Washington General Electrician Book Package

Prepare for the Washington General Journey Level Electrician examination with a focused book package built around the primary 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 Journey Level Electrician certification, commonly identified as the 01 General Journey Level Electrician classification, allows a certified electrician to perform all types of electrical and telecommunications installations within the scope established by Washington law. Candidates pursuing this certification need a strong working knowledge of electrical theory, National Electrical Code requirements, Washington electrical laws, Washington administrative rules, electrical calculations, and practical installation principles.

Washington electrical licensing examinations are open book. Candidates may bring approved reference materials into the testing center, including the 2020 National Electrical Code and printed copies of RCW Chapter 19.28 and WAC Chapter 296-46B. This makes reference navigation an important part of exam preparation. Candidates should know not only the electrical concepts involved, but also how to determine which reference contains the applicable requirement and how to locate that information efficiently.

The Washington General Electrician Book Package brings together the three core references candidates need for structured preparation. The NEC provides national electrical installation requirements, RCW 19.28 establishes Washington electrical law, and WAC 296-46B contains detailed state rules, electrical amendments, administrative requirements, certification provisions, inspections, permits, and other Washington-specific requirements.

Effective preparation should combine field experience with repeated code research. Experienced electricians may recognize the correct installation method from years of work, but exam questions often require the exact code-compliant answer under a specific set of conditions. Becoming comfortable with the references can help candidates connect practical electrical experience with the precise language used in licensing examinations.

What You Get

• Revised Code of Washington (RCW) Chapter 19.28
  Washington's electrical law covering electricians, electrical installations, electrical contractors, certification, licensing, enforcement, supervision, penalties, and other statutory requirements governing electrical work in the state.
• Washington Administrative Code (WAC) Chapter 296-46B
  Washington's detailed electrical safety, administration, examination, certification, inspection, installation, and licensing rules. This reference contains important Washington-specific provisions that work alongside the National Electrical Code.
• National Electrical Code, NEC, 2020 Edition
  The NEC edition currently identified by Washington Labor & Industries for its electrical licensing examinations. It provides national requirements covering branch circuits, feeders, services, grounding and bonding, conductors, wiring methods, equipment, motors, transformers, generators, special occupancies, special equipment, communications, and other electrical installations.

These references should be studied together. Washington examination questions may involve a general NEC requirement, a Washington amendment to that requirement, or an administrative rule that affects how electrical work is performed, permitted, inspected, or supervised.

Exam Details

The Washington General Journey Level Electrician certification is identified as the 01 General Journey Level Electrician classification. Washington electrical examinations are administered through PSI after the candidate has received the required examination approval from the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries.

• Certification: 01 General Journey Level Electrician
• 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

All Washington electrical examinations require candidates to have a working knowledge of the National Electrical Code, Washington electrical laws and rules, and basic electrical theory. Theory questions may include electrical calculations and general math associated with electrical work.

Candidates who fail an examination section must wait the required period before retesting. Washington allows candidates to retest failed sections without repeating sections already passed during the applicable examination period. Candidates have one year from the first examination attempt to complete all required sections before the examination process must be restarted.

Open Book Test

The Washington General Journey Level Electrician examination is an open book test. Washington Labor & Industries permits candidates to bring specific reference materials into the testing center under established examination rules.

The 2020 National Electrical Code is permitted. Permanent index tabs are acceptable, but removable tabs, sticky notes, and handwritten notes are prohibited. Original copyrighted reference books may contain highlighting, underlining, and permanent index tabs.

Printed copies of RCW Chapter 19.28 and WAC Chapter 296-46B are also permitted. Washington requires the printed state-law and state-rule materials to be hole-punched and placed in a three-ring binder for use at the testing center.

Candidates may also use a silent, nonprinting, nonprogrammable calculator that complies with examination rules. Calculators specifically designed for preprogrammed electrical calculations are not allowed.

Because the examination is open book, navigation speed matters. Candidates should become familiar with NEC article organization, the index, tables, definitions, exceptions, notes, and cross-references. Similar navigation practice should be done with the RCW and WAC.

A useful approach is to identify the category of a question before opening a book. Questions involving conductor ampacity, services, grounding, motors, wiring methods, or equipment generally point toward the NEC. Questions involving Washington certification, contractor requirements, trainee supervision, permits, inspections, state amendments, or licensing may require the RCW or WAC.

Licensing Steps

Washington General Journey Level Electrician certification is administered through the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries. Candidates must meet experience and education requirements before qualifying for the examination.

1. Begin as an electrical trainee or through another qualifying pathway. Washington requires individuals entering the electrical trade to gain documented qualifying experience before becoming certified electricians.
2. Accumulate qualifying work experience. General Journey Level applicants must complete the required electrical work hours for examination eligibility.
3. Complete required classroom instruction or apprenticeship education. Washington requires qualifying education in addition to practical electrical experience.
4. Maintain proper experience records. Electrical work experience must be documented according to Washington Labor & Industries requirements.
5. Apply for examination eligibility. Submit the required electrician examination application and supporting documentation to Washington Labor & Industries.
6. Receive approval before scheduling. Candidates should not schedule the PSI examination until Labor & Industries has approved the examination request.
7. Prepare using the approved references. Study the 2020 NEC, RCW Chapter 19.28, and WAC Chapter 296-46B while practicing electrical theory, calculations, and reference navigation.
8. Schedule through PSI. Once approved, schedule the required examination through the authorized testing provider.
9. Pass all required examination sections. A score of at least 70% is required on each section.
10. Complete certification requirements. Follow Washington Labor & Industries instructions for issuance of the General Journey Level Electrician certificate.

State Requirements

Washington's General Journey Level Electrician classification is identified as 01. A certified 01 electrician may perform all types of electrical and telecommunications installations within the scope allowed by Washington law.

Washington Labor & Industries requires General Journey Level examination candidates to document 8,000 hours of qualifying electrical work experience. No more than 4,000 of those hours may be worked in 4,000-hour specialty classifications.

Washington also requires the applicable classroom instruction or apprenticeship education before a candidate qualifies for the 01 examination. The specific qualifying path can depend on whether the candidate trained in Washington, completed an approved apprenticeship, or is applying with qualifying out-of-state or military electrical experience.

Electrical work hours must be properly documented and verifiable. Washington maintains requirements governing affidavits of experience, reporting deadlines, supervision, qualifying work activities, and the types of electrical work that may count toward certification.

The electrical trade in Washington includes the installation and maintenance of electrical wires and equipment used for light, heat, and power, along with remote-control, signaling, power-limited, and communications circuits and systems.

Washington also requires electricians to maintain their certification after initial licensure. Electrician certificates are renewed periodically and continuing education is required for renewal under current state rules.

Reference Books

• Revised Code of Washington (RCW) Chapter 19.28
  This reference contains Washington electrical statutes governing electricians, trainees, electrical contractors, certification, installations, enforcement, supervision, and related legal requirements. Candidates should learn how to locate Washington statutory requirements efficiently.
• Washington Administrative Code (WAC) Chapter 296-46B
  This reference contains Washington electrical safety standards, administrative requirements, examination provisions, certification rules, inspection requirements, permits, state electrical amendments, and detailed installation requirements. It is an essential resource for Washington-specific exam questions.
• National Electrical Code, NEC, 2020 Edition
  The 2020 NEC provides national electrical requirements covering general electrical installations, branch circuits, feeders, services, grounding and bonding, wiring methods, equipment, motors, transformers, generators, special occupancies, special equipment, special conditions, and communications systems.

Candidates should practice moving between these references instead of treating them as unrelated books. Washington-specific electrical requirements often work alongside NEC provisions, making familiarity with all three references important.

Exam Room Approved Books

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

Original copyrighted electrical reference materials may also be permitted under Washington examination rules, provided they comply with restrictions on handwritten notes and removable materials.

Test Information and Study Materials

Electrical Theory: Review basic electrical theory, Ohm's law, power relationships, series and parallel circuits, alternating current concepts, electrical calculations, and general trade mathematics. Theory knowledge helps candidates solve calculation questions that cannot be answered through code lookup alone.

Branch Circuits and Feeders: Study branch-circuit requirements, feeder sizing, required circuits, conductor ampacity, overcurrent protection, voltage considerations, and applicable NEC calculations.

Services: Review service conductors, service equipment, disconnecting means, service sizing, grounding and bonding, service calculations, and installation requirements.

Grounding and Bonding: Become comfortable with NEC Article 250. Study grounding electrode systems, equipment grounding conductors, bonding jumpers, separately derived systems, service bonding, conductor sizing, and grounding requirements for equipment and systems.

Conductors: Review ampacity, conductor insulation, temperature ratings, conductor identification, adjustment factors, correction factors, parallel conductors, and the use of NEC tables.

Wiring Methods: Study raceways, cables, boxes, fittings, supports, conductor fill, box fill, installation restrictions, and permitted uses. Practice finding the correct wiring-method article quickly.

Motors and HVAC Equipment: Review motor conductors, overload protection, short-circuit and ground-fault protection, disconnecting means, controllers, HVAC equipment, and equipment-specific calculation requirements.

Transformers and Generators: Study transformer conductor and overcurrent requirements, separately derived systems, generator installations, transfer equipment, and related grounding and bonding provisions.

Special Occupancies and Equipment: Become familiar with hazardous locations, health-care applications, emergency systems, standby systems, photovoltaic systems, special equipment, communications systems, and other specialized NEC installations.

Washington Laws and Rules: Study certification requirements, trainee supervision, permits, inspections, electrical contractors, examination requirements, Washington amendments, and administrative responsibilities contained in RCW 19.28 and WAC 296-46B.

A productive preparation method combines content review with timed lookup practice. Work through a question, identify the electrical topic, determine which reference controls the issue, and then locate the applicable provision. This develops both technical understanding and navigation speed.

For calculation problems, write out the steps instead of relying only on memory. Identify the type of calculation, organize the information given, find the applicable NEC table or demand factor, and work through the problem systematically.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

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

The package supports a structured study approach instead of random code reading. Candidates can divide preparation into NEC topics, electrical theory, calculations, and Washington-specific law and rule review.

1 Exam Prep encourages practical reference navigation. For an open book examination, knowing approximately where an answer is located can save valuable time. Candidates should practice moving from a question to the correct book, article, section, table, or state rule efficiently.

Trade-focused review also helps experienced electricians connect jobsite knowledge with the precise requirements used on the examination. A candidate may already understand how an installation is performed, but studying the code clarifies which conditions, exceptions, sizing rules, and administrative requirements control the work.

Practice-oriented preparation can help strengthen grounding and bonding, service calculations, conductor sizing, motors, transformers, special installations, electrical theory, and Washington-specific licensing rules.

The goal is to build a consistent preparation routine that combines electrical experience, code familiarity, calculation skills, and efficient use of the approved references. This Washington General Electrician Book Package provides the core materials needed to support that process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Washington General Electrician classification?

The Washington General Journey Level Electrician classification is identified as 01. A certified 01 electrician may perform all types of electrical and telecommunications installations within the scope established by Washington law.

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 Electrician exam open book?

Yes. Washington electrical licensing examinations are open book, subject to Labor & Industries rules governing examination references.

Which NEC edition is used for Washington electrical exams?

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

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

Yes. Printed copies of RCW Chapter 19.28 and WAC Chapter 296-46B are permitted when prepared according to Washington testing-center requirements.

Can I use tabs in my NEC?

Permanent index tabs are permitted. Removable tabs, sticky notes, and handwritten notes are not allowed.

Can I highlight my NEC?

Yes. Washington permits highlighting and underlining in original copyrighted reference materials, subject to testing-center rules.

What score is required to pass?

Washington requires a minimum score of 70% on each required electrical examination section.

How much experience is required for the 01 General Journey Level exam?

Washington requires 8,000 hours of qualifying electrical work experience for the 01 examination. No more than 4,000 of those hours may be earned in 4,000-hour specialty classifications.

Is classroom education required?

Yes. Washington requires qualifying education or apprenticeship instruction in addition to the work experience required for General Journey Level examination eligibility.

Who administers the Washington electrical exam?

Washington electrical licensing examinations are administered through PSI after examination eligibility is approved by Washington Labor & Industries.

What happens if I fail an exam section?

Washington allows candidates to retest failed sections after the applicable waiting period. Candidates do not need to retake sections already passed during the one-year examination period.

Why do I need both the RCW and WAC?

RCW 19.28 contains Washington electrical statutes, while WAC 296-46B contains detailed administrative, certification, safety, inspection, and electrical installation rules. Both are important for understanding Washington-specific requirements.

Should I study if the exam is open book?

Yes. Open book access is most useful when candidates already understand electrical concepts and know approximately where to locate the applicable requirement. Efficient reference navigation can save significant time during testing.

How should I use this book package during preparation?

Divide your study into NEC requirements, Washington laws and rules, electrical theory, and calculations. Practice identifying which reference controls each question, then locate and apply the relevant provision under timed conditions.