Washington master electrician exam: frequently asked questions
30 answers about the Washington master electrician exam and license: who issues it, open-book rules, the NEC edition, experience hours, exam structure and passing scores. Filter the list or jump to a section.
The exam
Who administers the Washington Master Electrician exam?
PSI administers Washington electrical certification examinations for the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries.
Is the Washington Master Electrician exam open book?
Yes. Washington electrical examinations are open book. Candidates must follow the current PSI and L&I rules for original copyrighted materials, RCW/WAC copies, calculators, permanent tabs, highlighting, underlining, written notes, and removable notes.
What score is required to pass the Washington Master Electrician exam?
Washington requires candidates to pass each section of the examination with a score of 70% or greater.
How much time is allowed for the Washington 01-General Master Electrician exam?
The NEC & Theory section is listed with 4 hours, the WA Codes section with 1 hour, and the Major Load Calculations section with 2 hours, for 7 total hours when all three sections are taken.
How many questions are on the 01 General Master Electrician exam?
The current Washington PSI bulletin lists 80 questions for NEC & Theory, 20 questions for WA Codes, and 10 questions for Major Load Calculations for the 01 General Master Electrician exam.
What score do I need to pass the Washington electrical exam?
Washington L&I states that candidates must pass each section of the examination with a score of 70% or greater.
Who administers Washington electrical exams?
Washington electrical exams are administered by PSI for the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries.
Do master electrician candidates need approval before scheduling with PSI?
Yes. Washington master electrician candidates must apply through L&I. After L&I verifies the applicant’s qualifications and approves the application, the candidate receives scheduling instructions for PSI.
How is the Washington 01-General Master Electrician exam structured?
The 01-General Master Electrician exam is divided into NEC & Theory, WA Codes, and Major Load Calculations sections.
What score is required to pass the Washington electrical exam?
Washington electrical examinations require a 70 percent passing score.
Is the Washington electrical exam open book?
Washington electrical exam preparation should include open-book code navigation and reference-use practice. Candidates should follow the current L&I and testing-provider exam instructions for the exact references, tabs, notes, calculators, and code edition allowed during testing.
Licensing and experience
Who regulates Washington Master Electrician certification?
Washington Master Electrician certification is regulated by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries.
What experience is required for a Washington journey level master electrician certificate?
To qualify for the journey level master electrician exam, a candidate must be certified as a general journey level electrician by Labor and Industries for at least 4 years.
What experience is required for a Washington specialty master electrician certificate?
To qualify for a specialty master electrician exam, a candidate must be certified by Labor and Industries in a specialty for at least 2 years.
What are the eligibility requirements for Washington journey level master electrician candidates?
Washington L&I states that journey level master electrician candidates must be certified as a general journey level electrician by L&I for at least 4 years.
What are the eligibility requirements for Washington specialty master electrician candidates?
Washington L&I states that specialty master electrician candidates must be certified by L&I in a specialty for at least 2 years.
How often does a Washington master electrician certificate renew?
Washington master electrician certificates must be renewed every 3 years, with 24 hours of approved continuing education required between renewals.
Does Washington have state electrical licensing?
Yes. Washington electrical licensing and certification are handled at the state level through the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries.
Is a Washington electrical administrator the same as an electrical contractor?
No. An electrical administrator is connected to code compliance and supervision responsibilities, while an electrical contractor license applies to the business that offers, bids, contracts, or performs electrical work.
Should I confirm Washington licensing requirements before testing?
Yes. Candidates should confirm the required credential, eligibility requirements, application process, code edition, reference rules, and post-exam licensing steps before scheduling or taking an exam.
Code book and materials
What references are used for the Washington Master Electrician exam?
Washington electrical exams require familiarity with the National Electrical Code, Washington electrical laws in Chapter 19.28 RCW, Washington electrical rules in Chapter 296-46B WAC, and general electrical theory material.
Can I write in my reference books during the Washington exam?
No. References may not be written in during the examination. Copyrighted material may have highlighting, underlining, and permanent index tabs before the exam, but removable notes are not allowed.
Can I use the 2026 NEC to study for Washington electrical exams?
Yes. The 2026 NEC is useful for updated code-cycle study, reference-navigation practice, calculations, and long-term electrical knowledge. Candidates should use the official NEC edition required for their scheduled exam.
Can I bring these books into the exam room?
Exam-room reference rules are controlled by the current Washington testing instructions. Candidates should review the official rules before test day to confirm which books and materials are permitted.
Why are NEC tabs helpful?
NEC tabs help candidates locate major articles, chapters, tables, and subject areas faster during study. This supports stronger code-navigation practice and helps candidates become more comfortable using the NEC as a reference.
Should I study Washington rules in addition to the NEC?
Yes. Candidates should review Washington electrical laws, L&I rules, administrator responsibilities, contractor requirements, and any state-specific subjects listed in the current examination instructions.
More questions
What are the major sections of the Washington 01 General Master Electrician exam?
The Washington PSI bulletin lists the 01 General Master Electrician sections as NEC and Theory, Washington Codes, and Major Load Calculations.
Does Washington issue a Master Electrician certificate?
Yes. Washington issues master electrician certificates, including general journey level master electrician and specialty master electrician certifications.
Who handles Washington master electrician certification?
Washington master electrician certification is handled through the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries. PSI administers the electrical examinations for L&I.
Does Washington use a master electrician credential?
Yes. Washington recognizes master electrician status within its state electrical licensing and certification structure. Candidates should review the current L&I requirements to confirm the exact path that applies to their credential.