Illinois Contractor License Lookup

Illinois has no state general contractor license; cities and counties set their own rules. Roofers need a state license and plumbers a state plumbing license. See the state rules for trades and where to check a license. Runs in your browser; nothing is stored.

Illinois rules checked against official sources on October 25, 2026.

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Labor and materials together, in dollars. Leave it blank to see the state's dollar limits.

Illinois: Remodel, repair or home improvement

Illinois does not license this work statewide.

Illinois does not license general contractors at the state level. Cities and counties may require permits or have their own contractor rules. Source

City and county licenses: Cities and counties may require permits or have other local contractor requirements. Check with your local government before hiring. Source

This summarises state rules from official sources. Only the board's own record can confirm one contractor's license. Checked October 25, 2026.

How Illinois licenses contractors

Illinois has no state general contractor license; cities and counties set their own rules. Roofers need a state license and plumbers a state plumbing license. Illinois Attorney General consumer alert (2024)

Cities and counties may require permits or have other local contractor requirements. Check with your local government before hiring. (source)

Anyone who practices or offers roofing without an Illinois license can be ordered to pay a civil penalty of up to $15,000 for each offense. 225 ILCS 335/10a(a)

Rules by type of work

Remodel, repair or home improvement

Illinois does not license general contractors at the state level. Cities and counties may require permits or have their own contractor rules. Illinois Attorney General consumer alert (2024)

Building a new home

Illinois does not license general contractors, including home builders, at the state level. Check with the city or county where the home is being built. Illinois Attorney General consumer alert (2024)

Electrical work and HVAC

We could not confirm a statewide Illinois rule for this work from official sources. Ask the contractor which license covers it, check that license with the agency that issued it, and ask your city or county building department.

Plumbing

  • state plumbing license (plumbing contractors also register): Plumbing in Illinois must be done by a plumber licensed by the Illinois Department of Public Health, and plumbing contractors must also register with the state. No dollar minimum applies. Issued by Illinois Department of Public Health, Plumbing Program. 225 ILCS 320/3(1)
    • All plumbing contractors must register with the state and pay an annual fee.
    • An owner or lessee living in a single-family home may do the plumbing on that home themselves, if it meets the Illinois State Plumbing Code and passes any required inspection.

Roofing

  • state roofing contractor license: Roofing work in Illinois may only be done by a roofing contractor licensed by IDFPR, whatever the job size. A local building permit for roofing should not be issued without proof of the state license. Issued by Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (roofing contractors). 225 ILCS 335/9(2); 335/11(3); 335/5(a-3)
    • Not required for roofing work on a person's own property or work done for no pay.
    • A limited roofing license covers only residential properties of 8 units or less.

Where to look up contractors in Illinois

  • Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (roofing contractors): official license search
  • Illinois Department of Public Health, Plumbing Program: official website. Use the 'Plumbing License Verification' link on the IDPH Plumbing Program page to check a plumber's license.

On the record, check that the name matches your contract, the status is active (not expired, suspended or revoked), the license type covers your job, and the license number matches the one the contractor gave you.

What this tool does not do

  • It does not check any one contractor. Only the board's own record shows whether a license is active and what it covers.
  • It covers state rules. Cities and counties can add their own licenses and permits, and the tool cannot list every local rule.
  • It does not decide whether a contractor broke the law or what you can recover. For a dispute, contact the board or a lawyer.
  • It does not cover every specialty trade a state licenses (for example pest control, elevators or well drilling).

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I look up a contractor license in Illinois?

Illinois has no statewide license search for general contractors. Ask your city or county building department which license the job needs and how to check it. For trade work, the state boards on this page are: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (roofing contractors) and Illinois Department of Public Health, Plumbing Program.

Does Illinois require a general contractor license?

Illinois does not license general contractors at the state level. Cities and counties may require permits or have their own contractor rules.

Which trades need a state license in Illinois?

Plumbing: state plumbing license (plumbing contractors also register) from the Illinois Department of Public Health, Plumbing Program.

What happens if an Illinois contractor works without a required license?

Anyone who practices or offers roofing without an Illinois license can be ordered to pay a civil penalty of up to $15,000 for each offense.

Sources

Checked against official Illinois sources on October 25, 2026.

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