Electrician Classes in Illinois (Top Schools)

The IL Department of Employment Security projected a 15% increase in electrician jobs in the next 6 years.

So if you want to become an electrician, now’s the right time for you to do so.

Learn how you can work as an electrician in Illinois below.

Potential Salary

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Illinois electricians have the following salary information as of May 2021:

Mean Wage:

• Annually – $83,140
• Hourly – $39.97

How to Become a Licensed Electrician and Electrical Contractor in Illinois

Illinois is one of the few states that doesn’t have state-wide regulations and license issuance for its electricians and electrical contractors.

Instead, the state leaves it to the local-level licensing boards to oversee these.

Let’s take the state capital Springfield as an example.

Obtaining a Springfield License

The Springfield Office of Public Works, Building and Zoning Department (BZD) supervises the electrician regulations and licenses.

They have two types of licenses to issue:

• Electrical license (for both professionals and contractors)
• Electrical contractor registration

Qualifications

To qualify for both, you must meet these requirements:

• At least five years of electrical work experience, with two of those years doing a supervisory role
• Successfully pass the ICC Master Electrician Exam – G16

License Application

To apply for the Springfield electrical license, you must submit the following to BZD for approval:

• Completed application for Springfield electrical license form
• Documentation of work experience, with your resume and reference letters attached
• Proof of passing the ICC Master Electrician Exam – G16

Once you’ve been approved, pay the license fee of $25 to obtain your license.

For the Springfield electrical contractor registration, you must submit the following:

• Completed application for new registration form
• Proof of your position within the organization
• Obtain a surety bond – $5,000
• Registration fee – $45

If you’re registering with an out-of-town license (still within the state of Illinois), submit these additional documents:

• Copy of your current license
• Documentation of work experience, with your resume and reference letters attached
• Copy of past permits as proof of the work performed within that jurisdiction
• *Proof of passing that jurisdiction’s electrical licensure exam
• If you’re a corporation, registration with the IL Secretary of State

*If you obtained the license without any testing, you’ll be required to take and pass the ICC G16 exam to receive your Springfield license.

License Renewal

Your Springfield license and registration will expire on December 31 the year it was issued.

To renew an electrical license, you must submit the following:

• Completed application for renewal form
• Renewal fee – $25

For electrical contractor registration, you must submit the following:

• Completed application for renewal form
• Proof of a current $5,000 surety bond
• Copy of your current out-of-town license, if applicable
• Renewal fee
  • If registered with Springfield license – $75
  • If registered with out-of-town license – $45

The BZD will give you until the end of January to submit and process the renewal.

Electrical Training Programs and Schools in Illinois

To become an electrician, you must have the fundamental knowledge and skills of the trade.

You have two ways to acquire these:

• Enroll in a technical school offering an approved electrician program
• Apply for an approved apprenticeship program

Through a technical school, you’ll receive standardized education and training, which can lead to a certification or degree.

On the other hand, an apprenticeship program gives you full-on on-the-job training under the guidance and supervision of a licensed electrician.

Apprenticeship programs can be sponsored by…

• Union through a local Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC)
• Non-union through a local Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) or Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) chapter

Electrician Schools by City

• Chicago