Electrician License from Illinois to Louisiana: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) — electrical CONTRACTOR licensing only; no statewide journeyman/master electrician license ↗
No — Louisiana has no reciprocity or endorsement path for Illinois electrical license holders. You must apply to the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) — electrical CONTRACTOR licensing only; no statewide journeyman/master electrician license as a new applicant and meet Louisiana's full licensing requirements, including its exams.
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Verdict
Full re-application
There is nothing to transfer into Louisiana, and it has nothing to do with Illinois: Louisiana issues no statewide electrician license. Licensing is handled by city and county building departments, so your Illinois license is neither accepted nor rejected at the state level — it is simply not the right unit. Identify the Louisiana jurisdiction where you will work and apply to that local authority; the requirements and fees are set there, not by a state board.
What changes, Illinois → Louisiana
| Illinois (current) | Louisiana (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | No statewide fee; fees are set by each municipality | No statewide journeyman fee — set by the local parish/city. The LSLBC electrical contractor (company) license carries its own separate fee. |
| Processing time | Set by each municipality; there is no statewide process | Not applicable at the state level for a journeyman license. |
| Licensing authority | No statewide board — electrician licensing is municipal (e.g., City of Chicago Department of Buildings) | Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) — electrical CONTRACTOR licensing only; no statewide journeyman/master electrician license |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Louisiana sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Review Louisiana's initial-licensure requirements on the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) — electrical CONTRACTOR licensing only; no statewide journeyman/master electrician license website (linked below).
- Expect to meet Louisiana's education/experience requirements and pass its required exams — prior out-of-state licensure may still count toward experience.
- Submit the standard (new applicant) application with fees (No statewide journeyman fee — set by the local parish/city. The LSLBC electrical contractor (company) license carries its own separate fee.).
- Allow Not applicable at the state level for a journeyman license..
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Louisiana accept a Illinois electrician license?
No — Louisiana has no reciprocity or endorsement path for Illinois electrical license holders. You must apply to the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) — electrical CONTRACTOR licensing only; no statewide journeyman/master electrician license as a new applicant and meet Louisiana's full licensing requirements, including its exams.
Which exam will I take moving from Illinois to Louisiana?
Not applicable to a journeyman credential — Louisiana issues no statewide journeyman or master electrician license; journeyman licensing (and any exam) is handled by the parish or city.
What does the Illinois-to-Louisiana move cost and how long does it take?
No statewide journeyman fee — set by the local parish/city. The LSLBC electrical contractor (company) license carries its own separate fee.; processing Not applicable at the state level for a journeyman license..
Who do I apply to if Louisiana has no state license?
The city or county building or electrical department covering your jobsite. Louisiana sets electrician licensing locally, so there is no statewide application — confirm the requirements with the specific Louisiana jurisdiction where you will work.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- LSLBC — Examinations/Classifications (electrical classifications; contractor licensing) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- LSLBC — Types of Licenses ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- LSLBC — Reciprocity ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- City of Chicago — Trade Licensing (Department of Buildings) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- City of Chicago — Supervising Electrician License (municipal exam/licensing) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- City of Chicago — Electrical Contractor License ↗ (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]