Becoming a Journeyman Electrician in Washington
How to Get Licensed — And Why It Matters
If you're serious about making a career out of electrical work in Washington, there's one milestone that changes everything: getting your journeyman license.
Whether you're just starting as an apprentice or you're a few years into the field, becoming a licensed journeyman is one of the biggest steps you can take to unlock more opportunity, higher pay, and greater control over your future. I’ve been through that process myself — and I’m here to break it down for you.
🧰 Step 1: Register as a Trainee
Before you can work toward a journeyman license, you have to become an official Electrical Trainee. That means:
You’re working under the supervision of a licensed journeyman or master electrician
You’re registered with Washington State L&I
You’re logging hours of real-world experience on job sites
Tip: Don’t wait to register. You can’t count your hours toward licensing unless you’re officially signed up as a trainee.
⏱ Step 2: Complete the Required Hours
Washington requires a total of 8,000 hours of experience to sit for the EL01 journeyman exam.
Here’s the breakdown:
4,000 hours must be in commercial or industrial installations
The rest can be residential, service work, new construction, etc.
Most people hit that number in about 4 years, depending on how consistent their work is. The key? Track your hours religiously. Every job, every task, every project — get it signed off by your supervisor.
📚 Step 3: Complete the Required Education
In addition to your on-the-job hours, you’ll also need 96 hours of approved classroom instruction.
An approved Apprenticeship is the only way to go about receiving these classroom hours. I highly recommend looking into the NJATC and finding your local chapter.
📝 Step 4: Apply for the EL01 Exam
Once you hit your 8,000 hours and 96 classroom hours, you can apply to take the EL01 journeyman exam through PSI Testing Services (L&I’s testing partner).
The exam covers:
NEC (National Electrical Code)
Washington Administrative Code (WAC)
Basic electrical theory
Calculations (load, voltage drop, box fill, conduit fill, etc.)
Pro Tip: The NEC is huge, so don’t try to memorize it. Learn how to navigate the book quickly — that’s how you pass.
🧠 Step 5: Pass the Test — Then Level Up
When you pass your EL01 exam, you’ll officially be a licensed Journeyman Electrician in Washington State.
From here, your options open wide:
Run jobs independently
Train apprentices
Work toward your Administrator license (EL01 Admin)
Or like me — start your own electrical contracting business
💡 Final Thoughts
Getting your journeyman license isn’t just a checkbox — it’s a launchpad. It’s the difference between doing the work and owning your career.
I know the hours can feel long. The code book can be intimidating. The exam feels like a mountain. But every time you show up, ask a question, pull a wire, bend a pipe — you’re getting closer.
If you’re putting in the time and thinking about leveling up, don’t wait. Get your hours in, get your schooling done, and go after that license. Because once you get it, nobody can take it from you — and it opens every door in this trade.