Chicago Electrical Contractor License: Supervising Electrician Rules

Starting an electrical contracting business in Chicago requires navigating two separate licenses: a supervising electrician license and an electrical contractor license. These are not the same thing, and understanding the distinction is critical before you attempt to file. Many electricians skip steps or misunderstand which license comes first, which costs time and money.

This guide covers exactly what you need to do to get both licenses in Chicago, what it costs, and how to keep them current.

What Is a Supervising Electrician License?

A supervising electrician license is issued by the Chicago Department of Buildings. It allows you to supervise electrical work and serve as the responsible party on jobsites. You cannot operate as an electrical contractor in Chicago without having a supervising electrician on staff or as the owner. The license confirms you have met the experience and exam requirements to work at that level.

Chicago offers two tracks for supervising electrician licenses: general electrical and low voltage. Most contractors pursue the general electrical license, but if your business focuses on data systems, fire alarms, or communications wiring, low voltage may be appropriate.

Supervising Electrician License Requirements

Before you can apply for a supervising electrician license in Chicago, you must meet these prerequisites:

• Be at least 21 years old
• Have at least 2 years of experience installing, altering, repairing, and maintaining electrical wires, equipment, and apparatus (or equivalent experience) under the direct supervision of a supervising electrician or equivalent person
• Pass the Chicago Department of Buildings written examination for supervising electricians

The 2-year experience requirement is mandatory. You cannot test before you have completed that time, even if you are highly skilled. This experience must be verifiable and documented. Keep records of your work history, including employers, dates, and the types of work you performed.

How to Get Your Supervising Electrician License: Step by Step

Step 1: Document Your Electrical Experience

Gather documentation for your 2 years of supervised electrical work. Your experience must be verified by letters from your supervisors. Generic letters are not acceptable; specify the types of systems you worked on (residential wiring, commercial panels, troubleshooting, new construction, etc.) and the dates of employment.

If you worked under multiple supervisors, get a letter from each one. Be thorough here.

Step 2: Register for the Exam

Continental Testing Services processes supervising electrician applications and administers the written exam for the Department of Buildings. Submit your application with your experience letters through the Continental Testing Services website. The exam registration fee is $150.

If there are gaps or unclear periods in your experience, you may be asked for additional documentation before you are approved to test. Confirm current review times with Continental Testing Services.

Once approved, you will receive your exam date and location. Continental Testing Services administers the exam and posts a study guide on its website. The exam covers electrical code, safety requirements, installation practices, and troubleshooting for the level you are testing (general or low voltage).

Step 3: Prepare for and Take the Exam

Study the Chicago Electrical Code and the study guide posted by Continental Testing Services. The exam is not an open-book test, so you need to know the material. Many candidates use commercial study guides specific to electrician licensing exams, and some take prep courses offered by trade schools or unions.

Common topics on the exam include:

• Grounding and bonding requirements
• Overcurrent protection and circuit breaker sizing
• Wiring methods and cable types
• Conduit fill calculations
• Voltage drop and ampacity tables
• Safety protocols and OSHA requirements
• Chicago-specific code amendments

Take the exam on your scheduled date. You will receive your results immediately or within a few business days. Confirm the passing score with Continental Testing Services when you register. If you fail, you must wait at least 6 months before reapplying.

Step 4: Pay the License Fee and Receive Your License

Once you pass the exam, you pay the supervising electrician license fee of $150 to the Chicago Department of Buildings. This grants you the license for one year from the date of issuance.

You will receive your license certificate in the mail. Many electricians frame it or keep it on site.

Supervising Electrician License Renewal

Your Chicago supervising electrician license expires one year from issuance. Renewal costs $150 per year. Renew through the Department of Buildings web portal by the expiration date to maintain active status.

Renewal does not require retesting. You simply pay the fee and your license continues. If your license lapses, reinstatement costs $100 per year or fraction of a year it has been expired, and a license expired for 3 or more years cannot be renewed, so you would apply for a new license.

Electrical Contractor License vs. Supervising Electrician License

Once you have your supervising electrician license, you can then apply for an electrical contractor license. These are separate filings, and both are required to legally operate as a contracting business in Chicago.

The electrical contractor license is issued under Chicago Municipal Code Section 4-290 and applies to businesses that perform electrical work for hire. Unlike the supervising electrician license, there is no exam for the contractor license. Instead, the key requirement is that the business must be owned by or must employ a licensed supervising electrician.

The electrical contractor license renewal fee is $150 per year. Your supervising electrician must remain active for the contractor license to remain valid.

Getting Your Electrical Contractor License

Continental Testing Services processes electrical contractor applications for the Department of Buildings; apply through its website. Be ready to provide:

• Business registration or incorporation documents
• Proof of supervising electrician license (your own, or your employee's)
• Identification and contact information

Submit the application and $150 license fee. Confirm current processing times with Continental Testing Services. The contractor license is automatically inactivated if no valid supervising electrician license is associated with it.

Your license is valid for one year and requires renewal each year. Set a calendar reminder for your renewal date so you do not accidentally let it lapse.

General vs. Low Voltage Licenses

Chicago supervising electrician licenses correspond to the exam passed, general or low voltage, and the electrical contractor license type follows the type of its supervising electrician. Understand which one applies to your work.

General Electrical covers standard power distribution, branch circuits, lighting, outlets, and most commercial or residential electrical systems. This is the most common license.

Low Voltage covers only Class 1, 2 and 3 remote-control, signaling and power-limited circuits and communications circuits, such as data networks, telephone systems, alarm systems and CCTV. If your business focuses entirely on low-voltage work, this license is appropriate. However, if you do any general power work, you need the general license.

Each exam carries its own $150 fee. Confirm with the Department of Buildings how passing both exams is reflected on your license.

Related Licenses: Plumbing and HVAC

If you operate in Chicago and are considering other trades, understand the licensing landscape:

Plumbing Licenses are also issued through the Chicago Department of Buildings. A plumbing contractor license ($150 per year with a $20,000 bond) and a plumber license are separate filings, much like electrical. Verify current plumbing requirements with the Department of Buildings.

HVAC Licenses are not required by Chicago as a separate trade license. HVAC subcontractors work under a licensed general contractor, comply with building codes, and work with licensed electricians and plumbers on projects. Federal EPA rules require Section 608 certification for technicians who handle refrigerants, which is different from a contractor license.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Mistake 1: Applying for the Contractor License Before You Have the Supervising License
Your contractor license depends on having an active supervising electrician on staff. Get the supervising license first, then file for the contractor license. Reversing the order wastes time and money.

Mistake 2: Incomplete Experience Documentation
The Chicago Department of Buildings will reject applications with vague or missing employment records. Do not assume they will accept generic letters. Get specific documentation that names the company, dates, and types of electrical work performed.

Mistake 3: Forgetting Renewal Deadlines
Both licenses must be renewed annually. A lapsed license means you cannot legally perform electrical work or contract jobs in Chicago. Set calendar reminders at least 60 days before expiration.

Mistake 4: Not Verifying Which Suburb You Are In
If your business operates in Joliet or other nearby suburbs, verify their licensing requirements. Some suburbs accept Chicago licenses; Joliet, for example, accepts a Chicago license for its electrical contractor registration. Others require separate municipal filings or additional compliance steps.

Mistake 5: Misunderstanding the Supervising Role
A supervising electrician is the responsible party for electrical work. They must perform or supervise and direct all electrical work done by the contractor, and a supervising electrician may not be the primary supervising electrician for more than one licensed electrical contractor. The license is tied to that individual, not just a name on paper.

Total Cost to Get Licensed

Budget for the following fees in your first year:

• Supervising Electrician Exam Fee: $150
• Supervising Electrician License Fee: $150
• Electrical Contractor License Fee: $150
• Year 1 Total: $450

In subsequent years, renewal fees are $150 for the supervising electrician license and $150 for the contractor license, for a total of $300 per year.

This estimate covers Chicago Department of Buildings fees only. It does not include the cost of exam study materials, business formation documents, or insurance, which are separate expenses.

How to Contact the Chicago Department of Buildings

The Chicago Department of Buildings administers electrical contractor licenses and supervising electrician licenses. Visit their website or contact them directly to register for exams, submit applications, or ask questions about specific requirements.

Be specific when contacting them. Ask whether your experience qualifies for the 2-year requirement, what documents they need, and what the current exam schedule is. They can also clarify whether your business operates in a zone that requires additional municipal permits or approvals.

What Happens After You Get Licensed

Once licensed, you are authorized to operate as an electrical contractor in Chicago and supervise electrical work. However, licensing is not the end of compliance. You must:

• Maintain active, current licenses (renew on time every year)
• Comply with the National Electrical Code and Chicago amendments
• Pull permits for work as required by Chicago building codes
• Have a licensed supervising electrician perform or supervise and direct all electrical work
• Keep records of completed projects and inspections
• Carry appropriate insurance (liability and workers compensation)

Electrical work is heavily regulated because faulty installations pose fire and shock hazards. The licensing system exists to protect the public. Take it seriously.

Important Disclaimer

This article is informational only and does not constitute legal, tax, or professional advice. Electrical licensing requirements are subject to change, and municipal codes vary. Before you apply for a supervising electrician license or electrical contractor license, contact the Chicago Department of Buildings directly to confirm current fees, requirements, exam schedules, and documentation. Do not rely solely on this guide to plan your compliance strategy. Consider consulting with a business attorney or accountant familiar with Chicago trades licensing if you have specific questions about your situation.

Next Steps

If you are ready to move forward, here is your action checklist:

1. Gather your employment documentation for your 2 years of supervised electrical experience.
2. Apply for the supervising electrician exam through Continental Testing Services.
3. Study for the exam using current NEC and Chicago code materials.
4. Take the exam and confirm your passing score.
5. Pay the $150 supervising electrician license fee and receive your license.
6. File for your electrical contractor license with proof of your supervising license.
7. Pay the $150 contractor license fee.
8. Set annual reminders to renew both licenses before they expire.

Proper licensing protects you legally and positions your business as legitimate and credible in the market. Take the time to get it right from the start.