CEU & Renewal FAQ

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How many CEU hours do I need to renew my electrician certificate?

Those 24 hours must include:

• 8 hours on currently adopted National Electrical Code (NEC) changes ("code update")
• 4 hours on Washington electrical laws and rules (RCW 19.28 and WAC 296-46B)
• The remaining 12 hours can be any L&I-approved course

Two limits to know: no more than 4 hours of credit is allowed for behavioral health and wellness training, and you cannot get credit for the same class twice in one 3-year renewal cycle. The same 24-hour requirement applies to electricians, master electricians, and electrical administrators.

Source: L&I — Basic Classroom Instruction & Continuing Education

I'm a trainee. What do I need to renew my training certificate?

BCI courses must be taught in person — instructor and students physically in the classroom — and cover the NEC, electrical theory, or Washington electrical laws and rules. Note: not every GPSEW class is approved for trainees; the class schedule marks which ones count.

Sources: L&I — BCI & Continuing Education • L&I — Electrical Trainee

How do I check how many hours L&I has on file for me?

Use L&I's lookup tool — it shows your certificate status and the education credits posted to your record:

Check my hours at L&I

Course providers have 7 days after a class to post your credit, so a class you just finished may take a few days to appear.

Where do I find approved classes?

GPSEW's classes are L&I-approved and held in Kent, Everett, and Silverdale:

GPSEW Schedule & Registration

L&I also publishes statewide lists of every approved CE and BCI course on its education page.

What do GPSEW classes cost?

CEU and Basic Trainee classes are FREE for IBEW members and Associate Members. Open to the public too — non-member tuition is listed on the schedule. Joining as an Associate Member is $75.00/year and includes free continuing education and Basic Trainee classes. Starting fall quarter 2026, AHA First Aid and OSHA 10 classes are offered to Associate Members at a $60 member rate (still free for IBEW members) — about half the private going rate for First Aid and a fraction of in-person OSHA 10 pricing:

Join as an Associate Member

Taking the electrician exam? The basics:

• Exams are run by PSI on behalf of L&I. Apply to L&I first; once approved, schedule at PSI's Washington L&I site or by phone at 855-834-8751.
• You need 70% or better on each section to pass.
• Exams are open book: the 2020 NEC (permanent tabs only), printed RCW 19.28 / WAC 296-46B in a binder, and certain copyrighted references are allowed.
• If you fail, you must wait 14 days to retest — and after a third failed attempt, 3 months between attempts. Sections you passed stay passed within your one-year exam window.

Sources: L&I — Electrical Examination • PSI — Washington L&I Candidate Information

Class policies

Two policies apply to everyone attending GPSEW classes, effective summer quarter 2026:

• Attendance: cancel at least 1 business day ahead if you can't make it, and arrive on time — more than 10 minutes late counts as a no-show.
• Illness: if you're sick — fever, cough, stomach bug, any of it — stay home and don't bring it to class.

Full details:

Attendance Policy (PDF) Illness Policy (PDF)

Still have questions?

Email us at classes@ibew46.com — or for licensing questions, contact the L&I Electrical Program directly at 360-902-5269 or ElectricalProgram@Lni.wa.gov.

Requirements above come from Washington L&I and PSI, the state's testing vendor — always confirm current rules at the links provided. Last reviewed: September 2026.