Apprenticeship Rulemaking
This page covers the laws, rules and policies that apply to registered apprenticeship. This page also includes a section on proposed changes to the Washington Administrative Code (“Rulemaking”) and additional resources you can use when considering an apprenticeship program.
Laws (RCWs) and Rules (WACs)
Washington State Code Reviser Versions - The Washington Administrative Code (WAC) and Revised Code of Washington (RCW) are maintained and updated by the State Office of the Code Reviser. If you receive an error message when referencing a link to a specific section of a WAC or RCW, try your search at the Washington State Legislature.
- All Apprenticeship Rulemaking Documents.
- Apprenticeship Rules: Chapter 296-05 WAC.
- Apprenticeship Act: Chapter 49.04 RCW.
- Industrial Insurance: RCW 51.12.130: Registered apprentices or trainees.
Apprentice labor hour requirements on public works projects
An act relating to apprentice utilization: Amending RCWs 39.04.320, 39.04.350, and 39.12.055, and creating a new section.
RCW 39.04.320: Apprenticeship training programs — Public works contracts — Adjustment of specific projects — Report and collection of agency data — Apprenticeship utilization advisory committee created.
L&I seeks feedback on draft rule for single employer electrical apprenticeship programs with a specialty electrician
The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) seeks feedback on pre-draft rules as it implements legislation regarding single employer electrical apprenticeship programs with specialty electricians. L&I, in collaboration with the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council (WSATC), developed the draft language related to Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1533 (ESHB 1533).
Passed during the 2025 legislative session, the bill concerns single employer general electrical apprenticeship programs with apprentices who already hold a specialty electrician certificate. Under certain circumstances, an employer can work an apprentice in their specialty, rather than providing on-the-job apprenticeship training. When requirements are met, the employer may be exempt from needing to change the apprentice’s status.
L&I will host a virtual feedback session to gather early input on the draft rule language. It will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 23 via Zoom (meeting ID: 873 8161 8225, passcode: Electric1!). You can also join via phone at 253-215-8782 (meeting ID: 87381618225, passcode: 8527108065).
If you cannot attend the session, you may send the program an email if you have any feedback or questions on the draft rule language. Submit your feedback by Sept. 24.
There will be an additional opportunity to provide input when the proposed rules are released later this fall.
Please see the Agency Rulemaking page for additional filing documents.
Stakeholder meetings
- September 23 Zoom Meeting.
Rulemaking documents
Federal Regulations Governing Apprenticeship
- Labor Standards for the Registration of Apprenticeship Programs.
- Department of Labor Employment Law Guide: Laws, Regulations, and Technical Assistance.
- 29 CFR Part 29: Labor Standards for the Registration of Apprenticeship Programs.
- 29 CFR Part 30: Equal Employment Opportunity in Apprenticeship and Training.
- The Fitzgerald Act: The National Apprenticeship Act.
If you have problems getting to these CFRs, go to U.S. Department of Labor Laws and Regulations.
Administrative policies (State) - Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council (WSATC)
- WSATC Admin Policy 2022-02: Lifting COVID-19 Restrictions Related to Related Supplemental Instruction (RSI).
- WSATC Admin Policy 2019-01: Transfer Policy.
- WSATC Admin Policy 2017-01: Temporary Variance to Certify Electrical Trainees.
- WSATC Admin Policy 2016-01: First Full Training Cycle Definition.
- WSATC Admin Policy 2015-01: Compliance Policy.
- WSATC Admin Policy 2014-02: Granting Credit in Licensed Occupations.
- Requesting Certificates of Meritorious Service from the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council (WSATC) (Jan 2014).
- WSATC Admin Policy 2012-03: Apprenticeship Preparation Program Recognition.
- WSATC Admin Policy 2012-01: Special circumstances allowing for the registration of apprentices when an apprenticeship program is under Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council registration limitation.
- WSATC Admin Policy 2011-03: Clarification on the definition of "Service Work" in regards to supervision as contained in apprenticeship standards.
- WSATC Admin Policy 2011-02: Safety Consultation Services for Related Supplemental Instruction (RSI) Facilities.
- WSATC Admin Policy 2004-01: Final Orders.
- WSATC Admin Policy 2003-01: Process for Objections to Apprenticeship Program Standards.
Anti-harassment training resource
Electrical minimum guideline standards
Registered youth apprenticeship standards
Reciprocal agreements
- Proposed Apprenticeship Reciprocal Agreement Between Washington, Oregon, and Montana.
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Apprenticeship Reciprocal Agreement Between Washington, Oregon, and Montana.
Apprentice utilization
- Apprentice Utilization Requirements (AURs) require a certain percentage of labor hours for a given construction project be performed by Washington State registered and/or approved apprentices.
Contact us if you need these documents in other formats or paper copies.
Apprentice Resource List
Here is a list of resources available to apprentices in Washington.
Unemployment support
Apprentices can file for state unemployment benefits while they attend unpaid classroom time. The Washington State Employment Security Department has three videos to help with that process.