Electrician License from Illinois to Washington: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Does Washington accept an Illinois electrician license?
There is no Illinois state license to carry to Washington: Illinois issues no statewide journeyman electrician license. Washington does license this work, so ask the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) - Electrical Program whether it credits a local license or your documented experience; otherwise you qualify as a new applicant.
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Verdict
No state license to transfer
The issue on this move is the starting point: Illinois issues no statewide journeyman or master electrician license, so there is no Illinois state license for Washington to verify, endorse or reciprocate. Washington does license electricians, through the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) - Electrical Program, and it licenses out-of-state electricians by endorsement — but that route starts from a state license. Ask the board, in writing, whether it credits a local Illinois license or your documented hours; otherwise plan for its new-applicant route and exam. Washington waives its (01) general journey level exam only for eligible Oregon licensees; applicants from every other state must meet Washington's 8,000-hour experience and classroom requirements and pass the Washington (01) examination.
What's different between Illinois and Washington
Computed from both states' verified data rows, in both directions, and from the route every other origin gets into Washington. Exam notes are our summary of each board's published rules, with sources below.
- Route, each way
Illinois to Washington (this page): No state license to transfer.
Washington to Illinois (the reverse move): No state license to transfer.
Illinois issues no statewide journeyman electrician license, so neither direction is a state-license transfer.
- Does coming from Illinois matter?
Coming from Illinois matters here: only 13 of 50 origins (the other 49 states and DC) get this result for a move into Washington.
The others get: licensure by endorsement (36) and reciprocity agreement (1).
- Reciprocity agreements
Washington's reciprocity agreement list names 1 state (Oregon), not including Illinois.
- Fee and processing
Illinois issues no statewide journeyman electrician license, so there is no Illinois state license application fee or processing time to compare with Washington's.
- Experience hours
Washington's first-time-applicant standard is 8,000 hours of documented experience for the journeyman license; Illinois sets none at state level because it issues no statewide journeyman electrician license.
- Exam rules on record
Washington and Illinois carry different exam notes (our summaries, below); any state law or jurisprudence exam is listed with each state's requirements.
- Washington (this move): Washington waives its (01) general journey level exam only for eligible Oregon licensees; applicants from every other state must meet Washington's 8,000-hour experience and classroom requirements and pass the Washington (01) examination
- Illinois (the reverse move): Illinois has no statewide electrician license, so there is no state exam to waive or transfer; each municipality sets its own exam and licensing rules (for example, the City of Chicago administers its own Supervising Electrician examination through Continental Testing Services)
What changes, Illinois → Washington
| Illinois (current) | Washington (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Experience hours | — | 8,000 |
| Application fee | No statewide fee; fees are set by each municipality | $114.60 ($114.60 reciprocal application fee ($44.20 non-refundable after submission); paid by check or money order (no online payment)) |
| Processing time | Set by each municipality; there is no statewide process | L&I does not publish a decision timeframe for reciprocal certificates |
| Licensing authority | No statewide board — electrician licensing is municipal (e.g., City of Chicago Department of Buildings) | Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) - Electrical Program |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Washington sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Review Washington's requirements on the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) - Electrical Program website (linked below) — rules change.
- Ask the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) - Electrical Program whether it credits a local Illinois license or your documented experience: Illinois issues no statewide journeyman electrician license, so there is no state license to verify.
- Otherwise apply as a new applicant: meet Washington's education/experience requirements and pass the exams it requires.
- Submit the application with fees listed above, and allow for the processing time shown there.
Official links
Related guides
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- WA L&I - Electrician (licensing, exams, education) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- WA L&I - Application for a Reciprocal 01 General Journey Level Electrician Certificate (F500-148-000) ↗ (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 the License Reciprocity Editorial Team · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
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