Washington Electrical License Renewal: Deadlines, Fees and CE

Washington has 4 Electrical license classes. Most renew every 3 years. Renewal fees are about $106 to $354, depending on the class. Fees change, so check the official site for the exact amount. Continuing education is 24 hours. The details for each class are below.

Full rule details

Verified dataLast checked Oct 17, 2026, next review due July 2027

Informational: verify with the issuing board.

Remind me before it expires How reminders work

Electrical Administrator / Master Electrician Certificate

Administrator · State license · Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) - Contractor Registration

Remind me before this expires

Renew on the official site 360-902-5226 (Option 2); 800-647-0982

Renewal cycle: Every 3 years
Continuing education: 24 hours
Show CE rules
24 hours L&I-approved CE per 3-year cycle, including 8 hours code update and 4 hours RCW/WAC; CE must show on L&I Verify before renewing.
Deadline rule: Expires on the certificate holder's birthdate every 3 years.

Show fees, grace period, bond and insurance

Grace period: Can renew (with late fee and CE) up to 90 days after expiration.

Fees, approximate

Renewal fee: About $202
Late fee: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
Late renewal fee: master/administrator about $404.50 (online about $351.40); journey level/specialty about $212.90 (online about $185.30) (WAC 296-46B-909, eff. 7/1/2026).
Reinstatement: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
Expired more than 90 days: cannot renew; must retest. Inactive status: if not working in Washington, pay fee without CE; certificate goes inactive until CE is completed or it expires.

Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Why approximate?

Boards change fees often and some charge extra processing fees. We show a recent amount so you can plan.

Bond: Not required
Insurance: Not required
Reciprocity: The Oregon reciprocity agreement covers general journey-level (01) electricians; see L&I for any administrator or master pathway.

Notes

Renewal is $202.20 by mail or in person and $175.70 online (eff. 7/1/2026). If renewal or continuing education is not completed on time, the certificate is separated from the contractor and a late fee applies; reassignment uses form F503-009-000 with a $53.00 fee. More than 90 days past expiration, the administrator exam must be retaken.

HighLast checked Oct 17, 2026

Sources (6)

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Electrical Contractor License

Electrical Contractor · State license · Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) - Contractor Registration

Remind me before this expires

Renew on the official site 360-902-5226 (Option 2); 800-647-0982

Renewal cycle: Every 2 years
Continuing education: Not required
Deadline rule: License expires 24 calendar months after the day it was issued (RCW 19.28.041); renew before it expires. The expiration date follows the license's own issue date.

Show fees, grace period, bond and insurance

Grace period: Cannot renew online if expired more than 90 days; must contact L&I.

Fees, approximate

Renewal fee: About $354
Late fee: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
No late fee is set for the contractor license; the fee in effect on the payment date applies (WAC 296-46B-909). Reinstatement after suspension is about $71.50.
Reinstatement: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
If the license has been expired more than 90 days it cannot be renewed online; contact the L&I Electrical Program. Reinstatement after suspension costs about $71.50. Working on an expired license risks citations.

Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Why approximate?

Boards change fees often and some charge extra processing fees. We show a recent amount so you can plan.

Bond: Required: $4,000. Verify the amount with the board.
Insurance: Not required
Reciprocity: No reciprocity for electrical contractor licenses. The Oregon agreement covers general journey-level electricians only.

Notes

Fee is $353.90 per 24 months by mail or in person and $306.20 when renewed online (WAC 296-46B-909, eff. 7/1/2026). Bond is $4,000 (electrical/telecommunication contractor surety bond) or an assigned savings account. A certified, assigned electrical administrator or master electrician is required. Administrator assignment or unassignment fee is $53.00.

HighLast checked Oct 17, 2026

Sources (5)

General Journey Level Electrician (01)

01 · State license · Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) - Contractor Registration

Remind me before this expires

Renew on the official site 360-902-5226 (Option 2); 800-647-0982

Renewal cycle: Every 3 years
Continuing education: 24 hours
Show CE rules
24 hours L&I-approved CE per 3-year cycle, including 8 hours code update and 4 hours RCW/WAC; CE must show on L&I Verify before renewing.
Deadline rule: Expires on the certificate holder's birthdate every 3 years.

Show fees, grace period, bond and insurance

Grace period: Can renew (with late fee and CE) up to 90 days after expiration.

Fees, approximate

Renewal fee: About $106
Late fee: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
Late renewal fee: journey level or specialty about $212.90 (about $185.30 online) (WAC 296-46B-909, eff. 7/1/2026). Renewal fees double after expiration.
Reinstatement: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
Expired more than 90 days: cannot renew; must retest. Inactive status: if not working in Washington, pay fee without CE; certificate goes inactive until CE is completed or it expires.

Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Why approximate?

Boards change fees often and some charge extra processing fees. We show a recent amount so you can plan.

Bond: Not required
Insurance: Not required
Reciprocity: Reciprocity with Oregon for general journey-level (01) electricians who passed the Oregon exam after an 8,000-hour apprenticeship; no other states (L&I release 20-030).

Notes

Renewal is $106.40 by mail or in person and $92.60 online. Oregon reciprocity for general journey-level electricians uses form F500-148-000 (WAC 296-46B-940).

HighLast checked Oct 17, 2026

Sources (8)

Specialty Electrician (02, 03, 03A, 04, 06, 06A, 06B, 07, 07A-07E, 09, 10)

Specialty · State license · Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) - Contractor Registration

Remind me before this expires

Renew on the official site 360-902-5226 (Option 2); 800-647-0982

Renewal cycle: Every 3 years
Continuing education: 24 hours
Show CE rules
24 hours L&I-approved CE per 3-year cycle, including 8 hours code update and 4 hours RCW/WAC; CE must show on L&I Verify before renewing.
Deadline rule: Expires on the certificate holder's birthdate every 3 years.

Show fees, grace period, bond and insurance

Grace period: Can renew (with late fee and CE) up to 90 days after expiration.

Fees, approximate

Renewal fee: About $106
Late fee: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
Late renewal fee: journey level or specialty about $212.90 (about $185.30 online) (WAC 296-46B-909, eff. 7/1/2026). Renewal fees double after expiration.
Reinstatement: Show the details (amounts are approximate)
Expired more than 90 days: cannot renew; must retest. Inactive status: if not working in Washington, pay fee without CE; certificate goes inactive until CE is completed or it expires.

Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Why approximate?

Boards change fees often and some charge extra processing fees. We show a recent amount so you can plan.

Bond: Not required
Insurance: Not required
Reciprocity: No reciprocity for specialty categories; the Oregon agreement covers general journey level only.

Notes

Renewal is $106.40 by mail or in person and $92.60 online. Specialty categories include residential (02), pump and irrigation (03), domestic pump (03A), signs (04), limited energy (06), HVAC/refrigeration (06A), restricted HVAC/refrigeration (06B), maintenance categories (07, 07A-07E), telecommunications (09) and door/gate systems (10).

HighLast checked Oct 17, 2026

Sources (8)

The hours, required topics, approved providers and reporting rules for each license are on the Washington Electrical continuing education page.

How to renew

1Check your Electrical Administrator / Master Electrician Certificate deadline: Expires on the certificate holder's birthdate every 3 years.
2Complete 24 continuing education hours before renewing. 24 hours L&I-approved CE per 3-year cycle, including 8 hours code update and 4 hours RCW/WAC; CE must show on L&I Verify before renewing.
3Renew online at https://lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/manage-licenses-certifications
4Pay the renewal fee on the official site. Expect about $202, but fees change.
5If you miss the deadline: Late renewal fee: master/administrator about $404.50 (online about $351.40); journey level/specialty about $212.90 (online about $185.30) (WAC 296-46B-909, eff. 7/1/2026).
6Check your Electrical Contractor License deadline: License expires 24 calendar months after the day it was issued (RCW 19.28.041); renew before it expires. The expiration date follows the license's own issue date.
7Confirm your bond meet the board requirements and are not expiring.
8Pay the renewal fee on the official site. Expect about $354, but fees change.
9If you miss the deadline: No late fee is set for the contractor license; the fee in effect on the payment date applies (WAC 296-46B-909). Reinstatement after suspension is about $71.50.
10Check your General Journey Level Electrician (01) deadline: Expires on the certificate holder's birthdate every 3 years.
11Pay the renewal fee on the official site. Expect about $106, but fees change.
12If you miss the deadline: Late renewal fee: journey level or specialty about $212.90 (about $185.30 online) (WAC 296-46B-909, eff. 7/1/2026). Renewal fees double after expiration.
13Check your Specialty Electrician (02, 03, 03A, 04, 06, 06A, 06B, 07, 07A-07E, 09, 10) deadline: Expires on the certificate holder's birthdate every 3 years.

Washington Electrical renewal questions

Answers come from the records above. Informational: verify with the issuing board.

When does a Washington electrical license expire?

Electrical Administrator / Master Electrician Certificate: renews every 3 years. Expires on the certificate holder's birthdate every 3 years. Electrical Contractor License: renews every 2 years. License expires 24 calendar months after the day it was issued (RCW 19.28.041); renew before it expires. The expiration date follows the license's own issue date. General Journey Level Electrician (01): renews every 3 years. Expires on the certificate holder's birthdate every 3 years. Check with Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) - Contractor Registration before you rely on it.

How many CE hours does a Washington electrical license need?

Electrical Administrator / Master Electrician Certificate: 24 hours per renewal. Electrical Contractor License: no CE required. General Journey Level Electrician (01): 24 hours per renewal. Check with Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) - Contractor Registration before you rely on it.

Is there a grace period for a Washington electrical license?

Can renew (with late fee and CE) up to 90 days after expiration. Check with Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) - Contractor Registration before you rely on it.

How much does it cost to renew a Washington electrical license?

Electrical Administrator / Master Electrician Certificate: About $202. Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

What happens if a Washington electrical license expires?

Late renewal fee: master/administrator about $404.50 (online about $351.40); journey level/specialty about $212.90 (online about $185.30) (WAC 296-46B-909, eff. 7/1/2026). Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Does Washington accept electrical licenses from other states?

The Oregon reciprocity agreement covers general journey-level (01) electricians; see L&I for any administrator or master pathway. Check with Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) - Contractor Registration before you rely on it.

Sources

Spot something out of date?

Informational only. Check it with the issuing board. Licensing rules, deadlines and CE requirements change, fee amounts are approximate, and this page can be out of date. It is not legal advice, and we are not affiliated with any state board. Read the disclaimer.

This information is here to help you plan, not to replace the board. Fee amounts are approximate and may be out of date. Deadlines and continuing education rules change too, sometimes without much notice. Always confirm with your licensing board and its official site before you rely on a date or an amount. This is not legal advice.

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