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How to become a licensed plumber in Illinois. State-level licensing required. 10,000 apprenticeship hours required. Total initial fees: $265. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Plumber
Governing Authority
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation - Plumbing
Official website →Yes
State Licensed?
10,000
Apprentice Hours
3
License Levels
$265
Total Fees
0 hrs
CE Hours
International Plumbing Code (IPC)
Code Version
Regulation Status
VerifiedState Licensed
Yes
Regulation Level
state
License Types Available
State-Level Licensing Required
Regulated by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation - Plumbing
Apprenticeship Program
10,000
Total Hours
5 yrs
Duration
800
Classroom Hours
9,200
OJT Hours
Registered Apprenticeship Program Required
Experience Required
Registration required; no prior experience
No exam required
Additional Requirements
Experience Required
5 years / 10,000 hours of apprenticeship
Exam required
Additional Requirements
Experience Required
1-2 years as licensed journeyman plumber
Exam required
Additional Requirements
Exam Information
VerifiedJourneyman Exam
RequiredMaster Exam
RequiredExam Provider
PSI
Plumbing Code Version
International Plumbing Code (IPC)
Open Book Exam
Passing Score
70%
Minimum Age
Education
Background Check
Insurance Required
Bonding Required
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Apprentice Registration Apprentice registration fee | $40 |
Journeyman License Journeyman plumber license fee | $100 |
Master License Master plumber license fee | $140 |
Exam Fee Plumbing exam fee | $125 |
Renewal Fee Annual or biennial renewal fee | $75 |
Total Initial Fees Estimated total for apprentice registration + journeyman license + exam | $265 |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years
Renewal Period
0
CE Hours Required
$75
Renewal Fee
No CE Requirement
Regulatory Board
Renewal fee per 2 years
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Licenses
Transfer Type
Endorsement
Additional Requirements for Transfer
Most states require plumbers to pass the local exam or apply for endorsement when transferring an out-of-state license. Requirements vary by state.
Illinois requires 10,000 hours of apprenticeship, and Chicago maintains its own additional local plumbing licensing on top of the state requirements.
Illinois requires 10,000 hours of apprenticeship for journeyman plumber license
Chicago has additional local plumbing licensing requirements on top of state license
State plumbing code is enforced by the Department of Public Health
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Illinois.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#46 of 51
Salary
#1 of 51
Cost
#32 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (SOC 47-2152)
Entry Level
$63,710
25th percentile
Median
$96,200
+53% vs. national avg ($62,970)Experienced
$116,180
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
18,730 employed in this state
Note: BLS category "Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters" includes pipefitters and steamfitters in addition to plumbers. Wages for plumbers specifically may differ.
Source: BLS OEWS – Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+5.4%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
+27,500
over 10 years
Annual Openings
39,200
per year (avg.)
510,500 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Plumbing Career Ladder+4% salary growth potential
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Plumber (Journeyman)
$96,200
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
You are here
Plumber (Journeyman)
Apprenticeship (4-5 years) + journeyman exam
$96,200
Master plumber license + contractor license
$100,360
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 264–274 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation - Plumbing
2–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation - Plumbing
Study guides and code practice tests for the plumber licensing exam.
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Accessed 2026-03-06
Accessed 2026-03-06
Illinois requires state-level licensing. Complete 10,000 hours of apprenticeship to qualify. All licensing is managed through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation - Plumbing.
Requirements vary by state and locality. Always verify current requirements with your state or local licensing authority.