Washington § 50.44.040 - Services excluded under "employment" for certain purposes.

Full text of Washington Revised Code of Washington § 50.44.040 — Services excluded under "employment" for certain purposes., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 50.44.040. Services excluded under "employment" for certain purposes.

The term "employment" as used in RCW 50.44.010, 50.44.020, and 50.44.030 shall not include service performed:
(1) In the employ of (a) a church or convention or association of churches, or (b) an organization which is operated primarily for religious purposes and which is operated, supervised, controlled, or principally supported by a church or convention or association of churches; however, the employer shall notify its employees as required by RCW 50.44.045; or
(2) By a duly ordained, commissioned, or licensed minister of a church in the exercise of his or her ministry or by a member of a religious order in the exercise of duties required by such order; or
(3) In a facility conducted for the purpose of carrying out a program of (a) rehabilitation for individuals whose earning capacity is impaired by age or physical or mental deficiency or injury, or (b) providing remunerative work for individuals who because of their impaired physical or mental capacity cannot be readily absorbed in the competitive labor market, by an individual receiving such rehabilitation or remunerative work; or
(4) As part of an unemployment work-relief or work-training program assisted or financed in whole or in part by a federal agency or an agency of a state or political subdivision thereof, by an individual receiving such work-relief or work-training; or
(5) For a custodial or penal institution by an inmate of the custodial or penal institution; or
(6) In the employ of a hospital, if such service is performed by a patient of such hospital; or
(7) In the employ of a school, college, or university, if such service is performed (a) by a student who is enrolled and is regularly attending classes at such school, college, or university, or (b) by the spouse of such a student, if such spouse is advised, at the time such spouse commences to perform such service, that (i) the employment of such spouse to perform such service is provided under a program to provide financial assistance to such student by such school, college, or university, and (ii) such employment will not be covered by any program of unemployment insurance; or
(8) By an individual under the age of twenty-two who is enrolled at a nonprofit or public educational institution which normally maintains a regular faculty and curriculum and normally has a regularly organized body of students in attendance at the place where its educational activities are carried on as a student in a full time program, taken for credit at such institution, which combines academic instruction with work experience, if such service is an integral part of such program, and such institution has so certified to the employee, except that this subsection shall not apply to service performed in a program established for or on behalf of an employer or group of employers; or
(9) In the employ of a nongovernmental preschool which is devoted exclusively to the area of child development training of preschool age children through an established curriculum of formal classroom or laboratory instruction which did not employ four or more individuals on each of some twenty days during the calendar year or the preceding calendar year, each day being in a different calendar week; or
(10) In the employ of the state or any of its instrumentalities or political subdivisions of this state in any of its instrumentalities by an individual in the exercise of duties:
(a) As an elected official;
(b) As a member of the national guard or air national guard; or
(c) In a policy-making position the performance of the duties of which ordinarily do not require more than eight hours per week.
[ 2010 c 8 s 13042; 2007 c 386 s 1; 1977 ex.s. c 292 s 17; 1975 1st ex.s. c 67 s 1; 1975 c 4 s 1; 1973 c 73 s 9; 1971 c 3 s 21.]

Notes

Effective dates—1977 ex.s. c 292: See note following RCW 50.04.116.
Effective dates—1973 c 73: See note following RCW 50.04.030.
Exemption from unemployment compensation coverage
conservation corps members: RCW 43.220.170.
Washington service corps enrollees: RCW 50.65.120.

Source: official Washington text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Washington § 50.44.040

What does Revised Code of Washington § 50.44.040 cover?

Section 50.44.040 ("Services excluded under "employment" for certain purposes.") is part of the Revised Code of Washington, the codified statutory law of Washington. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Washington § 50.44.040?

A common citation format is "Revised Code of Washington § 50.44.040" (Washington). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Washington law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Washington official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Washington attorney.

How does Washington § 50.44.040 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Washington can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Washington.