Relocating Washington

[JAdaley]

I'm a tech with 2 years experience, south Texas. Looking to move family to Washington, pierce county area. Got some NATES, A/C heat pump and air balancing certs. Working for a major contractor here retro fitting resi systems, mini splits ect. Curious about how the industry is up there. All ads I see say they want the 06 voltage license. Is it a requirement to get hired? Is the work steady? We get kind of slow in the winter. From what I've read maybe I should go be an electrician for a while then go back to my trade. Any info is appreciated.

[Williamsma]

In order to work on anything electrical requires an O6A license. To apply you need verified hours or you have to work under a license electrician to get your hours in. The test is an open book using the current NEC and current WEC. You can contact the Washington Labor and Industries for all the requirements. As for the work load, guys I know in Seattle always get their 40 in. Traffic is always bad and 9 months of the year its raining. You get 3 good months of good weather July, August, and September. October starts the 9 months of misery.

[allstar08]

For service the 06A is a must. You will also need a epa card if you plan on servicing refrigeration equipment. If you stay in Pierce county you can avoid getting a Seattle gas piping and refrigeration license. I know plenty of guys who have worked for years w/o getting the Seattle licenses, but the 06A is not easy to get around. I think you can get a trainee card, and or fill out an affidavit logging your current hours towards your 06A.

P.S. There is no holy grail up here for work, you should have a solid job prospect before you make the move.
The weather makes most of us up here want to move 9 months out of the year, bring lots of Gortex.

[hotrodrob]

I work as a commercial sevice tech up here. the commercial side can stay busy most of the year. since i got hired on 5 years ago i think i have only been told to stay home for a handfull of days. on the residential side there isnt much in ac work. we get 90* for a day or two and then it cools off so most people suffer through it at home rather than shell out bunches of cash for a/c. on the commercial side most of the year we deal with morning warm up and afternoon cool down so you would work on heating and cooling equipment year round. a 06a is a must and a 07 would be better.