Will Fieldora Academy get me a state license?

No. Only your state licensing board can issue a license. Academy gives you exam prep, practice exams, and a certificate of completion — you still take the official proctored exam through your state.

How long does it take to prepare for the exam?

Most students finish a Journeyman or EPA 608 track in 20–40 hours of study spread over 4–8 weeks. Master-level tracks typically take 40–60 hours. You move at your own pace — there are no deadlines.

Do I get lifetime access?

Yes. Every paid track is a one-time purchase with lifetime access and free updates whenever the underlying code (NEC, IPC, EPA 608, NABCEP) is revised.

What's your refund policy?

If you're not satisfied within 14 days and haven't completed more than 25% of the course, we'll refund you in full. Contact support@fieldorahq.com.

Do I need any experience to start?

No. Every trade has a free '101' beginner course that assumes zero experience. Paid Journeyman tracks assume you understand the basics — start with the free course first if you're new.

Is the practice exam like the real one?

Yes. Practice exams mirror the timing, question count, and topic weighting of PSI, Prov, NASCLA, and state board exams. Most students who score 70%+ on our practice exam pass the real one on the first try.

How do I get a low-voltage license in Illinois?

Required experience: Varies. Required exam: PERC exam (alarm) (IDFPR). Licensing authority: IDFPR - Private Alarm. State licenses Private Alarm Contractors. General low-voltage work is locally licensed.

How do I get a general contractor license in Illinois?

Required experience: Varies by municipality. Required exam: Varies. Licensing authority: Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation. Illinois does not issue a statewide GC license. Chicago requires a General Contractor license through the Department of Buildings.

How do I get a landscaping license in Illinois?

Required experience: Varies. Required exam: Category 3A. Licensing authority: Illinois Department of Agriculture. No license for landscape work; turf/ornamental chemicals require Commercial Applicator.

How do I get a hvac license in Illinois?

Required experience: Chicago Refrigeration Contractor: 4 yrs (8,000 hrs) supervised. EPA 608 (federal, no hour requirement) required to handle refrigerant.. Required exam: Chicago HVAC Contractor Exam (where applicable) + EPA 608 (Municipal + EPA). Licensing authority: Illinois municipalities + federal EPA. No statewide Illinois HVAC license. Major cities (Chicago, Aurora, Naperville) issue their own. Plumbing license is required to install hydronic heating in IL. EPA 608 Universal is the minimum federal credential. Chicago Refrigeration Contractor fee ~$500 + $250 renewal.

← All states

Illinois trade license requirements

Per-trade licensing path. Always confirm with the state board before testing.

Career prep, not a license.

Plumbing

Illinois Licensed Plumber (statewide) + Plumbing Contractor registration

Verified 6/12/2026

Required hours / experience

4-year IDPH-approved Plumber Apprenticeship (6,000 hrs OJT + 864 hrs classroom). Engineering degree may substitute.

Exam

Illinois Plumber Licensing Exam (IPC + IL amendments) (Continental Testing Services)

Licensing authority

Illinois Department of Public Health — Division of Environmental Health

Notes

IL is unique — plumbers are licensed STATE-wide (unlike electricians). Apprentice $75/yr, Plumber $125/yr, Contractor $300/yr + $20k bond. Annual CEU: 4 hrs. Exam is held twice a year; fee ~$285.

Prep with Fieldora Academy

Plumbing 101 — Start Here (Free) • Self-paced + practice exam

Start prep

Solar

Solar / PV Installer (often under Electrical or Specialty)

Verified 5/24/2026

Required hours / experience

NABCEP-recommended 58+ hrs training + field experience

Exam

NABCEP PV Associate / Installation Professional (NABCEP)

Licensing authority

Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation

Notes

General overview — verify exact requirements with the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation before scheduling exams.

Prep with Fieldora Academy

Solar PV 101 — Start Here (Free) • Self-paced + practice exam

Start prep

Low-Voltage

Locally licensed (state Private Alarm Contractor for security)

Verified 5/26/2026

Required hours / experience

Varies

Exam

PERC exam (alarm) (IDFPR)

Licensing authority

IDFPR - Private Alarm

Notes

State licenses Private Alarm Contractors. General low-voltage work is locally licensed.

Prep with Fieldora Academy

Low-Voltage 101 — Start Here (Free) • Self-paced + practice exam

Start prep

General Contractor

No statewide GC license

Verified 5/26/2026

Required hours / experience

Varies by municipality

Exam

Varies

Licensing authority

Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation

Notes

Illinois does not issue a statewide GC license. Chicago requires a General Contractor license through the Department of Buildings.

Prep with Fieldora Academy

General Contracting 101 — Start Here (Free) • Self-paced + practice exam

Start prep

Roofing

Roofing Contractor License

Verified 5/26/2026

Required hours / experience

4 years experience

Exam

Roofing Contractor Exam (Continental Testing Services)

Licensing authority

IDFPR - Division of Professional Regulation

Notes

Illinois is one of the few states with a dedicated state roofing exam.

Prep with Fieldora Academy

Roofing 101 — Start Here (Free) • Self-paced + practice exam

Start prep

Pest Control

Commercial Pesticide Applicator

Verified 5/26/2026

Required hours / experience

Trainee hours required

Exam

CORE + Category exam (IDA)

Licensing authority

Illinois Department of Agriculture

Notes

Required category(ies) plus general standards exam.

Prep with Fieldora Academy

Pest Control 101 — Start Here (Free) • Self-paced + practice exam

Start prep

Landscaping

No statewide license (Pesticide Applicator if applying)

Verified 5/26/2026

Required hours / experience

Varies

Exam

Category 3A

Licensing authority

Illinois Department of Agriculture

Notes

No license for landscape work; turf/ornamental chemicals require Commercial Applicator.

Prep with Fieldora Academy

Landscaping & Irrigation 101 — Start Here (Free) • Self-paced + practice exam

Start prep

Electrical

Electrical Contractor License (Class A unlimited / Class B residential)

Verified 6/12/2026

Required hours / experience

Chicago: 4 years (8,000 hrs) verifiable experience under a licensed Supervising Electrician. Most IL municipalities follow similar requirements.

Exam

Illinois Electrical Contractor Exam (administered by individual municipalities — no statewide license) (Continental Testing Services / municipal)

Licensing authority

Illinois Department of Public Health + local municipalities (Chicago Dept. of Buildings most common)

Notes

Illinois has no statewide electrical contractor license — Chicago and 100+ other municipalities each issue their own. Reciprocity exists between many IL cities. Most accept the Chicago Supervising Electrician credential. Fee: roughly $250–$1,000 application + $200–$500 annual renewal depending on city.

Prep with Fieldora Academy

Electrical 101 — Start Here (Free) • Self-paced + practice exam

Start prep

HVAC

Illinois — No statewide HVAC license (municipal + federal EPA 608)

Verified 6/12/2026

Required hours / experience

Chicago Refrigeration Contractor: 4 yrs (8,000 hrs) supervised. EPA 608 (federal, no hour requirement) required to handle refrigerant.

Exam

Chicago HVAC Contractor Exam (where applicable) + EPA 608 (Municipal + EPA)

Licensing authority

Illinois municipalities + federal EPA

Notes

No statewide Illinois HVAC license. Major cities (Chicago, Aurora, Naperville) issue their own. Plumbing license is required to install hydronic heating in IL. EPA 608 Universal is the minimum federal credential. Chicago Refrigeration Contractor fee ~$500 + $250 renewal.

Prep with Fieldora Academy

HVAC 101 — Start Here (Free) • Self-paced + practice exam

Start prep

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