Illinois plumber license & renewal
The requirements, the timing and the official sources. Everything we’ve verified, in one place.
License fee
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Not verified yet
Required hours
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Not verified yet
Exam
Pass the state licensing examination after the required licensed apprenticeship.
Renewal
Plumber licenses must be renewed by April 30th following the date of issuance via the online renewal page.
Before you begin
Agency guidance
Individuals who plan, inspect, install, alter, extend, repair or maintain plumbing systems must be licensed.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Individuals who plan, inspect, install, alter, extend, repair, and maintain plumbing systems in state of Illinois must be licensed.Official source
Agency guidance
Exam application fee: $175 for an Illinois licensed apprentice; $225 for a plumber registered or licensed in Chicago or outside Illinois.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Application Fee for Illinois Licensed Apprentice Plumber: $175 ... Application Fee for Plumbers Registered or Licensed in Chicago or Outside the State of Illinois: $225Official source
Agency guidance
Contractor registration fee $150; registration expires September 30 of the current year.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
$150 annual registration fee ... will expire on September 30, of the current year.Official source
Agency guidance
Renewal and contractor forms: https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/environmental-health-protection/plumbing.html
Agency guidance
Licensed plumbers must complete continuing education annually; the numeric hour requirement has not been verified here.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
licensed plumbers are obligated to maintain and improve their skills and knowledge related to plumbing by completing continuing education requirements annually.Official source
How to get this license
Use the agency’s requirements below to plan your next steps. Missing details stay marked.
Start with the licensing authority
Licensing board
Illinois Department of Public Health
Official agency page
Check the qualifications
Experience
Illinois licensed apprentice under statutory supervision for at least four years preceding application.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
employed as an Illinois licensed apprentice plumber under supervision in accordance with this act for at least four years preceding the date of this application.
Official sourceEducation
At least two years of high school or equivalent, plus approved instruction through a college, university or trade school.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
have successfully completed at least 2 years of high school or equivalent in addition to completing an approved course instruction through a college, university or trade school.
Official sourceBond
Plumbing contractor registration: $20,000 surety bond or irrevocable letter of credit.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
A surety/indemnification bond in the amount of $20,000 or a letter of credit in the same amount
Official sourceInsurance
Contractor registration: per occurrence $100,000 general liability, $300,000 bodily injury, $50,000 property damage and $500,000 workers' compensation; contractors without employees may elect exemption from workers' compensation.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Per occurrence: $100,000 general liability, $300,000 bodily injury, $50,000 property damage, and $500,000 workers compensation. Plumbing contractors with no employees may elect to be exempt
Official sourceExam
Pass the state licensing examination after the required licensed apprenticeship.
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
To obtain a license, individuals must pass a state licensing exam after working under a licensed plumber as a licensed apprentice for a 48 to 72 month period.
Official sourceReview fees and apply
Application fee
Not verified yet
Exam fee
Not verified yet
License fee
Not verified yet
Apply with the agency
Verified 2026-10-24 — source and quotation
Application for Examination for Plumber’s License
Official source
Reciprocity
Not verified yet
Official sources and verification (14)
Last verified 2026-10-24. Each quotation supports the corresponding published value.
employed as an Illinois licensed apprentice plumber under supervision in accordance with this act for at least four years preceding the date of this application.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
have successfully completed at least 2 years of high school or equivalent in addition to completing an approved course instruction through a college, university or trade school.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
A surety/indemnification bond in the amount of $20,000 or a letter of credit in the same amountOfficial source
Verified 2026-10-24
Per occurrence: $100,000 general liability, $300,000 bodily injury, $50,000 property damage, and $500,000 workers compensation. Plumbing contractors with no employees may elect to be exemptOfficial source
Verified 2026-10-24
To obtain a license, individuals must pass a state licensing exam after working under a licensed plumber as a licensed apprentice for a 48 to 72 month period.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Plumber licenses must be renewed by April 30th following the date of issuance via the online renewal page.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Individuals who plan, inspect, install, alter, extend, repair, and maintain plumbing systems in state of Illinois must be licensed.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Application Fee for Illinois Licensed Apprentice Plumber: $175 ... Application Fee for Plumbers Registered or Licensed in Chicago or Outside the State of Illinois: $225Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
$150 annual registration fee ... will expire on September 30, of the current year.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
licensed plumbers are obligated to maintain and improve their skills and knowledge related to plumbing by completing continuing education requirements annually.Official source
Verified 2026-10-24
Keep exploring.
Same license in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- 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
Last verified 2026-10-24.
Official sources (3)
- https://dph.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/idph/forms/topics-services/environmental-health-protection/plumbing/plumber-license-examination-application-06242021.pdf
- https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/environmental-health-protection/plumbing.html
- https://dph.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/idph/files/forms/plumbing-contractor-application-renewal-042616.pdf
Not legal or tax advice. Confirm with the official agency before filing.