There is a healthy trend of following skill-based jobs in Illinois. The Illinois Department of Job Security estimated a 15% growth rate in the electrical job market leading up to 2024.
The electrical trade offers good average wages and prospects for becoming a contractor. You can also become a skilled professional by earning an electrician’s license in Illinois.
Here is our guide on how to become a licensed electrician in Illinois.
State Requirements
There are no regulatory or state requirements for electrician licensing in Illinois.
Most counties and cities issue an independent electrical contractor’s license without issuing a journeyman license.
Any license issued within Illinois will be accepted throughout the state’s local jurisdictions.
The general process of obtaining an electrician license in Illinois state is similar. You’ll begin with technical college enrollment or an apprenticeship program.
You’ll need to accumulate the necessary classroom and hands-on practical work hours.
You’ll then be able to apply for the contractor’s license in the respective country or city.
How to Become a Licensed Electrician in Illinois
Your first step to becoming a licensed electrician will be to enroll in a technical college or an apprenticeship program. The exact requirements for the license may vary through the counties or cities.
Generally, your requirements for a licensed electrician throughout the state of Illinois will be:
- 4 years of work experience – 8000 hours
- 500-800 classroom hours – an average of 576 classroom education hours
You can begin accumulating the education and work hours through a technical college degree program.
Otherwise, you can choose between a union-based or a non-union apprenticeship program throughout the state.
Technical College Program
You can enroll in a formal education program at a technical institute. Your degree program will ensure that you meet the requirement throughout the state uniformly.
You can enroll in an associate degree of applied science program with electrical subjects. You can also complete a bachelor’s or any graduate degree program to meet the requirements of education hours.
You can look for an entry-level job or an apprenticeship opportunity by completing the course.
It will help you to gain the hands-on work experience requirement. Your institute advisory services can also help you find a suitable opportunity.
Apprenticeship Programs
An apprenticeship program remains a popular choice with students looking for trade careers. You can accumulate education and work experience hours with an apprenticeship program.
The IBEW and the NECA arrange union-sponsored apprenticeship programs throughout Illinois state.
These programs are arranged through the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committees (JATCs). You’ll need to take a membership of IBEW to obtain these apprenticeship programs.
Some of the local JATCs in Illinois state are:
- Peoria Electrical JATC
- Southern Illinois
- Lake county JATC
- Springfield JATC
- Chicago EJATT
You can also join an open shop apprenticeship program. These apprenticeships are offered on a non-union basis.
The Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) local chapters arrange the open shop apprenticeship programs.
Apply for an Electrician License – Initial
The local administration in Chicago city issues a “supervising electrician” license. Many counties and cities in Illinois do not offer initial electrician licenses.
There are no state regulations on a journeyman electrician license as well.
The general requirements for a supervising electrician license are:
- Be at least 21 years old.
- 2 years of work experience as an electrician.
- Proof of work under the supervision of a licensed electrician.
The license issued will be a non-contractor one for you. You can use it throughout the state as proof of your initial work experience as an apprentice.
Become an Independent Electrical Contractor
In many counties and cities of Illinois, you can directly apply for a contractor’s license. Once you complete the technical college or an apprenticeship program you can transition to a full-time contractor.
The general insurance liability, codes, and local regulations can vary by county or local jurisdiction for an electrical contractor.
However, the general work and education requirements are very similar throughout Illinois.
Generally, your requirements for an independent electrical contractor will be:
- Familiarity with the county codes and regulations.
- Certification as an electrician for work experience.
- General liability insurance for workers’ compensation program.
- Proof of business registration – if applicable.
You can then apply for the contractor’s license with the respective office in your county or city.
Once your documents are inspected and approved, you’ll be awarded an electrical contractor’s license. You’ll need to renew the license yearly in most cities in the state of Illinois.