Do you need a general contractor license in Illinois?

Journeyman level Licensed by cities or counties, not the state What's a journeyman?

The license pathway in Illinois

1. 1

   Worker or apprentice

   No state license. In Chicago, employees and subcontractors working under the supervision and control of a licensed general contractor don't need their own general contractor license. [1][2]

2. 2

   Chicago general contractor, Class E

   • $300 (2026); $305 (2027)
   • Yearly; same as the license fee

   Projects up to $500,000, no demolition. Requires $1 million per occurrence in commercial general liability insurance. [2][7]

3. 3

   Chicago general contractor, Classes D and C

   • Class D $900; Class C $1,300 (2026), $1,350 (2027)
   • Yearly; same as the license fee

   Class D covers projects up to $4 million and Class C up to $10 million, both including ordinary demolition, with $2 million per occurrence in insurance. [2][7]

4. 4

   Chicago general contractor, Classes B and A

   • Class B $1,800; Class A $3,500 (2026); $1,850 and $3,600 (2027)
   • Yearly; same as the license fee

   Class B covers projects up to $20 million with $3 million insurance; Class A has no project limit and needs $5 million. Both allow ordinary or complex demolition. [2][7]

Illinois has no state general contractor license

The Illinois Attorney General's office says "general contractors are not required by state law to be licensed, but municipalities may require permits or have other local requirements." The same notice says roofers must be licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).

So what you need depends on the town. Ask the building department in each city or village where you'll work. [1]

Chicago's general contractor license

Chicago requires a general contractor license for most building construction, alteration, repair and demolition work. You need it before bidding on, doing, hiring or supervising people for, or controlling the methods of a "regulated activity," which includes work that needs a building, sign or demolition permit. Licenses go to businesses, including sole proprietors.

There are five classes:

• Class A: no project limit; ordinary or complex demolition; $5 million insurance per occurrence.
• Class B: projects up to $20 million; ordinary or complex demolition; $3 million.
• Class C: up to $10 million; ordinary demolition; $2 million.
• Class D: up to $4 million; ordinary demolition; $2 million.
• Class E: up to $500,000; no demolition; $1 million.

The application asks for a statement of financial solvency, proof you're authorized to do business in Illinois (not for sole proprietors), proof of insurance from an insurer rated B+ or better, and photo ID. Continental Testing Services processes applications and renewals by mail. A license lasts one year and is inactivated if the insurance policy expires.

You don't need the license if you work under the supervision and control of a licensed general contractor, as an employee or subcontractor. Homeowners have a primary-residence exception for buildings of three or fewer stories with six or fewer units (not for excavation or demolition). Chicago general contractors doing residential work must also follow the city's consumer protection rules for home repair companies. [2][6]

Chicago fees

Calendar year 2026 license and renewal fees: Class A $3,500, Class B $1,800, Class C $1,300, Class D $900, Class E $300. From Jan. 1, 2027: Class A $3,600, Class B $1,850, Class C $1,350, Class D $900, Class E $305. A reinstatement fee of $100 applies for each year or part of a year the license has been expired. [2][7]

Other cities: Aurora

Aurora asks contractors to register with its Division of Building and Permits. Its contractor registration application lists a $200 fee for a general contractor registration and a certificate of insurance naming the city ($1,000,000 general aggregate with $500,000 per occurrence) plus workers' compensation. The business must be registered with the Secretary of State or have a county DBA certificate. See the city's contractor licensing page. [8][9]

State rules for home repair and remodeling

Illinois's Home Repair and Remodeling Act covers fixing, replacing, altering, improving or adding to a home (other than maintenance, service or repairs under $500). Any business doing this work must carry liability and property damage insurance of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per occurrence for bodily injury and $50,000 per occurrence for property damage, unless it has a net worth of at least $1,000,000.

Before starting a job over $1,000, the business must give the customer a written contract or work order stating the total cost and the business's name and address. It must also hand out the state's "Home Repair: Know Your Consumer Rights" pamphlet; for jobs over $1,000 the customer signs an acknowledgment form. [4][5][10][11]

Trades Illinois does license

• Roofing: IDFPR licenses roofing contractors. A limited license covers homes of 8 units or less; an unlimited license covers residential, commercial and industrial roofs. A designated qualifying party must pass the state exam, and the business posts a bond of $10,000 (limited) or $25,000 (unlimited) and carries liability and workers' compensation insurance.
• Plumbing: All plumbing must be done by Illinois licensed plumbers and licensed apprentice plumbers. See our Illinois plumber license page.
• Electrical: Licensing is local; Chicago licenses electrical contractors and supervising electricians. See our Illinois electrician page.
• HVAC: Towns may license heating, air conditioning and refrigeration contractors. See our Illinois HVAC page.

[1][3][6][12][13][14]

How people get into general contracting in Illinois

Illinois has no license ladder for general contractors, so the way in is building experience on the job. For carpentry, the Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council runs the union carpenters' apprentice and training program, and ABC's Illinois Chapter offers open-shop carpentry training with apprenticeships registered with the U.S. Department of Labor. If you're new to construction, the free Illinois Works pre-apprenticeship prepares adults for registered apprenticeships in the building trades. You can also search the Apprenticeship Job Finder. [1][15][16][17][18]

Steps to get licensed in Illinois

1. Learn the work

   Get hired by a builder or join a carpentry or construction apprenticeship. The state has no general contractor license to hold first. [1][16]

2. Check the rules in each town

   The Attorney General says towns may have their own requirements. Chicago requires a general contractor license; Aurora requires contractor registration. [1][2][8]

3. Get insurance and set up the business

   For home repair or remodeling, carry the insurance the Home Repair and Remodeling Act requires. For a Chicago license, you need insurance for your class, a statement of financial solvency and proof you're authorized to do business in Illinois. [2][4]

4. Apply for the Chicago license (if you work there)

   Continental Testing Services processes Chicago general contractor applications and renewals by mail. Licenses last one year. [2]

5. Use written contracts on home jobs

   Before home repair or remodeling work over $1,000, give the customer a signed written contract with the total cost and the state's consumer rights pamphlet. [5][11]

Where to get the hours

Programs that train general contractors in or for Illinois, from their own official pages. Listed by type, not ranked.

• Union

  Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council Apprentice and Training Program

  The apprentice and training program of the carpenters' union regional council, which represents members in Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska. Its training page doesn't post application dates or entry requirements, so contact the council for current openings. [15][19]

• Open shop

  Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), Illinois Chapter

  Non-union contractor association whose craft training includes carpentry, plus a required CORE course; ABC apprenticeships are registered with the U.S. Department of Labor. [16]

• School

  Illinois Works pre-apprenticeship (Danville Area Community College)

  A free 185-hour program that prepares you to enter a registered apprenticeship in the construction and building trades. [17]

• Other

  U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship Job Finder

  Search registered carpentry and construction apprenticeships anywhere in Illinois. [18]

Licensed in another state?

Questions people ask