Electrician License from Michigan to Washington: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) - Electrical Program ↗
A electrical license transfers from Michigan to Washington by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) - Electrical Program, verify your Michigan license, and meet Washington's endorsement requirements. Washington waives its (01) general journey level exam only for eligible Oregon licensees; applicants from every other state must meet Washington's 8,000-hour experience and classroom requirements and pass the Washington (01) examination.
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Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
Washington publishes no reciprocity list covering Michigan, but the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) - Electrical Program licenses out-of-state electricians by endorsement, so this move runs on the board's case-by-case judgment rather than an automatic waiver. If you hold a master license this is usually your route regardless — master electricians typically endorse rather than transfer through journeyman reciprocity. Ask the board, in writing, exactly which exam or experience requirement it will waive before you rely on it.
What changes, Michigan → Washington
| Michigan (current) | Washington (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Training hours | 8,000 | 8,000 |
| Application fee | $40 (Journeyman electrician license fee is $40 for a 1-year license, paid at application. The PSI examination fee is separate and set by the testing service. Master license fee was not separately published on the pages reviewed) | $114.6 ($114.60 reciprocal application fee ($44.20 non-refundable after submission); paid by check or money order (no online payment)) |
| Processing time | LARA/BCC does not publish a processing-time range; timing depends on exam scheduling and application review | L&I does not publish a decision timeframe for reciprocal certificates |
| Licensing authority | Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) — Bureau of Construction Codes, Electrical Division / Electrical Administrative Board | Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) - Electrical Program |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Washington sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Washington's current requirements on the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) - Electrical Program website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) - Electrical Program (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Hold a current Oregon General Journeyman (J) license earned through an Oregon 8,000-hour apprenticeship, or an Oregon Supervising Electrician License, obtained by Oregon examination.
- The Oregon license must be current and active with no violations or conditions within the past 3 years.
- Must never have held a Washington (01) certificate and must not have failed a Washington (01) exam in the last 2 years.
- License verification (Part C) must be completed by the Oregon Building Codes Division.
- Pay the fees ($114.6 ($114.60 reciprocal application fee ($44.20 non-refundable after submission); paid by check or money order (no online payment))) and allow L&I does not publish a decision timeframe for reciprocal certificates.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Washington accept a Michigan electrician license?
A electrical license transfers from Michigan to Washington by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) - Electrical Program, verify your Michigan license, and meet Washington's endorsement requirements. Washington waives its (01) general journey level exam only for eligible Oregon licensees; applicants from every other state must meet Washington's 8,000-hour experience and classroom requirements and pass the Washington (01) examination.
Which exam will I take moving from Michigan to Washington?
Washington waives its (01) general journey level exam only for eligible Oregon licensees; applicants from every other state must meet Washington's 8,000-hour experience and classroom requirements and pass the Washington (01) examination.
What does the Michigan-to-Washington move cost and how long does it take?
$114.6 ($114.60 reciprocal application fee ($44.20 non-refundable after submission); paid by check or money order (no online payment)); processing L&I does not publish a decision timeframe for reciprocal certificates.
Does this route work for a master electrician?
Usually yes — master electricians typically move by endorsement rather than journeyman reciprocity. Confirm the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) - Electrical Program's master-level experience and exam requirements, which are separate from the journeyman track this site's grid tracks.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- WA L&I - Electrician (licensing, exams, education) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- WA L&I - Application for a Reciprocal 01 General Journey Level Electrician Certificate (F500-148-000) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Michigan LARA/BCC — Electrical Examination, Licensing/Registration & Application Information ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]