RCW 19.28.261 Exemptions from RCW 19.28.161 through 19.28.271.
(1) Nothing in RCW 19.28.161 through 19.28.271 shall be construed to require that a person
obtain a license or a certified electrician in order to do electrical work at his or her residence or
farm or place of business or on other property owned by him or her unless the electrical work is
on the construction of a new building intended for rent, sale, or lease. However, if the
construction is of a new residential building with up to four units intended for rent, sale, or
lease, the owner may receive an exemption from the requirement to obtain a license or use a
certified electrician if he or she provides a signed affidavit to the department stating that he or
she will be performing the work and will occupy one of the units as his or her principal
residence. The owner shall apply to the department for this exemption and may only receive
an exemption once every twenty-four months. It is intended that the owner receiving this
exemption shall occupy the unit as his or her principal residence for twenty-four months after
completion of the units.
(2) Nothing in RCW 19.28.161 through 19.28.271 shall be intended to derogate from or dispense
with the requirements of any valid electrical code enacted by a city or town pursuant to RCW
19.28.010(3),except that no code shall require the holder of a certificate of competency to
demonstrate any additional proof of competency or obtain any other license or pay any fee in
order to engage in the electrical construction trade.
(3) RCW 19.28.161 through 19.28.271 shall not apply to common carriers subject to Part I of the
Interstate Commerce Act, nor to their officers and employees.
(4) Nothing in RCW 19.28.161 through 19.28.271 shall be deemed to apply to the installation or
maintenance of telephone, telegraph, radio, or television wires and equipment; nor to any
electrical utility or its employees in the installation, repair, and maintenance of electrical wiring,
circuits, and equipment by or for the utility, or comprising a part of its plants, lines or systems.
(5) The licensing provisions of RCW 19.28.161 through 19.28.271 shall not apply to:
(a) Persons making electrical installations on their own property or to regularly employed
employees working on the premises of their employer, unless the electrical work is on the
construction of a new building intended for rent, sale, or lease;
(b) Employees of an employer while the employer is performing utility type work of the nature
described in RCW 19.28.091 so long as such employees have registered in the state of
Washington with or graduated from a state-approved outside lineman apprenticeship
course that is recognized by the department and that qualifies a person to perform such
work;
(c) Any work exempted under RCW 19.28.091(6); and
(d) Certified plumbers, certified residential plumbers, or plumber trainees meeting the
requirements of chapter 18.106 RCW and performing exempt work under RCW
19.28.091(8).
(6) Nothing in RCW 19.28.161 through 19.28.271 shall be construed to restrict the right of any
householder to assist or receive assistance from a friend, neighbor, relative or other person
when none of the individuals doing the electrical installation hold themselves out as engaged in
the trade or business of electrical installations.
(7) Nothing precludes any person who is exempt from the licensing requirements of this chapter
under this section from obtaining a journeyman or specialty certificate of competency if they
otherwise meet the requirements of this chapter.
