The bill amends RCW 19.28.321 to expand the minimum requirements for electrical inspectors in Washington State by including certain out-of-state experience. Specifically, it stipulates that all electrical inspectors appointed by the director of labor and industries must possess a journey level electrician certificate issued by the department and have eight years of experience in the electrical construction trade, with four of those years occurring after obtaining the journey level electrician license or certificate from another state that has a reciprocal licensing agreement with Washington. Additionally, the bill maintains the requirement of four years of experience as a journey level electrician or as an electrical inspector employed by the department or a city with an approved inspection program.

The bill also clarifies that inspections related to the national electrical safety code can be performed by individuals certified as outside journeyperson lineworkers, provided they have four years of experience. Furthermore, it establishes that the salaries and expenses of state inspectors will be funded entirely from the electrical license fund, and inspectors hired specifically for national electrical safety code inspections must maintain certification as outside journeyperson lineworkers. This legislative change aims to enhance the qualifications of electrical inspectors in Washington, ensuring they have adequate experience and certification to uphold safety standards.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 19.28.321
Substitute Bill: 19.28.321
Bill as Passed Legislature: 19.28.321
Session Law: 19.28.321