Washington Contractor License Exams (2026): Sectioned Exams You Must Pass Twice

August 31, 2026

Washington’s electrical examinations are split into sections, and you must reach the pass mark in each section separately. A strong overall score does not save a weak half.

Figures below are compiled from state board and exam-provider sources. Where a board does not publish a count we say so rather than estimate. Confirm against the current candidate bulletin for your exam before you register.

Two sections, two pass marks

The 01 Journeyman Electrician examination is 77 questions in two sections: 60 on the NEC and theory, and 17 on Washington laws and rules. Each section requires 70 percent independently.

That structure punishes exactly the candidate you would expect: a skilled electrician who knows the code thoroughly and treats the state law section as an afterthought. Seventeen questions is a small section, so it takes only five wrong answers to fail it, and failing it fails the exam regardless of how the code section went.

The 02 Residential Electrician examination follows the same pattern with 57 questions across NEC and theory plus Washington laws and rules.

There is no Master Electrician license

Washington does not issue a license titled Master Electrician. The master-equivalent credential is the General Electrical Administrator, examined at around 92 questions. If you are searching for study material, searching for “master electrician Washington” will send you to the wrong products.

Plumbing

The Journey Level Plumber examination runs a Part 1 of 100 multiple-choice questions at 70 percent, based on the 2018 UPC with Washington amendments under WAC Chapter 51-56, covering UPC chapters 1 to 10 and 15 to 17.

Washington exam prep

Before you register

Confirm the question count and time limit on the current bulletin.
Confirm the code edition; it is pinned and a newer edition is not a substitute.
Confirm whether a separate business and law paper is required.