Who can fix it in Illinois? Handyman and contractor license rules

Sources

1. 225 ILCS 320/3(1), Illinois Plumbing License Law — Illinois General AssemblyAll planning and designing of plumbing systems and all plumbing shall be performed only by plumbers licensed under the provisions of this Act
2. 225 ILCS 320/2, Illinois Plumbing License Law (what counts as plumbing) — Illinois General Assemblynor does it mean or include minor repairs which do not require changes in the piping to or from plumbing fixtures or involve the removal, replacement, installation or re-installation of any pipe or plumbing fixtures
3. 225 ILCS 320/3(2), Illinois Plumbing License Law (owner-occupant work) — Illinois General AssemblyNothing herein contained shall prohibit the owner occupant or lessee occupant of a single family residence, or the owner of a single family residence under construction for his or her occupancy, from planning, installing, altering or repairing the plumbing system of such residence, provided that (i) such plumbing shall comply with the minimum standards for plumbing contained in the Illinois State Plumbing Code, and shall be subject to inspection by the Department or the local governmental unit if it retains a licensed plumber as an inspector; and (ii) such owner, owner occupant or lessee occupant shall not employ other than a plumber licensed pursuant to this Act to assist him or her.
4. 225 ILCS 320/3(2), Illinois Plumbing License Law (who is an occupant) — Illinois General Assemblya person shall be considered an "occupant" if and only if he or she has taken possession of and is living in the premises as his or her bona fide sole and exclusive residence
5. 225 ILCS 320/3(2), Illinois Plumbing License Law (6-month rule) — Illinois General Assemblyhe or she has a current intention to live in such premises as his or her bona fide sole and exclusive residence for a period of not less than 6 months after the completion of the plumbing work performed pursuant to the authorization of this subsection
6. 225 ILCS 320/18, Illinois Plumbing License Law (local plumbing permits) — Illinois General Assemblya city, town, village, township, or county that requires a permit for installation and repair of plumbing may not issue that permit without verification that the applicant has a valid plumbing license or that the applicant is the owner occupant of a single family residence that is the subject of the permit
7. Plumbing program — Illinois Department of Public HealthAll advertisements for plumbing services must include the plumbing license number in the advertisement.
8. 225 ILCS 335/9, Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act — Illinois General AssemblyIt is unlawful for any person to engage in the business of providing professional roofing services or act in the capacity of or hold himself, herself, or itself out in any manner as a roofing contractor or a qualifying party without having been duly licensed or accepted by the Department under the provisions of this Act.
9. 225 ILCS 335/2, Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act (definition of roofing work) — Illinois General Assembly"Roofing work" or "professional roofing services" means the construction, reconstruction, alteration, maintenance, and repair of a roof on residential, commercial, or industrial property
10. 225 ILCS 335/11(3), Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act (own property) — Illinois General AssemblyNothing in this Act shall be construed to require a person who performs roofing or waterproofing work to the person's own property, or for no consideration, to be licensed as a roofing contractor.
11. 225 ILCS 335/11(1), Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act (local permits) — Illinois General AssemblyNothing in this Act limits the power of a municipality, city, county, incorporated area, or school district to regulate the quality and character of work performed by roofing contractors through a system of permits, fees, and inspections which are designed to secure compliance with and aid in the implementation of State and local building laws or to enforce other local laws for the protection of the public health and safety.
12. 5 ILCS 80/4.41, Regulatory Sunset Act — Illinois General AssemblyThe following Acts are repealed on January 1, 2031: The Illinois Dental Practice Act. The Illinois Athletic Trainers Practice Act. The Respiratory Care Practice Act. The Illinois Physical Therapy Act. The Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act.
13. 815 ILCS 513/10, Home Repair and Remodeling Act (what it covers) — Illinois General Assembly"Home repair and remodeling" means the fixing, replacing, altering, converting, modernizing, improving, or making of an addition to any real property primarily designed or used as a residence other than maintenance, service, or repairs under $500.
14. 815 ILCS 513/15, Home Repair and Remodeling Act (written contract) — Illinois General AssemblyPrior to initiating home repair or remodeling work for over $1,000, a person engaged in the business of home repair or remodeling shall furnish to the customer for signature a written contract or work order that states the total cost, including parts and materials listed with reasonable particularity and any charge for an estimate.
15. 815 ILCS 513/20(a), Home Repair and Remodeling Act (consumer rights pamphlet, over $1,000) — Illinois General AssemblyFor any contract over $1,000, any person engaging in the business of home repair and remodeling shall provide to its customers a copy of the "Home Repair: Know Your Consumer Rights" pamphlet prior to the execution of any home repair and remodeling contract. The consumer shall sign and date an acknowledgment form
16. 815 ILCS 513/20(b), Home Repair and Remodeling Act (consumer rights pamphlet, $1,000 or under) — Illinois General AssemblyFor any contract for $1,000 or under, any person engaging in the business of home repair and remodeling shall provide to its customers a copy of the "Home Repair: Know Your Consumer Rights" pamphlet. No written acknowledgment of receipt of the pamphlet is required for a contract of $1,000 or under.
17. 815 ILCS 513/22, Home Repair and Remodeling Act (senior right to cancel) — Illinois General AssemblyA person age 65 or older who purchases home repair or remodeling services from an uninvited solicitor may cancel any contract with a person engaged in home repair or remodeling by notifying that person within 15 full business days following the day on which the contract was signed if the agreement for the home repair or remodeling was made at the home of the purchaser.
18. 815 ILCS 513/25, Home Repair and Remodeling Act (insurance) — Illinois General AssemblyAny person engaged in the business of home repair and remodeling shall obtain and maintain in full force and effect during the operation of the business public liability and property damage insurance in the amount of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per occurrence of bodily injury and $50,000 per occurrence for property damage, unless the person has a net worth of not less than $1,000,000
19. 815 ILCS 513/18(b), Home Repair and Remodeling Act (insurance deductibles) — Illinois General AssemblyA contractor offering home repair or remodeling services shall not advertise or promise to pay or rebate all or any portion of any insurance deductible as an inducement to the sale of goods or services.
20. 815 ILCS 513/18(d), Home Repair and Remodeling Act (roofing license number) — Illinois General AssemblyA contractor offering home repair or remodeling services shall include its Illinois State roofing contractor license name and number as it appears on its Illinois State roofing license on all contracts, bids, and advertisements involving roofing work
21. 65 ILCS 5/11-33-1, Illinois Municipal Code (electrical contractor registration) — Illinois General AssemblyThe corporate authorities of each municipality may require the registration of electrical contractors
22. Licenses (trade licenses) — City of Chicago Department of Buildingsincluding general contractors, supervising electricians, electrical contractors
23. Illinois Compiled Statutes, Chapter 225 (list of professional licensing laws) — Illinois General Assembly225 ILCS 320/ Illinois Plumbing License Law.
24. Professions and Industries Regulated by IDFPR (no general contractor, electrician, or HVAC entry) — Illinois Department of Financial and Professional RegulationProfessions and Industries regulated by IDFPR are organized below alphabetically for your convenience.

Checked October 20, 2026. We used AI-assisted research, then separate review passes that tried to prove each claim wrong against the law and agency pages above. This is general information, not legal advice. Rules can change; confirm with the state board or your local building department before you hire or start work. See a mistake? Email [email protected].