How HVAC licensing works in Illinois

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

The license pathway in Illinois

1. 1

   Apprentice or helper

   You work for an HVAC contractor or in an apprenticeship. Union programs such as Pipe Fitters Local 597's HVAC Mechanical Service apprenticeship last 5 years, with work 4 days a week and school 1 day. [12]

2. 2

   EPA Section 608 certified technician

   • Yes, through an EPA-approved Section 608 certification program

   Federal rules require certification before you maintain, service, repair or dispose of equipment that could release refrigerants. [5][7]

3. 3

   HVAC contractor (local license or registration)

   • Depends on the town; Aurora accepts the ICC Master Mechanical certification or a test from an accepted town
   • Set by each town (Aurora: $200)

   Towns that license HVAC contractors set their own rules. In Chicago, HVAC contracting runs under the general contractor license. [1][2][4]

Who licenses HVAC work in Illinois

The Illinois law on heating, air conditioning and refrigeration contractors is part of the Illinois Municipal Code (65 ILCS 5/11-32-1). It says each municipality "may" provide for "examination, licensing and regulation of heating, air conditioning and refrigeration contractors," and may appoint a board of examiners to test and license them. The law defines an HVAC contractor as anyone "engaged in the business of installing, altering or servicing" heating, air conditioning or refrigerating systems.

So the rules depend on the town. Before you work or bid on a job, ask that city's or village's building department what it requires. [1]

Chicago: HVAC work under a general contractor

Chicago's Department of Buildings lists the work that needs a city trade license: general building construction, electrical, elevator, mason, plumbing and sewer work, boiler and steam engine operation, crane operation and specialty work. It doesn't list a separate HVAC license.

Instead, the city's general contractor page says subcontractors that don't need a trade license for their kind of work ("for example, a painting subcontractor or HVAC subcontractor") are listed on the permit only if they will schedule permit inspections. They work under the supervision and control of a licensed general contractor. If you contract directly with a property owner rather than under a general contractor, the city says you need your own license and must be listed on the permit. See our Illinois general contractor page for Chicago's license classes and fees. [2][6]

Aurora: HVAC contractor registration

The City of Aurora asks contractors to register with its Division of Building and Permits. Its contractor registration application lists an HVAC registration fee of $200 and requires a certificate of insurance naming the city ($1,000,000 general aggregate with $500,000 per occurrence) and workers' compensation.

A qualifying party takes the test: under the city's rule, that's the sole proprietor, a partner or a corporate officer who supervises the work and is active in the business day to day. Aurora accepts a current International Code Council (ICC) National Standard Master Mechanical certification in place of its own test, or a mechanical test from an accepted town such as Elgin, Freeport, Joliet or Rockford. Details are on the city's contractor licensing page. [3][4]

EPA Section 608 certification

Federal rules apply in every Illinois town. EPA regulations under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act require technicians who maintain, service, repair or dispose of equipment that could release ozone-depleting refrigerants to be certified. Certification comes through EPA-approved technician certification programs, which EPA lists on its certification programs page. Read our EPA 608 certification guide for the certification types and how to test. [5][7]

Rules for residential HVAC jobs

Illinois's Home Repair and Remodeling Act covers work on homes, and its definition names "central air conditioning, central heating, boilers, furnaces." A 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.

For jobs over $1,000, the business must give the customer a written contract or work order with the total cost before starting, and a copy of the state's "Home Repair: Know Your Consumer Rights" pamphlet. [8][9][10][11]

Union and open-shop HVAC apprenticeships

Pipe Fitters Local 597's HVAC Mechanical Service Pipe Fitter apprentices maintain and repair heating, cooling and refrigeration systems in homes, commercial buildings and industrial plants. The program starts with an 11-week, 440-hour full-time pre-apprenticeship orientation, then runs 5 years with at least 1,100 hours of related instruction. Apprentices work 4 days a week for a union contractor and go to school 1 day. Construction or mechanical work experience "is helpful, but not necessary."

Sheet Metal Workers Local 73, whose members fabricate, install, maintain, test and balance sheet metal systems, runs a 4-year apprenticeship with 1,360 classroom hours. For non-union (open-shop) training, ABC's Illinois Chapter offers an HVAC program covering heating, cooling, piping, soldering and brazing, and basic electricity. You can also search the Apprenticeship Job Finder. [12][13][14][15][16]

If you're licensed in another state or town

Because there's no state HVAC license, there's no state reciprocity. Under the state law, an HVAC contractor licensed in the Illinois municipality of its principal place of business "may install" systems in any other municipality "without securing an additional license," as long as it follows the rules of the town where the work is done. Aurora still asks contractors to register and accepts mechanical tests from several Illinois towns and from California, Ohio, Utah and Wisconsin (HVAC qualifier only). Confirm with each town before you work there. [1][4]

Steps to get licensed in Illinois

1. Get hired or join an apprenticeship

   Apply to an HVAC contractor or a program such as Pipe Fitters Local 597. Union programs ask for a high school diploma or GED and a driver's license. [12][13]

2. Earn EPA Section 608 certification

   Get certified through an EPA-approved Section 608 certification program so you can legally work on equipment that could release refrigerant. See our EPA 608 guide. [5][7]

3. Check the rules in each town where you'll work

   Illinois law lets each city or village license HVAC contractors, so ask the building department. In Chicago, HVAC work runs under a licensed general contractor. [1][2]

4. License or register your own business

   To contract on your own, get the local license or registration where you work. In Aurora, a qualifying party (the sole proprietor, a partner or a corporate officer) must qualify the company with an ICC Master Mechanical certification or a test from an accepted town, and you pay $200 and show insurance. [3][4]

Where to get the hours

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

• Union

  Pipe Fitters Local 597: HVAC Mechanical Service Pipe Fitter apprenticeship

  Five years, starting with an 11-week, 440-hour full-time pre-apprenticeship orientation; apprentices work for a union contractor 4 days a week and attend school 1 day. Applications are taken at the Mokena training center. [12][17]

• Union

  Sheet Metal Workers Local 73 apprenticeship (Chicago area)

  A 4-year program with 1,360 classroom hours and up to 8,000 hours of paid on-the-job training. Not taking applications at last check. [13][14]

• Open shop

  Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), Illinois Chapter

  Non-union contractor association whose craft training includes an HVAC program; ABC apprenticeships are registered with the U.S. Department of Labor. [15]

• School

  Illinois Works pre-apprenticeship (Danville Area Community College)

  A free program that prepares you to enter a registered apprenticeship in the building trades, with NCCER Core, OSHA 10 and first aid/CPR certifications. [19]

• Other

  U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship Job Finder

  Search registered HVAC apprenticeships anywhere in Illinois. [16]

Licensed in another state?

Questions people ask