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SB 6089

Eliminating certain minimum requirement equivalencies for electrical inspectors.

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by Karen Keiser and 2 co-sponsors

Eliminates two college-based equivalencies to become electrical inspector; keeps journeyman routes; tasks L&I and cities to craft new qualification pathways and report by 12/15/2024.

Effective date 6/6/2024.
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Bill Summary · SB 6089

Summary — SB 6089 (Chapter 196, 2024 Laws)

Title: Eliminating certain minimum requirement equivalencies for electrical inspectors
Effective date: June 6, 2024
Statute amended: RCW 19.28.321

Main purpose

SB 6089 removes two education/experience “equivalency” pathways that previously allowed people with specified college electrical training plus reduced on‑the‑job experience to qualify as electrical inspectors. The bill keeps the more rigorous journeyperson-based routes and directs the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) to work with cities to identify appropriate qualification pathways for inspectors.

Key provisions

  • Amends RCW 19.28.321 to delete the two equivalency options that allowed qualification as an electrical inspector by:
    • 2 years of electrical training in a college of electrical engineering + 4 years continuous practical electrical installation experience; or
    • 4 years of electrical training in a college of electrical engineering + 2 years continuous practical electrical installation experience.
  • Retains the remaining minimum qualification pathways:
    • Four years’ experience as a journey‑level electrician in electrical construction (installing/maintaining wiring/equipment); or
    • Four years’ experience as a journey‑level electrician performing duties of an electrical inspector employed by L&I or a city/town with an approved inspection program.
  • Preserves special allowance for National Electrical Safety Code work: inspections may be performed by a certified outside journeyperson lineworker with four years’ experience (per RCW 19.28.261(5)(b)).
  • New, temporary section requiring L&I and the Association of Washington Cities to work with cities that issue their own electrical permits/inspections to identify appropriate pathways to qualify as an electrical inspector. L&I must report findings and recommendations to the Legislature by December 15, 2024. That section expires June 30, 2025.

Who is affected

  • Prospective electrical inspectors: two alternate education‑based qualification routes are removed, narrowing formal entry pathways.
  • Department of Labor & Industries: implements change, collaborates with cities, and reports to Legislature.
  • Cities with local inspection programs and their staffing/recruiting practices: directed to work with L&I to identify qualification pathways.
  • Electrical contractors and the training pipeline: potential impacts on recruitment and training programs depending on how cities and L&I identify alternative, acceptable pathways.

Timeline and procedural notes

  • Passed Senate (49–0) and House (96–0); delivered to Governor 3/7/2024; signed by Governor 3/19/2024.
  • Effective date: June 6, 2024.
  • L&I required report due to Legislature by December 15, 2024.
  • Collaboration/reporting requirement expires June 30, 2025.
  • No appropriation in the bill; fiscal note available.

Context and rationale

Sponsor testimony notes the removed equivalencies were infrequently used and raised concerns; the remaining routes are considered more rigorous. The bill was amended to include the city/L&I collaboration to help address local concerns about finding and qualifying inspectors.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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