Apply For or Renew a Trade License
This page provides information about the types of trade licenses issued by the City of Chicago and directs you where to apply for and renew each type of trade license. Additional licenses issued by the State of Illinois may be required to perform some types of construction, alteration, demolition, repair, and maintenance work.
Types of work that require City of Chicago trade licenses include:
- General Building Construction, Renovation, or Demolition Work
- Electrical Work
- Elevator and Conveyance Device Work
- Mason (Brick and Concrete) Work
- Plumbing and Sewer Work
- Operation of Boilers and Steam Engines
- Operation of Cranes
- Specialty Work
General Building Construction, Renovation, or Demolition Work
| License Type | ① | Learn About This License Type | ② | Apply for a New License | ③ | Renew an Existing License |
| General Contractor License | General Contractor License Overview | Continental Testing Services web site | Continental Testing Services web site | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Repair License | Home Repair License Overview | Chicago Business Direct | application instructions | Chicago Business Direct | renewal instructions | |||
| Residential Real Estate Developer License | Residential Real Estate Developer License Overview | Chicago Business Direct | application instructions | Chicago Business Direct | renewal instructions | |||
Electrical Work
| License Type | ① | Learn About This License Type | ② | Apply for a New License | ③ | Renew an Existing License |
| Electrical Contractor License | Electrical Contractor License Overview | Continental Testing Services web site | Department of Buildings web portal | renewal instructions | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private Alarm Contractor Registration | Illinois-licensed Private Alarm Contractor Registration Overview | Continental Testing Services web site | Continental Testing Services web site | |||
| Supervising Electrician License | Supervising Electrician License Overview | Continental Testing Services web site | Department of Buildings web portal | renewal instructions | |||
Elevator and Conveyance Device Work
| License Type | ① | Learn About This License Type | ② | Apply for a New License | ③ | Renew an Existing License |
| Elevator Mechanic Contractor License | Elevator Mechanic Contractor License Overview | City of Chicago web portal | City of Chicago web portal | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supervising Elevator Mechanic License | Supervising Elevator Mechanic License Overview | City of Chicago web portal | Instructions | City of Chicago web portal | How to claim your license | |||
Mason (Brick and Concrete) Work
| License Type | ① | Learn About This License Type | ② | Apply for a New License | ③ | Renew an Existing License |
| Mason Contractor License | Mason Contractor License Overview | Continental Testing Services web site | Department of Buildings web portal | renewal instructions | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Plumbing and Sewer Work
| License Type | ① | Learn About This License Type | ② | Apply for a New License | ③ | Renew an Existing License |
| Apprentice Plumber License | Apprentice Plumber License Overview | Continental Testing Services web site | Department of Buildings web portal | renewal instructions | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drain Layer Contractor License | Drain Layer Contractor License Overview | Department of Buildings web site | Department of Buildings web site | |||
| Plumber (Journeyman) License | Plumber License Overview | Continental Testing Services web site | Department of Buildings web portal | renewal instructions | |||
| Plumbing Contractor License | Plumbing Contractor License Overview | Continental Testing Services web site | Department of Buildings web portal | renewal instructions | |||
Operation of Boilers and Steam Engines
| License Type | ① | Learn About This License Type | ② | Apply for a New License | ③ | Renew an Existing License |
| Stationary Engineer License | Stationary Engineer License Overview | City of Chicago web portal | Instructions | City of Chicago web portal | How to claim your license | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operation of Cranes
| License Type | ① | Learn About This License Type | ② | Apply for a New License | ③ | Renew an Existing License |
| Apprentice Crane Operator License | Apprentice Crane Operator License Overview | City of Chicago web portal | Instructions | City of Chicago web portal | How to claim your license | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crane Operator License | Crane Operator License Overview | City of Chicago web portal | Instructions | City of Chicago web portal | How to claim your license | |||
Specialty Work
| License Type | ① | Learn About This License Type | ② | Apply for a New License | ③ | Renew an Existing License |
| Board-up Company License | Board-up Company License Overview | Chicago Business Direct | application instructions | Chicago Business Direct | renewal instructions | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fire Extinguisher Serviceman License | Contact the Fire Department | Contact the Fire Department | Contact the Fire Department | |||
| Public Way Work Contractor License | Contact the Department of Transportation | Contact the Department of Transportation | Contact the Department of Transportation | |||
| Use of Explosives License | Contact the Fire Department | Chicago Business Direct | application instructions | Chicago Business Direct | renewal instructions | |||
| Use of Explosives Certificate of Fitness | Contact the Fire Department | Contact the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) | Contact the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) | |||
Disclaimer: This information is provided to help the public better understand licensing requirements applicable to building construction, alteration, demolition, repair, and maintenance in the City of Chicago. The license type overviews may not reflect all conditions, limitations, or exceptions that may apply to a particular situation and are not intended as a substitute for legal advice. To the extent the information provided differs from the Municipal Code of Chicago, state statute, or applicable regulations, the ordinance, statute, or regulation controls.