Skip to content
State files updated Oct 27, 2026
Look up a contractor
MenuClose

Home / Licensing / Illinois

Illinois contractor licenseWhat you need instead

Illinois has no state general contractor license. Cities and counties license them. The state licenses plumbing and roofing contractors.

Who licenses contractors in Illinois instead?

General contracting is licensed locally, so check with the city or county where the job is. Electrical, plumbing and other trade work can still need a state license; the list below shows which.

The plumbing contractor license has the most published detail; its hours, exam and fees are on the plumbing page.

Licensing rules for Chicago, Aurora and Joliet are below.

City licensing in Illinois

These are the rules in Illinois's largest cities. Other cities and counties set their own, so check with the one where the job is.

Illinois · city rules

Chicago

Who
A Chicago general contractor license is required for most building construction, alteration, repair and demolition work in the city. City-licensed electrical, plumbing, mason and drain layer contractors working within their own license, and subcontractors working under a licensed general contractor, do not need one.3
Licenses
Five classes by project value: Class A unlimited, Class B up to $20 million, Class C up to $10 million, Class D up to $4 million, Class E up to $500,000.3
Insurance
General liability per occurrence: $5 million for Class A, $3 million for Class B, $2 million for Classes C and D, $1 million for Class E. The insurer must be rated B+ or better by A.M. Best.3
Fees
2026 license and renewal fees: Class A $3,500, Class B $1,800, Class C $1,300, Class D $900, Class E $300.3
Renewal
Licenses are valid for one year. Continental Testing Services handles renewals by mail. A license goes inactive if its insurance policy lapses.3

Exam and bond: check with Chicago Department of Buildings. Chicago Department of Buildings

Illinois · city rules

Aurora

Who
General, roofing, HVAC, electrical, elevator, fire suppression and sign contractors register with Aurora Development Services before they work in the city.4
Licenses
General, roofing (commercial, or up to 8 units), HVAC, electrical (commercial or residential), elevator, fire alarm, fire suppression, plumbing, fence, driveway, dumpster and sign registrations.4
Exam
Electrical and HVAC contractors need a qualifying partner or officer who holds the matching ICC certification or passed the test in a municipality Aurora accepts.4
Bond
A $5,000 surety bond is required only for dumpsters or obstructions in the right-of-way.4
Insurance
$1,000,000 general aggregate with $500,000 per occurrence, naming Aurora as primary and non-contributory additional insured, plus Illinois statutory workers' comp.4
Fees
$200 registration fee for general, roofing, HVAC, electrical, elevator, fire suppression and sign contractors.4

Renewal: check with Aurora Development Services, Division of Building and Permits. Aurora Development Services, Division of Building and Permits

Illinois · city rules

Joliet

Licensing rules: check with Joliet Building and Inspectional Services Division. Joliet Building and Inspectional Services Division

Electrical, plumbing and HVAC licenses in Illinois

Sources

  1. Illinois Department of Public Health: who needs a license (ilga.gov, 2026-10-27)
  2. Illinois Department of Public Health: fees (dph.illinois.gov, 2026-10-27)
  3. Chicago: who (chicago.gov, 2026-10-28)
  4. Aurora: who (aurora.il.us, 2026-10-28)
  5. IDFPR Division of Professional Regulation - Roofing Contractor (idfpr.illinois.gov, 2026-10-27)
  6. Illinois Department of Public Health - Plumbing Program (dph.illinois.gov, 2026-10-27)