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Contractor Licensing Requirements in Illinois

Illinois contractor licensing combines state trade licensing with local requirements. Here's an overview of what contractors need in Illinois.

1 min readBy TimeFotos

Illinois contractor licensing is handled at state level for specific trades and at local level (especially Chicago) for general contracting and additional requirements.

Electricians: Licensed by Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). Chicago has its own additional licensing.

Plumbers: Licensed by IDFPR. Master Plumber license required for most plumbing work.

HVAC: No state-wide HVAC contractor license; local requirements vary. EPA 608 required for refrigerant handling.

General contractors: No state license; Chicago requires registration and in some cases licensing at the city level.

Always verify Chicago-specific requirements if working within city limits — they're often stricter than state minimums.

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