Telecommunications administrators are responsible for making sure telecommunications contractors abide by the state electrical laws, rules, and regulations. They are certified professionals who have taken and passed the state examination. They are a required role for all telecommunications contracting companies.

Becoming a telecommunications administrator

  • To become a telecommunications administrator you must take and pass the exam.
  • There are no prerequisites to take the exam.
  • Anyone can take a telecommunications administrator exam by contacting PSI, the testing center responsible for administration of electrical exams for L&I.
Examination

To become a telecommunications administrator you must take and pass the telecommunications administrator exam. There are no prerequisites to take the exam.

The PSI Exam Bulletin provides information about exam content, scheduling, and fees.

Electrical exams are administered by PSI at their local testing centers. Exams can be scheduled at a time convenient to you–there are no fixed dates or times for exams. You must pass all sections of the exam within 1 year.

After passing all the required sections of the exam, you must submit copies of your passing score reports and the required fee, to L&I to become certified as a telecommunications administrator. This must be done within 90 days of the last passing score date.

Apply

After you have taken and passed all sections of the telecommunications administrator exam, you must apply for your certificate.

  • You can be designated as the telecommunications administrator for a telecommunications contractor when you apply.
  • Depending on the date your application is approved and your birthdate, your initial certification will be good for a minimum of 13 months up to a maximum of 24 months.

Apply

You must mail a copy of your passing score reports supplied by PSI to the address listed below. L&I must receive (not postmarked) all score reports and fee within 90 days of the last passing score date. This score report serves as your application. Be sure to complete all sections.

To be assigned to a telecommunications contractor, you must also complete and send your Change Assignment of Administrator/Master Certificate (F503-009-000) form and fee payable by check or money order.

Mail your score reports and fee stated on the form payable to the Department of Labor & Industries, we accept check or money order.

Mail to:
Department of Labor & Industries
Electrical Program
P.O. Box 44460
Olympia WA 98504-4460

What L&I will do

Verify all required documents information are provided, including:

  • Passing scores for all sections of the examination.
  • All information completed on the score report.
  • Payment.

Within 8-10 weeks after we receive the information listed above, we will:

  • Notify you if we need additional information to complete your application.
  • Send your certificate.
Assignment of administrator

As a telecommunications administrator, you must notify us within 10 days of any change in your assignment status.

When you assign as the designated administrator to a telecommunications contracting company, you are accepting the responsibility of ensuring the contractor complies with all the appropriate Washington state electrical laws and rules.

To assign to a telecommunications contractor or unassign from a telecommunications contractor you must send us a completed Change Assignment of Administrator/Master Certificate (F503-009-000) form to the address stated on the form. Include a check or money order payable to the Department of Labor & Industries.

Renew

Telecommunications administrator certificates are renewed every 2 years. Your certificate expires on your birthdate.

Renew online

Before you renew your telecommunications administrator certificate online, make sure you’re eligible to renew. Use our Verify tool, which will tell you if you have:

  • Any outstanding, unpaid citations.
  • An expired or suspended certificate.

To renew online, you will need the following:

  • Your 12-digit certificate number.
  • Social Security number.
  • Birthdate.
  • Email address and phone number.
  • Your renewal fee payable by credit or debit card or electronic check.

In person or by mail

In person

By mail

Department of Labor & Industries
Electrical Program
P.O. Box 44460
Olympia WA 98504-4460

Later renewal requirements

  • If you do not renew by your expiration date, your administrator certificate will automatically become separated from the telecommunications contractor you are assigned to.
  • You will also have to pay a late renewal fee.
  • If you have been separated, you must reassign with your telecommunications contractor after you have met all renewal requirements.

If your certificate is more than 90 days past the expiration date, you must take and pass the telecommunication administrator examination and reapply with us to reinstate your certificate. If you have any issues with your certificate, email us at ElectricalProgram@Lni.wa.gov for assistance.

If you are assigned to a telecommunication contractor and don’t renew by your expiration date, you will become unassigned. To reassign to the telecommunication contractor after you have met all renewal requirements, you must complete a Change Assignment of Administrator/Master Certificate (F503-009-000) form and pay the fee stated on the form.

What L&I will do

We will verify all required documents and information are provided, and check if you have:

  • Paid the appropriate renewal fee.
  • No outstanding fines or penalties.

Within 5 days after we receive your renewal, we will:

  • Send your certificate.
  • Notify you if there are any outstanding issues that need to be resolved.

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