Codes & permits
Illinois plumber licensing explained
Who licenses plumbers in Illinois, what the difference is between a license and a contractor registration, and how to check both.
Calls are answered by a referral service that connects you with a local plumbing provider. How this works
The agency
Plumbing in Illinois is regulated by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) under the Illinois Plumbing License Law (225 ILCS 320) and the Illinois Plumbing Code (77 Ill. Adm. Code 890).
Source: Illinois Department of Public Health — Plumbing Program; Illinois Plumbing License Law (225 ILCS 320)
Licenses vs. registration
| Credential | Applies to | Renewal |
|---|---|---|
| Plumber’s license | An individual | Annually; licenses expire April 30 |
| Apprentice plumber’s license | An individual in training, under supervision | Annually; expire April 30 |
| Plumbing contractor registration | The business | Annually; expires the last day of September |
Insurance for contractor registration
The statute requires an insurance certificate for registration, with minimum general liability for bodily injury of $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 aggregate, property damage of $50,000 (or a $300,000 combined single limit), and workers’ compensation employer’s liability of $500,000.
Continuing education
Licensed plumbers must complete four hours of continuing education from IDPH-approved sponsors for each annual renewal after the first.
Source: 68 Ill. Adm. Code 750.500 — plumber continuing education
Advertising
Under 225 ILCS 320/5, a person providing plumbing services may not advertise them unless the advertisement includes the plumbing license number required to be displayed at the place of business; the number must also appear with plumbing identification on vehicles.
How to check a plumber
- Ask for the individual license number and the business’s IDPH contractor registration.
- Use IDPH’s license verification, linked from the IDPH Plumbing page.
- For work in Chicago, also check the City’s licensed plumbing contractor list.
- Ask who will pull the permit.
State vs. local
Licensing is a State function. Municipalities run permits and inspections and may require documentation with permit applications. Chicago is a special case with its own plumber and contractor licensing. Chicago rules
What we could not confirm
- Apprentice supervision ratios.
- Current IDPH registration fee.
- Whether the Illinois Plumbing Code has been re-adopted in a newer edition since 2014.
Check with the official source before relying on these points.
Frequently asked questions
Is a plumber’s license the same as a contractor registration?
No. An individual plumber’s license shows that a person is licensed to do plumbing. A plumbing contractor registration with IDPH applies to the business and requires proof of insurance. Ask about both.
Does a State license let a plumber work in Chicago?
Not by itself. The City of Chicago requires plumbing contractors to hold a City plumbing contractor license as well.
Do suburbs license plumbers too?
Plumber licensing is a State function, but municipalities run their own permits and may require paperwork such as a copy of the State license or other documentation with each permit. It varies by municipality.
Sources
- Illinois Department of Public Health — Plumbing Program Official / primary
- Illinois Plumbing License Law (225 ILCS 320) Official / primary
- 225 ILCS 320/5 — license display and advertising Official / primary
- 225 ILCS 320/14 — license expiration and renewal Official / primary
- 68 Ill. Adm. Code 750.500 — plumber continuing education Official / primary
- Illinois Plumbing Code, 77 Ill. Adm. Code 890 Official / primary
- City of Chicago DOB — Plumbing Contractor License Official / primary
Information can change; official sources control.