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Low-voltage licensing

Washington

State-level license requiredLast verified May 23, 2026

Washington requires Electrical Contractor licensing through the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I), Electrical Section. The EL07 (Telecommunications) and EL06 (Limited Energy) classifications cover low-voltage scope specifically. Master / Journeyman / Specialty electrician individual licenses are separate from the contractor business credential. A separate Contractor Registration through L&I is also required, plus a $4,000 surety bond.

Regulatory agency

Washington L&I - Electrical Section

Agency websiteLicense lookup

License classifications

The license types relevant to low-voltage work in Washington.

  • EL06 - Limited Energy (06)

    Low-voltage signaling, telecommunications, sound, intercom, security, fire alarm under 50V. The standard low-voltage license.

    Exam required

  • EL07 - Telecommunications (07)

    Telecommunications cabling and equipment specifically (copper, fiber, structured cabling).

    Exam required

  • EL01 - General Electrical (01)

    Full electrical work including all low-voltage scope.

    Exam required

State-wide requirements

Workers' compensation
Required
Contractor bond
$4,000
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years

Common pitfalls

Mistakes we see installers make when navigating Washington licensing.

  • Washington requires BOTH an Electrical Contractor license (06/07) AND a separate Contractor Registration with $4,000 bond. Holding one without the other is not enough.
  • Specialty (06) requires a designated 06 Administrator who has passed the trade exam. The Administrator can only qualify one company at a time.
  • Workers' comp is paid through L&I directly, not a private carrier. Misconfiguring this is a common bookkeeping error for installers moving in from out of state.

Sources

Last verified May 23, 2026. See something out of date? Email us.

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Disclaimer: This page summarizes public regulatory information for the convenience of low-voltage installers. It is not legal advice. State requirements change. Always verify current rules with the state agency before applying for, renewing, or relying on a license.