Illinois General Contractor License Requirements (2026)

Illinois does not issue a statewide general contractor license. Contractor licensing, registration, permits, insurance, and project qualifications are instead set by the authority having jurisdiction. Chicago is the largest local program: its Department of Buildings licenses general contractors in five annual classes, and residential repair work that needs no permit falls under the City’s separate Home Repair business license. Other cities run their own registration programs; Aurora, Evanston, and Wilmette, for example, register contractors before issuing permits. A Chicago license is not an Illinois statewide credential and should not be assumed to satisfy another municipality’s requirements. Separate state credentials can also apply to particular scopes, such as plumbing, roofing, fire-sprinkler contracting, or security/alarm work.

Local licensing in major Illinois cities

Illinois has no statewide general contractor license, so these cities and counties set their own rules. Each link opens the jurisdiction's official page; confirm the current requirement there before bidding.

Local licensing in major Illinois cities: what each jurisdiction requires and its published fee
Jurisdiction	What it requires	Fee
City of Chicago — General Contractor license (Department of Buildings)chicago.gov	A Chicago general contractor license is required before bidding on, performing, or supervising work that needs a Chicago building, demolition, or sign permit, plus certain other regulated work. Licenses come in Classes A–E by project value, last one year, and require class-based liability insurance.	Class E $300; Class D $900; Class C $1,300; Class B $1,800; Class A $3,500 (2026 annual license and renewal fees)
City of Chicago — Home Repair license (Business Affairs and Consumer Protection)chicago.gov	Chicago requires a Home Repair business license to engage in the business of fixing, altering, improving, or adding to residential property, with at least $300,000 per occurrence of general liability insurance and written estimates and invoices. Work that needs a building permit requires a Chicago general contractor license instead, and a licensed general contractor does not need a separate Home Repair license.	$1,000 license fee; the license is issued for two years
City of Auroraaurora.il.us	General contractors must register with Aurora’s Division of Building and Permits, filing a certificate of insurance (at least $1,000,000 general aggregate and $500,000 per occurrence, naming the City as primary and non-contributory additional insured) and proof of workers’ compensation.	$200 registration fee
City of Evanstoncityofevanston.org	All contractors performing work in Evanston must register with the City each year, filing a certificate of insurance showing at least $300,000 per occurrence of general liability coverage plus workers’ compensation (sole proprietors and partnerships without employees may file an affidavit instead of workers’ compensation proof).	General Contractor: $150; Trade Contractor: $125 (renewable annually)
Village of Wilmettewilmette.gov	Every contractor listed on a Wilmette building permit must hold a Wilmette contractor’s license before the permit is issued. The license runs for the calendar year and must be renewed annually.	$80 license fee

Federal requirement: EPA Lead RRP Rule

Whether or not Illinois licenses this trade, renovation, repair, or painting that disturbs paint in pre-1978 housing falls under the federal EPA Lead RRP Rule. See our complete EPA RRP Lead Certification guide for who needs firm and renovator certification, what it costs, and how renewal works.

Who Regulates General Contractor Work in Illinois?

No single state agency licenses general contracting work in Illinois, so this guide relies on the local and state sources cited below. No statewide statute. Chicago municipal contractor licensing is governed by the Chicago Municipal Code Title 4 Chapter 4-36 (General Contractors) and Title 14 (Construction Codes). Illinois has no state agency licensing general contractors, electricians, or HVAC contractors. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) licenses plumbers statewide. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) licenses roofing contractors statewide. Other state programs cover particular scopes, such as fire-sprinkler and alarm contracting, pesticide application, lawn-irrigation installation, and lead abatement. General building work is otherwise regulated by municipalities, with the City of Chicago Department of Buildings running the largest program.

Official reference: illinois.gov
Address: City of Chicago Department of Buildings: 121 N. LaSalle Street, Room 900, Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: (312) 744-3449 (Chicago DOB)

Illinois State and Local Eligibility Rules

There is no single statewide application for this work, so this guide does not impose a uniform applicant-age, identification, or tax-number rule. Check the business, specialty-trade, and local authorities that govern the actual project. Illinois has no state general-contractor credential or statewide residency rule. Chicago’s program applies to work in Chicago regardless of the applicant’s domicile or residence; local requirements elsewhere vary.

State-level applicant screening

There is no statewide general-contractor character standard. Chicago’s application requires disclosures concerning bribery convictions, charges, and indictments for the applicant and controlling persons; its code sets the resulting eligibility limits.

Background-check requirements

There is no statewide general-contractor background-check program. Chicago requires government identification and specified criminal disclosures; other jurisdictions set their own process.

Experience and Scope Requirements in Illinois

Illinois sets no statewide general-contractor experience requirement. Chicago’s cited application rule does not prescribe a fixed number of experience years, but does require business history, a financial-solvency affidavit, insurance, and other application information. Local licensing programs, specialty credentials, and project owners may still set their own qualifications.

Relevant records and local documents

No Illinois state general-contractor experience documentation is required
Chicago requires the location from which the applicant has engaged in general contracting during the preceding five years
Other local authorities may require their own experience, reference, business, or insurance documentation

Is There an Illinois General Contractor Exam?

There is no single statewide trade examination for the local or scope-specific path described here. The applicable testing rule is: Illinois has no state general-contractor examination. Chicago’s cited general-contractor licensing provisions do not prescribe a written trade examination.

Examination fee: No Illinois state general-contractor examination fee.

Insurance, Bonds, and Project Requirements in Illinois

No statewide contractor-license bond applies to the local or scope-specific path described here. A city, county, permit authority, public owner, or project contract may still require a bond, so confirm the actual project requirements before bidding.

General liability

Illinois does not impose a statewide general-contractor liability minimum. Chicago requires commercial general liability and names the City as additional insured: Class A $5,000,000 per occurrence; Class B $3,000,000 per occurrence; Classes C and D $2,000,000 per occurrence (effective January 1, 2026; for C and D licenses issued before that date, the higher minimum applies when the policy on file expires); Class E $1,000,000 per occurrence. These are Chicago rules, not statewide requirements.

Workers' compensation

Workers’ compensation is an employer obligation under Illinois law, not a condition of a statewide general-contractor license. Confirm the applicable employment, contract, and local requirements for the project.

Financial or filing requirements

No statewide general-contractor bond or financial-statement rule is identified. Chicago requires a financial-solvency affidavit as part of its application; local jurisdictions can impose different requirements.

Illinois General Contractor Fees and Compliance Costs

Fee	Amount
Application or registration	No separate amount recorded; confirm in the fee guidance
Initial credential or registration	$300
Renewal (every year)	$300

To budget for the applicable registration, permits, insurance, and project requirements, open the cost calculator preloaded for Illinois general contractor.

Renewal and Ongoing Compliance in Illinois

Illinois has no statewide general contractor license to renew. The local credentials cited in this guide generally run on a one-year cycle; each issuing authority sets its own schedule. The renewal fee is $300. There is no statewide license to renew. Chicago licenses expire one year after issuance; expired licenses may only be reinstated within three years.

Continuing education: Illinois has no statewide general-contractor continuing-education requirement. Confirm any local program requirement directly.

Downloadable Asset

2026 Illinois General Contractor Compliance Roadmap (PDF) — a printable step-by-step checklist for the state, local, and project checks.

Download the PDF roadmap →

Out-of-State General Contractor Credentials in Illinois

Illinois has no single statewide credential for this path to transfer through NASCLA. An authority may consider an outside license, examination, or experience record only under its own current rules.

There is no Illinois state general-contractor credential to reciprocate. A local authority may decide whether it recognizes any outside credential or documentation; never assume that it does.

Weighing more than one jurisdiction? The national hub compares published General Contractor license requirements by state — exam, bond, fee, and experience thresholds side by side.

Step-by-Step Compliance Roadmap

Identify the project jurisdiction and scope. Determine the city, county, or other authority that will issue the permit and identify all separately regulated work in the project.
Check the local contractor program before bidding. Confirm current registration or license requirements, class limits, permits, insurance, fees, and renewal terms with the authority having jurisdiction.
Use the correct Chicago class when working in Chicago. Chicago Class A is unlimited; B is limited to $20 million at a single site; C to $10 million; D to $4 million; and E to $500,000. Demolition and excavation authority also differs by class.
Prepare the local application materials. For Chicago, this includes entity/controlling-person information, the class selected, fee, financial-solvency affidavit, Illinois authorization to do business when applicable, insurance, identification, and the required bribery disclosures.
Meet project-specific insurance and specialty requirements. Use the actual local program and project contract. A general-contractor license does not replace an applicable state or local specialty credential.
Obtain permits and maintain local eligibility. Permit issuance, inspections, reporting changes, and renewals are controlled locally. Chicago requires changes in application information to be reported within 14 business days.

Pre-Work Checklist

Before bidding or beginning work, confirm each item below with the authorities that govern the project location and scope:

Project jurisdiction and permit authority identified
Current local general-contractor license or registration requirements confirmed
Correct Chicago class chosen when working in Chicago
Local insurance and financial-security documentation prepared
Required specialty contractors and credentials confirmed
Local permits and inspections arranged

Common Compliance Mistakes

The issues below are the most likely to create an unlicensed-work, registration, permit, or scope problem for Illinois General Contractor work, based on the official sources cited on this page.

Treating Chicago’s program as statewide

Chicago is a local program. Verify each project jurisdiction’s own contractor and permit rules.

Using the wrong Chicago class

Chicago prohibits evading the single-site value limits through multiple permits and assigns different demolition/excavation authority to the classes.

Using outdated biennial fee information

Chicago’s current general-contractor licenses are annual, with Class E at $300 and Class A at $3,500.

Assuming the GC credential covers specialty work

The appropriate state or local specialty rules still apply to the actual work performed.

Official References and Preparation Materials

These references are cited in the Illinois sources for this guide or commonly used to prepare for general contracting work; CLR receives no compensation for listing them.

Chicago Municipal Code Chapter 4-36 — City of Chicago. The controlling source for Chicago general-contractor licensing, classes, application, insurance, and enforcement.
Project jurisdiction’s permit and contractor guidance — Local authority having jurisdiction. Controls registration, permits, insurance, and inspection requirements outside Chicago.

General Contractor Pay and Employment in Illinois

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that 19,160 construction managers work in Illinois, earning a median of $109,160 a year ($52.48 an hour). That is 5% below the national median of $114,990, ranking 28th of 51 jurisdictions BLS published. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $58,170 and the top 10% earn over $172,410. The trade is more concentrated in Illinois's workforce than nationally (location quotient 1.28), so competition for jobs and for experienced hires tends to be higher.

Construction Managers wages, Illinois compared with the United States, May 2025
Measure	Illinois	United States
Median annual wage	$109,160	$114,990
Median hourly wage	$52.48	$55.28
10th–90th percentile	$58,170–$172,410	$69,690–$189,440
Employment	19,160	380,360

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, occupation 11-9021 (Construction Managers). Figures cover wage and salary employees and exclude self-employed owners. BLS has no "general contractor" occupation; construction managers plan, coordinate, and supervise building projects and are the closest match.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Illinois require a state general contractor license?

No. Illinois does not issue a statewide general-contractor credential. The project jurisdiction controls any contractor license or registration, permits, insurance, and related requirements.

Does Chicago require a general contractor license?

Yes, for the regulated activities in Chicago Municipal Code Chapter 4-36 unless an enumerated exception applies. It applies to activity in Chicago regardless of the contractor’s domicile or residence.

What are Chicago’s current general contractor fees?

They are annual: $3,500 Class A, $1,800 B, $1,300 C, $900 D, and $300 E. Confirm current fees and the class needed before applying.

What are the Chicago class limits?

Class A is unlimited; B is limited to $20 million at one site; C to $10 million; D to $4 million; and E to $500,000. The code also limits demolition and excavation authority by class.

Do other Illinois cities register general contractors?

Many do. Aurora registers general contractors for a $200 fee with insurance naming the City; Evanston requires all contractors to register annually ($150 for general contractors); and Wilmette requires a contractor’s license ($80) for every contractor listed on a building permit. Check the permit office in each city where you work.

Which Chicago license covers residential repair work?

Chicago’s Home Repair business license covers businesses that repair or improve residential property; once a job needs a building permit, a general contractor license is required instead, and a licensed general contractor does not need a separate Home Repair license. Chicago’s general contractor rules also reach some work that is exempt from a building permit, so confirm with the City which license fits your scope.

Can an Illinois general contractor self-perform specialty work?

Only when the contractor and work meet the applicable state and local specialty-licensing rules. A general-contractor license is separate from credentials for scopes such as plumbing, roofing, fire-sprinkler, electrical, or alarm work.

Primary Sources

Regulatory requirements on this page are drawn from the official board, statute, and exam-provider materials listed below.

Verified 2026-09-04 · Next scheduled review 2026-12-03

Report a correction to this guide

Corrections and updates

2026-10-26: Updated Chicago’s minimum liability insurance for Class C and D general contractors from $1,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate to $2,000,000 per occurrence, effective January 1, 2026, as published on the Chicago Department of Buildings general contractor license page.

Layout changes shared by every guide are listed in the template change log; they do not change source-check dates.

General Contractor Licensing in Neighboring States

Contractors working near a state line, or weighing where to qualify first, should compare Illinois's requirements against the bordering jurisdictions before bidding or beginning work:

Indiana General Contractor License Requirements — Indiana General Contractor — Local License or Registration (No State License)
Iowa General Contractor License Requirements — Iowa Contractor Registration
Kentucky General Contractor License Requirements — Kentucky General Contractor (no state license)
Missouri General Contractor License Requirements — Missouri General Contractor (local licensing and permits)
Wisconsin General Contractor License Requirements — Wisconsin Dwelling Contractor Certification and Dwelling Contractor Qualifier

More guides for Illinois contractors

Other Illinois Trade Licenses

CLR also publishes these Illinois licensing guides for other trades: