Washington B-HVAC/R Restricted Master Electrician Book Package

Prepare for the Washington HVAC/Refrigeration Restricted Master 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 provides a defined scope of electrical authority for qualifying HVAC and refrigeration work, including certain low-voltage control circuits, telecommunications associated with HVAC/R systems, internal line-voltage components, equipment controls, and specific supply connections. Unlike the broader 06A HVAC/Refrigeration specialty, the 06B classification is subject to electrical limits on the primary power connection to the HVAC/refrigeration system.

The Washington 06B Master Electrician examination combines technical NEC knowledge, electrical theory, and Washington electrical laws and rules. Candidates should understand not only how HVAC/R electrical equipment operates, but also what work is legally permitted under the restricted specialty and where the limits of that certification apply.

Washington electrical examinations are open book. Approved references may be used in the testing center, so preparation should include learning how to navigate the NEC, RCW, and WAC efficiently. A candidate who can quickly identify whether a question involves a national electrical requirement, Washington licensing law, or a specialty-scope rule can use the available examination time more effectively.

The books in this package work together throughout the preparation process. The NEC supplies the technical electrical requirements, RCW Chapter 19.28 establishes Washington electrical law, and WAC Chapter 296-46B contains the detailed administrative rules and scope-of-work provisions that apply to the 06B HVAC/Refrigeration Restricted specialty.

What You Get

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

Studying these three references together helps candidates connect practical HVAC/R knowledge with the exact code and Washington regulatory language used in the examination.

Exam Details

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

• NEC & Theory: Approximately 34 questions
• Time Allowed for NEC & Theory: 2 hours
• Washington Codes: Approximately 20 questions
• Time Allowed for Washington Codes: 1 hour
• Total Questions: Approximately 54 questions across both sections
• Total Testing Time: Approximately 3 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 for the 06B Master Electrician examination includes approximately one question from NEC Article 90, three from NEC Articles 100 through 110, four involving overcurrent protection, four involving grounding and bonding, five from wiring methods, two involving electrical equipment, five covering motors, HVAC equipment, generators and transformers, one involving hazardous locations, three from special conditions, and approximately six questions involving general trade knowledge and electrical theory.

The Washington Codes section includes approximately 20 questions involving Washington electrical laws and rules. Candidates should be familiar with Master Electrician requirements, specialty scope, certification, contractor responsibilities, permits, inspections, examinations, and the restrictions that distinguish 06B work from broader electrical classifications.

Open Book Test

The Washington HVAC/R Restricted Master 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 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. Printed Washington electrical laws and rules must be prepared according to the testing requirements, including placement in a three-ring binder.

Because the NEC & Theory section allows two hours for approximately 34 questions, candidates should practice locating frequently tested material without excessive searching. Overcurrent protection, grounding and bonding, wiring methods, motors, HVAC equipment, and general theory represent important preparation areas.

Washington-specific study is equally important. The 06B specialty has clear restrictions, and Master Electrician candidates should be able to locate the exact rules governing allowable work, primary power limitations, certification, and contractor responsibilities.

Licensing Steps

Washington HVAC/Refrigeration Restricted Master Electrician certification is administered by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries. A candidate pursuing the specialty Master Electrician credential must first hold the corresponding specialty electrician certificate.

1. Obtain the 06B HVAC/Refrigeration Restricted Electrician certificate. The Master Electrician pathway begins with certification in the applicable specialty.
2. Hold the specialty electrician certificate for at least two years. Washington requires an applicant for a specialty Master Electrician examination to have possessed a valid electrician certificate in that specialty for two years.
3. Apply to Washington Labor & Industries. Submit the applicable Master Electrician examination application and required information.
4. Receive examination eligibility approval. Electrician and Master Electrician candidates must receive L&I approval before scheduling the examination through PSI.
5. Prepare for NEC & Theory. Study the 2020 NEC with particular attention to HVAC/R electrical systems, motors, grounding, overcurrent protection, wiring methods, and electrical theory.
6. Prepare for Washington Codes. Review RCW Chapter 19.28 and WAC Chapter 296-46B, including the 06B specialty scope and Master Electrician requirements.
7. Schedule the examination with PSI. Use the eligibility information issued after approval to arrange the appropriate examination.
8. Pass each required examination section. A score of at least 70% is required on each section.
9. Complete the certification process. Follow Washington Labor & Industries requirements for issuance of the 06B specialty Master Electrician certificate.

State Requirements

Washington identifies HVAC/Refrigeration Restricted as electrical specialty classification 06B. To qualify for the specialty Master Electrician examination, an applicant must have held a valid Washington electrician certificate in the 06B specialty for at least two years.

The underlying 06B Electrician pathway is one of Washington's 2,000-hour specialty classifications. A trainee may become eligible to take the 06B specialty electrician examination after completing at least 1,000 hours of qualifying experience under the applicable rules. Full 06B electrician certification requires 2,000 hours of qualifying specialty experience.

Trainees in the 06B specialty must be supervised by an electrician certified to perform the work or by a general journey level electrician. For this 2,000-hour specialty pathway, trainees are required to remain under 100% supervision until they pass the examination.

The defining restriction of the 06B classification concerns the primary electrical power connection to the HVAC/refrigeration system. The specialty may not perform electrical work where the primary electrical power connection exceeds 250 volts, single phase, or 120 amperes.

The 06B specialty may install, repair, replace, and maintain specified HVAC/refrigeration telecommunications and Class 2 low-voltage control wiring and components in residential occupancies. It may also perform qualifying low-voltage control and telecommunications work in nonresidential occupancies of no more than three stories above grade.

The specialty may install, repair, replace, and maintain line-voltage components located within qualifying HVAC/refrigeration equipment. Examples can include electrical components and approved accessories that are part of and powered from the HVAC/R equipment.

06B may also repair, replace, or maintain internal components of HVAC/refrigeration equipment disconnecting means or controllers when those devices are not located within a motor control center or panelboard.

Washington permits the specialty to install short sections of raceway for physical protection of low-voltage cables. It may also repair, replace, or maintain qualifying line-voltage flexible supply whips not over six feet in length, provided the work remains within the conditions established by WAC Chapter 296-46B.

The 06B specialty may not generally install line-voltage controllers or disconnect switches external to HVAC/refrigeration equipment. Washington provides a limited exception for certain like-in-kind disconnecting means replacements when HVAC/R equipment is being replaced and the specific conditions of the rule are satisfied.

The restricted specialty also does not provide unrestricted authority to install services, feeders, branch circuits, panelboards, switchboards, motor control centers, general raceway systems, or other electrical work outside the defined HVAC/R scope.

Reference Books

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

For effective preparation, candidates should become familiar with all three references rather than concentrating only on the NEC. Washington Codes make up a separate required examination section and directly affect specialty authority and Master Electrician responsibilities.

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 the 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 testing when prepared according to Labor & Industries examination requirements.
• Washington Administrative Code (WAC) Chapter 296-46B
  Printed copies of Washington electrical rules may be used during the examination and should be prepared in accordance with testing-center requirements.

Using the same books during study that you intend to use during the examination can help develop faster navigation and stronger familiarity with article numbers, terminology, and specialty-rule locations.

Test Information and Study Materials

Overcurrent Protection: Review breakers, fuses, equipment protection, conductor protection, motor circuits, HVAC/R equipment ratings, and the relationship between equipment nameplates and maximum overcurrent protection.

Grounding and Bonding: Study equipment grounding conductors, bonding requirements, grounding electrode concepts, raceways, enclosures, separately derived systems, and grounding requirements associated with HVAC and refrigeration equipment.

Wiring Methods: Wiring methods represent an important part of the examination. Review cables, flexible wiring methods, raceways, fittings, equipment connections, conductor protection, support, and installation requirements for HVAC/R environments.

Motors and HVAC Equipment: Study motors, motor controllers, overload protection, branch-circuit protection, disconnecting means, HVAC equipment, refrigeration equipment, generators, transformers, and associated electrical requirements.

Electrical Equipment: Review controllers, switches, flexible connections, utilization equipment, equipment wiring, and the relationship between components located inside HVAC equipment and those located externally.

Hazardous Locations: The Master Electrician examination includes hazardous-location content. Candidates should understand classified-location principles and recognize the restrictions affecting electrical work in those environments.

Special Conditions: Review NEC requirements that apply to special systems and electrical conditions, including provisions that may affect modern HVAC/R controls and connected equipment.

General Trade Knowledge and Theory: Practice Ohm's law, voltage, current, resistance, power, conductor calculations, motor calculations, circuit relationships, and other electrical theory used in HVAC and refrigeration work.

06B Scope of Work: Know the primary power limitation of 250 volts, single phase, and 120 amperes. Study which low-voltage control systems, internal line-voltage components, disconnect components, raceways, and flexible supply connections are permitted.

Washington Master Electrician Rules: Review eligibility requirements, contractor assignments, certification responsibilities, permits, inspections, licensing, and the relationship between a specialty Master Electrician credential and the corresponding contractor specialty.

A strong preparation routine should combine subject review with timed reference navigation. Practice identifying whether a question belongs in the NEC, RCW, or WAC before beginning the lookup. This approach can make open-book testing more efficient while reinforcing the differences between technical code requirements and Washington licensing rules.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep helps Washington HVAC/R Restricted Master Electrician candidates organize their 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 HVAC/R electrical equipment, motors, overcurrent protection, grounding and bonding, wiring methods, electrical theory, specialty restrictions, and Washington electrical laws and rules.

1 Exam Prep encourages practice-oriented preparation for the open-book examination. Candidates can work on identifying the subject of a question, selecting the correct reference, locating the controlling code or rule, and applying that information efficiently.

Experienced HVAC/R electricians often bring substantial field knowledge to the Master Electrician examination. Structured preparation helps connect that field experience with exact NEC requirements and Washington regulatory language.

Reference navigation is particularly valuable for 06B candidates because the specialty contains detailed limits. Knowing where to find the 250-volt, single-phase, 120-ampere restriction and the rules governing allowable equipment work can be just as important as understanding the technical installation itself.

The goal is to combine practical HVAC/R knowledge with organized code study, Washington-specific regulatory review, reference-navigation skills, and a confident study structure. This Washington B-HVAC/R Restricted Master Electrician Book Package supplies the key references needed to support that preparation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the official Washington classification for this license?

Washington identifies the classification 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 Master Electrician exam open book?

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

How many questions are on the 06B Master Electrician examination?

The published examination outline lists approximately 34 NEC & Theory questions and 20 Washington Codes questions, for approximately 54 questions total.

How much testing time is allowed?

The NEC & Theory section allows approximately 2 hours, and the Washington Codes section allows approximately 1 hour.

What score is required to pass?

Washington requires a score of at least 70% on each required examination section.

How long must I hold the 06B Electrician certificate before taking the Master exam?

A specialty Master Electrician applicant must have held a valid electrician certificate in the applicable specialty for at least two years.

How much experience is required for the underlying 06B Electrician certification?

The 06B specialty requires 2,000 hours of qualifying experience for full electrician certification. Examination eligibility may begin after 1,000 qualifying hours under the applicable Washington requirements.

What supervision applies to a 06B trainee?

For this 2,000-hour specialty pathway, the trainee must work under appropriate supervision and remain under 100% supervision until passing the examination.

What are the primary electrical limits of the 06B specialty?

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

Does a 06B Master Electrician have unrestricted electrical authority?

No. The credential is a specialty Master Electrician certificate. Electrical work must remain within the 06B HVAC/Refrigeration Restricted scope unless the individual holds another certification authorizing additional work.

Can I bring the 2020 NEC into the exam?

Yes. The 2020 NEC is permitted during Washington electrical examinations under the applicable testing rules.

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 Master Electrician examination?

Washington electrical examinations are administered through PSI after the applicable eligibility review and approval by Washington Labor & Industries.

What subjects should I emphasize while studying?

Focus on overcurrent protection, grounding and bonding, wiring methods, motors and HVAC equipment, electrical theory, specialty restrictions, and Washington electrical laws and rules.

Why is WAC 296-46B important for this examination?

WAC Chapter 296-46B contains the detailed 06B specialty scope as well as Washington rules involving certification, examinations, supervision, electrical contractors, permits, inspections, and installation requirements.