Washington, Spokane County Electrician Permit Regulations and County Ordinances for Unincorporated Areas
Spokane County Electrician Permit Requirements
For properties located in the unincorporated areas of Spokane County, electrical permits are handled by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). You will need to contact them directly for specific permit requirements and application processes.
- Contact Information for Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (Spokane Office):
- Address: 901 N. Monroe Street, Suite 100, Spokane, WA 99201
- Phone: 509-324-2640
- Toll-free: 1-800-509-8847
- TDD: 509-324-2653
Spokane County's Building & Planning Department handles permits for construction, alterations, repairs, and installations of electrical systems within its jurisdiction. However, for the actual electrical permits themselves in unincorporated areas, L&I is the governing body. It is crucial to verify your property's location to determine the correct permitting authority. Spokane County accepts online permit applications for various permit types within its unincorporated areas, the Town of Rockford, and the Town of Spangle. You can check if your location falls within their service area using their online maps.
Work requiring a permit includes, but is not limited to, constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving, or demolishing a building or structure, or changing the use of a building. This also applies to the erection, installation, enlargement, alteration, repair, removal, conversion, or replacement of any electrical system. Permits must be obtained before beginning any work, though emergency situations allow for permit application on the next business day.
Washington State Electrician Licensing
To work as an electrician in Washington State, you generally need to start as an electrical trainee. This involves obtaining a trainee certificate and working under the supervision of a licensed electrician. After accumulating the required on-the-job experience and classroom training hours, you can qualify to take an exam for a journeyman or specialty electrician license. Further experience can lead to a master electrician license.
- Trainee Certificate: Must be 16 years or older, possess a social security number, and work under a supervising electrician. Trainees must complete a state-approved electrical apprenticeship program.
- Journeyman Electrician: Requires approximately 8,000 hours of on-the-job experience and 96 hours of classroom training. A licensing exam must be passed.
- Master Electrician: Requires holding a journeyman license for at least four years and passing a master electrician exam.