Illinois Electrician License Requirements
Official classification: No statewide license — City of Chicago Supervising Electrician License · Issued by the City of Chicago Department of Buildings.
⚡ ElectricianIL ✔ Verified 2026-07-09
In Illinois, electricians must hold the No statewide license — City of Chicago Supervising Electrician License, issued by the City of Chicago Department of Buildings. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.
How to become a licensed electrician in Illinois
Illinois licenses electricians at the city level rather than statewide, so the path runs through your local permitting office. Here are the general steps — the verified specifics are detailed further down the page.
- Start with your city, not the state. Illinois has no statewide electrician license — registration, bonds and insurance are set by each municipality, so confirm the rules with your local permitting office first.
- Carry the insurance your city requires. —
- Post any local bond. —
- Register and pay the local fees. $150 exam application (City of Chicago)
- Renew on your city's schedule. Annual.
Illinois electrician license lookup
To confirm an electrician is properly licensed in Illinois — or to check the status of your own license — search the issuing agency's official license database. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.
License types
- Supervising Electrician (General Electrical) — Chicago municipal license for general electrical work
- Supervising Electrician (Maintenance) — Chicago municipal license for electrical maintenance work
- Supervising Electrician (Low Voltage) — Chicago municipal license for low-voltage electrical work
Requirements at a glance
| Experience required | 2 years minimum cumulative experience in the installation, maintenance or alteration of building wiring systems (City of Chicago) |
|---|---|
| Application fee | $150 exam application (City of Chicago) |
| License fee | $150 initial license (City of Chicago) |
| Renewal fee | $150 per year (City of Chicago) |
| Renewal period | Annual |
| Continuing education | None required |
| Bond required | — |
| Liability insurance | — |
| Property damage | — |
| Workers' comp | — |
| Background check | — |
| Credit requirement | — |
| Reciprocity | None |
| Processing time | — |
Exams
| Supervising Electrician Examination | Provider: Continental Testing Services (the city's designated exam vendor) · Passing: Not published · Fee: $150 (City of Chicago) |
|---|
Local / municipal notes
Illinois has no statewide electrician license — licensing is municipal, and Chicago's requirements are shown here. Other Illinois municipalities (Peoria, Rockford, Springfield and others) set their own electrician licensing, exams and fees; some recognize other cities' licenses.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Illinois electrician license cost?
Application: $150 exam application (City of Chicago). License: $150 initial license (City of Chicago). Renewal: $150 per year (City of Chicago).
How do I look up a electrician license in Illinois?
Search the official license database at webapps1.chicago.gov. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.
Do electricians in Illinois need a surety bond?
—
What experience is required for an Illinois electrician license?
2 years minimum cumulative experience in the installation, maintenance or alteration of building wiring systems (City of Chicago)
Is insurance required for electricians in Illinois?
Liability: — Workers' compensation: —
How often must an Illinois electrician license be renewed?
Annual.
Official sources
chicago.gov/city/en/depts/bldgs/provdrs/licenses.html
continentaltesting.net/Profession/Index/55
webapps1.chicago.gov/licensedcontractors/electrical