Illinois electrical license lookup: how to check and get a license
Illinois electrical license lookup: who issues electrician licenses (local (city/county); no state electrician license. Chicago: Department of Buildings (Electrical Contractor and Supervising Electrician licenses)), how to check one online, the license types, and 2,663 electrical contractors by county.
Do electricians need a license in Illinois?
| Who licenses them | local (city/county); no state electrician license. Chicago: Department of Buildings (Electrical Contractor and Supervising Electrician licenses) |
|---|---|
| When a license is required | None at state level |
State law lets each town require electrical contractors to register, and a contractor registered in one Illinois town can't be made to register again in another. In Chicago, all electrical work requires a city-licensed electrical contractor working under a licensed supervising electrician.
How do you look up an electrician's license in Illinois?
- Ask the electrician for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the Illinois electrical license lookup run by local (city/county); no state electrician license. Chicago: Department of Buildings (Electrical Contractor and Supervising Electrician licenses).
- Search by license number first. A name search can return several people or companies with similar names.
- Check that the status is active or current, that the license type covers your job, and that the name matches the company on your contract.
- If something doesn't match, ask the electrician about it before you sign or pay a deposit, or contact local (city/county); no state electrician license. Chicago: Department of Buildings (Electrical Contractor and Supervising Electrician licenses).
How do you get a electrical license in Illinois?
Licenses are issued by the local (city/county); no state electrician license. Chicago: Department of Buildings (Electrical Contractor and Supervising Electrician licenses). Requirements such as experience, exams, insurance and fees change, so read the current rules on the official local (city/county); no state electrician license. Chicago: Department of Buildings (Electrical Contractor and Supervising Electrician licenses) source before you apply. Already licensed? List your business on Expert Helper to get matched with customers.
Which Illinois city is the job in?
How many electricians are there in Illinois?
The Census Bureau counted 2,663 electrical contractors with employees in Illinois in 2023. The counties with the most:
| Cook County | 1,007 |
|---|---|
| DuPage County | 288 |
| Lake County | 181 |
| Will County | 152 |
| Kane County | 150 |
| McHenry County | 111 |
| Winnebago County | 45 |
| St. Clair County | 37 |
What do Illinois homes mean for electrical work?
The median home in Illinois was built in 1970, 33% of households rent and 64% of homes are single-family houses. 76% of homes heat with utility gas and 18% with electricity.
How do you choose an electrician in Illinois?
- Check the license on the state or city license search, and ask whether the person doing the work is licensed or working under someone's license.
- Ask whether the job needs a permit and an inspection, and who files it. A licensed electrician files the permit.
- Ask for proof of insurance. Electrical mistakes show up later, so you want the company insured.
- For panel upgrades, ask whether the utility needs to be scheduled to cut and restore power, and who arranges it.
- Get a written estimate that lists the circuits, fixtures and materials.
Electricians in other states
Sources: Illinois licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.