This bill amends the requirements for obtaining a journey level electrician certificate of competency in Washington State by consolidating the current five education and training pathways into a single pathway that mandates the completion of an apprenticeship program. The effective date for this new requirement has been postponed from July 1, 2023, to July 1, 2025, to allow for the establishment and expansion of apprenticeship programs, particularly in rural areas where access is currently limited. The bill acknowledges the significant number of trainees—estimated between 7,000 to 10,000—who are working towards certification but are not enrolled in any apprenticeship program.

Additionally, the bill mandates the Department of Labor and Industries to conduct a study on the availability and accessibility of journey level electrical apprenticeship programs, including their geographic distribution and the enrollment status of trainees. The findings from this study are to be reported to the governor and relevant legislative committees by December 1, 2023. The bill also includes amendments to existing laws, extending certain expiration dates and effective dates to align with the new timeline for the apprenticeship requirement.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 43.01.036