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How to become a licensed electrician in Illinois. Local jurisdictions handle licensing. Apprenticeship: 8,000 hours. Total initial fees: varies. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Electrician
Licensing Authority
Individual municipalities (no state licensing board for electricians)
State Reference
No state licensing body for individual electricians
No
State Licensed?
Apprentice Hours
2 levels
License Levels
Total Initial Fees
CE Hours
NEC Version
Regulation Status
VerifiedState Licensed
No
Regulation Level
local
Notes
Illinois does not issue a statewide electrician license. There is no state licensing board, state exam, or state fee for individual electricians. Illinois statute 65 ILCS 5/11-33-1 authorizes municipalities to require contractor registration ($25 max annual fee), separate from electrician licensing. IDFPR does NOT issue electrician licenses.
Local Jurisdictions Handle Licensing
Regulated by the No state licensing body for individual electricians
Illinois does not issue a statewide electrician license. All licensing is handled by individual cities and counties. Requirements, exams, fees, and renewal rules vary by jurisdiction. Contact your local building department for exact requirements.
Official Title
Apprentice Electrician
Exam Required
No
Official Title
Journeyman Electrician
Exam Required
No
Apprenticeship
Hours Breakdown
8,000
Total Hours
4
Years
720
Classroom
8,000
On-the-Job
Exam requirements are set by individual municipalities. The information below represents common standards across jurisdictions.
Exam Requirements
VerifiedNot Required
Journeyman Exam
Not Required
Master Exam
Exam Provider
Varies by municipality
NEC Version
Varies — Chicago uses Chicago Electrical Code (NOT standard NEC)
Open Book
Yes
Journeyman Exam Details
70%
Passing Score
Minimum Age
Education
Background Check
Insurance Required
Bonding Required
Fees vary by local jurisdiction. Ranges shown are typical but not universal.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Typical Total Initial Fees Not a statewide figure — actual total depends on your municipality |
Renewal & CE Requirements
VerifiedVaries by municipality
Renewal Period
0 hrs
CE Hours Required
Electrician licenses must be renewed on schedule. Most states require continuing education covering NEC code updates, safety practices, and applicable state/local amendments.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
Mostly verifiedDoes Not Accept Out-of-State Credentials
Reciprocity Type
none
Transfer Details
No statewide reciprocity. Some suburbs accept Chicago or Libertyville licenses; others require their own exam. Determined by individual municipalities.
Additional Requirements for Transfer
Because licensing is handled locally, reciprocity agreements (if any) are between individual municipalities, not statewide.
Illinois has no state-level electrician licensing whatsoever — all licensing is purely local/municipal. The Chicago Supervising Electrician license is the de facto most portable credential in the state, as many Chicago suburbs accept it. Chicago uses its own unique electrical code (based on NEC with Chicago-specific amendments) rather than the standard NEC. Many municipalities use ICC standardized exams, but Chicago uses Continental Testing Services for its own exam.
CHICAGO: Supervising Electrician license (General or Low-Voltage) issued by Chicago Dept. of Buildings. Chicago Electrical Code requires metal conduit for nearly all wiring — Romex/flexible cable is banned. Exam via Continental Testing Services. Contractor license $150/year (2026). Minimum 2 years under a licensed Supervising Electrician for exam eligibility; most complete 5-year IBEW Local 134 apprenticeship.
LIBERTYVILLE (representative suburb): Electrical Contractor License from Village Building Dept. Open-book exam, 70% passing. 8,000 hours (4 years) documented experience required. License widely accepted by other suburbs but not universally.
LICENSE PORTABILITY: A license in one Illinois municipality does NOT automatically transfer to another. Each city/county sets its own acceptance policies.
Because Illinois does not have state-level electrician licensing. Requirements vary by city and county. Below are requirements for major jurisdictions. Contact your local building department if your city is not listed.
| License Types | General Electrical Contractor — Business license for all electrical work Low Voltage Electrical Contractor — Business license for Class 1, 2, 3 remote-control, signaling, and power-limited circuits only Supervising Electrician — Individual license — every contractor business must employ at least one |
| Licensing Authority | Chicago Department of Buildings. Applications processed through Continental Testing Services (CTS). |
| Experience Required | Supervising Electrician: Must be at least 21 years old. Minimum 2 years experience installing, altering, repairing, and maintaining electrical wires and equipment. Must provide signed letter from current/former employer's Supervising Electrician with active Chicago license, including contractor license number. |
| Exam | Supervising Electrician exam — General: 150 questions; Low Voltage: 100 questions. 70% passing score. Open book — only the Chicago Electrical Code 2018 Edition (NFPA 70 with Chicago amendments) is permitted. Tabs allowed but no notes or highlighting. Administered by Continental Testing Services. |
| Fees | Electrical Contractor License: $150 initial and renewal (annual). Reinstatement fee: $100/year expired. Administrative processing: $50. Replacement document: $50. License verification: $50. |
| Renewal | Annual (1-year license). Expired licenses may only be renewed within 3 years of expiration. |
| NEC Version | Chicago Electrical Code 2018 Edition (NFPA 70: NEC 2017 with Chicago amendments). Note: Chicago has its OWN electrical code that differs from the standard NEC used by most jurisdictions. |
| Contact | Continental Testing Services for exam scheduling: (800) 359-1313, www.continentaltesting.net. Chicago Dept of Buildings for licensing. |
| Official Source | https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/bldgs/supp_info/TLdetails/ELcontractor.html |
Chicago's licensing system is fundamentally different from most cities. Licenses are issued to businesses, not individuals (though the supervising electrician exam is for individuals). Chicago maintains its own Electrical Code with amendments to the NEC, so electricians must study Chicago-specific code provisions. Average electrician salary in Chicago is ~$86,600/year, third-highest among US metro areas.
| License Types | Electrical Contractor Registration — County-level registration for electrical contractors |
| Licensing Authority | Cook County Government |
| Experience Required | Must employ a supervising electrician licensed by an Illinois municipality with an electrical commission. |
| Exam | No separate county exam — relies on municipal licensing of supervising electrician. |
| Fees | Initial registration: $150. Annual renewal: $75 (due December 31). |
| Renewal | Annual, due December 31. |
| Contact | electrical.bnz@cookcountyil.gov |
| Official Source | https://www.cookcountyil.gov |
Many Chicago suburbs have their own licensing requirements beyond the county registration. Verify with individual municipalities before beginning work.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Illinois.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#3 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Electricians (SOC 47-2111)
Entry Level
$67,690
25th percentile
Median
$96,360
+55% vs. national avg ($62,350)Experienced
$108,230
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
22,880 employed in this state
Source: BLS OEWS – Electricians (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+7.1%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
+60,000
over 10 years
Annual Openings
68,500
per year (avg.)
839,600 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Electrical Career Ladder+4% salary growth potential
You are here
Electrician (Journeyman)
$96,360
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
You are here
Electrician (Journeyman)
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
$96,360
Master electrician license + contractor license
$100,360
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Estimated total: 212–224 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation — Licensing Requirements
2–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation — Licensing Requirements
Study guides and NEC code practice tests for the electrician licensing exam.
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Official City of Chicago page
Accessed 2026-03-22
Official municipal website
Accessed 2026-03-22
Illinois statute authorizing municipal electrician regulation
Accessed 2026-03-22
Primary source for IL electrician regulation
Accessed 2026-03-19
Accessed 2026-03-19
Illinois handles electrician licensing at the local level. An apprenticeship of 8,000 hours is recommended. All licensing is managed through the No state licensing body for individual electricians.
Requirements vary by state and local jurisdiction. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.