Does Illinois require a general contractor license?
Edited by John Voll. Last verified .
Our survey of official Illinois sources found no state-level general contractor license. Check with the city or county where the work is done. The main local licensing offices are listed below.
Who licenses general contractor work in Illinois
| Credential | No state license: cities and counties |
|---|---|
| Board | None at state level (counties and municipalities license contractors) |
| Official lookup | No state lookup: check with the city or county. |
Where licensing happens locally
These local offices license trades in Illinois. Check the credential list for general contractor work, and ask the building department where the work is done if your city is not listed.
| Jurisdiction | Agency | Credentials | Lookup |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of Chicago | Chicago Department of Buildings source | General contractor license (Class A to Class E), Electrical contractor license (General, Low Voltage), Plumbing contractor license | Search City of Chicago licenses |
| Unincorporated Cook County | Cook County Department of Building and Zoning source | Contractor registration (per trade, including electrical and plumbing) | Search Unincorporated Cook County licenses |
| City of Rockford | City of Rockford Construction & Development Services source | Electrical contractor registration | No online lookup found |
Hiring a general contractor?
See every official lookup in Illinois, which board covers which trade, and what to check before you hire.
Questions
- Do you need a general contractor license in Illinois?
- Our survey of official Illinois sources found no state-level general contractor license. Check with the city or county where the work is done.
Other trades in Illinois
- Electrical license in Illinois
- Plumbing license in Illinois
- HVAC license in Illinois
- Roofing license in Illinois
- All Illinois trades
General contractor license in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
- https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/bldgs/provdrs/licenses/svcs/infocenter.html
- https://webapps1.chicago.gov/licensedcontractors/home
- https://www.cookcountyil.gov/service/contractor-registration
- https://secure.cookcountyil.gov/BZ/contractors_info
- https://rockfordil.gov/448/Electrical-Permits
This is not a government site. The licensing board's own record governs; always confirm on the official lookup. Information as of October 6, 2026.