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.
- Register and pay the local fees. $150 exam application (City of Chicago)
- Renew on your city's schedule. Annual.
For the general path in every state, see the Electrician guide →
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 (Low Voltage) — Chicago municipal license for low-voltage electrical work. Chicago offers only these two exams; other specializations, such as maintenance, ended before 2018.
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 · other states' agreements |
| Processing time | — |
What an Illinois electrician license costs
Fees are set per city; the figures on this page are one city's example.
Exams
| Supervising Electrician Examination | Provider: Continental Testing Services (the city's designated exam vendor) · Passing: Not published · Fee: $150 (City of Chicago) |
|---|
Renewing an Illinois electrician license
Because Illinois licenses electricians locally, renewal runs through the same city office that issued the credential. The figures below are the City of Chicago Supervising Electrician License rules; other Illinois municipalities set their own.
| Renewal period | Annual |
|---|---|
| Renewal fee | $150 per year (City of Chicago) |
| Continuing education | None required |
| Where to renew | City of Chicago Department of Buildings |
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?
Not stated by the board.
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)
How often must an Illinois electrician license be renewed?
Annual. Continuing education: None required.
Official sources
chicago.gov/city/en/depts/bldgs/supp_info/TLdetails/SupvEL.html
chicago.gov/city/en/depts/bldgs/provdrs/licenses.html
continentaltesting.net/Profession/Index/55
webapps1.chicago.gov/licensedcontractors/electrical