Illinois plumbing license lookup: how to check and get a license
Illinois plumbing license lookup: who issues plumber licenses (IDPH), how to check one online, the license types, and 4,042 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors by county.
Do plumbers need a license in Illinois?
| Who licenses them | Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Plumbing Program; City of Chicago Department of Buildings licenses plumbers working in Chicago |
|---|---|
| License types | Plumber, Plumber's Apprentice, Plumbing Contractor (registration) |
| When a license is required | License required for plumbing work regardless of job size |
Plumbers are licensed statewide by IDPH, and plumbing contractors must register yearly and carry liability and workers' compensation insurance. Chicago issues its own plumber and plumbing contractor licenses, so check Chicago plumbers with the city's contractor lookup instead.
How do you look up a plumber's license in Illinois?
- Ask the plumber for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the Illinois plumbing license lookup run by IDPH.
- Search by license number first. A name search can return several people or companies with similar names.
- Check that the status is active or current, that the license type covers your job, and that the name matches the company on your contract.
- If something doesn't match, ask the plumber about it before you sign or pay a deposit, or contact IDPH.
What plumbing licenses does Illinois issue?
- Plumber
- Plumber's Apprentice
- Plumbing Contractor (registration)
How do you get a plumbing license in Illinois?
Licenses are issued by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Plumbing Program; City of Chicago Department of Buildings licenses plumbers working in Chicago. Requirements such as experience, exams, insurance and fees change, so read the current rules on the official IDPH source before you apply. Already licensed? List your business on Expert Helper to get matched with customers.
How many plumbers are there in Illinois?
The Census Bureau counted 4,042 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors with employees in Illinois in 2023. The counties with the most:
| Cook County | 1,377 |
|---|---|
| DuPage County | 388 |
| Will County | 293 |
| Lake County | 283 |
| Kane County | 222 |
| McHenry County | 169 |
| Madison County | 97 |
| Winnebago County | 88 |
What do Illinois homes mean for plumbing work?
The median home in Illinois was built in 1970, 33% of households rent and 64% of homes are single-family houses. 76% of homes heat with utility gas and 18% with electricity.
How do you choose a plumber in Illinois?
- Ask for the license number and look it up yourself on the state or city license search. Licensing is set by the state in some places and by the city or county in others.
- Ask whether the job needs a permit. Water heater swaps, gas work and moving fixtures often do, and the licensed plumber pulls it.
- Get the price in writing: a flat rate for the job, or the hourly rate, the trip fee and how parts are billed.
- For emergencies, ask what the after-hours rate is before the plumber drives out.
- Ask who does the work. A licensed master can send helpers, but the license holder is responsible for the job.
Plumbers in other states
Sources: Illinois licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.