This bill introduces a new section to chapter 49.04 RCW, allowing specialty electricians to continue working under their valid specialty certificate of competency while enrolled in a journey level apprenticeship program. It stipulates that employers can utilize apprentices registered in approved programs to perform work under their specialty certificates without altering their apprenticeship status. To do so, employers must submit quarterly attestations of the apprentice's hours worked under the specialty certificate and provide annual notifications to the apprentices regarding their work, wages, and potential impacts on wage progression due to low hour accumulation.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that hours worked under the specialty certificate will not count towards the required work experience for completing the apprenticeship program. It also exempts employers from the standard requirement of reasonably continuous employment, provided they offer at least 800 working hours each year that count towards the apprenticeship. However, the director of the department of labor and industries has the authority to suspend an employer's authorization if they find willful or repeated inaccuracies in submitted information or failure to submit required attestations. The director may also adopt rules to facilitate the implementation of this section.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 19.28.161