The State of Illinois does not handle the licensing of Electrical Contractors. Instead, the licensing and registration of Electrical Contractors is handled at the local-level, by the city, county or municipality in which the contractor chooses to work.
Before beginning work on an electrical project, it is important that contractors check with the local jurisdiction, planning or building department to determine what is required.
Below is a brief explanation of the licensing and registration process for some of the larger cities in the State of Illinois.
Chicago, IL
Electrical Contractors working in the City of Chicago are required to obtain a Supervising Electrician Trade License and pass a qualifying exam. The city holds a contract with Continental Testing Services, a private company, to process applications and administer the exam.
In order to qualify to take the examination, contractors must:
- Be at least 21 years old
- Have 2 years of work experience installing, performing maintenance and altering building wiring systems.
In order to prove work experience, contractors must submit a letter from their current/former employer, on company letterhead, describing their duties and responsibilities. The contractor’s current/former employer must hold a Supervising Electrician License from the City of Chicago.
The cost to take the examination is $70. The initial licensing fee is $35.
Direct all questions regarding licensing and the examination process to Continental Testing Services at:
800-359-1313
OR
To view a copy of the exam schedule; to obtain further information about the work experience requirement; or to complete an application online, please visit :
*Please note that at renewal time, all Supervising Electricians must use the city website for renewal applications and information. For more info, please visit: The City of Chicago Website
Aurora, IL
Electrical Contractors in the City of Aurora, IL are required to obtain a license and pass a municipal exam through the city’s Division of Building and Permits. Licenses are issued by the Division’s Department of Development Services.
The Department offers the following license classifications to Electrical Contractors:
- Commercial Electrical License
- Residential Electrical License
- Sign Contractor License
All businesses have the option of choosing someone within their company to act as a qualifying party, to take the exam on the business’ behalf. In order to act as a qualifying party, the individual the business chooses must:
- Be able to act and answer for all legal matters concerning the business
- Supervise installations and business operations
- Be actively involved and engaged in the day-to-day activities of the business
*If the contractor/qualifying party has taken and passed an International Code Council (ICC) exam, those scores may take the place of the municipal exam in some cases.
For a list of exam testing center locations, please visit:
City of Aurora- Contractor Testing
In addition to passing the examination, all contractors must comply with the following insurance/ bonding requirements:
- Hold a $20,000 bond that is good for a period of 1 year
- Hold general aggregate insurance in the amount of $1,000,000 with $500,000 per occurrence
- Hold worker’s compensation insurance, in compliance with statutory limits, if the contractor plans to employ workers.
The license/application fee for all new applicants is $200. The cost to renew a license is $100.
For more information about the licensing and examination process for Electrical Contractors in the City of Aurora, IL, please call:
630-556-3130
OR
Visit: City of Aurora Website
The Division of Building and Permits is located at:
Division of Building and Permits
Department of Development Services
65 Water Street
Aurora, IL 60505-3305
Rockford, IL
In order to perform work as an Electrical Contractor in the City of Rockford, IL, contractors are required to register with the city’s Finance Department.
For a copy of the registration application, please visit:
License Application- Electrical Contractor Registration
The application asks contractors to provide the following information:
- Basic Information (Name, Address, etc.)
- The type of business the contractor plans to operate
- Information/Explanation about the type of electrical work the contractor intends to perform
There is a $25 registration fee.
Submit the completed registration application along with the required fee to:
City of Rockford, Finance Department- Revenue
1st Floor, City Hall
425 E. State Street
Rockford, IL 61104
For more information or questions about the registration process, please call the Finance Department at:
815-967-6753