Hi.
I'm interested in becoming an electrician in Washington state. There isn't any local apprenticeship program. Right now I'm considering taking an online course at Penn Foster which I believe would make me a journeyman, but I'm wondering if this a good choice. Do you need to have a minimum number of hours of hands on experience to become a journeyman electrician in Washington? Would it allow me to enter the trade?

That won't make you're a Journeyman.. that would make you an apprentice. Journeyman title is earned after actual sufficient actual work experience. In conjunction with testing if memory serves me right. (I used to know a former Electricians Union President, actually I still know him..I just haven't seen him in years)