Do you need a license to do electrical work in Washington?
Yes. In Washington, anyone doing electrical construction work must hold a state electrician certificate of competency, and a business doing electrical work must hold a state electrical contractor license. The certificates are master journey level, journey level, master specialty and specialty electrician, and the specialties include residential, pump and irrigation, limited energy system, signs, nonresidential maintenance and appliance repair. Apprentices and trainees may work under the supervision of a certified electrician with an electrical training certificate. This is RCW 19.28.161, 19.28.041.
| What | Washington |
|---|---|
| Electrician license | State electrician certificate and contractor license |
Source
Read the statute in the Revised Code of Washington (Washington State Legislature): app.leg.wa.gov.
Checked against the statute on November 13, 2026.
This is a summary of a published statute, not legal advice. Rules change, local ordinances can add to them, and the terms of a specific lease may differ. Check the citation and speak to a lawyer before acting.
How Seayora uses this rule
A contractor on Seayora keeps each license with its issuing state, its expiry date and the last four digits of its number, and the business is warned before one lapses — on the website and both phone apps. A customer finding a pro on Seayora sees whether a license is on file.
Guides on this rule
- Contractor License Requirements by State: Every Trade — Which states require a state license for electricians, plumbers, HVAC, general and home improvement contractors, with the statute for each.
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The same question in other states
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