Does Illinois have a state electrician license?

No. Illinois licenses electricians at the local (city/county) level — there is no single statewide license.

How do I get licensed as an electrician in Illinois?

Contact the building or licensing department of the city where you'll work; each sets its own experience requirements, exam, and fees.

Electrician License Requirements in Illinois

Last reviewed July 2026

Illinois has no statewide electrician license — no state exam and no state-issued journeyman or master credential. Licensing is handled city-by-city and county-by-county, each with its own experience requirements, exam, and fees.

How licensing works by city

Chicago

City of Chicago Department of Buildings
Issues the Supervising Electrician license (at least 21, 2+ years of verified experience, written exam on the Chicago Electrical Code) and the Electrical Contractor license (must employ a licensed supervising electrician; applications processed by Continental Testing Services).
https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/bldgs/supp_info/TLdetails/SupvEL.html

Other Illinois cities & counties

Each municipality's building department
Set their own electrician license requirements and exams — contact the city or county where you'll work.

Studying for the Illinois electrician exam?

The exam is NEC-based — practice with 1,394 questions and worked solutions in the Electrical Exam Prep app.

⚠ Licensing requirements and fees change. This page is a summary, not legal advice — always confirm current requirements directly with the licensing authority for the city where you'll work before applying.

Sources: City of Chicago — Supervising Electrician (official)