Illinois plumbing licenses come from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Division of Environmental Health Protection, not IDFPR. IDPH administers the Illinois Plumbing License Law (225 ILCS 320) because plumbing work directly affects drinking water safety. This guide walks you through the Apprentice Plumber path, the experience requirement, and the state licensing exam.
Requirements can change. Always confirm current licensing rules with IDPH before applying.
Quick Overview
- AuthorityIDPH
- Apprenticeship4 Years Min.
- Exam Application Fee$175 - $225
- RenewalAnnual, by April 30
Figures come from official sources and can change. Always confirm with the licensing authority before applying.
3 Steps to Licensure
- 1
Meet the requirements
Requirements for the Illinois Plumber's License include:
- At least 4 years employed as an Illinois-licensed Apprentice Plumber (225 ILCS 320/10(d)).
- Completion of at least 2 years of high school or equivalent, plus approved course instruction through a college, university, or trade school.
- Passing the state licensing exam administered directly by IDPH.
To become an Apprentice Plumber first, you need a minimum age of 16 and sponsorship by an Illinois-licensed plumber or an approved apprenticeship program (maximum apprenticeship period 6 years).
Requirements can change. Always confirm current licensing rules with IDPH before applying.
- 2
Submit your application
The application process for the Illinois Plumber's License typically involves these steps:
- Obtain sponsorship from an Illinois-licensed plumber or enroll in an approved apprenticeship program, then apply for and hold the Apprentice Plumber's License.
- Accumulate at least 4 years of employment as an Illinois-licensed Apprentice Plumber, alongside at least 2 years of high school or equivalent plus approved trade school or college coursework.
- Submit the official Application for Examination for Plumber's License to IDPH, along with the applicable exam fee.
- Sit for and pass the state licensing exam administered by IDPH.
- If you plan to work for another person, register annually as a Plumbing Contractor and carry the required liability, bodily-injury, property-damage, and workers' compensation insurance.
Steps can change, so verify the current process directly with IDPH before applying.
- 3
Pass the plumbing exam
The Illinois Plumber's License exam is a state licensing exam administered directly by IDPH, not outsourced to a third-party testing vendor such as PSI or Pearson VUE. A separate written exam applies to the Certified Plumbing Inspector credential. IDPH does not publish a passing score or detailed exam format on its main plumbing program page. Always confirm current exam requirements directly with IDPH, since formats and policies can change.
License Types
Apprentice Plumber's License
Entry-level license; minimum age 16 with sponsorship required.
- Sponsorship required
- Up to 6 years
Plumber's License
Journey-level license after 4+ years as a licensed apprentice.
- Statewide license
- Exam required
Details
Experience
IDPH requires at least 4 years of employment as an Illinois-licensed Apprentice Plumber before you can sit for the journey-level Plumber's License exam. Apprentice licensure itself requires sponsorship by an Illinois-licensed plumber or an approved apprenticeship program, and the maximum apprenticeship period is 6 years. IDPH's own guidance notes that some permit types (sewer, water, gas service, drain-cleaning-only) may not by themselves satisfy the apprentice-experience requirement per secondary prep-provider guidance; confirm exactly what counts as qualifying experience directly with IDPH before relying on any specific work history.
Details
Fees
The Plumber's License exam application fee is $175 for Illinois-licensed apprentice plumbers and $225 for applicants licensed in Chicago or out of state, per the official Application for Examination for Plumber's License. A returned-check fee of $100 applies. Secondary sources cite a Chicago-reciprocity plumber's license fee of roughly $150; confirm the exact current figure on the official reciprocity application form. Always confirm current fee amounts directly with IDPH before submitting payment.
Details
Renewal
Plumber's Licenses must be renewed by April 30 following the date of issuance, through IDPH's online renewal portal. Continuing education is required annually to maintain and improve skills; the exact CE hour count is not published on the main IDPH plumbing page. Requirements can change; always confirm renewal requirements and CE hours with IDPH before your renewal deadline.
Frequently asked questions
Does IDFPR issue the Illinois plumbing license?
No. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Division of Environmental Health Protection, issues the Plumber's License under the Illinois Plumbing License Law (225 ILCS 320). This is a key exception to the pattern where IDFPR handles most other Illinois trade licenses.
How long does the Illinois plumbing apprenticeship take?
You must be employed as an Illinois-licensed Apprentice Plumber for at least 4 years before sitting for the Plumber's License exam. The maximum allowed apprenticeship period is 6 years.
Is the Illinois plumbing exam administered by PSI or Pearson VUE?
No. IDPH's own plumbing program page describes it as a state licensing exam, administered directly by the department rather than through a third-party testing vendor.
Does a Chicago plumbing license transfer to the Illinois state license?
IDPH offers a reciprocity pathway: a City of Chicago-licensed plumber who completed a 4-year licensed apprenticeship can obtain the Illinois state license without retaking the exam, using the dedicated reciprocity application form.
When does an Illinois plumbing license need to be renewed?
By April 30 following the date of issuance, through IDPH's online renewal portal. Annual continuing education is required; confirm the current hour count directly with IDPH.
