Plumber / Illinois
2026 data Illinois board official source

Illinois Plumber License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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Installs and repairs pipes and plumbing systems. Requires apprenticeship.

What the Illinois data shows for Plumbers

Illinois's path to plumber licensure runs through 7,676 hours of approved instruction, 4 years of supervised work experience, and a passing score on State Journeyman Plumber Exam, plus a criminal history screening before applicants younger than 18 can be licensed. Illinois folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Apprenticeship Program".

The initial price tag is $278, and renewal costs $232 every 1 years. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 8 hours of continuing education are due every 1-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

On reciprocity, plumbers should know: Journeyman licenses rarely reciprocal — check state board.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
14/100
Plumber · Illinois

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
7,676 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$278
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$232/yr
$232 every 1 year
Continuing Education C+
8.0 hrs/yr
8 hours every 1 year
Experience Required F
4 years
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Illinois

Education / Training Hours
Apprenticeship Program
7,676 hours
Exam Requirement
State Journeyman Plumber Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$278
Renewal Fee
$232
Renewal Cycle
Every 1 year
Continuing Education
8 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Work Experience Required
4 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Plumber All Illinois licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Illinois licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Plumber in Illinois? ▼
Illinois's requirements cover 7676 hours of education or training, the State Journeyman Plumber Exam exam, and an initial fee of $278. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Plumber in Illinois? ▼
To become a licensed plumber in Illinois, you must meet the state's requirements including 7676 hours of education and 4 years of work experience. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Illinois licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Plumber license to Illinois from another state? ▼
For plumbers, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: Journeyman licenses rarely reciprocal — check state board. Many professions are also covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability between states. Contact the Illinois licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Illinois require a background check for Plumber licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the plumber licensing process in Illinois. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.
What are the continuing education requirements for Plumber in Illinois? ▼
Illinois ties continued plumber licensure to 8 continuing-education hours, due every 1 year, alongside a $232 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this plumber license

Plumber in Illinois, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a plumber-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Illinois's plumber requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Plumber in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state plumber license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Illinois's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Illinois overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Illinois licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.