Contractor License from Illinois to Maine: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Maine Electricians' Examining Board (Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation, Dept. of Professional and Financial Regulation) ↗
A contractor license transfers from Illinois to Maine by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Maine Electricians' Examining Board (Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation, Dept. of Professional and Financial Regulation), verify your Illinois license, and meet Maine's endorsement requirements. Maine has NO state-level general or residential contractor license, so there is no GC exam to transfer. For the licensed electrical trade, the Electricians' Examining Board grants licenses by reciprocity to holders of equivalent licenses from agreement states (verification of the out-of-state license required in lieu of the Maine exam)..
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Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
Maine does not have a trade agreement covering Illinois for the selected trade, so this move runs on Maine's case-by-case endorsement process. If you do commercial general-building work, check whether Maine accepts the NASCLA exam — passing it once can replace the trade exam here and in about fourteen other states. Electricians should check Maine's NERA status.
What changes, Illinois → Maine
| Illinois (current) | Maine (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | No reciprocity/endorsement fee exists because there is no reciprocity path; standard plumber licensing fees apply and were not captured. | $171 (Board FAQ states a $171.00 payment for the journeyman reciprocity application; other classes may differ.) |
| Processing time | Not applicable — no reciprocity path. | Not stated by the board. |
| Licensing authority | Illinois Department of Public Health — Plumbing Program (general contractors are licensed municipally) | Maine Electricians' Examining Board (Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation, Dept. of Professional and Financial Regulation) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Maine sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Maine's current requirements on the Maine Electricians' Examining Board (Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation, Dept. of Professional and Financial Regulation) website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Maine Electricians' Examining Board (Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation, Dept. of Professional and Financial Regulation) (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Provide proof of current licensure (verification letter) from the reciprocal state.
- Submit the Electricians' Examining Board reciprocity application (online or PDF) with the required fee.
- Meet Maine continuing-education requirements at renewal (15 hours NEC update course).
- Pay the fees ($171 (Board FAQ states a $171.00 payment for the journeyman reciprocity application; other classes may differ.)) and allow Not stated by the board..
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Maine accept a Illinois contractor license?
A contractor license transfers from Illinois to Maine by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Maine Electricians' Examining Board (Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation, Dept. of Professional and Financial Regulation), verify your Illinois license, and meet Maine's endorsement requirements. Maine has NO state-level general or residential contractor license, so there is no GC exam to transfer. For the licensed electrical trade, the Electricians' Examining Board grants licenses by reciprocity to holders of equivalent licenses from agreement states (verification of the out-of-state license required in lieu of the Maine exam)..
What still applies even if reciprocity covers my trade?
Maine's business and law exam, financial statement, bond, and registration — reciprocity waives the trade exam only, not these.
What does the Illinois-to-Maine move cost and how long does it take?
$171 (Board FAQ states a $171.00 payment for the journeyman reciprocity application; other classes may differ.); processing Not stated by the board..
Would the NASCLA exam help for this move?
If you do commercial general-building work, possibly — about 15 states accept the NASCLA Accredited Commercial General Building exam toward licensure. Check whether Maine is one on the Maine Electricians' Examining Board (Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation, Dept. of Professional and Financial Regulation) site.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- Maine Electricians' Examining Board — FAQ (reciprocity by class) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Maine Electricians' Examining Board — Licensing ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Illinois Department of Public Health — Plumbing (licensing, forms; reciprocity form is Chicago-only) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Illinois IDFPR — Roofing Contractors (no reciprocity provision) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]