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In this article on Illinois Electrical License, we will learn the following:

Illinois is a fantastic place to start your career if you want to enter the electrical industry. There are numerous prospects for electricians, from commercial buildings to home projects. To benefit from them, all you have to do is apply for your Illinois electrician license.

It’s a beautiful spot for an electrical profession because Illinois electricians make 8% more money on average than Americans. Additionally, a 9% growth is predicted for the electrical sector, increasing the need for certified electricians.

You must go through your town to obtain your certification because Illinois doesn’t offer a state-wide license. Below, we’ll go over everything you need to know about earning a commission as an electrician in Illinois.

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Illinois’s Licensing Standards for Electricians

You need a license to perform electrical work in Illinois, although no centralized authority regulates this field. Local governments instead issue electrical permits and certifications. To start working as an apprentice electrician, no license is necessary.

How do you know you are qualified to become an electrician?

To become an electrician, the following conditions must be satisfied:

You must meet the following requirements to be eligible:

Those eighteen or older have a high school diploma or a GED.
Good physical health
Have access to safe transportation to and from work and school
Be able to work individually and with others in a team.
Adhere to instructions.

Depending on your state, you may need to fulfill additional criteria before beginning work as an electrician. How to apply for a license in Illinois is explained in this article.

Steps to Get an electrical license in Illinois

Before you may take the journeyman exam, you must enroll in an electrician apprenticeship program. You are not required to obtain a license to work as an apprentice. You can apply for a journeyman license after serving as an apprentice for at least four years. As soon as you complete the requirements, apply for a license as an electrical contractor.

Programs for Apprentice Electricians

American Apprenticeship
Corporation for the Construction Industry in Illinois (ABC)

Apprenticeships for electricians in Illinois provide a competitive wage, classroom instruction, and possibilities for electrical work on the job. Employers and labor unions typically fund apprenticeship sponsorship programs. Expect to pay up to $350 per credit for electrical courses at a community college or trade school. Accredited schools offer financial aid choices.

Requirements for an apprenticeship program:

Possess a GED or high school diploma.
Age of at least eighteen.
Able to work as an electrician physically.
Earn a “C” in an algebra class in high school.

Work Experience

Assist master and journeyman electricians.
Take the required electrical courses.
Install, maintain, and repair electrical systems.
Drive a company car.

Information on Illinois electrical licenses: Local towns in Illinois are in charge of administering exams. To pass the journeyman and electrical contractor tests, candidates must score at least 75%. You should budget $100 for each exam.

Examining Electricians in Illinois

Electrical needs in the area
Regulations for OSHA’s Electrical Wire Safety
Fire Detection and Alarm Systems

Exam Study Resources

Illinois Electrician Exam
Electrical Exam Information for Woodstock
Master Electrician Exam Preparation

Types of Illinois Electrical Licences

Illinois does not at the moment grant the statewide master electrician license, unlike other states. Alternatively, many localities give a primary electrical contractor’s license, which offers similar benefits to a master license. Four licenses are available for those who want to operate as licensed electricians in Illinois.

On-the-job training or an apprenticeship

Either through an apprenticeship or through on-the-job training, you can get the necessary work experience. Both are virtually equivalent. However, the internship will connect you with an employer, so you don’t have to look for a job alone.

License for journeymen

After completing four years of instruction and passing their initial exam, individuals can apply for journeyman licenses. While those with a journeyman license can oversee other apprentices, they cannot supervise another journeyman.

License for an electrician

In all Illinois municipalities, this License is the most prevalent. The ability to oversee other electricians at any level is granted by holding a license as an electrical contractor. Electricians with contractor licenses can also apply for permits for more significant projects. Despite being the most typical license kind, not all municipalities provide this choice.

Electrical Contractor’s License

Chicago offers two different types of licenses depending on the kind of work you’ll be conducting.

All work involving Class 1, 2, and 3 remote-control circuits, signaling and power-limited circuits, and communications circuits require a low-voltage license.

General License: exempt from the restrictions outlined in the low-voltage License.

The general and low-voltage licenses are distinct from those offered by other municipalities, including Libertyville, that only give a standard contractor license.

Benefits of Becoming a Licensed Electrician in Illinois

Obtaining an Illinois electrician certification has numerous advantages:

Most Illinois communities require electricians to hold a license or certification to legally do electrical work in a particular city or county, which is crucial.
Your trade license demonstrates your experience and ability.
Only certified electrical contractors and supervising electricians can establish a business, advertise services, obtain commercial insurance, secure building permits, pass inspections, and submit bids for public and government projects.
A license safeguards your business and clients.
Your ability to compete for jobs increases if you have an electrician license.
Additionally, it raises your income potential.

FAQs

Should I enlist in the Illinois electrician union?

About 93% of union members are covered by health insurance. For their members, unions bargain higher pay. Sick leave, vacation time, and pensions are benefits that many union members receive. As a union member, you must pay monthly dues.

Illinois Insurance for Electricians

It’s risky to install and maintain electrical systems. Some risks include extreme heat work, electrical burns, fires, and UV exposure.

Before working on electrical systems, all Illinois electricians must be covered by general liability insurance. Businesses typically purchase employer insurance. Owners of companies and independent electricians must keep their insurance current.