Do you need a general contractor license in Illinois?

What our research found about general contractor licensing in Illinois, and what to check with the city or county where you work.

Full rule details

Verified dataLast checked Oct 17, 2026, next review due July 2027

Informational: verify with the issuing board.

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Short answer

Illinois does not issue a state general contractor license. Licensing is handled by cities and counties.

What our research found

Illinois has no statewide general contractor license; general contracting is not on the IDFPR list of regulated professions. Cities and counties license general contractors (for example, the City of Chicago Department of Buildings licenses general contractors in Classes A to E based on project value). Roofing and plumbing are licensed separately at the state level. The Illinois Home Repair and Remodeling Act sets rules for residential repair contracts but is not a license.

Who handles it, per our sources: Local municipalities / counties (e.g., City of Chicago Dept. of Buildings)

What to check locally

Call the building or permit office of the city or county where the job is. Ask whether it needs a local general contractor license or a contractor registration before you pull a permit.
Ask what keeps that local license current: the renewal date, the fee, any bond or insurance certificate, and any continuing education.
Check each city or county you work in on its own. Each one sets its own rules, fees and renewal dates.
Read the notes above for anything the state still requires, such as a business registration, a tax license or a license for related trade work.

Track local licenses, bonds and insurance dates

No state general contractor license (local only)

Local / county license · Local municipalities / counties (e.g., City of Chicago Dept. of Buildings)

Remind me before this expires

Renew on the official site

We did not find online renewal for this license, so the link may open the board site.

Renewal cycle: Not published, check with the board
Continuing education: Set by your city or county
Deadline rule: Not published, check with the board

Show fees, grace period, bond and insurance

Grace period: Not published, check with the board

Fees, approximate

Renewal fee: Check the official site for the fee.
Late fee: Check the official site for the fee.

Fees change. Check the official site for the exact amount.

Why approximate?

Boards change fees often and some charge extra processing fees. We show a recent amount so you can plan.

Bond: Not required
Insurance: Not required
Reciprocity: Not published, check with the board

Notes

MediumLast checked Oct 17, 2026

Sources (1)

https://idfpr.illinois.gov/profs/proflist.html

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Illinois General contractor licensing questions

Answers come from the records above. Informational: verify with the issuing board.

Do you need a state general contractor license in Illinois?

No. Illinois does not issue a state general contractor license. Licensing is handled by cities and counties. Illinois has no statewide general contractor license; general contracting is not on the IDFPR list of regulated professions. Cities and counties license general contractors (for example, the City of Chicago Department of Buildings licenses general contractors in Classes A to E based on project value). Roofing and plumbing are licensed separately at the state level. The Illinois Home Repair and Remodeling Act sets rules for residential repair contracts but is not a license. Check with the city or county where the job is before you start work.

Who handles general contractor licensing in Illinois?

Our records point to: Local municipalities / counties (e.g., City of Chicago Dept. of Buildings) Rules differ from one city or county to the next, so check with the one where the job is.

Sources

https://idfpr.illinois.gov/profs/proflist.html

Spot something out of date?

Informational only. Check it with the issuing board. Licensing rules, deadlines and CE requirements change, fee amounts are approximate, and this page can be out of date. It is not legal advice, and we are not affiliated with any state board. Read the disclaimer.

This information is here to help you plan, not to replace the board. Fee amounts are approximate and may be out of date. Deadlines and continuing education rules change too, sometimes without much notice. Always confirm with your licensing board and its official site before you rely on a date or an amount. This is not legal advice.

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