To engage in the business of doing electrical work, you must get an electrical contractor license from L&I. Electrical contractors are businesses who engage in the electrical construction business. They have a certified electrical administrator or a master electrician designated to ensure the business follows the laws, rules and regulations of the state. They employ certified electricians, and electrical trainees to perform the work. To maintain the license they must have a $4,000 bond or assignment of savings and have a current administrator or master electrician assigned.
There are two levels of electrical contractors; general (EC01) and 14 specialties.
General electrical (EC01) contractors are licensed to work in commercial/industrial and all specialty electrical categories. All work performed must be done by properly certified electricians.
Specialty electrical contractors
There are 14 specialty categories in the electrical construction trade, each with a specific scope of work.
Learn more: Scope of work descriptions are found in WAC 296-46B-920.
License requirements
- A valid UBI number issued by the Department of Revenue or Secretary of State’s office.
- A certified, assigned electrical administrator or master electrician.
- An original, $4,000 electrical/telecommunication contractor’s surety bond, or assignment of savings account.
- A workers’ compensation account if the business hire employees.
Electrical contractors are encouraged to carry general liability insurance. However, L&I does not keep records of liability insurance for electrical contractors.
If an electrical contracting business does other, non-electrical work, registration as a contractor may also be required.
Apply by mail
To apply for the General Electrical Contractor's License, you must have:
- Your exact business name, UBI number, and business structure (e.g., sole proprietorship, LLC, etc.).
Note: The name listed on bond and insurance policy must match the business name on the application. - Names, addresses, and Social Security numbers of all principals for the business.
- The name and certificate number of the electrical administrator or master electrician to be assigned.
- An email address and phone number.
- Your licensing fee of $293.60, along with the $44.00 assignment of administrator fee
You must mail the following signed, original documents to the address listed below.
- A completed Application for Electrical Contractor’s License (F500-018-000)
- A notarized Change Assignment of Administrator/Master Certificate (F503-009-000)
- Electrical/Telecommunications Contractor's Bond to the State of WA form (F500-019-000)
- Electrical/Telecommunications Contractor Assignment of Savings Account (F500-020-000)
To apply for the Telecommunication Contractor's License, include the following signed, original documents and fees:
- Application for Telecommunication Contractor’s License (F500-018-000).
Make sure to include:- Your exact business name, UBI number, and business structure (e.g., sole proprietorship, LLC, etc.). Note: The name listed on bond and insurance policy must match the business name on the application.
- Complete mailing address and phone number for your business and a primary email address.
- Names, addresses, and Social Security numbers of all principals for the business, including the role of each principal (e.g., president, registered agent, etc.).
- A notarized Change Assignment of Administrator/Master Certificate (F503-009-000), listing your designated administrator.
- Either a Electrical/Telecommunications Contractor's Bond to the State of WA form (F500-019-000), completed by your bonding company; or a Electrical/Telecommunications Contractor Assignment of Savings Account (F500-020-000), completed by your financial institution.
- An original certificate of at least $170,000 in general liability insurance, issued by your insurer. This policy must list the L&I Electrical Program as the certificate holder.
- Your licensing fee of $293.60, along with the $44.00 assignment of administrator fee.
Send all of the above original forms and documents, along with a check or money order to:
Department of Labor & Industries
Electrical Program
P.O. Box 44460
Olympia, WA 98504-4460
What L&I will do
We will verify that you have:
- All necessary application information.
- Electrical/Telecommunication contractor bond or assignment of savings account.
- Certificate of liability insurance.
- Notarized Change Assignment of Administrator/Master Certificate form.
Before a license will be issued, we will verify your company is properly registered with:
- The Secretary of State's office, if your business is incorporated or an LLC, and the Department of Revenue.
- We will notify you of the action taken on your application within 5 days after we receive your information.
Electrical contractor licenses must be renewed every 2 years. You can save money by renewing online.
Your license expires two years from its effective date, and should be renewed before it expires. If you or your employees are on the job with a license that is expired, suspended, inactive, or revoked, you can be subject to citation and fines.
Renew online
To renew online, you must have:
- A current bond or assignment of savings
- A current administrator assigned
- No outstanding, unpaid citations
If your license has been expired for more than 90 days, you cannot renew online and you must contact L&I to renew. For assistance, contact us by email: ElectricalProgram@Lni.wa.gov or call 360-902-5269.
To renew online, you will need the following
- Your 12-digit telecommunication contractor license number.
- UBI number.
- Email address.
- If you are updating your mailing address, you will need the last 4 digits of one of the principals’ Social Security numbers.
- Your renewal fee of $254.00 (payable by credit or debit card or electronic check)
To renew by mail, send
- Your renewal notice or Electrical/Telecommunication Contractor's License Renewal Notice (F500-077-000).
- A check or money order payable to the Department of Labor & Industries in the amount of $293.60 to:
Department of Labor & Industries
Electrical Program
P.O. Box 44460
Olympia, WA 98504-4460
To renew in person
- Visit your local L&I office with the following:
- Your renewal notice or Electrical/Telecommunication Contractor's License Renewal Notice (F500-077-000).
- A renewal fee of $293.60, payable by credit/debit card, cash, check, or money order.
What L&I will do
We will verify that you have:
- All required documents on file with us.
- Paid the appropriate renewal fee.
- No outstanding fines or penalties.
Within 5 days after we receive your renewal, we will:
- Send your license.
- Notify you if there are any outstanding issues that need to be resolved.
Reinstating a suspended electrical contractor's license
We will suspend an electrical contractor whenever the minimum license requirements are not met. This includes, but is not limited to, failure to have a current unimpaired bond or assignment of savings on file with L&I and/or an active electrical administrator/master electrician assigned.
Reinstate online
To reinstate a suspended license online, all required documents must be on file with L&I and you must pay the reinstatement fee of $59.40.
You will need:
- Your 12 digit electrical contractor license number.
- All required documents on file with L&I.
- Email address and phone number.
You cannot reinstate an electrical contractor license without meeting all license requirements or satisfying the reason of suspension.
In person
- Visit your local L&I office.
- You can reinstate your electrical contractor license, by taking your required documents into your local office.
- Once the documents are recorded with L&I, you can pay the reinstatement fee of $59.40 by cash, check, money order or credit/debit card.
By mail
Mail your required documents and a check or money order for $59.40 payable to the Department of Labor and Industries to:
Department of Labor & Industries
Electrical Program
P.O. Box 44460
Olympia, WA 98504-4460
What L&I will do
We will verify that you have:
- All required documents on file with us.
- The correct fee has been paid.
- There are no outstanding fines or penalties associated with the license/UBI.
Within 5 days after we receive your renewal, we will:
- Reinstate your license and notify you by mail.
- Notify you if there are any outstanding issues that need to be resolved.
If the principals, members, or owners of the company need to be updated:
- Complete the Electrical Telecommunication Principal Member Owner Update Request (F500-124-000) and send it to us by:
Mail to:
Department of Labor & Industries
Electrical Program
P.O. Box 44460
Olympia, WA 98504-4460
You may need to re-license your business if you are changing your:
- Business name (e.g., Fred's Electrical to Frederick Electric Company)
- Business structure, including:
- UBI number changes.
- Changing from a partnership to a corporation, individual proprietorship to partnership, etc.
- Ownership (other than changes to corporate members).
If you are required to re-license, you will need to:
- Apply for a new electrical contractor license.
- Submit a new notarized Change Assignment of Administrator/Master Certificate form (F503-009-000).
- Purchase a new bond or assignment of savings.
More information
- Electrical law (Chapter 19.28 RCW)
- Electrical rules (Chapter 296-46B WAC)
- Contractor Registration
- Sign up for the Electrical Bulletin to receive emails with the Electrical Currents Newsletter and other important information.
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