Washington B-HVAC/R Restricted Electrician Book Package

Prepare for the Washington HVAC/Refrigeration Restricted Electrician examination with a focused reference package built around the electrical code, Washington electrical law, and state administrative rules used for the 06B HVAC/Refrigeration Restricted specialty. This package includes the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) Chapter 19.28, Washington Administrative Code (WAC) Chapter 296-46B, and the National Electrical Code, NEC, 2020 Edition.

Washington officially identifies this specialty as 06B HVAC/Refrigeration Restricted. It is designed for electrical work associated with qualifying heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration systems while placing specific limits on the electrical characteristics and scope of the work that may be performed.

The 06B specialty includes defined HVAC/R low-voltage control and telecommunications work, certain line-voltage components located within HVAC/refrigeration equipment, internal disconnecting-means and controller components, limited protective raceway work, and qualifying flexible supply connections. The specialty does not provide unrestricted authority to perform general electrical work.

A central restriction of the 06B classification is that the primary electrical power connection to the HVAC/refrigeration system may not exceed 250 volts, single phase, or 120 amperes. Candidates should understand this limitation along with the other work-scope boundaries established by Washington rules.

Washington electrical examinations are open book. Approved references may be brought into the testing center, so exam preparation should include learning how to use the NEC, RCW, and WAC efficiently. Candidates should become comfortable determining whether a question is controlled by a technical NEC requirement, Washington electrical law, or a state specialty-scope rule.

The three books in this package work together throughout the preparation process. The NEC provides national technical requirements, RCW Chapter 19.28 establishes Washington electrical law, and WAC Chapter 296-46B contains the detailed certification, supervision, specialty-scope, examination, permit, inspection, and installation rules applicable to electrical work in Washington.

What You Get

• Revised Code of Washington (RCW) Chapter 19.28
  Washington electrical law covering electricians, electrical trainees, contractors, electrical installations, certification, enforcement, responsibilities, and other statutory requirements affecting electrical work in the state.
• Washington Administrative Code (WAC) Chapter 296-46B
  Washington's detailed electrical safety, certification, examination, specialty-scope, supervision, permit, inspection, contractor, and installation rules. This reference defines the 06B HVAC/Refrigeration Restricted specialty.
• National Electrical Code, NEC, 2020 Edition
  The NEC edition used for the Washington electrical examination program covered by this package. It provides technical requirements involving HVAC equipment, motors, controllers, grounding and bonding, overcurrent protection, wiring methods, electrical equipment, hazardous locations, and special conditions.

Studying these references together helps candidates connect practical HVAC/R field knowledge with the exact code and Washington regulatory language that applies to the specialty.

Exam Details

The Washington 06B HVAC/Refrigeration Restricted Electrician examination contains two required sections: NEC & Theory and Washington Codes.

• NEC & Theory: Approximately 20 questions
• Time Allowed for NEC & Theory: 1 hour
• Washington Codes: Approximately 17 questions
• Time Allowed for Washington Codes: 1 hour
• Total Questions: Approximately 37 questions across both sections
• Total Testing Time: Approximately 2 hours across both sections
• Passing Score: 70% or greater on each required section
• Exam Type: Open book
• Testing Provider: PSI
• Primary Code Reference: National Electrical Code, NEC, 2020 Edition

The published NEC & Theory outline includes approximately one question from NEC Article 90, one from NEC Articles 100 through 110, two involving overcurrent protection, two involving grounding and bonding, three involving wiring methods, one involving electrical equipment, three involving motors, HVAC equipment, generators and transformers, one involving hazardous locations, two involving special conditions, and approximately four questions involving general trade knowledge and electrical theory.

The Washington Codes section contains approximately 17 questions involving Washington electrical laws and rules. Candidates should prepare for specialty scope, trainee supervision, work-experience requirements, certification, examinations, contractor responsibilities, permits, inspections, and other provisions contained in RCW Chapter 19.28 and WAC Chapter 296-46B.

Open Book Test

The Washington B-HVAC/R Restricted Electrician examination is an open book test. Washington Labor & Industries permits approved reference materials in the examination center under established testing rules.

The 2020 National Electrical Code may be used during the examination. Permanent index tabs are acceptable. Removable tabs, sticky notes, and handwritten notes are prohibited. Original copyrighted reference materials may contain highlighting, underlining, and permanent index tabs when they otherwise comply with examination requirements.

Printed copies of RCW Chapter 19.28 and WAC Chapter 296-46B may also be used. Washington electrical laws and rules brought into the testing center must be printed, hole-punched, and placed in a three-ring binder.

Candidates may use an acceptable nonprogrammable calculator that meets testing-center requirements. Electronic reference devices, phones, tablets, and other unauthorized electronic equipment are not permitted in the testing room.

Because the NEC & Theory section contains approximately 20 questions in one hour, candidates should practice locating commonly tested material quickly. The goal is not simply to bring the books into the exam, but to know where important provisions are located and how to recognize the most likely reference for each question.

The Washington Codes section also requires efficient navigation. Candidates should be comfortable finding the 06B specialty-scope provisions and the requirements governing experience, supervision, certification, and electrical work performed under the specialty.

Licensing Steps

Washington HVAC/Refrigeration Restricted Electrician certification is administered through the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries. The 06B classification is one of Washington's specialty electrician pathways requiring 2,000 hours of qualifying work experience for full certification.

1. Begin accumulating qualifying 06B experience. Work should fall within the HVAC/Refrigeration Restricted specialty and be performed under the required supervision.
2. Work under an appropriately certified electrician. A trainee must be supervised by an electrician certified to perform the work being done or by a general journey level electrician.
3. Maintain 100% supervision until passing the examination. Washington requires trainees in the 2,000-hour specialties to remain supervised 100% of the time until they pass the applicable specialty examination.
4. Reach the minimum experience for examination eligibility. A 06B candidate may qualify for examination after completing at least 1,000 hours of qualifying experience under the applicable Washington rules.
5. Document qualifying work experience. Experience must be recorded and verified according to Washington Labor & Industries requirements.
6. Apply to Labor & Industries for examination approval. Electrician candidates must receive approval before they may schedule with PSI.
7. Prepare for the NEC & Theory section. Study the 2020 NEC with emphasis on the technical subjects appearing in the 06B examination outline.
8. Prepare for Washington Codes. Study RCW Chapter 19.28 and WAC Chapter 296-46B, especially specialty scope, experience, supervision, and certification requirements.
9. Schedule the examination with PSI after approval. Use the examination eligibility information issued through the Washington process.
10. Pass each required examination section. A score of 70% or greater is required on each section.
11. Complete the full experience requirement. Full 06B certification requires 2,000 hours of qualifying specialty experience.
12. Complete certification requirements. Follow Washington Labor & Industries procedures for issuance of the 06B specialty electrician certificate.

State Requirements

Washington classifies HVAC/Refrigeration Restricted electrical work as specialty 06B. The pathway requires 2,000 hours of qualifying work experience for full electrician certification.

A candidate may become eligible to take the specialty examination after completing at least 1,000 hours of qualifying experience. Passing the examination does not eliminate the remaining experience requirement for full certification.

Trainees working toward a 2,000-hour specialty certificate must be supervised by an electrician certified to perform the applicable work or by a general journey level electrician. Washington requires 100% supervision until the trainee passes the examination.

The defining electrical restriction for 06B is the primary connection limit. The specialty may not perform electrical work when the primary electrical power connection to the HVAC/refrigeration system exceeds 250 volts, single phase, or 120 amperes.

The specialty may install, repair, replace, and maintain HVAC/refrigeration telecommunications and Class 2 low-voltage control circuit wiring and components in residential occupancies.

In occupancies other than residential, qualifying HVAC/refrigeration telecommunications and Class 2 low-voltage control circuit wiring and component work is permitted when the building has no more than three stories on or above grade.

The 06B specialty may install, repair, replace, and maintain line-voltage components located within HVAC/refrigeration equipment. This can include qualifying components and factory-authorized accessories that are located within and powered from the HVAC/R system.

The specialty may repair, replace, or maintain internal components of an HVAC/refrigeration equipment disconnecting means or controller when the disconnecting means or controller is not located inside a motor control center or panelboard.

Washington also allows the 06B specialty to install, repair, replace, and maintain short sections of raceway used to provide physical protection for low-voltage cables. A qualifying short section may not mechanically interconnect two devices, junction boxes, or other equipment or components.

The specialty may repair, replace, or maintain line-voltage flexible supply whips that are no more than six feet long when the work meets Washington's conditions and does not improperly modify the characteristics of the branch circuit or feeder load.

06B generally may not install line-voltage controllers or disconnect switches external to HVAC/refrigeration equipment. Washington rules contain a limited exception for certain like-in-kind disconnecting-means replacements performed with qualifying HVAC/R equipment replacement.

The specialty also does not provide authority for unrestricted installation or maintenance of general services, feeders, branch circuits, panelboards, switchboards, motor control centers, or classified-location wiring outside the HVAC/refrigeration equipment.

Reference Books

• Revised Code of Washington (RCW) Chapter 19.28
  This reference contains Washington electrical statutes governing electricians, trainees, electrical contractors, certification, electrical installations, enforcement, and related legal responsibilities. It establishes the statutory framework for Washington's electrical certification system.
• Washington Administrative Code (WAC) Chapter 296-46B
  This reference contains Washington rules covering specialty classifications, experience requirements, trainee supervision, examinations, permits, inspections, certification, contractors, and the detailed scope and restrictions of 06B HVAC/Refrigeration Restricted work.
• National Electrical Code, NEC, 2020 Edition
  The NEC provides technical electrical requirements covering HVAC and refrigeration equipment, motors, controllers, overcurrent protection, grounding and bonding, wiring methods, electrical equipment, hazardous locations, and special conditions relevant to the examination.

For effective preparation, candidates should work from all three references. Technical installation questions may point to the NEC, while specialty authority, supervision, and certification questions are more likely to require Washington law or administrative rules.

Exam Room Approved Books

• National Electrical Code, NEC, 2020 Edition
  The 2020 NEC is permitted during Washington electrical examinations. Permanent index tabs, highlighting, and underlining are allowed under applicable rules, while handwritten notes, removable tabs, and sticky notes are prohibited.
• Revised Code of Washington (RCW) Chapter 19.28
  Printed copies of Washington electrical law may be used during the examination when prepared according to Labor & Industries testing requirements.
• Washington Administrative Code (WAC) Chapter 296-46B
  Printed copies of Washington electrical rules may be brought into the testing center when prepared according to the applicable examination requirements.

Using these same books throughout preparation can help candidates learn their organization, recognize frequently used article numbers and rule sections, and develop faster lookup habits before examination day.

Test Information and Study Materials

Overcurrent Protection: Review circuit breakers, fuses, equipment protection, conductor protection, motor circuits, branch-circuit requirements, and HVAC/R equipment overcurrent ratings.

Grounding and Bonding: Study equipment grounding conductors, bonding requirements, enclosures, raceways, grounding concepts, and grounding provisions that apply to HVAC and refrigeration equipment.

Wiring Methods: Review raceways, cables, flexible wiring methods, supports, fittings, equipment connections, conductor protection, and the requirements that affect HVAC/R installations.

Motors and HVAC Equipment: Study motors, motor controllers, overload protection, short-circuit and ground-fault protection, disconnecting means, transformers, HVAC equipment, and refrigeration equipment.

Electrical Equipment: Review equipment connections, controllers, switches, flexible wiring, utilization equipment, and the distinction between electrical components located inside HVAC/R equipment and devices installed externally.

Hazardous Locations: Candidates should understand the basics of classified locations and recognize that the 06B specialty has restrictions involving classified-location wiring outside HVAC/refrigeration equipment.

Special Conditions: Review applicable NEC provisions for special systems and operating conditions that may affect modern HVAC and refrigeration installations.

General Trade Knowledge and Theory: Practice voltage, current, resistance, power, Ohm's law, motor concepts, basic calculations, circuit relationships, and troubleshooting principles relevant to HVAC/R electrical work.

06B Specialty Limits: Know the 250-volt, single-phase, 120-ampere primary power restriction. Review the low-voltage control, internal component, flexible-whip, protective-raceway, controller, and disconnecting-means provisions carefully.

Washington Certification Rules: Study the 1,000-hour examination eligibility point, 2,000-hour full certification requirement, 100% supervision requirement until passing the examination, and the procedures governing electrician examination approval.

A useful study routine is to sort practice questions by source. Decide whether the question is likely to be answered by the NEC, RCW, or WAC before opening a reference. Then locate the controlling provision and confirm whether a Washington-specific restriction changes how the technical rule applies.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep helps Washington HVAC/R Restricted Electrician candidates organize preparation around the three core references included in this package: the 2020 National Electrical Code, RCW Chapter 19.28, and WAC Chapter 296-46B.

The package supports trade-focused review of overcurrent protection, grounding and bonding, wiring methods, motors, HVAC/R equipment, electrical theory, Washington certification requirements, and the specific limitations of the 06B specialty.

1 Exam Prep encourages practice-oriented preparation for the open-book examination. Candidates can build reference-navigation skills by identifying the subject of a question, selecting the correct reference, locating the applicable section, and applying the rule efficiently.

HVAC/R technicians often bring practical field experience to the examination. Organized study helps connect that experience with the exact NEC requirements and Washington regulations used to define compliant electrical work.

Washington-specific preparation is particularly important for the 06B specialty because the credential has clearly defined limits. Knowing what work is permitted, what work is restricted, and where those rules are located can help candidates prepare for both the Washington Codes section and real-world specialty work.

The goal is to combine hands-on HVAC/R experience with stronger code familiarity, structured regulatory review, practical reference navigation, and confidence-building study habits. This Washington B-HVAC/R Restricted Electrician Book Package provides the core references needed to support that preparation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the official Washington classification for this electrician exam?

Washington identifies the specialty as 06B HVAC/Refrigeration Restricted.

What books are included in this package?

The package includes RCW Chapter 19.28, WAC Chapter 296-46B, and the 2020 National Electrical Code.

Is the Washington 06B Electrician exam open book?

Yes. Washington electrical examinations are open book under the applicable Labor & Industries examination rules.

How many questions are on the 06B Electrician exam?

The published examination outline lists approximately 20 NEC & Theory questions and 17 Washington Codes questions, for approximately 37 questions total.

How much time is allowed?

The NEC & Theory section allows approximately 1 hour, and the Washington Codes section allows approximately 1 hour.

What score is required to pass?

A score of at least 70% is required on each required examination section.

How much experience is required to take the 06B exam?

A candidate may qualify for the examination after completing at least 1,000 hours of qualifying 06B experience under the applicable Washington rules.

How much experience is required for full 06B certification?

Full Washington 06B HVAC/Refrigeration Restricted Electrician certification requires 2,000 hours of qualifying experience.

What supervision is required for a 06B trainee?

A trainee in the 2,000-hour specialty pathway must work under an appropriately certified electrician and remain under 100% supervision until passing the examination.

What is the main power limitation for 06B work?

The primary electrical power connection to the HVAC/refrigeration system may not exceed 250 volts, single phase, or 120 amperes.

Can a 06B Electrician perform unrestricted general electrical work?

No. The 06B certificate is a specialty credential, and electrical work must remain within the HVAC/Refrigeration Restricted scope unless the electrician holds another certification authorizing additional work.

Can a 06B Electrician work on HVAC/R low-voltage controls?

Yes. Washington permits specified telecommunications and Class 2 low-voltage control circuit work within the occupancy and specialty limitations established for 06B.

Can a 06B Electrician replace a flexible supply whip?

Washington permits qualifying repair, replacement, or maintenance of line-voltage flexible supply whips not over six feet in length when the work meets the requirements established for the specialty.

Can I bring the 2020 NEC into the examination?

Yes. The 2020 NEC is permitted during the Washington electrical examinations covered by this package.

Can I bring RCW 19.28 and WAC 296-46B into the exam?

Yes. Printed copies of both Washington electrical references may be used when prepared according to Labor & Industries testing requirements.

Who administers the Washington 06B Electrician examination?

Washington electrical examinations are administered through PSI after the electrician candidate receives the applicable examination approval through Washington Labor & Industries.

What should I focus on while studying?

Focus on overcurrent protection, grounding and bonding, wiring methods, motors and HVAC equipment, electrical theory, the 06B scope restrictions, experience and supervision requirements, and Washington electrical laws and rules.