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How to get an HVAC license in Illinois

Hours, exam, fees and renewal for HVAC work in Illinois. Taken from official IL pages and checked .

Quick answer
  • Licensing body: No statewide HVAC board — municipalities may license HVAC contractors (65 ILCS 5/11-32-1)
  • State journeyman license: No (Illinois has no statewide HVAC technician or contractor license. Local cities set exams, fees, and cards. A contractor licensed in their home municipality may work in another city without a second license if they follow that city’s install rules (65 ILCS 5/11-32-1).)
  • HVAC / mechanical contractor (local): Set by each municipality. State law lets cities examine and license heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration contractors (license fee capped at $50 in the statute — cities still set their own registration packages). Example below: City of Aurora.
  • Exam: see below, via Set locally (city building / mechanical board)
  • Code edition: Set by each city. Many accept ICC Master Mechanical (Exam N29) or another city’s mechanical test — see the local table.

Requirements by license

HVAC / mechanical contractor (local)

ExperienceSet by each municipality. State law lets cities examine and license heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration contractors (license fee capped at $50 in the statute — cities still set their own registration packages). Example below: City of Aurora.Source: ilga.gov · as of
ExamSet locally (city building / mechanical board). Ask the city where the job is. Aurora: qualifying party needs ICC National Standard Master Mechanical or an accepted municipal mechanical test.Source: aurora.il.us · as of
FeesSet locally / not listedSource: ilga.gov · as of · Local fees vary. Aurora HVAC contractor registration lists $200 on the city application PDF.
RenewalSet locally. Ask the city that issued your registration. Open/expired permits can block renewal in some cities.Source: aurora.il.us · as of
CE to renewNo statewide CE. Local cities may add their own rules — confirm when you renew.Source: ilga.gov · as of

License types in Illinois

  • No statewide HVAC technician license
  • No statewide HVAC contractor license
  • Local HVAC / mechanical contractor registration (city-by-city)
  • Federal EPA §608 for refrigerant (separate from state)
Source: ilga.gov · as of

Local HVAC contractor licenses (examples)

Illinois leaves HVAC contractor licensing to cities. Below is Aurora’s registration path. Chicago, Elgin, Peoria, Rockford, and others set their own rules — call before you bid.

City of Aurora

Office: Development Services — Division of Building and Permits
Licenses journeymen?No new licenses (see notes)
ExperienceQualifying party must be a sole proprietor, partner, or corporate officer who can legally act for the firm and supervise installs day to day. Business must be registered with the Illinois Secretary of State (or county DBA).
ExamICC Master Mechanical (N29) or accepted municipal mechanical test. Aurora accepts current ICC National Standard Master Mechanical certification, or testing from listed municipalities (Elgin, Freeport, Joliet, Rockford, Peoria, Evanston, and others on the testing PDF)
FeesHVAC contractor registration: $200
RenewalConfirm with city portal. Renew through eTRAKiT; open/expired permits can block renewal
CENot listed on the contractor registration PDF.
NotesInsurance: Aurora as primary/non-contributory additional insured; $1M aggregate / $500k occurrence; workers’ comp; $5,000 surety bond (≥1 year). Phone (630) 256-3130.
Still openConfirm current renewal dollar if the city changes the PDF fee
ContactDevelopment Services — Division of Building and Permits · (630) 256-3130 · bpcsrgroup@aurora.il.us (source)
Source: aurora.il.us · as of

Contact the city or village building department for the job site.

Reciprocity (licensed in another state?)

Under 65 ILCS 5/11-32-1, a contractor properly licensed in the Illinois municipality of their principal place of business may install in another municipality without a second license if they follow that city’s rules. Always confirm with the job-site city before you pull permits.Source: ilga.gov · as of

What we couldn't confirm yet

We only publish what we can tie to an official source. These items aren't published anywhere we could verify, so ask the office listed:

  • Chicago / Cook County HVAC permitting path (Chicago uses general contractor classes for many permit pulls — confirm current practice).
    Ask: Local building department (contact source, as of )

FAQ

Does Illinois have a state HVAC license?

No statewide tech or contractor card. Cities license HVAC contractors under 65 ILCS 5/11-32-1.

Example city?

Aurora: $200 HVAC contractor registration plus ICC Master Mechanical (or an accepted municipal test).

Already licensed? See Illinois HVAC license renewal & CE.

Other states

Compare every state side by side: license requirements by state · renewal & CE by state.