2026 rulemaking

2026 national electric code amendments

L&I is reviewing the electrical rules under chapter 296-46B WAC and new safety codes from the 2026 edition of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70, the National Electrical Code (NEC). The purpose of the review is to consider changes to the rules for new safety codes, to update and clarify existing rules, and make housekeeping and other changes.

L&I reviews the state electrical rules every three years, to ensure consistency with national electrical safety standards and industry practice. The 2026 NEC will replace the current 2023 NEC edition on Dec. 31, 2026.

L&I filed a formal Preproposal Statement of Inquiry (CR-101) on Dec. 16.

How to participate

1. You may submit proposals for rule changes. The deadline is Feb. 13, 2026. See the January 2026 Special Edition Electrical Currents Newsletter for details.
2. Join the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). TAC members of experts and other stakeholders review proposals. To apply for a position, send a letter of interest to ElectricalWAC@Lni.wa.gov and put TAC in the subject line.
3. There will be opportunities to provide written comments and present testimony at a public hearing yet to be scheduled.

If adopted, the new rules are expected to take effect Dec. 31, 2026.

Rulemaking document

Notice of Intent (12/16/2025)

• CR-101 Preproposal Statement of Inquiry.
• Proposed Amendments for TAC.
• First draft proposed rule amendments short.
• First draft proposed rule amendments long.

Here's what happens next

Technical Advisory Committee Meeting
Date: April 1, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Location: Department of Labor & Industries
7273 Linderson Way SW, S117 Hybrid
Tumwater, WA 98501

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Questions? Call 360-902-5259

• July 2026: The proposed rules (CR-102) are expected to be filed with the state Office of the Code Reviser.
• August 2026: A public hearing on the proposed rules is tentatively scheduled.
• November 2026: The final rules (CR-103), if adopted, are expected to be filed with the state Office of the Code Reviser.
• Dec. 31, 2026: The changes would take effect.

2025 rulemaking

L&I has adopted 6.51% fee increases for services from the Contractor Registration, Electrical, Elevator, Factory Assembled Structures (FAS), and Plumber programs.

The agency filed a CR-103 Rulemaking Order on May 5. The amount of the increase is the fiscal growth factor for fiscal year 2027. The increase represents the average personal income growth over the past decade.

This rulemaking also adopts housekeeping changes to the electrical rules to correct a mathematical error from a previous fee increase rulemaking.

The fee increases affect the following Washington Administrative Code (WACs):

WAC 296-46B-906, Inspection Fees;
WAC 296-46B-909, Electrical/telecommunications contractor's license, administrator certificate and examination, master electrician certificate and examination, electrician certificate and examination, copy, and miscellaneous fees;
WAC 296-46B-911, Electrical testing laboratory and engineer accreditation fees;
WAC 296-96-00922, Licensing fees;
WAC 296-96-01085, Permit and inspection fees;
WAC 296-150C-3000, Commercial coach fees;
WAC 296-150F-3000, Factory-built housing and commercial structure fees;
WAC 296-150I-3000, Penalties, fees, and refunds;
WAC 296-150M-3000, Manufactured/mobile home fees;
WAC 296-150P-3000, Recreational park trailer fees;
WAC 296-150R-3000, Recreational vehicle fees;
WAC 296-150T-3000, Factory-built temporary worker housing fees;
WAC 296-150V-3000, Conversion vendor units and medical units – Fees;
WAC 296-200A-900, What fees does the department charge contractors for issuance, renewal, reregistration, and reinstatement of certificates of registration?; and
WAC 296-400A-045, What fees does the department charge for issuance, renewal, relicensing, and reinstatement of a plumbing contractor license and plumbing certificates?

The adopted fee increases take effect July 1.

Rulemaking documents

Notice of intent (12/2/2025)

CR-101 Preproposal Statement of Inquiry

Proposed Rule Language (2/23/2026)

• CR-102 Proposed Rulemaking.
• CR-102 Proposed Rule Language.

Final Adoption (05/05/2026)

• CR-103 Adoption.
• CR-103 Adoption Language.
• Concise Explanatory Statement.

2025 rulemaking - electric vehicle charging installation

L&I is considering electrical rule changes that would affect requirements for installing electric vehicle supply equipment and electrician and administrator competency examinations. The changes are necessary because of legislation passed earlier this year and to streamline the rules.

The legislation involves Installation of Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (SSB 5528 implementation). The changes would affect Chapter 296-46B WAC, Electric Safety Standards, Administration, and Installation.

The agency filed a CR-101 Preproposal Statement of Inquiry on Aug. 5.

About the new statutory amendments

Substitute Senate Bill 5528 (SSB 5528) (Chapter 233, 2025 Laws), requires additional certification requirements for electricians performing work on electrical vehicle supply equipment on all public works projects. It takes effect Jan. 1, 2026.

The provisions of the law include:

• People installing electric vehicle supply equipment on all public works as defined in RCW 39.4.010, must be certified by the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program (EVITP), or a similar nationally recognized training program;
• The EVITP, or similar nationally recognized program, must be open to all general journey level electricians.
• Certification is required only for work on the electrical components during the installation and maintenance of electric vehicle supply equipment.
• The requirements do not apply to:
  • certain apprentices when the supervising journey level electrician is certified by a training program, and;
  • installation projects under contract as of Jan. 1, 2026.

The Legislature provided L&I authority to adopt rules to implement the requirements.

Electrician and Administrator Competency Examinations

Changes are also being considered to:

• Streamline requirements for electrician and administrator competency examinations. The changes under consideration include:
• Updates, clarifications, housekeeping, and other changes.

Changes also being considered removed the special accommodations requirements for examinations.

How to participate

L&I has updated draft changes to the state’s electrical rules. The latest version of the draft proposed rules is now available.

We welcome your input on draft proposal version 2. This is your opportunity to provide input before we file the CR-102 Proposed Rules. Please send input to Meagan Edwards at CSCPSRules@Lni.wa.gov. All preliminary input must be received by Friday, May 16.

There will also be opportunities to provide comments during the formal public comment period. L&I expects to file the CR-102 Proposed Rulemaking in June 2026. We will provide updates on the filing, when the public comment period begins, and when the public hearing will take place.

Rulemaking document

Notice of Intent (8/5/2025)

• CR-101 Preproposal Statement of Inquiry.
• Draft Rule Language - Version 1.
• Draft Rule Language - Version 2.
• Draft Rule Language - Version 3.

Here’s what happens next

• June 16, 2026: The proposed rules (CR-102) are expected to be filed with the state Office of the Code Reviser.
• July 2026: A public hearing on the proposed rules is tentatively scheduled.
• September 2026: The final rules (CR-103), if adopted, are expected to be filed with the state Office of the Code Revisor.
• October 2, 2026: The changes would take effect.

Related resources

• Trades & Licensing Rules Under Development (listed alphabetically) to find electrical safety standards, administration, and installation.
• Current electrical rulemaking.
• Join the Electrical Bulletin to get email notices with important dates and other information about rule changes.

As new policies are approved, they will be posted here. Please check back on a regular basis.