&I:

• All necessary application information.
• Surety bond or assignment of savings account.
• Notarized Assignment of Administrator's/Master Certificate form.

Note: L&I will verify the company is properly registered with Washington state, Secretary of State's office (corporations, llc or llp structures), Department of Reveue and or Department of Licensing before a license will be issued.

We will notify you of the action taken on your application within 30 days after we receive the information listed above.

Renew your Electrical Contractors' license

An Electrical Contractor's license must be renewed every two (2) years.

What you need to renew

1. Save Money! Renew online and pay a reduced renewal fee of $221.00 by credit card.
   

   You will need the following:

   • Your 12-digit license number.
   • An active license (not suspended or canceled).
   • Required documents on file with the department.
   • Your credit card (VISA or MasterCard only).
   Or at any L&I office pay a renewal fee of $245.00 - Pay by Cash, Check or Credit Card (Visa or MasterCard Only)

Note: You may not renew online if your license has been expired more than 90 days. Fees are nonrefundable after license has been issued. Refund requests must be made in writing to the department. Mail to L&I, PO Box 44460, Olympia, WA 98504-4460.

• The following items must be on file at the department when you renew:

• A current and unimpaired electrical contractors bond or assignment of savings.
• An active electrical administrator/master assigned.

• You must not have any outstanding, unpaid citations with L&I. To check this go online to Look Up Electrical Violations or call L&I's Electrical Program at 360-902-5269.
• If your license is suspended for any reason, you may not renew online and you must contact us about reinstating it.

What L&I will do

• Verify that the following information is on file with the department:
  • All necessary application information.
  • Surety bond or assignment of savings account.
  • Notarized Assignment of Administrator's/Master Certificate form.
  • No outstanding, unpaid citations with L&I.
  • That your Electrical Contractors license is in good standing.
  • We will notify you of the action taken on your application within 30 days after we receive the information listed above.