Quick answer: Illinois licenses only two building trades statewide, plumbers (through the Illinois Department of Public Health) and roofing contractors (through IDFPR). There is no statewide license for general contractors, electricians, HVAC, painters, carpenters, landscapers or handymen, those are governed by local municipalities such as the City of Chicago, which does require licenses for general contractors and electricians.
The table below shows which trades require a license in Illinois and which agency, state or local, is responsible.
Which trades need a license in Illinois?
| Trade | State license required? | Licensing body |
|---|---|---|
| Plumber | Yes (state) | Licensed statewide by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), not IDFPR. Requires a licensed apprenticeship and a state exam. |
| Electrician | Local | No statewide electrician license. Regulated by municipalities, e.g. Chicago issues Supervising Electrician and Electrical Contractor licenses through its Department of Buildings. |
| HVAC | Local | No statewide HVAC license. Handled locally; the City of Chicago has no trade-specific HVAC license, so HVAC firms typically work under a general contractor license and permits. |
| General Contractor | Local | No statewide GC license. Requirements are set by local government, e.g. the City of Chicago requires a general contractor license (classes A–E by project value). |
| Roofer | Yes (state) | Licensed statewide by IDFPR as a Roofing Contractor (Limited or Unlimited), with a qualifying party who passes a state exam. |
| Painter | No (state) | No statewide painter license. Local business registration or home-repair rules may apply in some municipalities. |
| Carpenter | No (state) | No statewide carpenter license. Work is regulated through local permits and building codes; a Chicago general contractor license may be needed for structural work there. |
| Landscaper | No (state) | No statewide landscaper license (a Landscape Architect is a separate IDFPR design profession). Local business rules may apply. |
| Handyman | No (state) | No statewide handyman license. In Chicago, paid residential repair work requires a Home Repair (or General Contractor) license and consumer-protection compliance. |
| Cleaner | No | No state or trade license for cleaning services; only a general local business license may apply. |
"Local" means no statewide license exists, so requirements depend on the city or county where the work is performed, most notably the City of Chicago.
State-licensed trades: plumbing and roofing
Illinois licenses only a small set of building trades at the state level. Plumbers are licensed by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), not IDFPR. To become a licensed plumber you must work as a licensed apprentice plumber for roughly four years under a sponsoring licensed plumber, complete approved coursework, and pass the state licensing exam; licenses renew annually by April 30 and require continuing education. Roofing contractors are licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). Illinois offers a Limited Roofing License (residential properties of eight units or fewer) and an Unlimited Roofing License (residential, commercial and industrial), and each licensed business must have a qualifying party who passes the state roofing exam and is active in daily operations.
No statewide license: electricians, HVAC and general contractors
Illinois has no statewide license for general contractors, electricians or HVAC installers. Because the state does not issue these licenses, requirements are set by each unit of local government, so a contractor must meet the rules of every city or county where they work. Many suburbs and counties operate their own registration or licensing programs, and the specific thresholds, exams and fees vary from town to town. The most consequential jurisdiction is the City of Chicago, which licenses several of these trades directly through its Department of Buildings.
Chicago requirements
In the City of Chicago, most building construction, alteration, repair and demolition requires a General Contractor license, issued in classes (A through E) that cap the value of work a firm may perform, with applications processed by Continental Testing Services for the Department of Buildings. Electrical work requires a licensed Electrical Contractor that employs at least one Supervising Electrician (a city license earned by experience and a written exam). Chicago has no trade-specific HVAC license; HVAC/ventilation/refrigeration firms generally work under a general contractor license and city permits. Residential repair work also falls under Chicago's Home Repair rules, which require a Home Repair or General Contractor license, at least $300,000 in general-liability insurance, and written estimates before work begins.
Trades with no state license (painters, carpenters, landscapers, handymen, cleaners)
Painters, carpenters, landscapers, handymen and cleaners have no Illinois state license. That does not always mean no rules apply: local governments may require a general business license, and in Chicago paid residential repair work of almost any kind is subject to Home Repair consumer-protection requirements (licensing, insurance and written contracts). Structural, electrical or plumbing components of a project may still trigger a licensed trade or a Chicago general contractor license, even if the core craft itself is unlicensed. Always confirm requirements with the specific municipality before bidding work.
How to get licensed in Illinois
- Identify your trade and where you'll work: only plumbing (IDPH) and roofing (IDFPR) are licensed statewide, everything else depends on local rules.
- For plumbing, register as a licensed apprentice plumber with IDPH, complete the required years of supervised experience and approved coursework, then apply for and pass the state plumber exam.
- For roofing, have your qualifying party apply to IDFPR and pass the roofing contractor exam (via Continental Testing Services), then obtain the company's Limited or Unlimited Roofing license.
- For general contracting, electrical or HVAC work, check the licensing rules of each city or county where you operate, in Chicago, apply through the Department of Buildings / Continental Testing Services for the relevant GC or electrical license.
- Carry the required insurance, renew licenses on schedule (plumber licenses renew annually by April 30; Chicago trade licenses are typically valid one year), and follow local home-repair consumer-protection rules such as written estimates.
Ready to price your work? Build a quote with the free estimate generator, or invoice from your phone with BIG INVOICE.
Frequently asked questions
Does Illinois have a statewide general contractor license?
No. Illinois does not issue a state general contractor license. Requirements are set by local government, for example the City of Chicago requires a general contractor license for most construction work, while other municipalities have their own rules.
Who licenses plumbers in Illinois?
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) licenses plumbers statewide, not IDFPR. Licensure requires a multi-year licensed apprenticeship, approved coursework, and passing the state plumber exam, with annual renewal and continuing education.
Do electricians need a state license in Illinois?
No, there is no statewide electrician license. Electricians are licensed by municipalities. In Chicago, electrical work must be done by a licensed Electrical Contractor employing a Supervising Electrician licensed by the Department of Buildings.
Is a handyman required to be licensed in Illinois?
There is no statewide handyman license. However, local rules can apply, in Chicago, paid residential repair work requires a Home Repair or General Contractor license, liability insurance, and written estimates before work begins.
Sources: Illinois IDFPR, IDFPR Roofing Contractor, Illinois DPH Plumbing, City of Chicago General Contractor License, City of Chicago Supervising Electrician License, City of Chicago Home Repair Licensing, 2025. Licensing rules change — always confirm current requirements with the relevant state board and your local city before you work.