Contractor License from Illinois to New Hampshire: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) - Electricians Board (no state general-contractor license) ↗
A contractor license transfers from Illinois to New Hampshire by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) - Electricians Board (no state general-contractor license), verify your Illinois license, and meet New Hampshire's endorsement requirements. Under HB 594 (2023), New Hampshire issues an electrician license by endorsement to an applicant holding an active license in good standing from a jurisdiction whose requirements are substantially similar to New Hampshire, evaluated case-by-case rather than from a fixed reciprocal-state list. New Hampshire has no state general-contractor license..
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Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
New Hampshire does not have a trade agreement covering Illinois for the selected trade, so this move runs on New Hampshire's case-by-case endorsement process. If you do commercial general-building work, check whether New Hampshire accepts the NASCLA exam — passing it once can replace the trade exam here and in about fourteen other states. Electricians should check New Hampshire's NERA status.
What changes, Illinois → New Hampshire
| Illinois (current) | New Hampshire (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | No reciprocity/endorsement fee exists because there is no reciprocity path; standard plumber licensing fees apply and were not captured. | Electrician license fees are set by OPLC; not captured here to avoid an unverified figure. |
| Processing time | Not applicable — no reciprocity path. | Not published. |
| Licensing authority | Illinois Department of Public Health — Plumbing Program (general contractors are licensed municipally) | New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) - Electricians Board (no state general-contractor license) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — New Hampshire sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm New Hampshire's current requirements on the New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) - Electricians Board (no state general-contractor license) website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) - Electricians Board (no state general-contractor license) (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Hold an active electrician license in good standing from a jurisdiction with requirements substantially similar to New Hampshire.
- Apply through the OPLC Electricians Board (endorsement pathway under HB 594).
- General building contractors are not licensed at the state level in New Hampshire.
- Pay the fees (Electrician license fees are set by OPLC; not captured here to avoid an unverified figure.) and allow Not published..
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does New Hampshire accept a Illinois contractor license?
A contractor license transfers from Illinois to New Hampshire by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) - Electricians Board (no state general-contractor license), verify your Illinois license, and meet New Hampshire's endorsement requirements. Under HB 594 (2023), New Hampshire issues an electrician license by endorsement to an applicant holding an active license in good standing from a jurisdiction whose requirements are substantially similar to New Hampshire, evaluated case-by-case rather than from a fixed reciprocal-state list. New Hampshire has no state general-contractor license..
What still applies even if reciprocity covers my trade?
New Hampshire's business and law exam, financial statement, bond, and registration — reciprocity waives the trade exam only, not these.
What does the Illinois-to-New Hampshire move cost and how long does it take?
Electrician license fees are set by OPLC; not captured here to avoid an unverified figure.; processing Not published..
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 New Hampshire is one on the New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) - Electricians Board (no state general-contractor license) site.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- NH OPLC - Reciprocity Licensing (HB 594) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- NH OPLC - Applications for Electricians ↗ (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]