--- title: How to Create a Good Faith Effort Exception for PWA Apprenticeship Requirements description: Understand when Good Faith Efforts are applicable and follow the steps to log them in Reunion for compliance protection. --- [Skip to content](https://help.reunioninfra.com/creating-a-good-faith-effort-for-apprenticeship-programs#main-content) [![Reunion\_Logo\_White (1)](https://help.reunioninfra.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Reunion_Logo_White%20(1).png?width=250&height=92&name=Reunion_Logo_White%20(1).png)](https://help.reunioninfra.com/?hsLang=en) - [Go to reunioninfra.com](https://www.reunioninfra.com/) - [Submit a support ticket](https://help.reunioninfra.com/kb-tickets/new) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Go to reunioninfra.com](https://www.reunioninfra.com/) - [Submit a support ticket](https://help.reunioninfra.com/kb-tickets/new) - Hi there, how can we help? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Reunion Help Center](https://help.reunioninfra.com/?hsLang=en) 2. [Apprenticeship Programs & Good Faith Efforts](https://help.reunioninfra.com/apprenticeship-programs-good-faith-efforts?hsLang=en) # How to Create a Good Faith Effort Exception for PWA Apprenticeship Requirements ## Understand when Good Faith Effort Exceptions are applicable and follow the steps to log them in Reunion for compliance protection. ### **Good Faith Effort Exception for Apprenticeship Requirements** The federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) prevailing wage and apprenticeship rules require that a minimum share of total labor hours on a project be performed by qualified apprentices. The Good Faith Effort (GFE) exception, sometimes called GFEE, lets you meet the apprenticeship requirements when a registered apprenticeship program (RAP) cannot provide the apprentices you requested. Documenting a GFE in Reunion keeps your compliance records organized and supports your position if the project is reviewed. --- ### **When and How to Qualify for a Good Faith Effort Exception** The exception applies when you sent a written request for apprentices to an eligible RAP and the RAP either denied the request (in whole or in part) or did not respond within 5 business days of receiving it. A request only counts if it goes to a RAP that meets all three conditions: - It is registered with the DOL Office of Apprenticeship or a recognized State Apprenticeship Agency. - It trains apprentices in the occupation you need. - It regularly places apprentices with employers on job sites, and its area of operation includes the project location. A request sent to a school or training provider that offers classroom instruction but does not regularly place apprentices on job sites (for example, some community colleges) does not qualify and can invalidate the exception. The same is true for a RAP that trains a different occupation than the one you need. To verify a sponsor, check Apprenticeship.gov or the State Apprenticeship Agency website, or contact the state apprenticeship office directly. RAPs often operate across state and county lines, so if it is unclear whether a program’s area of operation covers the project, confirm with the program, the DOL Office of Apprenticeship, or the State Apprenticeship Agency. Timing and delivery: - Send the first request to a RAP at least 45 days before the date apprentices are requested to start work. - Send each later request to the same RAP at least 14 days before the requested start date. - Send the request in writing by email (recommended) or registered mail. For registered mail, keep the receipt. - The taxpayer, prime contractor, or subcontractor may send the request. The exception does not apply if the denial results from you, the contractor, or a subcontractor refusing to comply with the RAP’s established standards and requirements, or if the request is missing required information. If the RAP fills only part of your request, you must accept the apprentices it offers. The exception covers only the unfilled portion, and those hours count as apprentice labor hours. --- #### **How to Create a Good Faith Effort Exception in Reunion** Follow these steps to create and save a Good Faith Effort Exception request: 1. **Navigate to your Reunion PWA Compliance platform** [https://app.reunioninfra.com/pwa/dashboard](https://app.reunioninfra.com/pwa/dashboard) ![](https://ajeuwbhvhr.cloudimg.io/https://colony-recorder.s3.amazonaws.com/files/2025-07-17/aa583c2b-f9b2-489c-a255-2d834e92d31b/ascreenshot.jpeg?tl_px=100,246&br_px=2165,1399&force_format=jpeg&q=100&width=1120.0) 2. **Click “Apprenticeship Programs”** ![](https://ajeuwbhvhr.cloudimg.io/https://colony-recorder.s3.amazonaws.com/files/2025-07-17/aa583c2b-f9b2-489c-a255-2d834e92d31b/ascreenshot.jpeg?tl_px=0,0&br_px=2064,1153&force_format=jpeg&q=100&width=1120.0&wat=1&wat_opacity=0.7&wat_gravity=northwest&wat_url=https://colony-recorder.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/images/watermarks/FB923C_standard.png&wat_pad=156,219) 3. **Click “Add Good Faith Effort”** ![](https://ajeuwbhvhr.cloudimg.io/https://colony-recorder.s3.amazonaws.com/files/2025-07-17/7031965a-401b-4d18-ba1b-6bc1cbad4337/ascreenshot.jpeg?tl_px=201,0&br_px=2265,1153&force_format=jpeg&q=100&width=1120.0&wat=1&wat_opacity=0.7&wat_gravity=northwest&wat_url=https://colony-recorder.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/images/watermarks/FB923C_standard.png&wat_pad=1018,56) 4. **Enter the Apprentice Program name** ![](https://ajeuwbhvhr.cloudimg.io/https://colony-recorder.s3.amazonaws.com/files/2025-07-17/bd877845-2856-4a9c-9ad1-a5b6cc097ced/ascreenshot.jpeg?tl_px=4,0&br_px=2069,1153&force_format=jpeg&q=100&width=1120.0&wat=1&wat_opacity=0.7&wat_gravity=northwest&wat_url=https://colony-recorder.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/images/watermarks/FB923C_standard.png&wat_pad=524,58) 5. **Select the Contractor requesting apprentices** ![](https://ajeuwbhvhr.cloudimg.io/https://colony-recorder.s3.amazonaws.com/files/2025-07-17/1000790b-f1ec-45b5-aaad-f4f9b6bf0c0b/ascreenshot.jpeg?tl_px=0,0&br_px=2064,1153&force_format=jpeg&q=100&width=1120.0&wat=1&wat_opacity=0.7&wat_gravity=northwest&wat_url=https://colony-recorder.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/images/watermarks/FB923C_standard.png&wat_pad=472,208) 6. **Select the Contract & Project** ![](https://ajeuwbhvhr.cloudimg.io/https://colony-recorder.s3.amazonaws.com/files/2025-07-17/602973f9-8102-4557-8ebc-97f37c461cc7/ascreenshot.jpeg?tl_px=0,40&br_px=2064,1193&force_format=jpeg&q=100&width=1120.0&wat=1&wat_opacity=0.7&wat_gravity=northwest&wat_url=https://colony-recorder.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/images/watermarks/FB923C_standard.png&wat_pad=471,276) 7. **Choose the Construction Type for the request** ![](https://ajeuwbhvhr.cloudimg.io/https://colony-recorder.s3.amazonaws.com/files/2025-07-17/7306fa05-839d-4b54-a1b9-c16f51d4df86/ascreenshot.jpeg?tl_px=0,175&br_px=2064,1328&force_format=jpeg&q=100&width=1120.0&wat=1&wat_opacity=0.7&wat_gravity=northwest&wat_url=https://colony-recorder.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/images/watermarks/FB923C_standard.png&wat_pad=462,276) 8. **Select the Work Classification** ![](https://ajeuwbhvhr.cloudimg.io/https://colony-recorder.s3.amazonaws.com/files/2025-07-17/071d57f9-e06b-4a39-9dc5-3e0c4f932ccf/ascreenshot.jpeg?tl_px=0,492&br_px=2064,1646&force_format=jpeg&q=100&width=1120.0&wat=1&wat_opacity=0.7&wat_gravity=northwest&wat_url=https://colony-recorder.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/images/watermarks/FB923C_standard.png&wat_pad=491,308) 9. **Choose the dates apprentices were requested and the requested work start/end dates** ![](https://ajeuwbhvhr.cloudimg.io/https://colony-recorder.s3.amazonaws.com/files/2025-07-17/1f0f571a-4c90-43bb-ae18-fc1bee3721ab/ascreenshot.jpeg?tl_px=0,392&br_px=2064,1545&force_format=jpeg&q=100&width=1120.0&wat=1&wat_opacity=0.7&wat_gravity=northwest&wat_url=https://colony-recorder.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/images/watermarks/FB923C_standard.png&wat_pad=469,277) ![](https://ajeuwbhvhr.cloudimg.io/https://colony-recorder.s3.amazonaws.com/files/2025-07-17/e6f31f60-0bc1-4768-bffa-4a194ab5dc3d/ascreenshot.jpeg?tl_px=8,492&br_px=2073,1646&force_format=jpeg&q=100&width=1120.0&wat=1&wat_opacity=0.7&wat_gravity=northwest&wat_url=https://colony-recorder.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/images/watermarks/FB923C_standard.png&wat_pad=524,429) ![](https://ajeuwbhvhr.cloudimg.io/https://colony-recorder.s3.amazonaws.com/files/2025-07-17/889f260d-0a35-4007-9860-697fe74ce6f1/ascreenshot.jpeg?tl_px=0,492&br_px=2064,1646&force_format=jpeg&q=100&width=1120.0&wat=1&wat_opacity=0.7&wat_gravity=northwest&wat_url=https://colony-recorder.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/images/watermarks/FB923C_standard.png&wat_pad=478,506) 10. **Enter the number of apprentices and hours requested** ![](https://ajeuwbhvhr.cloudimg.io/https://colony-recorder.s3.amazonaws.com/files/2025-07-17/78533607-f073-45a1-83dd-b22ce983d7a8/ascreenshot.jpeg?tl_px=0,492&br_px=2064,1646&force_format=jpeg&q=100&width=1120.0&wat=1&wat_opacity=0.7&wat_gravity=northwest&wat_url=https://colony-recorder.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/images/watermarks/FB923C_standard.png&wat_pad=472,327) ![](https://ajeuwbhvhr.cloudimg.io/https://colony-recorder.s3.amazonaws.com/files/2025-07-17/cee18f50-4b15-4d75-b283-8bd5f8213a08/ascreenshot.jpeg?tl_px=0,492&br_px=2064,1646&force_format=jpeg&q=100&width=1120.0&wat=1&wat_opacity=0.7&wat_gravity=northwest&wat_url=https://colony-recorder.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/images/watermarks/FB923C_standard.png&wat_pad=491,396) 11\. **Upload any supporting files as proof of outreach efforts** ![](https://ajeuwbhvhr.cloudimg.io/https://colony-recorder.s3.amazonaws.com/files/2025-07-17/da8af472-d71f-4248-9da2-c727dc433e4b/ascreenshot.jpeg?tl_px=0,492&br_px=2064,1646&force_format=jpeg&q=100&width=1120.0&wat=1&wat_opacity=0.7&wat_gravity=northwest&wat_url=https://colony-recorder.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/images/watermarks/FB923C_standard.png&wat_pad=464,402) 12\. **Add reasoning for the Good Faith Effort** ![](https://ajeuwbhvhr.cloudimg.io/https://colony-recorder.s3.amazonaws.com/files/2025-07-17/b82fc17c-0011-4a5f-9f16-003e606c15d3/ascreenshot.jpeg?tl_px=0,492&br_px=2064,1646&force_format=jpeg&q=100&width=1120.0&wat=1&wat_opacity=0.7&wat_gravity=northwest&wat_url=https://colony-recorder.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/images/watermarks/FB923C_standard.png&wat_pad=459,472) 13\. **Click “Save Changes”** ![](https://ajeuwbhvhr.cloudimg.io/https://colony-recorder.s3.amazonaws.com/files/2025-07-17/1946b0eb-ee0a-4603-9e42-8d9f86eac5c4/ascreenshot.jpeg?tl_px=201,492&br_px=2265,1646&force_format=jpeg&q=100&width=1120.0&wat=1&wat_opacity=0.7&wat_gravity=northwest&wat_url=https://colony-recorder.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/images/watermarks/FB923C_standard.png&wat_pad=580,581) --- #### **To view all Good Faith Effort Exceptions,** click **“Good Faith Efforts”** on the Apprenticeship Programs page ![](https://ajeuwbhvhr.cloudimg.io/https://colony-recorder.s3.amazonaws.com/files/2025-07-17/1c2a7f74-00c2-4d21-921f-71817bf0dcbc/ascreenshot.jpeg?tl_px=0,0&br_px=2064,1153&force_format=jpeg&q=100&width=1120.0&wat=1&wat_opacity=0.7&wat_gravity=northwest&wat_url=https://colony-recorder.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/images/watermarks/FB923C_standard.png&wat_pad=429,139) --- ### **Good Faith Effort Exception Request Requirements (IRA / Treasury Guidance)** ### What the written request must include Every written request must include: - The requester’s name and contact details. - The employer’s name and contact details, if different from the requester. - The project name, county, and full street address. - The expected start and end dates of employment. - The occupation requested. It must be an occupation the RAP actively trains. Confirm this before sending, because requesting an occupation the program does not train is one of the most common reasons a GFE is invalidated. - The number of apprentices requested. - The total anticipated labor hours for the requested apprentices, stated as an exact number (for example, “160 hours”). - Do not use phrases like “full-time for 2 weeks.” The number should be a reasonable total for the employment period, up to 365 days (366 in a leap year). Inaccurate or non-numeric hours are the most common reason a GFE is invalidated. - This statement of intent, word for word: “This request for qualified apprentices is made with the intent to employ qualified apprentices in the occupation for which they are being trained, in accordance with the requirements and standards of the registered apprenticeship program, and consistent with the expected number of hours and dates of employment specified in this request.” A request missing any required item does not qualify. We also recommend asking the RAP to confirm in writing whether it can provide the apprentices, in whole or in part. For help writing the request, see our support article on [Requesting Apprenticeship Programs](https://help.reunioninfra.com/requesting-apprenticeship-programs?hsLang=en). ### **If the RAP does not respond** If you sent the request by email and the RAP has not replied within 5 business days, reply on the same email thread so the original request and its date and time stamp stay visible. For example: “We sent the request below on \[date\]. We have not received a response within 5 business days of the request. We deem this request unresponded to as of \[today’s date\].” ### **How long one request covers** A qualifying denial or non-response covers the dates and hours in the request, up to 365 days (366 in a leap year). Send a new request only if you need additional apprentices or hours, or if work continues past the request period. ### **If no RAP covers the project location** The IRS has said it expects this situation to be rare, because RAPs often operate across county and state lines, so a claim that no program exists is likely to get closer review. Document every step you take. Keep records showing that no RAP covered the project location for the occupation you needed at the time the request would have been sent. Also document the request you would have made, including the specific work and apprentice hours, using the same fields listed above. Useful steps, and what to keep for each: - Search Apprenticeship.gov and the relevant State Apprenticeship Agency sites for RAPs in your occupation and location. Keep dated screenshots or exports of your search criteria and results. - Contact the RAP sponsor directly to confirm whether its coverage includes the project address. Keep emails or call notes with dates. - Work with the DOL Office of Apprenticeship or the State Apprenticeship Agency to find active programs or confirm there are none. Keep the correspondence. - Get written confirmation from the RAP sponsor, or from the federal or state apprenticeship office, that the project location is not covered. Keep the confirmation. --- ### **Documentation Required to Claim the Exception** Keep the following: - A copy of the written request (email or letter) with all required information. - Proof of delivery (for example, the email timestamp or a registered mail receipt). - Any response from the RAP, or a log showing no response was received. - A record of follow-up attempts. Save emails as PDFs with the date and time stamps visible. Name files Sponsor\_Project\_Contractor\_RAP name\_Document type, and send copies of all documentation to Reunion. Reference: 26 CFR 1.45-8(f). 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