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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
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.

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

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

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

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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
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

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General Contractor

No statewide GC license

Verified 5/26/2026
Required hours / experience
Varies by municipality
Exam
Varies
Licensing authority
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

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Roofing

Roofing Contractor License

Verified 5/26/2026
Required hours / experience
4 years experience
Exam
Roofing Contractor Exam (Continental Testing Services)
Licensing authority
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

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Pest Control

Commercial Pesticide Applicator

Verified 5/26/2026
Required hours / experience
Trainee hours required
Exam
CORE + Category exam (IDA)
Licensing authority
Notes
Required category(ies) plus general standards exam.

Prep with Fieldora Academy

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

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Landscaping

No statewide license (Pesticide Applicator if applying)

Verified 5/26/2026
Required hours / experience
Varies
Exam
Category 3A
Licensing authority
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

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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
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

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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
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

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