Electrician License from Washington to New York: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: No statewide electrician board — municipal licensing (e.g., New York City Department of Buildings) ↗
No — New York has no reciprocity or endorsement path for Washington electrical license holders. You must apply to the No statewide electrician board — municipal licensing (e.g., New York City Department of Buildings) as a new applicant and meet New York's full licensing requirements, including its exams.
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Verdict
Full re-application
There is nothing to transfer into New York, and it has nothing to do with Washington: New York issues no statewide electrician license. Licensing is handled by city and county building departments, so your Washington license is neither accepted nor rejected at the state level — it is simply not the right unit. Identify the New York jurisdiction where you will work and apply to that local authority; the requirements and fees are set there, not by a state board.
What changes, Washington → New York
| Washington (current) | New York (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Training hours | 8,000 | — |
| Application fee | $114.6 ($114.60 reciprocal application fee ($44.20 non-refundable after submission); paid by check or money order (no online payment)) | No statewide license; municipal fees vary and are not published on a single state page. NYC Master/Special Electrician fees set by the Department of Buildings were not captured from an official page here. |
| Processing time | L&I does not publish a decision timeframe for reciprocal certificates | No statewide process; timelines are set by each municipality. |
| Licensing authority | Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) - Electrical Program | No statewide electrician board — municipal licensing (e.g., New York City Department of Buildings) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — New York sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Review New York's initial-licensure requirements on the No statewide electrician board — municipal licensing (e.g., New York City Department of Buildings) website (linked below).
- Expect to meet New York's education/experience requirements and pass its required exams — prior out-of-state licensure may still count toward experience.
- Submit the standard (new applicant) application with fees (No statewide license; municipal fees vary and are not published on a single state page. NYC Master/Special Electrician fees set by the Department of Buildings were not captured from an official page here.).
- Allow No statewide process; timelines are set by each municipality..
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does New York accept a Washington electrician license?
No — New York has no reciprocity or endorsement path for Washington electrical license holders. You must apply to the No statewide electrician board — municipal licensing (e.g., New York City Department of Buildings) as a new applicant and meet New York's full licensing requirements, including its exams.
Which exam will I take moving from Washington to New York?
New York issues no statewide electrician license, so there is no state exam to transfer or waive; licensing is municipal. In New York City the Department of Buildings requires its own written and practical Master/Special Electrician exams and grants no interstate reciprocity; other municipalities set their own exams..
What does the Washington-to-New York move cost and how long does it take?
No statewide license; municipal fees vary and are not published on a single state page. NYC Master/Special Electrician fees set by the Department of Buildings were not captured from an official page here.; processing No statewide process; timelines are set by each municipality..
Who do I apply to if New York has no state license?
The city or county building or electrical department covering your jobsite. New York sets electrician licensing locally, so there is no statewide application — confirm the requirements with the specific New York jurisdiction where you will work.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- NYC Department of Buildings — Master Electricians & Special Electricians (license types; no journeyman) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- NYC Department of Buildings — Obtain a Master & Special Electrician License (experience and exam requirements) ↗ (accessed 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)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]