Illinois Electrician License: How to Get Your Electrical License in IL

Do you need a license to be an electrician in Illinois?

Yes. Most municipalities in Illinois require electricians to hold a valid local license before performing electrical work. Illinois is one of the few states without a statewide licensing system, so the rules depend on where you work.

If you’re doing residential, commercial, or industrial electrical work inside a city or village that requires a license, you need to pass that municipality’s exam and meet their experience requirements. Working without a license can result in fines, stop-work orders, and legal trouble for both you and your clients.

Some rural areas outside incorporated municipalities may not require a license, but any work that requires a permit must still meet the National Electrical Code (NEC) standards.

Benefits of getting an electrician license in Illinois

Getting licensed opens the door to higher earnings, better insurance access, and stronger credibility with clients. Here are the key advantages:

• Legal compliance. You can pull permits, pass inspections, and work in any municipality that accepts your license without risking fines or shutdowns.
• Higher earning potential. Licensed electricians in Illinois earn a mean annual salary of $59,489, slightly below the national median of $61,391.
• Credibility with clients. Homeowners and general contractors look for licensed pros. A license proves you have the training and knowledge to do the job safely.
• Insurance eligibility. Most liability and workers’ compensation insurance providers require a valid license before they’ll write a policy.
• Business growth. If you want to start your own electrical business, most municipalities require the business owner or a designated employee to hold a contractor-level license.

Types of electrician licenses in Illinois

Since each municipality sets its own rules, license categories can vary. However, most cities in Illinois use some version of these common license types:

Apprentice electrician

You work under the direct supervision of a licensed journeyman or master electrician. No exam is required to start, but you need to register with an approved apprenticeship program and log your hours.

Journeyman electrician

After completing your apprenticeship (typically 8,000 hours over four years), you can take the journeyman exam. A journeyman license lets you perform electrical work independently. To pull permits or supervise apprentices, you’ll need to advance to a master electrician or contractor license in most municipalities.

Master electrician

This is the top tier. Master electricians can pull permits, supervise journeymen and apprentices, and run their own electrical businesses. Requirements typically include additional experience beyond journeyman status (often two or more years) and passing a separate master-level exam.

Electrical contractor

Some municipalities, including Chicago, use a contractor licensing model rather than the journeyman/master structure. In Chicago, the Department of Buildings issues two main types of electrical contractor licenses:

• Electrical contractor license. Allows you to perform general electrical work and pull permits.
• Supervising electrician license. Required for electricians who oversee and sign off on electrical installations.

You can find details on both license types on the Chicago Department of Buildings website.

Limited or specialty licenses

Some municipalities offer licenses for low-voltage work, fire alarm systems, Class 1, 2, and 3 remote-control circuits, and other specialty areas. Check with your local licensing authority for specific categories.

Illinois electrician license requirements

The exact requirements depend on your municipality, but most cities follow a similar framework:

General requirements

• Be at least 21 years of age (18 to start an apprenticeship)
• Hold a high school diploma or GED
• Complete at least 8,000 hours (roughly four years) of supervised electrical work experience
• Pass a written exam based on the NEC and local electrical codes
• Provide proof of work experience, usually with signed affidavits from supervising electricians
• Pay the applicable application and exam fees

Apprenticeship entry requirements

To get into an apprenticeship program, you’ll typically need to:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Pass an aptitude and algebra test
• Demonstrate physical fitness for the work
• Have reliable transportation
• Pass a drug screening (required by most programs)

Exam requirements

Most municipal exams are open-book and based on the current edition of the NEC. You’ll need to bring your own NEC codebook. Exams can run several hours depending on the municipality, and most require a score of at least 70% to pass.

How to become an electrician in Illinois

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how to get your electrical license in Illinois:

1. Complete your education

Start with a high school diploma or GED. Courses in math, physics, and shop classes will give you a head start. Some electricians also complete a pre-apprenticeship program or trade school certificate before entering a formal apprenticeship.

2. Enter an apprenticeship program

Apply to a registered apprenticeship program through your local IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) / NECA (National Electrical Contractors Association) chapter, IEC (Independent Electrical Contractors) chapter, or another approved training provider. You’ll spend four to five years combining on-the-job training with classroom instruction, logging at least 8,000 hours of hands-on experience.

3. Gain your required work hours

Track your hours carefully. You’ll need signed documentation from your supervising electrician(s) proving you completed the required experience. Most municipalities want detailed records showing the types of work you performed.

4. Apply for your exam

Contact the municipality where you want to work and submit your license application. You’ll need to provide your work experience documentation, identification, and application fees. Some cities use third-party testing services like Continental Testing Services for exam administration.

5. Pass the licensing exam

Study the current NEC thoroughly. The exam tests your knowledge of electrical theory, code requirements, safety practices, and local amendments. Bring a tabbed and highlighted (but not annotated) NEC codebook to the exam.

6. Get your license

After passing, pay the license fee and receive your license from the issuing municipality. You may also need to show proof of insurance and bonding, depending on the license type and location.

READ MORE: How to start an electrician business

How long does it take to get an electrician license in Illinois?

Plan on five to six years from start to license in hand. Here’s how that time breaks down:

• Apprenticeship: Four to five years (8,000+ hours of on-the-job training plus classroom instruction)
• Exam preparation: One to three months of dedicated study after completing your apprenticeship
• Application and exam scheduling: Two to eight weeks, depending on the municipality and testing availability
• License processing: One to four weeks after passing the exam

If you already have electrical work experience from another state or through military service, some municipalities may credit a portion of those hours toward your requirements. Check with your local licensing authority.

The timeline can also shift if you pursue a master electrician license, which typically requires two or more additional years of experience beyond journeyman status.

Electrician training programs and schools in Illinois

Illinois has more than 49 registered electrical training programs across the state, from IBEW union apprenticeships to independent contractor tracks. Here are some of the most recognized:

Union apprenticeship programs (IBEW/NECA)

• IBEW-NECA Technical Institute (IN-TECH) in Alsip serves the greater Chicago area. This five-year program combines classroom training with on-the-job experience through IBEW Local 134 and NECA Chicago.
• Powering Chicago is a labor-management partnership between IBEW Local 134 and NECA Chicago that connects aspiring electricians with apprenticeship opportunities.
• IBEW Local 193 JATC Springfield offers apprenticeship training in central Illinois.

Non-union apprenticeship programs

• IEC Illinois (Independent Electrical Contractors) runs apprenticeship programs across the state with flexible scheduling options for working adults.

State apprenticeship resources

• Illinois apprenticeship programs (IDES) lists registered apprenticeship opportunities across all trades.
• Apprenticeship Illinois (Illinois workNet) is the state’s portal for finding and applying to apprenticeship programs.

You can also explore the full list of electrical schools in Illinois, which includes 49 programs across the state.

Who issues electrician licenses in Illinois?

Unlike most states, Illinois does not have a state-level agency that issues electrician licenses. Each city, village, or county handles licensing at the local level, meaning every municipality has its own process.

Key agencies and organizations

• Chicago Department of Buildings issues electrical contractor and supervising electrician licenses for work within the city limits. You can find application details on the Chicago electrical contractor license page and the supervising electrician license page.
• Continental Testing Services administers the electrical licensing exam for Chicago and several suburban municipalities.
• Suburban municipalities each have their own building or licensing departments. Contact the city clerk or building department in the municipality where you plan to work.

What about IDFPR?

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) handles licensing for many state-regulated professions, but it does not issue or manage municipal electrical licenses. If you need to verify an electrician’s license status, contact the municipality that issued it directly.

How much does it cost to get an electrician license in Illinois?

Costs vary by municipality. Here’s a breakdown of fees in some major Illinois cities:

Chicago

• Exam fee: Varies by testing provider. Check with Continental Testing Services for current pricing.
• License fee: $150
• Renewal fee: $150

Elgin

• Exam fee: $275 (administered by CLEC Enterprises)
• Renewal fee: $25

Buffalo Grove

• Registration fee: $75 per trade
• Renewal fee: $50 annually

Naperville

Naperville stopped requiring electrical contractor exams as of December 2022. You now register through their Civic Access portal. Check their website for current registration fees.

Other costs to plan for

Beyond licensing fees, budget for:

• NEC codebook: $150 to $250 for the current edition
• Exam prep materials: $50 to $300 for study guides and practice exams
• Insurance: General liability and workers’ compensation (required by most municipalities)
• Bonding: Some municipalities require a surety bond before issuing a license

Does my Illinois electrician license work in any other states?

No. Since Illinois doesn’t issue a statewide license, there’s no formal reciprocity with other states. A license issued by a municipality in Illinois is valid only within that municipality’s jurisdiction, though some neighboring towns may accept it.

If you want to work in another state, you’ll need to apply for that state’s license separately and meet their specific requirements. Some states may credit your Illinois work experience toward their hour requirements, but you’ll still need to pass their exam.

Within Illinois, you may also need to get licensed in each municipality where you take on jobs. Some electricians hold licenses in multiple cities to expand their service area.

READ MORE: How to run a successful electrical business

Do I need to renew my electrician license?

Yes. Every municipality that issues a license also requires you to renew it on a regular schedule. Most licenses renew annually, though some municipalities have two-year or three-year cycles.

What renewal typically involves

• Paying a renewal fee. Fees range from $25 to $150, depending on the municipality and license type.
• Completing continuing education. Some municipalities require a certain number of continuing education hours focused on NEC updates, safety practices, and local code changes.
• Submit proof of active insurance. Many jurisdictions require you to show current liability insurance at renewal.

Set a reminder well before your expiration date. Most municipalities send renewal notices, but the responsibility is on you to renew on time.

What happens if my electrician license expires?

If your license lapses, you’re not legally permitted to perform electrical work in that municipality until it’s reinstated. Depending on how long it’s been expired, you may face:

• Late fees. Most municipalities charge a penalty for late renewal, often 50% to 100% of the original renewal fee.
• Re-examination. If your license has been expired for an extended period (often one year or more), you may need to retake the licensing exam.
• Work stoppage. Any active jobs in that municipality must stop until your license is reinstated. This can mean lost revenue and damaged client relationships.

To check your license status, contact the municipality that issued it directly. The IDFPR online lookup tool covers state-regulated professions but does not include municipal electrical licenses.

Pro Tip: Keep a spreadsheet of every municipality where you hold a license, along with expiration dates and renewal requirements. If you work across multiple cities, this prevents any from slipping through the cracks.

Does an electrician license increase your earning potential?

Licensed electricians in Illinois consistently earn more than unlicensed workers, and the gap grows as you advance from journeyman to master to business owner.

Electrician salary in Illinois

• Illinois mean annual wage: $59,489 
• Top earners: Master electricians in Illinois earn an average of $77,460/year

Job growth outlook

The BLS projects 9% job growth for electricians from 2024 to 2034, described as “much faster than average.” The BLS projects about 81,000 openings for electricians each year nationally, driven by retirements, infrastructure investment, and growing demand for electric vehicle charging stations and renewable energy systems.

Requirements for electrical business owners

Once you’re licensed, starting your own electrical business comes with a separate set of requirements. Most municipalities require the business owner (or a designated qualifying agent) to hold a contractor-level or master electrician license.

What you’ll need to start

• A valid contractor or master electrician license in every municipality where you plan to work
• General liability insurance (most municipalities require minimum coverage amounts)
• Workers’ compensation insurance if you have employees
• A business license from your city or county
• A registered business entity (LLC, corporation, or sole proprietorship filed with the Illinois Secretary of State)
• A surety bond (required by some municipalities)
• An Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS if you plan to hire

What it costs

Plan for around $10,000 to get all the tools, equipment, and insurance needed to start an electrical business. That number can go higher depending on your service area and the type of work you plan to do.

Originally published August 2022. Last updated June 5th, 2026