How to get a plumbing license in Illinois: the official requirements
The Plumber's License license, the experience and training it takes, the exam and how to apply, from the Illinois Department of Public Health.
In Illinois, the state plumbing license for individual plumbers is issued by the Illinois Department of Public Health. The Illinois plumber's license, issued by the Illinois Department of Public Health under the Illinois Plumbing License Law. Anyone who plans, inspects, installs, alters, extends, repairs or maintains plumbing systems in Illinois must be licensed. Apprentice or trainee registration: Start with an apprentice plumber's license: you must be at least 16, file the Apprentice Plumber's License Application and show sponsorship by an Illinois licensed plumber or an approved apprenticeship program. An apprentice may work only for a person authorized to contract or work as a plumber. After at most 6 years, an apprentice who has not applied for the plumber's exam (or has failed it) cannot renew the apprentice license. Experience and training: At least 4 years employed as an Illinois licensed apprentice plumber under supervision before you apply for the exam (the Department describes the apprenticeship as 48 to 72 months working under a licensed plumber). Licensing exam: The state plumbing licensing exam, taken after the apprenticeship. If you must retake it, you file the Department's examination retake form with the fee. How to apply: File the Plumber's License: Application for Examination at least 30 days before the exam date and pay the fee, listing your years as a licensed apprentice; mail it with all attachments to the Department's Plumbing Program in Springfield.
Illinois plumbing license requirements
| Requirement | Illinois |
|---|---|
| License you apply for | The Illinois plumber's license, issued by the Illinois Department of Public Health under the Illinois Plumbing License Law. Anyone who plans, inspects, installs, alters, extends, repairs or maintains plumbing systems in Illinois must be licensed. |
| Apprentice or trainee registration | Start with an apprentice plumber's license: you must be at least 16, file the Apprentice Plumber's License Application and show sponsorship by an Illinois licensed plumber or an approved apprenticeship program. An apprentice may work only for a person authorized to contract or work as a plumber. After at most 6 years, an apprentice who has not applied for the plumber's exam (or has failed it) cannot renew the apprentice license. |
| Experience and training | At least 4 years employed as an Illinois licensed apprentice plumber under supervision before you apply for the exam (the Department describes the apprenticeship as 48 to 72 months working under a licensed plumber). |
| Classroom hours | At least 2 years of high school or the equivalent, plus an approved course of instruction through a college, university or trade school. |
| Licensing exam | The state plumbing licensing exam, taken after the apprenticeship. If you must retake it, you file the Department's examination retake form with the fee. |
| How to apply | File the Plumber's License: Application for Examination at least 30 days before the exam date and pay the fee, listing your years as a licensed apprentice; mail it with all attachments to the Department's Plumbing Program in Springfield. |
| Background check | Not stated in the official source we read. Check with the Illinois Department of Public Health. |
| State fees | Exam application: $175 for Illinois licensed apprentice plumbers, $225 for plumbers registered or licensed in Chicago or outside Illinois; non-refundable. Apprentice plumber's license: $100. |
| License term | Plumber licenses must be renewed by April 30 following the date of issuance, through the online renewal page. |
| Continuing education | Licensed plumbers must complete continuing education every year. |
Where the official source we read does not state something, the table says so rather than guessing. Fees shown are the licensing authority's own. Fees charged by exam vendors, schools, apprenticeship programs, fingerprint vendors and application portals are not included.
This page covers the plumbing license issued by the state. Cities and counties can have their own registration, permit or license rules; ask the local building department where you will work.
How to get licensed in Illinois
- Get an apprentice plumber's license (age 16 or older, with sponsorship by an Illinois licensed plumber or an approved apprenticeship program).
- Work at least 4 years as a licensed apprentice plumber.
- File the Application for Examination at least 30 days before the exam date, with the fee.
- Pass the state plumbing licensing exam.
- Renew the license by April 30 following the date of issuance.
Go further
Requirements state by state.
Open →CareerHow to become a plumberThe career path, nationally.
Open →PayPlumber salary in IllinoisWhat plumbers earn.
Open →CareerPlumber career guideThe job, skills and outlook.
Open →ResumePlumber resumeHow to present your hours and licenses.
Open →InterviewPlumber interview questionsWhat hiring managers ask.
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Questions people ask
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How this page is built
Each fact on this page comes from the Illinois Department of Public Health (sources named below), read on the dates shown, with the exact wording we relied on kept on file. Requirements and fees change; the Illinois Department of Public Health's current instructions govern. We re-read each state's sources every six months (next review by May 10, 2027).
- Not legal advice.
- Licensing rules can change. Verify current requirements with the issuing agency.
- Fees shown are the licensing authority's own. Fees charged by exam vendors, schools, apprenticeship programs, fingerprint vendors and application portals are not included.
- This page covers the plumbing license issued by the state. Cities and counties can have their own registration, permit or license rules; ask the local building department where you will work.
- This page covers the individual license named above. Master, contractor, specialty, residential, limited and out-of-state (reciprocity) licenses have their own rules.
- Illinois Department of Public Health, Plumbing (Environmental Health Protection), official source, read Nov 9, 2026.
- Illinois Department of Public Health, Application for Examination for Plumber's License (form dated 06/24/2021), official source, read Nov 9, 2026.
- Illinois Department of Public Health, Application for Apprentice Plumber's License, official source, read Nov 9, 2026.