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Plumber
Total cost: $275
Yes
State Licensed?
10,000
Apprentice Hours
5
License Levels
$275
Total Fees
4 hrs
CE Hours
Illinois Plumbing Code (state-specific)
Code Version
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$100
Apprentice registration fee
Exam Fee
$175
In-state exam fee; Chicago-licensed or out-of-state: $225; retake: $175
Regulation Status
VerifiedState Licensed
Yes
Regulation Level
state
License Types Available
State-Level Licensing Required
Regulated by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)
Apprenticeship Program
10,000
Total Hours
5 yrs
Duration
800
Classroom Hours
9,200
OJT Hours
Registered Apprenticeship Program Required
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Experience Required
Registration required; no prior experience
No exam required
Additional Requirements
Experience Required
Minimum 4 years (48 months) as an Illinois licensed apprentice plumber under supervision; high school graduate or 2-year equivalent course of study; approved course of instruction through a college, university, or trade school. Citizenship requirement listed on the older IDPH mirror site; not explicitly restated on the current IDPH page but confirmed in the exam application.
Exam required
Additional Requirements
Experience Required
Illinois does NOT have a master plumber license. A licensed plumber can register as a Plumbing Contractor (business registration, not separate exam).
No exam required
Exam Information
VerifiedJourneyman Exam
RequiredMaster Exam
RequiredExam Provider
IDPH (state-administered exam)
Plumbing Code Version
Illinois Plumbing Code (state-specific)
Open Book Exam
Passing Score
75%
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Overall licensing difficulty: 33/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
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Plumber Licensing Exam
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
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Minimum Age
Education
Background Check
Insurance Required
Bonding Required
Not sure if you need a plumber license? Check whether your state requires one.
Illinois has 9% above average — nationally the ratio is 1 per 746 residents.
Illinois has average plumbers density relative to population.
Illinois ranks #27 out of 51 states by plumbers per capita.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Apprentice Registration Apprentice registration fee | $100 |
Exam Fee In-state exam fee; Chicago-licensed or out-of-state: $225; retake: $175 | $175 |
Total Initial Fees Apprentice ($100) + exam ($175) = $275 (Plumber's License) | $275 |
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Renewal & CE Requirements
VerifiedAnnual; licenses expire April 30 each year
Renewal Period
4
CE Hours Required
—
Renewal Fee
Continuing Education Required
Regulatory Board
Annual; Plumber's License expires April 30; Child Support Certification form required
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedDoes Not Accept 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.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Illinois with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Illinois has no journeyman or master plumber licenses — only a single 'Plumber's License.' Chicago has its own separate licensing system. Exam passing score of 75% (with 61% minimum per section) is higher than most states.
CRITICAL: Illinois does NOT have journeyman or master plumber licenses — it issues only a single 'Plumber's License'
Governed by Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), NOT IDFPR
A licensed plumber can register as a Plumbing Contractor (business registration requiring insurance and $20,000 bond)
Chicago has its own separate plumbing licensing system; IDPH license valid in Chicago ONLY under a Chicago contractor
Chicago plumbers wanting to work outside Chicago must apply for IDPH reciprocity ($150 fee)
Apprentice age: 16+; maximum 6 years as apprentice before must pass exam
Exam passing score: 75% average with 61% minimum per section (higher than most states)
CE: 4 hours annually
Uses Illinois Plumbing Code (state-specific, not IPC or UPC)
Child Support Certification form required for all licensed plumbers at renewal
Plumber's License expires April 30; Contractor Registration expires September 30
No formal reciprocity with other states
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Plumber requirements in Illinois verified against Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), April 2026.
Accessed 2026-03-24
Accessed 2026-03-06