Steve,

I would have thought the issue of removing covers would be a settled issue at this point.  Why is this coming up now?

Thanks!

Steve,

I took a few minutes and went digging at the L&I site - I don't see anything that prohibits us from removing the cover to the panel.  RCW 19.28.261 Exemptions from RCW 19.28.161 through 19.28.271 has a provision that states

Nothing in RCW 19.28.161 through 19.28.271 shall be construed to restrict the right of any householder to assist or receive assistance from a friend, neighbor, relative or other person when none of the individuals doing the electrical installation hold themselves out as engaged in the trade or business of electrical installations.

I think that this will cover us pretty clearly.  The definition of work will probably help as well as it doesn't specifically define removing the cover as part of the standard that applies to contractors.

It is unlawful for any person, firm, partnership, corporation, or other entity to advertise, offer to do work, submit a bid, engage in, conduct, or carry on the business of installing or maintaining wires or equipment to convey electric current, or installing or maintaining equipment to be operated by electric current as it pertains to the electrical industry, without having an unrevoked, unsuspended, and unexpired electrical contractor license, issued by the department in accordance with this chapter.

We'll see.  I'm hoping we're just cross t's and dotting i's.

Thanks for the quick reply, Steve.  You're kind of awesome as a resource.