Blaster License - Washington (DOSH)

A Washington blaster's license is not one license. It is a list of classifications, and the blaster may only do the types of blasting the license names. Construction blasting sits in its own list, with its own experience requirements and a written test, and the license has to be renewed every year with proof the blaster has been blasting or training. This Washington Blaster License Toolbox Talk is for crews working around a shot, so everyone knows what the blaster's card should say and who is allowed to be in charge.

Where the boundary of this talk sits#

This talk covers who needs a Washington blaster's license, how the classifications work, qualification, testing, renewal, and showing the license. Storage, transportation, loading, and blast-area security belong to their own talks.

The anchor#

Here is the distinction that carries this whole talk: in Washington "licensed blaster" only means something alongside the classification on the license — no one may conduct a blasting operation without a valid blaster's license issued by the department, licenses are issued for specific classifications rather than for a list, the construction classifications of demolition, surface, underground, and underwater blasting are in List B and require a written test and documented blasting experience, and the license is renewed every year on proof of recent blasting or training — so a blaster licensed for well drilling or avalanche control is not licensed to shoot a building demolition or a rock cut, and a card that expired last month licenses nothing.

No license, no blasting#

WAC 296-52-64005(1) says no one may conduct a blasting operation without a valid blaster's license issued by the department. The rule defines a blaster as a person trained and experienced in the use of explosives and licensed by the department.

The same section notes that a license is not required for a "hand loader." In the chapter's definitions, a hand loader is someone who assembles small arms ammunition for personal use, installing primers, powder, and projectiles into cartridge cases. It is not a helper on a blast crew. Anyone conducting a blasting operation needs the license.

Classifications, not lists#

WAC 296-52-64005(2) assigns classifications by the type of blasting, whether single or multiple series charges are used, and the knowledge, training, and experience required. Applicants must request specific classifications, not list designations, and licenses are not issued or endorsed for lists A, B, or C. The classifications are:

• List A: aerial blasting, agriculture, avalanche control, explosives disposal, forestry, law enforcement, industrial ordnance, seismographic, transmission systems, and well drilling.
• List B: demolition, surface blasting, underground blasting, and underwater blasting.
• List C: bomb technician and unlimited.

Most construction blasting falls in List B.

Under WAC 296-52-64005(2)(b), an applicant applying for classifications across more than one list must request all of them on the application and include qualifying documentation for each in their resume. To add a classification to an existing license, (2)(d) points to the procedure in WAC 296-52-64085. A blaster whose work changes, say from surface blasting to demolition, has to add that classification before doing the new work, not after.

Getting a List B classification#

WAC 296-52-64035 requires, for a List B classification, either:

• 18 months of documented blasting experience, including at least 12 months in List A and 6 months in each List B classification applied for; or
• 12 months of documented blasting experience in the past six years in the specific List B classification applied for.

Up to 80 hours of classroom training may be substituted for experience. Under WAC 296-52-64055, List A and B applicants must pass a written test prepared and administered by the department. List C applicants are exempt from testing, but the unlimited classification under WAC 296-52-64040 requires at least five years of continuous, full-time blasting experience.

General qualifications#

WAC 296-52-64020 requires every applicant to be in good physical condition and not addicted to narcotics, intoxicants, or similar drugs, with an exception for physician-prescribed drugs taken as directed that pose no safety risk. The applicant must have working knowledge of state and local explosives laws and regulations, adequate blaster training, experience, and knowledge, be able to safely perform the type of blasting to be used and recognize hazardous conditions, be competent in each blasting method to be used, and be able to understand and give written and oral directions.

One year at a time#

L&I's blaster's license application states the license is valid for one year from the date of issue. It also states that fingerprinting and criminal history record checks are required for the responsible person under RCW 70.74.360, with an exception for law enforcement officers.

Under WAC 296-52-64090, the training, experience, and responsibility used for renewal must have been accrued during the one year before the renewal application. Under WAC 296-52-64095, List A and B renewals require either at least one blast record showing blasting experience, or completion of eight hours of basic blaster's classroom training verified by the instructor. An applicant who does not meet the minimum classification qualifications must pass a written exam given by the department.

Showing the license#

WAC 296-52-64075 requires a blaster to provide their blaster's license and a valid identification card to the department or other law enforcement representatives on request. The practical rule on site is simple: the license travels with the blaster.

The blaster in charge#

The chapter's definitions describe the blaster in charge as a licensed blaster who is fully qualified by training and experience, able to recognize hazardous conditions throughout the blast area, in charge of the blast process and all aspects of explosives storage, handling, and use, and in a position of authority to take prompt corrective action and over all other blasters at the blast area. On a construction shot, that person's license should carry the classification for the work.

Washington versus federal#

The federal rule, 29 CFR 1926.901, requires a blaster to understand and give written and oral orders, be in good physical condition and not addicted to drugs, and be qualified by training, knowledge, or experience with a working knowledge of state and local explosives laws. It does not create a license. Washington issues one, by classification, with a test for List A and B, documented experience, fingerprinting, and yearly renewal.

Where the duty sits#

WAC 296-52-64005 requires the license and sets the classification table. WAC 296-52-64020 sets general qualifications. WAC 296-52-64035 sets List B experience. WAC 296-52-64055 sets testing. WAC 296-52-64090 and -64095 set renewal. WAC 296-52-64075 sets license disclosure. For contrast, federal 29 CFR 1926.901.

What can go wrong?#

• A well-drilling blaster is asked to shoot a foundation rock cut.
• The blaster's license expired and the renewal was never filed.
• An unlicensed laborer loads and ties in part of the shot on their own.
• Nobody on site knows who the blaster in charge is.

How do we manage this properly?#

• Check the classification — demolition, surface, underground, or underwater for construction work.
• Check the date — the license is good for one year.
• Know the blaster in charge — licensed for the work, with authority over the blast area.
• Carry license and ID — and show them on request.
• Stay out of the blast area — unless the blaster in charge brings you in.

Before you start#

Ask who the blaster in charge is, confirm their license shows the right classification and is current, and know the warning signals and the clear zone for today's shot.

Talk it over#

• Which classification does today's work need, and does our blaster's license show it?
• When does the license expire?
• Who can stop the shot if conditions change?

The bottom line#

In Washington, no one conducts a blasting operation without an L&I blaster's license, and the license names specific classifications. Construction work usually needs a List B classification, which requires documented experience and a written test. The license is good for one year and renewed on proof of recent blasting or training, the responsible person is fingerprinted and background-checked, and the blaster shows the license and ID on request.

Frequently asked questions about Washington blaster licenses#

Which Washington blaster license do I need for construction blasting?

Usually a List B classification: demolition, surface blasting, underground blasting, or underwater blasting. Under WAC 296-52-64035, it requires 18 months of documented blasting experience including 12 in List A and 6 in the classification, or 12 months in the past six years in that specific classification, plus a written test under WAC 296-52-64055.

Download the Washington blaster license toolbox talk PDF#

Download this Washington Blaster License Toolbox Talk as a printable PDF in English and Spanish, and review it with the crew before the first shot on the job.

Related toolbox talks#

• Demolition Safety
• Excavation and Trenching
• Noise and Hearing
• Dropped Objects

Sources#

• Washington State Legislature, WAC 296-52-64005 — Responsibility to obtain a blaster's license ((1) no blasting without a valid license; hand loader note; (2) classifications, List A, B, C table; licenses issued for classifications, not lists): https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=296-52-64005
• Washington State Legislature, WAC 296-52-099 — Definitions (blaster; blaster in charge; hand loader): https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=296-52-099
• Washington State Legislature, WAC 296-52-64020 — General qualifications for blasters: https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=296-52-64020
• Washington State Legislature, WAC 296-52-64035 — List B qualifications (18 or 12 months; up to 80 hours classroom substitution) and WAC 296-52-64040 — List C qualifications: https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=296-52-64035
• Washington State Legislature, WAC 296-52-64055 — Blaster license testing (written test for List A and B): https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=296-52-64055
• Washington State Legislature, WAC 296-52-64090 — Blaster license renewal and WAC 296-52-64095 — List A and B renewal qualifications (accrued in the prior year; one blast record or eight hours of training): https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=296-52-64095
• Washington State Legislature, WAC 296-52-64075 — Blaster license disclosure (license and ID on request): https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=296-52-64075
• Washington L&I, Blaster's License Application, F447-033-000 (valid one year from issue; fingerprinting and criminal history check under RCW 70.74.360): https://lni.wa.gov/forms-publications/F447-033-000.pdf
• OSHA, 29 CFR 1926.901 (blaster qualifications): https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.901

Written by FieldSafetyTalk's safety professional — a CSP, ASP, CHST and OSHA Authorized Outreach Trainer with 14+ years of international construction safety experience across federal, heavy civil, and industrial projects.

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