Handyman license requirements in Illinois
Short answer: Illinois has no state handyman or general contractor license. The state licenses roofing and plumbing; electrical and general contracting are licensed by cities and counties, including Chicago.
General information, not legal advice. Checked October 13, 2026 against the sources below. Rules change, so confirm with the agency before you take a job.
What the state licenses
- Roofing: anyone doing roofing work for pay needs a state roofing license from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).
- Plumbing: licensed by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).
Local rules
Electrical work and general contracting are licensed locally. Chicago licenses general contractors through its Department of Buildings, and many suburbs require contractor registration before you pull a permit. Check with each city you work in.
Official sources
Questions
Do you need a license to be a handyman in Illinois?
Not from the state. Roofing and plumbing are licensed statewide, and cities like Chicago license electrical work and general contractors.
More guides
- Do you need a license to be a handyman? Rules by stateDollar limits, trade work and local rules, state by state.
- How to start a handyman business: a checklistLicensing, insurance, pricing and your first customers.
- How to price handyman jobs: hourly, flat rate, or bothHourly, flat rate or both, and how to set each one.
- How to write a handyman estimate that gets a yesWhat to include, what to leave out, and when to follow up.