Electrical Contractor Permit Requirements in Chicago, IL

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC/corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Electrical Licensing — No Statewide Illinois License

   Illinois does not license electricians or electrical contractors at the state level. Electrical licensing in Illinois is municipal. In Chicago, an Electrical Contractor license (general or low-voltage) is issued by the Chicago Department of Buildings, and the licensed business must employ at least one licensed supervising electrician. Contractors working in other Illinois municipalities must check each city's own requirements.

   Official government source

   No state license or fee. Chicago's Electrical Contractor license is $150 initial and $150 annual renewal for calendar year 2026.·Not applicable at the state level; Chicago applications are processed by Continental Testing Services on behalf of the Department of Buildings

   No state license or fee. Chicago's Electrical Contractor license is $150 initial and $150 annual renewal for calendar year 2026.

   Not applicable at the state level; Chicago applications are processed by Continental Testing Services on behalf of the Department of Buildings

2. Illinois Business Entity Registration (if applicable)

   If operating as an LLC or corporation, register with the Illinois Secretary of State. LLC Articles of Organization and Domestic Corporation Articles of Incorporation each cost $150 for standard online filing.

   Official government source

   $150 (LLC Articles of Organization or Domestic Corporation Articles of Incorporation)·Up to 10 business days for standard online filing; 24-hour expedited service available for an additional $100

   $150 (LLC Articles of Organization or Domestic Corporation Articles of Incorporation)

   Up to 10 business days for standard online filing; 24-hour expedited service available for an additional $100

1. City of Chicago Electrical Contractor License

   Chicago requires a separate City of Chicago Electrical Contractor License, issued by the Department of Buildings (not BACP). This is distinct from the state license. The licensed business must be owned by or employ a City of Chicago Supervising (Master) Electrician. Apply through Continental Testing Services / the city's online licensing portal; confirm current bond/insurance requirements directly with the Department of Buildings.

   Official government source

   $150/year (General or Low Voltage contractor license)·2–4 weeks

   $150/year (General or Low Voltage contractor license)

   2–4 weeks

2. Chicago Supervising Electrician License (Master Electrician)

   Chicago issues its own Supervising Electrician license through the Department of Buildings, with applications and the written exam administered by Continental Testing Services. A licensed electrical contractor must be owned by or employ at least one supervising electrician, and all electrical work must be performed or supervised by one. To sit the exam you must be at least 21 and have at least 2 years' experience installing, altering, repairing, and maintaining electrical wires and apparatus under a supervising electrician, verified by letters from your supervisors. There are two exam types, general and low voltage. A separate Electrical Contractor license (also $150/year) is required for the business itself.

   Official government source

   $150 examination fee per exam, $150 initial license fee, and $150 per year to renew (calendar year 2026 rates)·The Department of Buildings does not publish a processing time. The license is valid for one year from issuance or renewal, and an applicant who fails the exam must wait at least 6 months before reapplying.

   $150 examination fee per exam, $150 initial license fee, and $150 per year to renew (calendar year 2026 rates)

   The Department of Buildings does not publish a processing time. The license is valid for one year from issuance or renewal, and an applicant who fails the exam must wait at least 6 months before reapplying.

3. Chicago Electrical Contractor License (Department of Buildings)

   Electrical contractors performing work in Chicago need an Electrical Contractor license issued by the Chicago Department of Buildings, not a generic BACP business license — BACP routes trade licensing to the Department of Buildings. Two types exist: "general" (any electrical work) and "low voltage" (Class 1, 2 and 3 remote-control, signaling, power-limited and communications circuits). The licensed business must employ at least one licensed supervising electrician; the license type follows the exam that supervising electrician passed. Illinois does not license electricians at the state level, so the Chicago license is the operative credential. Applications are processed by Continental Testing Services.

   Official government source

   $150 initial license fee and $150 renewal (calendar year 2026), for either the general or low-voltage classification·Driven by exam scheduling and application processing through Continental Testing Services; no standard processing time is published

   $150 initial license fee and $150 renewal (calendar year 2026), for either the general or low-voltage classification

   Driven by exam scheduling and application processing through Continental Testing Services; no standard processing time is published

Official Sources

• City of Chicago BACP — Business Licenses
• City of Chicago — Electrical Code

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