Washington journeyman electrician exam: frequently asked questions

Yes. Washington electrical certification examinations are open book. Candidates must follow the current PSI and L&I rules for approved references, highlighting, permanent tabs, calculators, and exam-room materials.

Washington’s PSI electrical certification bulletin states that candidates must score 70% to pass. Score reporting is provided after the computer-based exam, and unsuccessful candidates receive diagnostic information by examination type.

PSI administers Washington electrical certification examinations under contract with the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries.

Yes. Washington electrical certification exams are open book when candidates use approved reference materials under PSI and Washington L&I rules. Candidates should follow the current candidate bulletin for the exact code edition, book format, tabs, highlighting, notes, and printed state-rule materials allowed on exam day.

Washington’s general journey level path commonly requires 8,000 hours of supervised electrical work experience, including at least 4,000 hours in commercial or industrial work, along with required classroom training and examination.

The 01 General Electrician content outline lists 60 questions for NEC & Theory and 17 questions for WA Codes. The number of questions in individual knowledge areas is approximate.

The NEC & Theory section has a 3-hour time allowance, and the Washington Codes section has a 1-hour time allowance.

Candidates must pass each section of the examination with a score of 70% or greater.

Washington identifies 8,000 hours of experience for the general journey level pathway, with at least 4,000 hours in commercial or industrial work. Current journey-level 01 requirements are tied to registered apprenticeship completion or equivalent pathways.

Washington’s in-state 01 journey level path lists 8,000 hours of work experience and 96 hours of basic classroom instruction. No more than 4,000 of the required work experience hours may be worked in 4,000-hour specialty categories.

Washington electrician certification is regulated by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries.

Washington’s in-state 01 exam requirements include 8,000 hours of work experience and 96 hours of basic classroom instruction. No more than 4,000 of the experience hours may be worked in 4,000-hour specialties.

The current candidate information bulletin states that law, rule, and code questions are based on RCW 19.28, WAC 296-46B, and the 2020 National Electrical Code.

Washington’s currently published electrical examination materials identify the 2023 National Electrical Code as the exam reference. This product is based on the 2026 NEC and supports updated code study and NEC navigation practice.

Tabs help students organize the NEC and locate important sections faster during study. They are useful for practicing questions involving services, feeders, branch circuits, grounding and bonding, overcurrent protection, wiring methods, conductors, raceways, boxes, motors, and special equipment.

Copyrighted reference materials may have permanent index tabs before entering the examination area. Removable tabs, sticky notes, repositionable notes, and removable note materials are not permitted.

References may not be written in. Copyrighted materials may have highlighting and underlining before the exam, but written notes are not allowed.

No. Washington exam rules allow permanent index tabs, but removable tabs, sticky notes, repositionable notes, handwritten notes, and written-in references are not allowed.

Washington’s open-book rules allow original copyrighted material, but all materials must comply with PSI’s exam-room rules. Candidates should avoid written notes, removable notes, sticky notes, and any reference preparation that violates the current exam instructions.

Yes. Washington has statewide electrician certification through the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries.

Use the 12 practice exams to test your knowledge, improve pacing, and identify weak areas. Review every missed question and return to the related study guide section, NEC topic, Washington rule, or calculation method before moving forward.

Use the flash cards for daily active recall. Separate cards into topics you know, topics you partly know, and topics that need more review. Study the weakest group most often.

The exam covers NEC knowledge, electrical theory, calculations, and Washington electrical laws and rules. Students should study services, feeders, branch circuits, grounding and bonding, wiring methods, overcurrent protection, conductors, raceways, boxes, equipment, motors, transformers, and state regulations.

Candidates should study Revised Code of Washington Chapter 19.28 and Washington Administrative Code Chapter 296-46B because the Washington Codes section is based on state electrical laws and rules.

The Washington 01 General Journey Level Electrician certificate is the broad journey level electrician credential that allows the holder to perform all types of electrical and telecommunications installations within the scope allowed by Washington law and rule.

The Washington 01 electrician exam includes NEC & Theory and WA Codes sections. Current outlines list 60 questions and 3 hours for NEC & Theory, and 17 questions and 1 hour for WA Codes.

Yes. Flash cards are useful for quick review of formulas, definitions, electrical theory, safety concepts, Washington code reminders, NEC topics, and trade knowledge. They work well alongside longer study sessions, calculation drills, and code lookup practice.