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Licenses by State

How to check if a contractor is licensed in Illinois

Edited by John Voll. Last verified .

In Illinois, the state keeps license or registration records for plumbing contractors and roofing contractors, and each has an official lookup or board listed below. For general contractors, electrical contractors and HVAC contractors, our survey found no state-level license, so check with the city or county where the work is done. Check the record before you sign a contract or pay a deposit, and treat the board's own record as final.

Which board covers which trade

TradeWho keeps the recordOfficial lookup
General contractorCity or countyOur survey of official Illinois sources found no state-level general contractor license. Check with the city or county where the work is done.
ElectricalCity or countyOur survey of official Illinois sources found no state-level electrical contractor license. Check with the city or county where the work is done.
PlumbingIllinois Department of Public Health, Plumbing ProgramSearch plumbing licenses

We could not load this lookup when we checked, so confirm the link on the board site.

HVACCity or countyOur survey of official Illinois sources found no state-level HVAC contractor license. Check with the city or county where the work is done.
RoofingIllinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)Search roofing licenses

Local licensing offices

JurisdictionAgencyCredentialsLookup
City of ChicagoChicago Department of Buildings sourceGeneral contractor license (Class A to Class E), Electrical contractor license (General, Low Voltage), Plumbing contractor licenseSearch City of Chicago licenses
Unincorporated Cook CountyCook County Department of Building and Zoning sourceContractor registration (per trade, including electrical and plumbing)Search Unincorporated Cook County licenses
City of RockfordCity of Rockford Construction & Development Services sourceElectrical contractor registrationNo online lookup found

Step by step

  1. Ask the city or county building department where the work is done how they license general contractors.
  2. For plumbing work, also check the plumbing contractor lookup from Illinois Department of Public Health.
    Open the lookup
  3. For roofing work, also check the roofing contractor lookup from IDFPR.
    Open the lookup
  4. Check a roofing contractor's license on the IDFPR License Lookup. source Check a plumber's license on the IDPH Plumbing License Verification tool. source A roofing contractor must show its state roofing license name and number on all contracts, bids and advertisements for roofing work. source Plumbing ads must show the plumbing license number; sharing a number can bring a $1,000 fine. source In Chicago, check a general, electrical or plumbing contractor on the Department of Buildings Licensed Contractors site, which also shows recently expired or inactivated licenses. source

If the contractor is not licensed, or you have a complaint

  • Report a roofing contractor to IDFPR at 312-814-6910 or on its website. source
  • Report suspected contractor fraud to your State's Attorney or the Illinois Attorney General. source

Homeowner protections in Illinois

  • Any home repair or remodeling job over $1,000 needs a written contract stating the total cost and the business name and address. source
  • For contracts over $1,000 the contractor must give you the Home Repair: Know Your Consumer Rights pamphlet before you sign. source
  • You have 3 business days to cancel a contract signed at your home. source
  • Homeowners 65 or older can cancel within 15 business days a contract signed at home with an uninvited solicitor. source
  • Every home repair and remodeling business must carry liability insurance of $100,000 per person, $300,000 per occurrence bodily injury and $50,000 property damage, unless its net worth is at least $1,000,000. source
  • Before roofing work starts, the roofer must give you a written contract signed by both sides listing the scope, dates and contact details. source
  • Ask for a signed, notarized Sworn Statement listing subcontractors and suppliers before you pay, to guard against liens. source
  • In Chicago, a licensed general contractor doing residential work must follow the same consumer protection rules as a licensed home repair company. source
  • A Chicago plumbing contractor must file a $20,000 performance bond with the City Clerk before its license is issued. source

Questions

How do I check if a contractor is licensed 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. For electrical, plumbing, HVAC or roofing work, use that trade's official lookup in the table on this page where the state keeps one.
What can I do if a contractor in Illinois is not licensed?
Report a roofing contractor to IDFPR at 312-814-6910 or on its website. Report suspected contractor fraud to your State's Attorney or the Illinois Attorney General.

All Illinois licensing rules by trade

Sources

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.