⚠️ Important: This comparison is based on published state licensing requirements and may not reflect recent changes. Reciprocity and transfer rules change frequently and are evaluated on a case-by-case basis by state licensing boards. This tool is for research purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Always contact Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) directly to confirm current transfer requirements before submitting any applications or fees.

Transfer Your Electrician License: Illinois → Wisconsin

Everything you need to know about transferring your electrician license from Illinois to Wisconsin

Reciprocity Status Unknown

We could not confirm reciprocity status between these states. Contact Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) to verify.

Requirements Comparison

Requirement	Illinois (IL)	Wisconsin (WI)
Education Requirements●	High school diploma or GED; algebra recommended	Must complete an electrical construction apprenticeship program recognized under Wis. Stat. ch. 106 or the Federal Department of Labor for journeyman licensure.
Exam Requirements●	Provider: Varies by municipality; NEC: Varies by municipality. Chicago uses the Chicago Electrical Code 2018 Edition (NFPA 70 with Chicago amendments). Many other municipalities use standard NEC.; Journeyman exam: not required; Master exam: not required	Provider: Pearson VUE (Pearson Professional Assessments). Schedule online at pearsonvue.com.; NEC: 2017 NEC, codified in Wis. Admin. Code SPS 316. Official DSPS page states 'updated Wis. Admin. Code ch. SPS 316 will go into effect as of August 1, 2018' referencing 2017 NEC. Multiple current sources confirm Wisconsin still uses 2017 NEC.; Journeyman exam: required; Master exam: required
Experience Requirements●	apprentice: null; journeyman: null; master: null	apprentice: No prior experience required. Must be enrolled in or completing an apprenticeship program. Must perform electrical wiring activities under direct supervision of a licensed Master or Journeyman Electrician.; journeyman: Completed an electrical construction apprenticeship program recognized under Wis. Stat. ch. 106 or the Federal Department of Labor. Must pass exam.; master: At least 2 years as a licensed Journeyman Electrician plus additional education. Must pass Master exam.
Fees	confidence: high	apprentice registration fee: $30 (application and credential fees combined); journeyman license fee: $165; master license fee: $255; exam fee: $30; renewal fee: $100; total initial fees: $165; confidence: high
Renewal / CE Requirements●	Period: Varies by municipality; CE hours: 0; Fee: null	Period: 4 years (Master and Journeyman, expire June 30). 1 year for Registered Electricians.; CE hours: 24; Fee: $100

Data verified as of 2026-04-03. Requirements may have changed since verification.

Key Differences

Education differs: Illinois requires "High school diploma or GED; algebra recommended" while Wisconsin requires "Must complete an electrical construction apprenticeship program recognized under Wis. Stat. ch. 106 or the Federal Department of Labor for journeyman licensure.".
Experience differs: Illinois — apprentice: null; journeyman: null; master: null; Wisconsin — apprentice: No prior experience required. Must be enrolled in or completing an apprenticeship program. Must perform electrical wiring activities under direct supervision of a licensed Master or Journeyman Electrician.; journeyman: Completed an electrical construction apprenticeship program recognized under Wis. Stat. ch. 106 or the Federal Department of Labor. Must pass exam.; master: At least 2 years as a licensed Journeyman Electrician plus additional education. Must pass Master exam..
Renewal differs: Illinois — Period: Varies by municipality; CE hours: 0; Fee: null; Wisconsin — Period: 4 years (Master and Journeyman, expire June 30). 1 year for Registered Electricians.; CE hours: 24; Fee: $100.

Next Steps

1
Contact the destination state board to confirm current transfer/reciprocity requirements. Visit Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) →
2
Request credential verification from No state licensing body for individual electricians — this often takes 4–8 weeks.
3
Gather required documentation (education transcripts, experience logs, exam scores).
4
Submit your application to Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS).

These steps are general guidance based on common transfer processes. Your state may have a different process. Always follow the instructions provided by your state licensing board.

Wisconsin Licensing Board

Board: Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS)
Website: https://dsps.wi.gov
Phone: 608-266-2112

Contact Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) to confirm current transfer requirements →

Prepare for Your Licensing Exam

Get ready for the Electrician Licensing Exam with realistic practice tests from Exam Edge.

Get Started →

Ad | GetLicenseMap may earn a commission

GetLicenseMap is a research tool and does not provide legal, financial, or professional licensing advice. Licensing requirements vary by state and change frequently. Verify all information directly with your state licensing board before making licensing decisions.

Requirements Comparison

Requirement	Illinois (IL)	Wisconsin (WI)
Education Requirements●	High school diploma or GED; algebra recommended	Must complete an electrical construction apprenticeship program recognized under Wis. Stat. ch. 106 or the Federal Department of Labor for journeyman licensure.
Exam Requirements●	Provider: Varies by municipality; NEC: Varies by municipality. Chicago uses the Chicago Electrical Code 2018 Edition (NFPA 70 with Chicago amendments). Many other municipalities use standard NEC.; Journeyman exam: not required; Master exam: not required	Provider: Pearson VUE (Pearson Professional Assessments). Schedule online at pearsonvue.com.; NEC: 2017 NEC, codified in Wis. Admin. Code SPS 316. Official DSPS page states 'updated Wis. Admin. Code ch. SPS 316 will go into effect as of August 1, 2018' referencing 2017 NEC. Multiple current sources confirm Wisconsin still uses 2017 NEC.; Journeyman exam: required; Master exam: required
Experience Requirements●	apprentice: null; journeyman: null; master: null	apprentice: No prior experience required. Must be enrolled in or completing an apprenticeship program. Must perform electrical wiring activities under direct supervision of a licensed Master or Journeyman Electrician.; journeyman: Completed an electrical construction apprenticeship program recognized under Wis. Stat. ch. 106 or the Federal Department of Labor. Must pass exam.; master: At least 2 years as a licensed Journeyman Electrician plus additional education. Must pass Master exam.
Fees	confidence: high	apprentice registration fee: $30 (application and credential fees combined); journeyman license fee: $165; master license fee: $255; exam fee: $30; renewal fee: $100; total initial fees: $165; confidence: high
Renewal / CE Requirements●	Period: Varies by municipality; CE hours: 0; Fee: null	Period: 4 years (Master and Journeyman, expire June 30). 1 year for Registered Electricians.; CE hours: 24; Fee: $100

Data verified as of 2026-04-03. Requirements may have changed since verification.

Key Differences

Education differs: Illinois requires "High school diploma or GED; algebra recommended" while Wisconsin requires "Must complete an electrical construction apprenticeship program recognized under Wis. Stat. ch. 106 or the Federal Department of Labor for journeyman licensure.".

Experience differs: Illinois — apprentice: null; journeyman: null; master: null; Wisconsin — apprentice: No prior experience required. Must be enrolled in or completing an apprenticeship program. Must perform electrical wiring activities under direct supervision of a licensed Master or Journeyman Electrician.; journeyman: Completed an electrical construction apprenticeship program recognized under Wis. Stat. ch. 106 or the Federal Department of Labor. Must pass exam.; master: At least 2 years as a licensed Journeyman Electrician plus additional education. Must pass Master exam..

Renewal differs: Illinois — Period: Varies by municipality; CE hours: 0; Fee: null; Wisconsin — Period: 4 years (Master and Journeyman, expire June 30). 1 year for Registered Electricians.; CE hours: 24; Fee: $100.

Next Steps

Contact the destination state board to confirm current transfer/reciprocity requirements. Visit Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) →

Request credential verification from No state licensing body for individual electricians — this often takes 4–8 weeks.

Gather required documentation (education transcripts, experience logs, exam scores).

Submit your application to Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS).

These steps are general guidance based on common transfer processes. Your state may have a different process. Always follow the instructions provided by your state licensing board.

Transfer Your Electrician License: Illinois → Wisconsin

Reciprocity Status Unknown

Requirements Comparison

Key Differences

Next Steps

Wisconsin Licensing Board

Prepare for Your Licensing Exam

Related Pages

Transfer Your Electrician License: Illinois → Wisconsin

Reciprocity Status Unknown

Requirements Comparison

Key Differences

Next Steps

Wisconsin Licensing Board

Prepare for Your Licensing Exam

Related Pages