Washington Fair Chance Act

1. 1RCW 49.94 has covered Washington employers since 2018The Attorney General's page: the Fair Chance Act took effect in June 2018 and was amended in 2025.8 min(open)
2. 2Advertisements and applicationsJob ads may not say no felons. Applications may not ask for the criminal record.6 min
3. 3July 1, 2026 and January 1, 2027EHB 1747 applies to employers with 15 or more employees beginning July 1, 2026, and to employers with fewer than 15 beginning January 1, 2027.8 min
4. 4Legitimate business reasonYou may not reject solely on an adult conviction record unless you have a documented legitimate business reason as RCW 49.94.005 defines it.8 min
5. 5Two business days, then a written decisionIdentify the record, hold the position open at least two business days, then put the reasoning in writing.7 min
6. 6Exceptions the Attorney General listsSome roles are outside the Act. Do not assume your job is one of them.6 min
7. 7What PreHireBadge does with WashingtonOffer-first for every band, a Washington assessment framework, and a five-business-day wait.6 min
8. Final exam10 questions. 80% passes. Opens after the last module.
9. Certificate of completionYour name, the course, and the date, with a public page anyone can check.

Sources

The primary sources this course is written from.

• Washington State Legislature: RCW 49.94
• Washington State Office of the Attorney General: Fair Chance Act
• Washington State Legislature: EHB 1747 bill summary (2025)
• Washington State Legislature: EHB 1747 final bill report

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