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How to get an HVAC license in Washington

Hours, exam, fees and renewal for HVAC work in Washington. Taken from official WA pages and checked .

Quick answer
  • Licensing body: Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) — Electrical Program & Contractor Registration
  • State journeyman license: Yes (Washington does not have a standalone “HVAC journeyman” card. For HVAC/refrigeration electrical work, L&I issues specialty electrician certificates: 06A (HVAC/R) and restricted 06B. Contractor registration is separate.)
  • Specialty Electrician — HVAC/Refrigeration (06A): 4,000 hours of supervised HVAC/R specialty work, plus 48 hours of basic classroom instruction before you renew the trainee card or sit the exam. Trainees need at least 75% supervision by a matching specialty electrician or a journey-level (01) electrician.
  • Exam: see below, via PSI (after L&I approval)
  • Code edition: After L&I approves your exam application, you schedule with PSI. Specialty electrician exams follow the current NEC and Washington electrical rules used on the Electrical Examinations page.

Requirements by license

Specialty Electrician — HVAC/Refrigeration (06A)

Experience4,000 hours of supervised HVAC/R specialty work, plus 48 hours of basic classroom instruction before you renew the trainee card or sit the exam. Trainees need at least 75% supervision by a matching specialty electrician or a journey-level (01) electrician.Source: lni.wa.gov · as of
ExamPSI (after L&I approval). Apply with documented hours + classroom. L&I mails PSI scheduling instructions when you’re approved. First certificate runs about 25–36 months depending on birthdate and pass date.Source: lni.wa.gov · as of
Fees
  • Specialty electrician application (includes original certificate): $114.60
  • Specialty electrician renewal (mail/in person): $106.40
  • Specialty electrician renewal (online): $92.60
  • Specialty contractor registration (initial or renewal, 24 months): $150.20
Source: apps.leg.wa.gov · as of · Electrician fees: WAC 296-46B-909. Contractor registration fee: L&I Register as a Contractor page.
RenewalEvery 3 years. Expires on your birthdate. Finish 24 CE hours first. Late renewal within 90 days costs double; after 90 days you retest. Contractor registration renews every 24 months ($150.20) with bond + insurance current.Source: lni.wa.gov · as of
CE to renew24 hours per 3 years
  • 8 hours NEC code update
  • 4 hours RCW/WAC electrical law
  • 12 hours other approved electrical CE
Check your CE on L&I Verify before you renew. You can renew without CE only into inactive status.
Source: lni.wa.gov · as of

Specialty Contractor Registration (HVAC)

ExperienceNo trade-hour exam for basic specialty contractor registration. Register the business with L&I, post a $15,000 specialty surety bond (or assignment of savings), carry liability insurance ($250k combined or $200k/$50k), and pay the fee. Electrical permitting still needs a separate electrical contractor license and administrator.Source: lni.wa.gov · as of
ExamNone for registration. Contractor registration is paperwork + bond + insurance — not a trade exam. HVAC/R electrical work on the job still needs the right electrician certificates.Source: lni.wa.gov · as of
Fees
  • Contractor registration (24 months): $150.20
  • Reinstatement after suspension: $70.90
Source: lni.wa.gov · as of
RenewalEvery 2 years. Renew online or by mail before the registration expires. Keep bond and insurance current or L&I suspends you.Source: lni.wa.gov · as of
CE to renewNo CE hours for contractor registration itself. Specialty electricians on the crew still need their own 24-hour CE cycle.Source: lni.wa.gov · as of

License types in Washington

  • Specialty electrician — HVAC/refrigeration (06A)
  • Specialty electrician — HVAC/refrigeration restricted (06B)
  • Electrical trainee certificate (path into exam)
  • L&I specialty contractor registration (HVAC)
  • Electrical contractor license (if the firm pulls electrical permits)
Source: lni.wa.gov · as of

Reciprocity (licensed in another state?)

Out-of-state applicants for 4,000-hour specialties use L&I’s out-of-state exam application flowchart. Oregon (01) reciprocity is for general journey-level electricians, not a free swap into 06A.Source: lni.wa.gov · as of

What we couldn't confirm yet

We only publish what we can tie to an official source. These items aren't published anywhere we could verify, so ask the office listed:

FAQ

Is there a WA HVAC journeyman license?

Not by that name. For HVAC/R electrical work you need specialty electrician 06A (or restricted 06B). The business also needs L&I contractor registration.

06A experience?

4,000 supervised hours plus 48 classroom hours.

Already licensed? See Washington HVAC license renewal & CE.

Other states

Compare every state side by side: license requirements by state · renewal & CE by state.