Do I have to take the New Hampshire master electrician exam if I'm licensed in Illinois?

Yes. New Hampshire requires the trade exam on this path.

What does it cost to get a New Hampshire master electrician license from Illinois?

Published fees on this path total $288, not counting exam vendor fees or bonds.

Do my Illinois work hours count in New Hampshire?

Yes. Documented out-of-state experience counts toward New Hampshire's eligibility requirements.

How long does the application take?

The board's published or typical processing time is about 14 days.

Does it work the other way, from New Hampshire to Illinois?

Not necessarily. Reciprocity is directed. Going from New Hampshire to Illinois, the mechanism is not applicable.

Illinois to New Hampshire: master electrician license reciprocity

No credit· Start overVerified September 15, 2026· 10 sources

Illinois does not issue a statewide master electrician license, so there is nothing to transfer. Here is New Hampshire's standard path for out-of-state applicants.

Your origin state does not issue a statewide license at this level, so there is no license to transfer. The destination's standard out-of-state path is shown; expect to meet it in full.

Reference only, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the licensing board before you apply. Full disclaimer.

Traditional application and examination (non-qualifying jurisdictions)

Your out-of-state credentials give no advantage. You meet the destination's requirements from scratch.

A master electrician licensed in a state that OPLC has not determined to be substantially similar cannot use the Plc 313 endorsement route and applies through the traditional process under RSA 319-C:7: document 8,000 hours of service as an apprentice electrician (the board may credit approved schooling or military experience) and at least 600 hours of education, pass the Prov master electrician examination ($90), and pay the $198 two-year license fee. OPLC's FAQ notes that an applicant may ask the Executive Director to reconsider whether a non-listed jurisdiction is substantially similar, and Plc 313.11 allows a waiver request based on a combination of education, training and licensed work experience.

The statute sets the same 8,000 apprentice hours for master and journeyman, but the application form requires exam applicants for master to document a minimum of 2,000 hours of on-the-job training as a licensed journeyman, or as a licensed master in another state, certified per employer by a licensed electrician; an out-of-state master therefore qualifies for the exam on their existing master experience. OPLC's checklist says all applications take 10-14 business days after receipt.

At a glance

Trade exam: Required
Law / code exam: Not required
Out-of-state hours: Count toward eligibility
Typical processing: About 14 days

What you must already have

You must document at least 8,000 hours of qualifying work experience.Service as an apprentice electrician (RSA 319-C:7, II(a)); the board may credit approved schooling or military experience.
At least 600 hours of education meeting criteria set by the board (RSA 319-C:7, II(b))
Minimum 2,000 hours of on-the-job training as a licensed journeyman, or as a licensed master in another state, certified by a licensed electrician (application form)The form's wording; RSA 319-C:7 itself lists only the apprentice hours and education.

What you'll do to get licensed in New Hampshire

1Trade exam. Pass the destination's trade exam. New Hampshire master electrician examination administered by Prov (NEC-based, proctored, written or computerized).
2Exam fee. Pay the exam fee ($90). Master electrician examination fee (Plc 1004.07).
3Application fee. Pay the application fee ($198). Master electrician application processing and licensing fee, two-year license (Plc 1002.13).
4Other. Disclose on the application any unannulled felony conviction and any suspension, revocation or sanction of an electrician's license in any jurisdiction, with three references and a recent photograph (Elec 302.04). No fingerprint criminal records check is listed for electricians; OPLC's endorsement checklist requires it for health-related professions only..

Published fees on this path total $288, excluding exam-vendor fees, bonds, and insurance.

What you'll need to buy or arrange

Exam preparation

Most boards contract PSI, Prov, or ICC for exams. Check which code edition the exam is written to before buying a prep course.

Trade exam
Exam fee · $90

How New Hampshire licenses master electricians

New Hampshire master electrician · “Master Electrician”

Statewide license

Verified September 15, 2026· 9 sources

Issued by New Hampshire Electricians' Board, Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC)

New Hampshire issues a statewide Master Electrician license through the Electricians' Board within OPLC; a master may employ other electricians and is the qualifying individual for an electrical business entity. RSA 319-C:7 sets the same statutory qualifications for master and journeyman (8,000 apprentice hours, 600 hours of education and a board-approved exam), and OPLC's endorsement rule Plc 313.24 measures other states' master pathways against 2,000 hours (one year) as a licensed journeyman plus a state master exam. The Prov master exam costs $90 and the license $198 for two years. Since May 3, 2024 masters from jurisdictions OPLC has found substantially similar (Connecticut electrical contractors, Delaware, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington) are licensed by endorsement without examination after one year of experience as a licensed master; other out-of-state masters apply through the traditional application and exam, for which the Board's form counts experience as a licensed master in another state toward the 2,000-hour journeyman requirement.

Moving to New Hampshire Leaving New Hampshire

Why Illinois has nothing to transfer

Illinois master electrician

Licensed by cities and counties

Verified September 14, 2026· 12 sources

Illinois does not issue a statewide master electrician license and has no state electrical board; the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation does not license electricians. The master-level credential exists only at the municipal level, under names that vary by city: Chicago issues a Supervising Electrician license (2 years of experience plus a written exam) and separately licenses Electrical Contractors, Springfield issues an Electrical License based on 5 years of experience and the ICC Master Electrician exam, and Peoria, Aurora, Naperville and Elgin accept ICC Master/Residential Electrician certificates or licenses from Illinois testing municipalities. An out-of-state master electrician license carries no state-level recognition in Illinois and none of the major jurisdictions publish a reciprocity or endorsement path for it. A master electrician from another state must apply with each municipality where they will work, which typically means passing the ICC or local exam once and then registering as an electrical contractor in each additional city.

How local licensing works in Illinois

How local licensing works. Illinois has no state electrician license and no state electrical board. The Illinois Municipal Code (65 ILCS 5/11-33-1) allows each municipality to require registration of electrical contractors, with an annual fee of $25, and provides that a contractor registered in one municipality cannot be required to register or pay a fee in another. Anything beyond registration (examinations, experience requirements, supervising or master licenses) comes from each city's or county's own ordinance.

Chicago. The Department of Buildings licenses Supervising Electricians (individuals) and Electrical Contractors (businesses); the supervising electrician is Chicago's equivalent of a master electrician. Eligibility for the supervising electrician exam is age 21 and at least 2 years of experience installing, altering, repairing and maintaining electrical wiring under a supervising electrician or equivalent, verified by supervisor letters. General and low-voltage exams are administered by Continental Testing Services (2026 fees: $150 per exam, $150 initial license, $150 annual renewal). An electrical contractor license ($150 initial, $150 renewal) is issued to a business, including a sole proprietorship, that is owned by or employs at least one licensed supervising electrician, who must perform or supervise all of the contractor's electrical work and may be the primary supervising electrician for only one contractor. Chicago's pages do not describe any reciprocity or endorsement for out-of-state licenses.

Springfield. The Building and Zoning Department issues an Electrical License to individuals who document 5 years of practical electrical experience with at least 2 years overseeing and directing electrical work and pass the ICC National Standard Master Electrician exam (W16). Applications go before the Springfield Electrical Commission; the fee is $25 and licenses expire December 31. A grandfather clause allows applicants licensed in another Illinois or out-of-state municipality with reciprocal testing to substitute proof of that exam only if the license was originally issued before 10/10/2007 and has not lapsed more than two years; otherwise the ICC exam is required.

Peoria. Electrical licenses are issued to individuals ($150 annual). Holders of Normal or Pekin licenses may register without testing; all others submit an ICC contractor exam certificate from the 2017 code cycle or newer.

Rockford. Registration only ($25 per calendar year, or free with proof of registration or license in another Illinois municipality); no exam.

Naperville and Aurora. Both accept current ICC certifications (Standard Master Electrician for commercial, Standard Residential Electrician for residential) or a license from a listed testing municipality (Naperville lists Chicago, Elgin, Libertyville, Orland Park, Ottawa, Peoria and Woodstock) in lieu of local testing. Naperville no longer renews or issues its own electrical licenses as of December 31, 2022 and registers electrical contractors through its Civic Access portal; Aurora requires a certificate of insurance naming the city.

Elgin. Requires a contractor's license from any Illinois city that gives a written NEC-based examination, or Elgin's own exam administered monthly through CLEC Enterprises.

Unincorporated Cook County. Electrical contractors must register with the Department of Building and Zoning ($150 initial, $75 annual renewal per trade), provide $1,000,000 general liability insurance naming the department, and submit a current supervising electrician's license from an Illinois city, town or village that has an electrical commission administering an examination.

Out-of-state holders. No reciprocity or endorsement path for other states' master licenses was found in any of these jurisdictions. The practical route is to pass the ICC National Standard Master Electrician exam (accepted by Springfield, Peoria, Aurora and Naperville) or a testing city's exam such as Chicago's, then register as an electrical contractor in each municipality where work will be performed.

Moving to Illinois Leaving Illinois

Common questions

Do I have to take the New Hampshire master electrician exam if I'm licensed in Illinois?: Yes. New Hampshire requires the trade exam on this path.
What does it cost to get a New Hampshire master electrician license from Illinois?: Published fees on this path total $288, not counting exam vendor fees or bonds.
Do my Illinois work hours count in New Hampshire?: Yes. Documented out-of-state experience counts toward New Hampshire's eligibility requirements.
How long does the application take?: The board's published or typical processing time is about 14 days.
Does it work the other way, from New Hampshire to Illinois?: Not necessarily. Reciprocity is directed. Going from New Hampshire to Illinois, the mechanism is not applicable.

Sources

OPLC - Electricians' Applications (new license, reciprocity, renewal) · New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) · Agency Page · verified September 15, 2026Journeyman and master applicants file two paper forms: the OPLC Universal Application for Initial Licensure and the Application for Journeyman, Master or High/Medium Voltage Electrician; payment by personal check, money order or cashier's check mailed to 7 Eagle Square, Concord. 'Reciprocity Applicants: Per Plc 313.24, applicants for endorsement shall have one year of professional experience in the licensure category sought'; reciprocity information and the application are on the New Changes for Reciprocity page. Renewals are online. Opened live on 2026-09-15 through a text-extraction proxy (direct requests are refused with HTTP 403).
NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification - Electricians' Board · New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) · Agency Page · verified September 15, 2026Board home page: regulates apprentice, journeyman, master and high/medium voltage electricians; 'For Reciprocity applicants: Per Plc 313.24, applicants for endorsement shall have one year of professional experience in the licensure category sought.'; links to the Prov Candidate Bulletin and to Applications, License Fees and Laws & Rules. Opened live on 2026-09-15 through a text-extraction proxy (oplc.nh.gov refuses direct requests from automated clients with HTTP 403); the content matches the Internet Archive capture of January 6, 2026.
OPLC - Electricians' FAQs · New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) · Faq · verified September 15, 2026'How do I reciprocate my license to New Hampshire?' points to the New Changes for Reciprocity page and repeats that Plc 313.24 endorsement applicants shall have one year of professional experience in the licensure category sought. Also covers code-update tracking in CE Broker, license verification requests and reinstatement of licenses expired 1-3 years. Opened live on 2026-09-15 through a text-extraction proxy.
OPLC Electricians' Board - Application for Journeyman, Master or High/Medium Voltage Electrician (exam or reciprocal), rev. 2024-09 · Elec 302.04 · New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) · Form · verified September 15, 2026Single form with check boxes for EXAM or RECIPROCAL and MASTER or JOURNEYMAN. The 'RECIPROCITY ONLY' section names the reciprocating state and license number and lists: 'Master and Journeyman - Maine: include a printout from the Board website. Massachusetts or Vermont: include a certified statement from that state. Journeyman ONLY - Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wisconsin, or Wyoming, Iowa.' All applicants give three unrelated references (Elec 302.04), a colour photograph taken within six months, and disclose unannulled felony convictions and any license suspension, revocation or sanction in any jurisdiction. Exam applicants document experience: journeymen a minimum of 8,000 hours of on-the-job training; masters a minimum of 2,000 hours of on-the-job training as a licensed journeyman (or licensed master in another state), each certified by a licensed electrician. Fees are 'see website'. The form is linked from the Applications page as the current journeyman/master application on 2026-09-15, although its reciprocity list predates the Plc 313.24 endorsement table.
OPLC - New Changes for Reciprocity in New Hampshire (HB 594 qualifying jurisdictions and FAQs) · RSA 310:17; Plc 313.24 · New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) · Agency Page · verified September 15, 2026Effective May 3, 2024 OPLC accepts HB 594 endorsement applications. Electricians' Board (Plc 313.24) qualifying jurisdictions: Journeyman Electrician - Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington; Master Electrician - Connecticut (Electrical Contractor), Delaware, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington; applicants shall have one year of professional experience in the licensure category sought. FAQs: an encumbered license disqualifies; applicants from non-qualifying jurisdictions use the traditional application process; reconsideration of a jurisdiction determination may be requested under Plc 210.03; fees are those in Plc 1002. Opened live on 2026-09-15 through a text-extraction proxy (oplc.nh.gov refuses direct requests from automated clients with HTTP 403); the content matches the Internet Archive capture of August 21, 2026.
OPLC - Checklist for Reciprocity/Endorsement licensing, all participating jurisdictions and professions (2025-07-31) · New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) · Form · verified September 15, 2026Endorsement applicants mail or drop off (no email) the completed Universal Application for Initial Licensure, the profession's application fee payable to Treasurer, State of New Hampshire, and verification of licensure from every jurisdiction where currently licensed (electronic verification to [email protected], a hard copy, or a screenshot of active licensure from a primary-source state website). The FBI/criminal history records check with fingerprinting ($47 to Criminal Records) is required of health-related professions only. Applications are processed in order of receipt and require 10-14 business days after receipt; no status updates before the 10th business day; all communication is by email.
OPLC - Reciprocity Licensing (HB 594 overview) · New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) · Agency Page · verified September 15, 2026Explains that under HB 594 (signed June 28, 2023, effective August 27, 2023) the Office 'shall issue licenses to professionals who present evidence of an active license in good standing from another jurisdiction' whose requirements are substantially similar, and that endorsement applicants no longer submit transcripts, exam results, experience evidence or references. Opened live on 2026-09-15 through a text-extraction proxy (oplc.nh.gov refuses direct requests from automated clients with HTTP 403); the content matches the Internet Archive capture of May 24, 2025.
N.H. Code of Administrative Rules Plc 1000 - Fees (Table 1002.13 Electricians Board; Plc 1004.07 examination fees) · Plc 1002.13; Plc 1004.07 · New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification / General Court · Admin Rule · verified September 15, 2026Table 1002.13: journeyman electrician application processing and licensing (initial, renewal or reinstatement) $110 for 2 years; master electrician $198 for 2 years; apprentice registration $33 for 12 months; high/medium voltage electrician $198. Plc 1004.07 (eff. 10-8-25): journeyman electrician examination $90; master electrician examination $90; re-licensing examination $70.
N.H. Code of Administrative Rules Plc 300 - Part Plc 313 Licensure by Endorsement (Plc 313.01, 313.11, 313.24) · Plc 313.01, Plc 313.11, Plc 313.24 · New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification / General Court · Admin Rule · verified September 15, 2026Plc 313.01(b): the origin license must be from a jurisdiction with substantially similar requirements, not temporary, unencumbered, active and not suspended, revoked or surrendered. Plc 313.24 (eff. 5-3-24, #13954): the origin jurisdiction must use the same or a later edition of the electrical code as New Hampshire and require, for journeyman, 4 years full-time or 8,000 hours in not more than 6 years as an apprentice in a program with at least 560 hours of education plus a state-approved journeyman exam; for master, at least one year full-time or 2,000 hours in not more than 3 years as a licensed journeyman plus a state-approved master exam; plus one year of professional experience as a licensed journeyman or master respectively. Plc 313.11: an applicant from a jurisdiction that does not meet the criteria may request a waiver under Plc 211 based on education, training and experience.
RSA Chapter 319-C - Electricians · RSA 319-C:7, 319-C:8 · New Hampshire General Court · Statute · verified September 15, 2026RSA 319-C:7, II: the office issues a master or journeyman license to an applicant who completes 8,000 hours of service as an apprentice electrician (the board may credit approved schooling or military experience), not less than 600 hours of education, and passes a board-approved examination. RSA 319-C:8: proctored written or computerized exams including NEC provisions; an applicant who has not passed within one year of application must reapply and pay the fees again. The chapter contains no reciprocity provision of its own.

Verified dates are when a person last opened each source and confirmed the facts above. Cite the board, not us.

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