Permits, inspections, exemptions & penalties: Washington General Journeyman Electrician (01) Practice Questions

Which NEC edition does WAC 296-46B-010 adopt effective December 31, 2026?

WAC 296-46B-010(1) adopts the 2026 NEC (NFPA 70-2026) effective December 31, 2026, replacing the 2023 edition that applies until then.

A homeowner wants to wire his own house in Washington without a license or certified electrician. When is that not allowed?

RCW 19.28.261(1) lets owners do electrical work on their own residence, farm or business property unless it is a new building intended for rent, sale or lease, or property offered for sale within 12 months after obtaining it.

What civil penalty range does RCW 19.28.271 set for violating the certification sections?

RCW 19.28.271(2) sets a penalty of not less than $50 or more than $500, with each day of violation a separate violation; appeals go to the electrical board within 20 days of the notice.

After L&I revokes an electrician's certificate, how long may it deny a new application?

RCW 19.28.241(2) lets the department deny an application for up to two years if the applicant's previous certificate was revoked; revocation itself requires notice and the chance of a board hearing.

Where must the electrical work permit (or its number) be posted on a Washington job?

WAC 296-46B-901(5) requires the permit to be posted at the job site, or its number posted on or next to the service or feeder panel supplying the work, before work begins and until inspection is complete.

When must a Washington electrical inspection be requested?

WAC 296-46B-901(9)(a) requires the request no later than three working days after the installation is completed or one working day after any part is energized, whichever occurs first.

How long is a Washington electrical work permit good for unless closed or extended?

WAC 296-46B-901(11) has permits expire one year after the date of purchase unless the chief electrical inspector grants permission or the permit is closed by the inspector.

A contractor makes an emergency like-in-kind repair in a city without a provisional permit system. When must the permit be obtained and posted?

WAC 296-46B-901(5)(b) requires a contractor's permit for emergency like-in-kind repairs to be obtained and posted no later than the next business day after the work is begun (the same deadline applies to owners under (a)).

Two electrical contractors each do part of the wiring on one house. How many permits are needed?

WAC 296-46B-901(3) requires each entity to furnish a permit for the work it performs; two or more entities may never work under the same permit.

Before the exterior wall cover inspection, how far from the outside face of the framing must wiring and boxes be if siding nails have not been installed or inspected and no steel plates are used?

WAC 296-46B-010(6) requires, before the exterior wall cover inspection, either the sheathing nail inspection (with siding installed where nails penetrate), wiring and boxes at least 2½ in. from the exterior surface of the framing, or 1/16 in. steel plates.

What will a Washington electrical inspector not do for a contractor?

WAC 296-46B-010(2) says inspectors give information on interpreting and applying the standards but will not lay out work or act as consultants for contractors, owners or users.

In a Washington office building, when does a telecommunications cabling project need an electrical permit?

WAC 296-46B-901(8) requires a permit for customer-side telecommunications projects greater than ten outlets, and for all backbone work, fire barrier penetrations and hazardous locations regardless of size.