Washington General Administrator Book Package

Prepare for the Washington General Electrical Administrator examination with a focused book package built around the core code and state-law references used for Washington electrical licensing exams. 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.

The Washington General Electrical Administrator credential is intended for individuals who will take responsibility for helping an electrical contractor comply with Washington electrical laws, rules, and regulations. A General Electrical Administrator can be assigned to a general electrical contractor or to a specialty electrical contractor. The administrator role is focused on supervision, compliance, and contractor responsibility rather than granting authority to personally perform electrical installation work unless the administrator also holds the appropriate electrician certification.

Washington electrical administrator examinations are open book. Candidates may use approved reference materials during testing, making familiarity with the 2020 NEC, RCW 19.28, and WAC 296-46B an important part of preparation. Candidates should learn not only the content of these references, but also how to determine which reference applies to a question and how to locate the controlling provision efficiently.

The General Administrator examination requires knowledge of national electrical requirements as well as Washington-specific laws and administrative rules. Candidates should be prepared to move between electrical installation requirements, contractor responsibilities, administrator duties, certification provisions, inspection and permit rules, state amendments, and related compliance subjects.

Washington Labor & Industries currently identifies the 2020 National Electrical Code for its electrical licensing examinations. Washington-specific requirements are found in Chapter 19.28 RCW and Chapter 296-46B WAC. Studying these references together helps candidates understand how national code requirements interact with Washington electrical law.

What You Get

• Revised Code of Washington (RCW) Chapter 19.28
  Washington's electrical law covering electricians, electrical installations, electrical contractors, administrators, licensing, certification, enforcement, and other statutory requirements governing electrical work in the state.
• Washington Administrative Code (WAC) Chapter 296-46B
  Washington's detailed electrical safety, administration, licensing, examination, contractor, inspection, and installation rules. This reference is essential for understanding how Washington applies and supplements national electrical requirements.
• National Electrical Code, NEC, 2020 Edition
  The NEC edition currently identified by Washington Labor & Industries for electrical licensing examinations. It provides the national electrical installation requirements candidates need to understand alongside Washington-specific rules.

These three references form the core of Washington General Administrator preparation. The NEC addresses national installation standards, RCW 19.28 establishes Washington electrical law, and WAC 296-46B provides detailed state rules and administrative requirements.

Exam Details

Washington identifies the General Electrical Administrator credential as AD01 General Electrical Administrator. Administrator examinations are administered through PSI.

• Certification: AD01 General Electrical Administrator
• Exam Type: Open book
• Testing Provider: PSI
• Passing Score: 70% on each required examination section
• NEC Edition: 2020 National Electrical Code
• Washington Law Reference: Chapter 19.28 RCW
• Washington Rule Reference: Chapter 296-46B WAC

Washington administrator examinations may consist of multiple sections. Candidates must successfully complete all required sections within the one-year examination period that begins with the first examination attempt.

During that one-year period, candidates do not need to retake sections they have already passed. If all required sections are not completed within the examination period, the candidate must begin a new examination period and complete the required sections under the applicable rules.

Washington requires a minimum passing score of 70% on each examination or examination section. Candidates who fail a section must observe the applicable waiting period before retesting.

Open Book Test

Washington General Electrical Administrator examinations are open book tests. Candidates may bring approved reference materials into the testing center, subject to Washington Labor & Industries examination rules.

The 2020 National Electrical Code is allowed. Permanent index tabs are acceptable, but removable tabs, sticky notes, and handwritten notes are not permitted. Original copyrighted materials may contain highlighting and underlining as long as they comply with the examination rules.

Printed copies of Chapter 19.28 RCW and Chapter 296-46B WAC are also allowed. Washington Labor & Industries instructs candidates to hole-punch the printed state laws and rules and place them in a three-ring binder for the examination.

Candidates may use a silent, nonprinting, nonprogrammable calculator that is not designed for preprogrammed electrical calculations. Personal notes and personal computing devices are not permitted.

Because the exam is open book, preparation should include regular reference-navigation practice. Candidates should become familiar with NEC article organization, Washington rule numbering, statutory sections, definitions, exceptions, and cross-references.

A useful strategy is to identify the nature of a question before searching. Questions about electrical installation requirements may lead to the NEC. Questions involving contractor responsibilities, administrator assignments, certification, examinations, inspections, permits, or Washington amendments may require the RCW or WAC.

Licensing Steps

Washington electrical administrator certification is administered through the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries. Unlike electrician and master electrician examinations, there are no prerequisites to take an electrical administrator examination.

1. Select the General Administrator classification. Candidates seeking authority to serve as administrator for a general electrical contractor should prepare for the AD01 General Electrical Administrator examination.
2. Create a PSI testing account and schedule the exam. Administrator candidates may schedule directly with PSI and do not need prior examination approval from Labor & Industries.
3. Prepare using the approved references. Study the 2020 NEC, RCW 19.28, and WAC 296-46B while practicing code and state-law navigation.
4. Take all required examination sections. The first attempt begins the candidate's one-year administrator examination period.
5. Pass each required section. A minimum score of 70% is required on each examination section.
6. Complete any necessary retesting. Failed sections may be retaken according to Washington waiting-period requirements.
7. Apply for administrator certification after passing. Submit the required passing score reports and fee to Washington Labor & Industries.
8. Submit passing documentation on time. Labor & Industries must receive the required administrator application materials within 90 days of the last passing score date.
9. Complete contractor assignment documentation when applicable. An administrator assigned to an electrical contractor must complete the applicable assignment process with Labor & Industries.

Once assigned to an electrical contractor, the administrator accepts responsibility for helping ensure that the contractor complies with applicable Washington electrical laws and rules.

State Requirements

Washington recognizes two levels of electrical administrator certification: General Electrical Administrator and specialty electrical administrator classifications. The General Electrical Administrator certification is designated as AD01.

A General Electrical Administrator may be assigned to a single general electrical contractor or to a specialty electrical contractor. Specialty administrators are limited to contractors operating within the corresponding specialty scope.

There are no prerequisites to sit for the electrical administrator examination. Candidates do not need to document electrician experience before scheduling the administrator test.

However, administrator certification does not by itself authorize a person to work with the tools of the electrical trade or perform electrical installations. A person who wants to perform electrical work must also hold the appropriate electrician certification and work under the applicable contractor requirements.

Washington electrical contractors must have an assigned certified electrical administrator or master electrician. A general electrical contractor is licensed to perform all types of electrical and telecommunications installations, while specialty contractors are limited to the specialty categories established in Washington rules.

An administrator or master electrician assigned to a contractor must meet Washington's assignment requirements and fulfill the supervisory and compliance responsibilities established by Chapter 19.28 RCW and Chapter 296-46B WAC.

Administrators must also notify Labor & Industries when their assignment status changes. Once assigned, the administrator plays an important compliance role in the contractor's operations.

Reference Books

• Revised Code of Washington (RCW) Chapter 19.28
  This reference contains Washington electrical statutes governing electrical installations, contractors, administrators, electricians, licensing, enforcement, certification, responsibilities, penalties, and related electrical requirements. General Administrator candidates should become comfortable locating statutory provisions that define contractor and administrator responsibilities.
• Washington Administrative Code (WAC) Chapter 296-46B
  This reference provides Washington electrical safety standards, administrative rules, examination provisions, contractor requirements, administrator assignment rules, certification rules, permit and inspection requirements, and state-specific amendments to electrical installation requirements.
• National Electrical Code, NEC, 2020 Edition
  The 2020 NEC provides national electrical installation requirements covering branch circuits, feeders, services, grounding and bonding, conductors, wiring methods, equipment, motors, transformers, generators, special occupancies, special equipment, special conditions, and communications systems.

The Washington General Administrator examination requires candidates to understand the relationship between these references. A Washington rule may supplement or modify a general NEC requirement, while an RCW provision may establish the legal responsibility behind a contractor or administrator requirement.

Candidates should therefore avoid studying each book in isolation. Practice questions should be used to build the habit of deciding whether the issue is primarily national code, Washington law, or Washington administrative rule.

Exam Room Approved Books

• National Electrical Code, NEC, 2020 Edition
  The 2020 NEC is permitted for Washington electrical examinations. Permanent index tabs, highlighting, and underlining are allowed under the examination 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 are permitted in the examination and should be hole-punched and placed in a three-ring binder.
• Washington Administrative Code (WAC) Chapter 296-46B
  Printed copies of Washington electrical rules are permitted and should be prepared according to Labor & Industries testing-center requirements.

Washington also permits original copyrighted reference materials that comply with testing-center rules. However, personal notes and copied copyrighted materials are not permitted.

Test Information and Study Materials

Washington Electrical Law: Study Chapter 19.28 RCW with attention to administrator responsibilities, electrical contractor requirements, licensing, certification, enforcement, electrical installations, and statutory duties.

Washington Administrative Rules: WAC 296-46B should receive substantial study time. Review administrator certification, contractor assignment, examination procedures, electrical permits, inspections, licensing requirements, Washington amendments, and installation provisions.

Administrator Responsibilities: Understand what it means to be assigned as an electrical administrator. The role carries responsibility for ensuring that an electrical contractor complies with applicable Washington electrical laws and rules.

Electrical Contractor Requirements: Review general and specialty electrical contractor requirements, assignment of an administrator or master electrician, contractor licensing responsibilities, and the distinction between contractor authority and individual electrician certification.

NEC General Requirements: Review the organization of the National Electrical Code and become comfortable navigating general electrical requirements, wiring and protection, wiring methods, equipment, special occupancies, special equipment, and communications-related material.

Grounding and Bonding: Study grounding electrode systems, bonding, equipment grounding conductors, separately derived systems, and other grounding requirements. These concepts are central to safe electrical installations and appear throughout electrical code work.

Services, Feeders, and Branch Circuits: Review service equipment, disconnecting means, conductor sizing, feeders, branch circuits, overcurrent protection, and applicable calculation concepts.

Wiring Methods and Equipment: Practice navigating NEC provisions covering raceways, cables, boxes, fittings, electrical equipment, motors, transformers, generators, and other commonly regulated installations.

Washington Amendments: Candidates should understand that Washington adopts and modifies national electrical requirements through WAC 296-46B. State-specific amendments are an important part of administrator preparation.

Examination Rules: Review Washington rules governing examination sections, passing scores, retesting, the one-year examination period, and acceptable testing-center materials.

A productive study strategy is to divide preparation into three reference-navigation categories: NEC questions, RCW questions, and WAC questions. Work through practice questions and require yourself to identify the correct source before beginning the search.

Timed reference practice can also help. Select a Washington law or rule topic, locate the controlling provision, and record how long the search takes. Repeat the process until major administrator and contractor subjects become easy to find.

The same strategy can be used with the NEC. Practice identifying the article or chapter before using the index. Over time, this can reduce unnecessary searching and make open book examination work more efficient.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep helps Washington General Administrator candidates organize preparation around the three primary references used for Washington electrical examination work: the 2020 National Electrical Code, RCW Chapter 19.28, and WAC Chapter 296-46B.

This book package gives candidates a structured reference set for studying both electrical installation requirements and Washington-specific contractor and administrator responsibilities. Working with all three references can help candidates develop a more complete understanding of how electrical compliance operates in Washington.

1 Exam Prep encourages candidates to combine reference navigation with trade-focused review. Administrator preparation should include electrical code knowledge, Washington licensing rules, contractor responsibilities, examination requirements, permit and inspection provisions, and state amendments.

Practice-oriented preparation can help candidates become more efficient at determining which source controls a question. Learning to recognize whether a subject belongs in the NEC, RCW, or WAC can save valuable time during an open book examination.

Reference navigation is especially important for candidates who already understand electrical work but have less experience with Washington administrative requirements. Regular review of RCW 19.28 and WAC 296-46B can help turn unfamiliar legal and regulatory material into a more manageable part of the examination.

The goal is to develop an organized study routine, strong familiarity with Washington electrical requirements, and efficient use of the approved reference materials. This package provides the core books needed to build that preparation structure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Washington General Electrical Administrator?

A Washington General Electrical Administrator is a certified professional responsible for helping ensure that an electrical contractor complies with Washington electrical laws, rules, and regulations. The General Administrator certification is designated AD01.

What books are included in this package?

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

Is the Washington General Administrator exam open book?

Yes. Washington electrical administrator examinations are open book, subject to Labor & Industries testing-center rules.

Which NEC edition is used for the Washington exam?

Washington Labor & Industries currently identifies the 2020 National Electrical Code for electrical licensing examinations.

Do I need electrical experience before taking the General Administrator exam?

No. Washington Labor & Industries states that there are no prerequisites to take an electrical administrator examination.

Do administrator candidates need pre-approval from Labor & Industries before scheduling?

No. Administrator candidates may schedule the examination directly through PSI without prior L&I examination approval.

What score is required to pass?

A minimum score of 70% is required on each examination or examination section.

How long do I have to complete all administrator exam sections?

All required administrator examination sections must be successfully completed within the one-year examination period that begins with the candidate's first examination attempt.

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

Yes. Printed copies of Chapter 19.28 RCW and Chapter 296-46B WAC are permitted and should be hole-punched and placed in a three-ring binder.

Can I use tabs and highlighting in my NEC?

Permanent index tabs, highlighting, and underlining are permitted in original copyrighted reference materials. Removable tabs, sticky notes, and handwritten notes are not allowed.

Does becoming an administrator allow me to perform electrical installations?

No. Administrator certification by itself does not authorize a person to perform electrical installation work. A person performing electrical work must also hold the appropriate electrician certification and comply with applicable contractor requirements.

Can a General Administrator be assigned to a specialty electrical contractor?

Yes. A General Electrical Administrator may be assigned to a general electrical contractor or to a specialty electrical contractor.

What happens after I pass all required exam sections?

You must submit your passing score reports and the required certification fee to Washington Labor & Industries. The required materials must be received within 90 days of the last passing score date.

Why do I need to study both RCW and WAC?

RCW 19.28 contains Washington electrical law, while WAC 296-46B contains detailed administrative, licensing, examination, safety, and installation rules. Both are important for understanding Washington electrical compliance.

Who administers the Washington General Administrator examination?

The examination is administered through PSI.