Chicago Trade License Information Center
This page provides information about trade licenses issued by the City of Chicago and directs you where to apply for and renew each type of trade license.
Types of work that require a City of Chicago trade license include: general building construction, renovation, or demolition work; electrical work; elevator and other conveyance device work; mason (brick and concrete) work; plumbing and sewer work; operation of boilers and steam engines; operation of construction cranes; and specialty work.
Please note that additional licenses issued by the State of Illinois may be required to perform some types of construction, alteration, demolition, repair, and maintenance work.
- A City of Chicago general contractor license is required to perform most types of building construction, alteration, repair, and demolition work within the City of Chicago. A general contractor must comply with the consumer protection requirements applicable to licensed home repair companies when performing residential work but is not required to obtain a separate home repair license.
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- A City of Chicago regulated business license for the activity of home repair (home repair license) is required to engage in the business of fixing, replacing, altering, converting, modernizing, or improving any property primarily designed or used as a residence. If the work requires a building permit, a general contractor license is required instead of a home repair license.
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- A City of Chicago regulated business license for the activity of residential real estate developer is required before the issuance of a building permit for any person who either acquires vacant land and constructs a new residential building upon it or acquires land with an existing building and improves it as a residential building, excluding some small owner-occupied properties.
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- A City of Chicago electrical contractor license is required to install, alter, or maintain any wiring or equipment regulated by the Chicago Electrical Code. This includes electrical, lighting, communication, and alarm systems and equipment.
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- A private alarm contractor or private alarm contractor agency licensed by the State of Illinois may register with the City of Chicago in order to apply for permits for work the private alarm contractor or private alarm contractor agency is authorized to perform without a Chicago electrical contractor license under the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004 as amended.
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- A licensed supervising electrician has demonstrated knowledge about the installation, alteration, repair, and maintenance of electrical equipment and apparatus under the Chicago Electrical Code. A licensed electrical contractor must be owned by or employ at least one licensed supervising electrician and a licensed supervising electrician must either perform or supervise and direct all electrical work done by the electrical contractor.
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- A City of Chicago elevator mechanic contractor license is required to engage in the business of constructing, installing, altering, or maintaining elevators, escalators, platform lifts, and most other types of conveyance devices regulated by the Chicago Conveyance Device Code.
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- A licensed supervising elevator mechanic has demonstrated knowledge about the safe installation and operation of conveyance devices by holding the national Qualified Elevator Inspector (QEI) credential. A licensed elevator mechanic contractor must be owned by or employ at least one licensed supervising elevator mechanic and a licensed supervising elevator mechanic must either perform or supervise and direct all conveyance device work done by the contractor.
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- A City of Chicago mason contractor license is required to perform work in stone, concrete, brick, and similar materials used in above- and below-ground portions of buildings and structures within the City of Chicago. A mason contractor license is not required for masonry work limited to ground-level sidewalks and paving.
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- An apprentice plumber license is required to work as an apprentice under the direct supervision and control of a licensed plumber.
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- A City of Chicago drain layer contractor license is required to construct, repair, adjust, rod, clean, line, or use a camera to inspect a sewer or stormwater system outside a building. (Licensed plumbing contractors do not require a separate drain layer contractor license to perform this type of work.)
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- A plumber license (sometimes referred to as a journeyman plumber license) is required to perform plumbing work, either directly or as an owner or employee of a licensed plumbing contractor.
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- A City of Chicago plumbing contractor license is required to install, alter, repair, or maintain any plumbing piping, system, or appliance within the City of Chicago, except minor plumbing repairs by a person upon the person’s own property. A plumbing contractor licensed by the State of Illinois must also obtain a City of Chicago plumbing contractor license to perform plumbing work within the City of Chicago.
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- A City of Chicago stationary engineer license is required for an individual to use, manage, or operate most steam and hot water boilers or to take charge of, manage, or operate a steam plant within the City of Chicago. Licensed stationary engineers must follow the ordinances, laws, and industry standards which provide for the safe operation of the equipment they are licensed to operate.
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- A City of Chicago apprentice crane operator license is required to work as an apprentice under the direct supervision and control of a licensed crane operator.
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- A City of Chicago crane operator license is required for an individual to operate a crane in connection with any work that requires a building permit within the City of Chicago. Licensed crane operators must follow the ordinances, laws, and industry standards which provide for the safe operation of the types of cranes they are licensed to operate and notify the Department of Buildings of any accidents or safety issues.
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- A City of Chicago regulated business license for the activity of board-up work is required to solicit contracts for or engage in the business of the temporary placement of boards or other material over any opening in a building or other structure in order to protect the interior of the building or structure from damage or unauthorized entry.
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Renew an Existing License
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.