Licensing

Electrician Licensing in Illinois

Illinois has no statewide journeyman electrician license. Some local governments issue their own electrician licenses; check the rules where you will work.

Source: Illinois General Assembly, checked 2026-10-07

Page last reviewed 2026-10-05 against official sources. Confirm with the issuing authority before applying.

How Illinois electrical licensing works

IDFPR's Alarm Professions page lists Licensed Private Alarm Contractor and Licensed Private Alarm Contractor Agency; that page covers alarm-related credentials only. Municipalities establish many of the licenses, registrations, examinations, and permit requirements that apply at a job site.

Verified local licensing authorities

This is a curated, not exhaustive, list. Confirm which licensing authority governs the actual job site before relying on a credential.

Chicago

Valid only for work governed by the City of Chicago.

City of Chicago Department of Buildings →

General Supervising Electrician Local individual license

Issuing authority: City of Chicago Department of Buildings →
Geographic validity: Valid only for work governed by the City of Chicago.
Scope of work: Individual license to perform or supervise and direct a licensed electrical contractor's electrical work. Chicago's supervising-electrician page says a license type corresponds to the examination passed, and that the current examinations are general and low voltage.
Experience or qualification: Applicant must be at least 21 and document at least two years of experience installing, altering, repairing, and maintaining electrical wires, equipment, and apparatus, or equivalent experience, under the direct supervision of a supervising electrician or an equivalent person. The Department of Buildings page and Municipal Code § 4-292-020 do not say that supervisor must hold a license. One supervising electrician may not be the primary supervising electrician for more than one licensed electrical contractor.
Examination: The applicant must pass a written examination. The supervising-electrician page says the current examinations are general and low voltage. Continental Testing Services (CTS) processes applications and administers the written examinations for the Department of Buildings, on announced dates. The examination is open book, and the only book allowed is the Chicago Electrical Code 2018 Edition (NFPA 70 with Chicago amendments; Chicago's amendments are to the 2017 National Electrical Code). CTS gives each candidate a clean copy of the City Council's later code changes at the test. An applicant who fails must wait at least six months before reapplying, and CTS says not to re-apply until its official result letter has arrived.
Initial fee: $150 examination fee and $150 initial-license fee for calendar year 2026.
Renewal: One-year license; $150 annual renewal for calendar year 2026. A license expired three or more years cannot be renewed. Reinstatement is $100 per year or fraction of a year expired; the $50 staff-assisted modification fee, $50 replacement-document fee, and $50 written-verification fee also apply.

Low Voltage Supervising Electrician Local individual license

Issuing authority: City of Chicago Department of Buildings →
Geographic validity: Valid only for work governed by the City of Chicago.
Scope of work: Individual license to perform or supervise and direct a licensed electrical contractor's electrical work. The supervising-electrician page says the license type corresponds to the examination passed, and that the current examinations are general and low voltage.
Experience or qualification: Applicant must be at least 21 and document at least two years of experience installing, altering, repairing, and maintaining electrical wires, equipment, and apparatus, or equivalent experience, under the direct supervision of a supervising electrician or an equivalent person. The Department of Buildings page and Municipal Code § 4-292-020 do not say that supervisor must hold a license. One supervising electrician may not be the primary supervising electrician for more than one licensed electrical contractor.
Examination: The applicant must pass a written examination. The supervising-electrician page says the current examinations are general and low voltage. Continental Testing Services (CTS) processes applications and administers the written examinations for the Department of Buildings, on announced dates. The examination is open book, and the only book allowed is the Chicago Electrical Code 2018 Edition (NFPA 70 with Chicago amendments; Chicago's amendments are to the 2017 National Electrical Code). CTS gives each candidate a clean copy of the City Council's later code changes at the test. An applicant who fails must wait at least six months before reapplying, and CTS says not to re-apply until its official result letter has arrived.
Initial fee: $150 examination fee and $150 initial-license fee for calendar year 2026.
Renewal: One-year license; $150 annual renewal for calendar year 2026. A license expired three or more years cannot be renewed. Reinstatement is $100 per year or fraction of a year expired; the $50 staff-assisted modification fee, $50 replacement-document fee, and $50 written-verification fee also apply.

Aurora

Valid only for work governed by the City of Aurora.

City of Aurora →

Electrical Commercial Contractor Local business credential

Issuing authority: City of Aurora →
Geographic validity: Valid only for work governed by the City of Aurora.
Scope of work: Business-held electrical-commercial contractor category on Aurora's contractor registration application. The business names a qualifying party who is responsible for supervising installation operations.
Experience or qualification: The qualifying party is the individual filing as sole proprietor, partner, or corporate officer who is legally qualified to act for the business in its contracting matters, is responsible for supervising installation operations, and is actively engaged in its day-to-day activities. The application requires liability insurance naming Aurora as primary and non-contributory additional insured, with a $1,000,000 general aggregate and $500,000 per occurrence, plus workers' compensation that complies with Illinois statutes.
Examination: Aurora accepts a current International Code Council Standard Master Electrician certification in lieu of municipal testing for the electrical-commercial contractor category. The application also lets applicants test through accepted municipalities instead; its electrical list is Buffalo Grove, Chicago, Elgin, Libertyville, Orland Park, Ottawa, and Woodstock. Tests are taken by the qualifying party. ICC's National Contractor/Trades bulletin (published June 30, 2026) says ICC contractor examinations are administered through Pearson VUE and that you must wait 10 days before retaking a failed exam. The bulletin lists Master Electrician exams referenced to the 2014, 2017, 2020 and 2023 National Electrical Code (F16, G16, T16 and R16); confirm with Aurora which one it accepts.
Initial fee: $200 category fee on the application. The contractor-licensing page says the surety bond applies to a dumpster or obstruction in the right of way only. The application lists $5,000 only on the Dumpster row, but a general bullet also says 'Surety bond in the amount of $5000.'
Renewal: The application says outstanding or expired permits prevent renewal and permit pulling; the contractor-licensing page says renewing contractors may be required to clear delinquent permits before the license is issued. No renewal term or fee is published on either.
Official application: Apply / forms →

Electrical Residential Contractor Local business credential

Issuing authority: City of Aurora →
Geographic validity: Valid only for work governed by the City of Aurora.
Scope of work: Business-held electrical-residential contractor category on Aurora's contractor registration application. The business names a qualifying party who is responsible for supervising installation operations.
Experience or qualification: The qualifying party is the individual filing as sole proprietor, partner, or corporate officer who is legally qualified to act for the business in its contracting matters, is responsible for supervising installation operations, and is actively engaged in its day-to-day activities. The application requires liability insurance naming Aurora as primary and non-contributory additional insured, with a $1,000,000 general aggregate and $500,000 per occurrence, plus workers' compensation that complies with Illinois statutes.
Examination: Aurora accepts a current International Code Council Standard Residential Electrician certification in lieu of municipal testing for the electrical-residential contractor category. The application also lets applicants test through accepted municipalities instead; its electrical list is Buffalo Grove, Chicago, Elgin, Libertyville, Orland Park, Ottawa, and Woodstock. Tests are taken by the qualifying party. ICC's National Contractor/Trades bulletin (published June 30, 2026) says ICC contractor examinations are administered through Pearson VUE and that you must wait 10 days before retaking a failed exam. The bulletin lists Residential Electrician exams referenced to the 2014, 2017, 2020 and 2023 National Electrical Code (F18, G18, T18 and R18); confirm with Aurora which one it accepts.
Initial fee: $200 category fee on the application. The contractor-licensing page says the surety bond applies to a dumpster or obstruction in the right of way only. The application lists $5,000 only on the Dumpster row, but a general bullet also says 'Surety bond in the amount of $5000.'
Renewal: The application says outstanding or expired permits prevent renewal and permit pulling; the contractor-licensing page says renewing contractors may be required to clear delinquent permits before the license is issued. No renewal term or fee is published on either.
Official application: Apply / forms →

Sign (Electrical) Contractor Local business credential

Issuing authority: City of Aurora →
Geographic validity: Valid only for work governed by the City of Aurora.
Scope of work: Business-held Sign (Electrical) contractor category on Aurora's contractor registration application. The business names a qualifying party who is responsible for supervising installation operations.
Experience or qualification: The qualifying party is the individual filing as sole proprietor, partner, or corporate officer who is legally qualified to act for the business in its contracting matters, is responsible for supervising installation operations, and is actively engaged in its day-to-day activities. The application requires liability insurance naming Aurora as primary and non-contributory additional insured, with a $1,000,000 general aggregate and $500,000 per occurrence, plus workers' compensation that complies with Illinois statutes.
Examination: Aurora accepts a current International Code Council Standard Journeyman Sign Electrician or Standard Master Electrician certification in lieu of municipal testing for the Sign (Electrical) contractor category. The application also lets applicants test through accepted municipalities instead; its electrical list is Buffalo Grove, Chicago, Elgin, Libertyville, Orland Park, Ottawa, and Woodstock. Tests are taken by the qualifying party. ICC's National Contractor/Trades bulletin (published June 30, 2026) says ICC contractor examinations are administered through Pearson VUE and that you must wait 10 days before retaking a failed exam. For the Master Electrician route, the bulletin lists exams referenced to the 2014, 2017, 2020 and 2023 National Electrical Code (F16, G16, T16 and R16); confirm with Aurora which one it accepts.
Initial fee: $200 category fee on the application. The contractor-licensing page says the surety bond applies to a dumpster or obstruction in the right of way only. The application lists $5,000 only on the Dumpster row, but a general bullet also says 'Surety bond in the amount of $5000.'
Renewal: The application says outstanding or expired permits prevent renewal and permit pulling; the contractor-licensing page says renewing contractors may be required to clear delinquent permits before the license is issued. No renewal term or fee is published on either.
Official application: Apply / forms →

Springfield

Valid only for work governed by the City of Springfield.

City of Springfield Electrical Commission →

Electrical License Local individual license

Issuing authority: City of Springfield Electrical Commission →
Geographic validity: Valid only for work governed by the City of Springfield.
Scope of work: Individual license to supervise and perform electrical work. Section 172.12.05 requires a person doing electrical work to be the electrical licensee or work under that licensee's supervision, and to be or work for a registered electrical contractor. Supervision means the licensee has personal knowledge of the proposed work and personally inspects it. The owner of a single-family detached dwelling may do the electrical work in that dwelling and its accessory structures without a license if the owner lives there for at least one year after the work is completed. The ordinance exempts low-voltage systems as defined in section 172.11.03, radio apparatus or equipment for wireless reception of sounds and signals, and apparatus, conductors, or other equipment installed for or by municipally owned and operated utilities or public utilities, and common carriers under the jurisdiction of the Illinois Commerce Commission, for use in their operation. The retrieved text does not define the low-voltage threshold in volts.
Experience or qualification: Section 172.12.06(b)(1) requires five years' practical experience in the installation of electrical work, including at least two years overseeing and directing electrical work, or equal as approved by the electrical commission. The same subsection also requires documentation showing five years of performing electrical work with two years supervisory; the ordinance does not say how an approved equivalent is documented.
Examination: The current individual application requires proof that the ICC Master Electrician examination G16 has been passed. The Springfield Electrical Commission approves the license. The ordinance fee for the electrical license is $25. The Building and Zoning Department's August 29, 2025 cover memo says Springfield's licensing testing is provided by the International Code Council (ICC), no longer requires authorization, and uses the ICC Master Electrician Exam-G16, based on the 2017 National Electrical Code. ICC's National Contractor/Trades bulletin (published June 30, 2026) lists G16 Master Electrician as an open-book exam referenced to the 2017 National Electrical Code, says ICC contractor examinations are administered through Pearson VUE, and says you must wait 10 days before retaking a failed exam.
Initial fee: $25 application fee.
Renewal: Renewal of the license is due December 31. If renewal is not completed by the end of January, the renewal fee doubles. The license expires on the last day of the following February. A license expired for more than two years is treated as a new application, including the examination.
Official application: Apply / forms →

Registered Electrical Contractor Local business registration

Issuing authority: City of Springfield Electrical Commission →
Geographic validity: Valid only for work governed by the City of Springfield.
Scope of work: Business registration. Only a registered electrical contractor may secure electrical permits and furnish electrical equipment for installation by, or under the supervision of, an employed electrical licensee.
Experience or qualification: A sole proprietor must be the electrical licensee. A corporation, partnership, group, or association must have the licensee as an officer, partner, or member. The ordinance requires a $5,000 surety bond that stays in force for one year after the registration expires or is revoked. The ordinance (§ 172.12.04(f)) and the current registration application use an October 10, 2007 cutoff for the outside-municipality route; the department's August 29, 2025 electrical-exam cover memo says 10/7/2007. Confirm the cutoff with the Building and Zoning Department. An applicant registering with a license from another Illinois municipality must document five years of electrical work, including two supervisory years.
Examination: Section 172.12.04(e) requires an electrical contractor whose principal place of business is in Springfield to be licensed by having passed the ICC Standard Master Electrician Exam. Contractors licensed or registered in Springfield before October 10, 2007 may instead have passed the City of Springfield Electrical Exam, and those licensed or registered before September 1, 1991 who have not let their registration lapse for more than two years are exempt. Section 172.12.04(f) lets a contractor registered and licensed through testing by another Illinois municipality register without the ICC exam if that registration was issued before October 10, 2007 and has not expired; the department's August 29, 2025 electrical-exam cover memo gives the date as 10/7/2007. A contractor whose Springfield license or registration has lapsed for more than two years must have passed the ICC Standard Master Electrician Exam. The department's cover memo also says Springfield's testing is provided by ICC and uses the ICC Master Electrician Exam-G16, based on the 2017 National Electrical Code. ICC's National Contractor/Trades bulletin (published June 30, 2026) says ICC contractor examinations are administered through Pearson VUE and that you must wait 10 days before retaking a failed exam.
Initial fee: $45 contractor registration fee.
Renewal: Renewal is due December 31. If renewal is not completed by the end of January, the renewal fee doubles. The registration expires on the last day of the following February. If the business ends or the holder's electrical license expires, no further permits are issued and the registration expires. The contractor has 30 days to renew the registration or transfer unfinished work to another registered contractor.
Official application: Apply / forms →

Bloomington

Valid only for work governed by the City of Bloomington.

City of Bloomington →

Electrical Contractor License Electrical contractor license

Issuing authority: City of Bloomington →
Geographic validity: Valid only for work governed by the City of Bloomington.
Scope of work: City of Bloomington electrical contractor license. The retrieved code (§§ 15-202–15-204) calls this a license and refers to the Schedule of Fees for the amount; this review did not retrieve that schedule.
Experience or qualification: The applicant must be at least 18 and document at least four years of full-time experience as an electrician or electrician helper installing and altering electrical wiring and apparatus for a licensed electrical contractor, including at least two of those years just before the application. The retrieved code requires liability insurance of at least $300,000 aggregate bodily injury and $100,000 aggregate property damage.
Examination: The applicant must have passed an examination within the six years before issuance. The electrical contractor examination is the ICC Standard Master Electrician examination, or a local examination through a standing municipal electrical commission that is equal to that examination. ICC's National Contractor/Trades bulletin (published June 30, 2026) says ICC contractor examinations are administered through Pearson VUE and that you must wait 10 days before retaking a failed exam. The bulletin lists Master Electrician exams referenced to the 2014, 2017, 2020 and 2023 National Electrical Code (F16, G16, T16 and R16); confirm with Bloomington which one it accepts.
Initial fee: The retrieved code (§§ 15-202–15-204) refers to the Schedule of Fees for the license and renewal amounts; this review did not retrieve that schedule. A $25-per-month delinquency charge applies during the supported late-renewal window.
Renewal: The license expires December 31. Renewal is due on or before January 31. A delinquent renewal adds $25 for each month or portion of a month. If the license is still delinquent and not in force on March 1, it is null and void and shall not be renewed.

Limited Electrical License Local mixed-holder license City of Bloomington Building Board of Appeals

Issuing authority: City of Bloomington Building Board of Appeals →
Geographic validity: Valid only for work governed by the City of Bloomington.
Scope of work: Limited license for branch-circuit wiring to new heating or cooling equipment in existing residential buildings. The work is limited to the branch circuitry for four tons or less of air conditioning, five horsepower of air conditioning and heating combined, or 7,000 watts of air conditioning and heating combined. The examination is the ICC Standard Maintenance Electrician examination.
Experience or qualification: The applicant must already be licensed as a heating contractor in the City of Bloomington.
Examination: ICC Standard Maintenance Electrician examination. ICC's National Contractor/Trades bulletin (published June 30, 2026) lists it as F19 National Standard Maintenance Electrician, an open-book exam referenced to the 2014 National Electrical Code. The bulletin says ICC contractor examinations are administered through Pearson VUE and that you must wait 10 days before retaking a failed exam.
Initial fee: Application and annual-renewal fees are set by the Schedule of Fees; this review did not retrieve that schedule.
Renewal: The retrieved renewal rule expires the license on December 31, requires renewal on or before January 31, adds $25 per month while delinquent, and makes the license null and void on March 1 if it is still not in force.

Decatur

Valid only for work governed by the City of Decatur.

City of Decatur Electrical Commission →

Electrical Contractor License Local mixed-holder business license

Issuing authority: City of Decatur Electrical Commission →
Geographic validity: Valid only for work governed by the City of Decatur.
Scope of work: Electrical contractor license. The applicant names an employed supervising electrician who is a professionally licensed electrical engineer or has not less than four years of verifiable practical experience in electrical construction for power, light, and heat or related work under the direction of a licensed electrician or licensed electrical contractor, and who in either case provides proof of passing the ICC Master Electrician exam.
Experience or qualification: The supervising electrician must be an employee. The qualifier is a professionally licensed electrical engineer, or has not less than four years of verifiable practical experience in electrical construction for power, light, and heat or related work, under the direction of a licensed electrician or a licensed electrical contractor. If that qualifier changes or the employment ends, a replacement must apply within 10 days.
Examination: The Supervising Electrician must provide proof of a passing International Code Council (ICC) Master Electrician examination. ICC's National Contractor/Trades bulletin (published June 30, 2026) says ICC contractor examinations are administered through Pearson VUE and that you must wait 10 days before retaking a failed exam. The bulletin lists Master Electrician exams referenced to the 2014, 2017, 2020 and 2023 National Electrical Code (F16, G16, T16 and R16); confirm with Decatur which one it accepts.
Initial fee: $100 annual fee.
Renewal: The license runs from January 1 through December 31. The $100 annual fee must be received before February 1. If the license has not been renewed for one year or more, the holder is treated as a new applicant.

Local requirements vary

A local credential may apply to an individual electrician, a supervising electrician, an electrical contractor, or a business. The holder, work scope, examination, insurance, renewal, and permit rules can differ from one municipality to another. The local authorities covered on this page are selected examples, not a complete list of every Illinois jurisdiction.

65 ILCS 5/11-33-1 says a municipality may require electrical-contractor registration and may impose an annual registration fee of $25, and that a contractor registered in one municipality shall not be required by another municipality to register or pay a registration fee there. Aurora publishes a $200 category fee, Springfield a $45 registration fee, and Decatur a $100 annual fee. This review did not find an official explanation of how those amounts coexist with the statute's $25 registration fee and its rule against a second municipal registration or fee. The statute does not transfer a worker license, examination approval, bond, permit, or local code approval.

Chicago's supervising-electrician page says there are currently two examinations, general and low voltage, and that a license type corresponds to the examination passed.

Separate state programs

Illinois separately licenses Private Alarm Contractors and Private Alarm Contractor Agencies through IDFPR.

Before you apply or begin work

Contact the building or licensing authority where the work will occur. Ask which individual and business credentials are required, whether an outside license or registration is accepted, and what examination, insurance, renewal, permit, and inspection rules apply to the specific project.

Cite this page

Title: Electrician Licensing in Illinois
URL: https://tradesdir.com/electrical/licensing/illinois
Information checked: 2026-10-05

Suggested citation: Electrician Licensing in Illinois. Trades Directory. https://tradesdir.com/electrical/licensing/illinois (information checked 2026-10-05).

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