2026 Washington Master Specialty Electrician (06) Exam Complete Practice Test

In this kind of language, what signals obligation is the word “shall.” When a rule uses “shall,” it means you must do it. If that word isn’t used, the rule isn’t imposing a mandatory action. Those rules are permissive—they permit or allow an action, but they don’t require it.

So, when you see a rule described by the absence of the word “shall,” it points to permissive rules. For example, if a code says you may install a certain type of wiring or you may choose an optional method, that’s not mandatory and you have discretion.

Notes on the other possibilities: mandatory rules are the ones with “shall,” requiring compliance. advisory rules tend to signal recommendations or best practices (often using “should” or explicit advisory language). interpretive rules deal with how to interpret other rules, not about whether a particular action is required.