L&I Electrical Currents, the Short Version

• 2026 NEC adoption, Dec 31, 2026. The 2026 NEC applies to all installations where the electrical permit is issued on or after Dec 31, 2026. Two exceptions can stay on the old code: new one-family, two-family and multifamily dwellings whose building permit was issued before Dec 31, 2026; and plan-review projects (WAC 296-46B-900) whose plans were received and accepted for review before Dec 31, 2026.
• Code update classes. Continuing education approvals usually last three years, but every code update class based on a previous NEC edition is automatically revoked the day the new NEC is adopted (WAC 296-46B-970(4)(b)).
• Exams move to the 2026 NEC in July 2027.
• After-hours inspections must be set up ahead of time with your local inspection supervisor (or the VEI supervisor). With 24 hours' notice or more (before noon the previous working day) you pay the portal-to-portal hourly rate plus your permit fee; with less notice there is also an emergency surcharge, currently $151.10.
• Electrical Board appeals (WAC 296-46B-995): most must be filed within 20 days of the decision and must arrive at L&I headquarters in Tumwater, not a local office. Fees run $100–$200 depending on the violation, $1,000 maximum.
• Permit-free repairs have a limit. Class A basic electrical work allows replacing at most five switches, dimmers, receptacles, thermostats or heating elements (WAC 296-46B-901). Six or more needs a permit.

Source: Electrical Currents, September 2026 (PDF)

• 2026 NEC rule changes proposed. L&I filed proposed changes to the state electrical rules (WAC 296-46B) on Aug. 4; if adopted they take effect Dec 31, 2026 along with the 2026 NEC. The public hearing was Sept. 14.
• Virtual inspections (VEI): afternoon waits in the "Ready Now" queue now run 45 minutes or more. Mornings usually have little or no wait.
• Passing inspection doesn't move the liability. Under state law, an approved inspection does not reduce the responsibility of the people who made the installation.
• Most-written corrections last year: no access for inspection (2,210); dwelling GFCI protection, NEC 210.8(A) (1,544); calling for an inspection before the work was ready (1,530); not following manufacturer's instructions, NEC 110.3(B) (1,009); circuit directory, NEC 408.4(A) (749).

Source: Electrical Currents, August 2026 (PDF)

• Trainee grace period ended July 1, 2026. L&I can't approve (01) exam applications received after that date under the old exception. Only registered apprentices can do (01) general work and earn (01) hours. Trainees can still do specialty work without being apprentices.
• 6.51% fee increase took effect July 1, 2026. Paper forms with fees should be dated 7-2026 at the bottom.
• EV charging on public works: under SSB 5528, electricians installing or maintaining EV charging equipment on public works projects must have EVITP certification.
• Proposed EV and exam rule changes were filed July 14; if adopted they take effect Nov 20, 2026.
• Metering centers: the temporary exception ended July 1, 2026. New installations must fully meet 2023 NEC 230.71(B)(4) (separate compartments for each service disconnect) and 230.62(C).

Source: Electrical Currents, July 2026 (PDF)

• New chief. Randy Barnes became Chief Electrical Inspector June 1, 2026; Wayne Molesworth retired June 30.
• GFCI enforcement delayed to Dec 31, 2026 for: 2023 NEC 210.8(A) and (B) for 250-volt receptacles serving ranges, wall-mounted ovens and counter-mounted cooking equipment; and 210.8(D)(8), (9) and (10) for the same appliances. The 210.8(F) Exception 2 for listed HVAC equipment expires Dec 31, 2026 unless extended.
• Exam rule draft (Version 3): exam approvals would last 2 years instead of 1, and the longest wait between attempts would drop to 60 days (WAC 296-46B-960).
• Septic alarms must be on a circuit independent of the pump circuit (WAC 296-46B-501(8)); the issue explains what counts as independent.

Source: Electrical Currents, June 2026 (PDF)

• Townhouse emergency disconnects: new guidance on when units supplied by feeders don't need their own emergency disconnect. It replaces all earlier newsletter articles on townhouses.
• Specialty hours toward the (01) exam: hours from a specialty certificate that requires 4,000 hours can count toward (01) apprenticeship requirements; specialties under 4,000 hours can't (RCW 19.28.191).
• Fee increase adopted May 5 (6.51%, effective July 1), plus a 10-cent correction to exam application fees.

Source: Electrical Currents, May 2026 (PDF)

• 2026 NEC: service disconnect goes outside. NEC 230.70(A) now requires the dwelling service disconnect to be outdoors, readily accessible, on or within sight of the dwelling; the separate emergency-disconnect rule goes away. One- and two-family dwellings supplied by feeders need an outdoor feeder emergency disconnect on or within sight of the dwelling (NEC 225.41).
• Load management systems: load calculations (Article 220, becoming Article 120 in the 2026 NEC) must account for them; energy management rules are Article 750 (Article 130 in the 2026 NEC).
• Looking ahead: the 2029 NEC will be reorganized from 9 chapters to 20. The 2026 NEC's Informative Annex L previews the new layout.

Source: Electrical Currents, April 2026 (PDF)

• Transformer working clearance: no fixed minimum, as long as terminations, taps and other service points can be reached without removing other equipment or parts of the building.
• Septic pump controllers: the 02, 03 and 03A specialties can do this work on an existing branch circuit in a single-family home (WAC 296-46B-920).

Source: Electrical Currents, March 2026 (PDF)

• VEI hours: weekdays 8 a.m.–4 p.m. (limited 4–5 p.m.), holidays excluded. Have panels and boxes open before you join the "Ready Now" queue.
• 2026 NEC rulemaking timeline published: proposed rules July 2026, hearing August, final rules expected November, effective Dec 31, 2026.

Source: Electrical Currents, February 2026 (PDF)

• Flood-damaged equipment: breakers, fuses, receptacles, switches and other listed components that were under water must be replaced (WAC 296-46B-110(2)); wiring, panelboards, motors, transformers and similar equipment must be replaced or reconditioned by the manufacturer or its authorized representative.
• Administrators and master electricians: one who isn't a full-time supervisory employee must be a member of the firm (WAC 296-46B-930).
• L&I is hiring Electrical Construction Inspectors; openings are posted at careers.wa.gov.

Source: Electrical Currents, January 2026 (PDF)