Illinois HVAC license lookup: how to check and get a license
Illinois HVAC license lookup: who issues HVAC contractor licenses (local (city/county); no state HVAC license found. Chicago: HVAC permit work is done by a city-licensed General Contractor (Department of Buildings)), how to check one online, the license types, and 4,042 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors by county.
Do HVAC contractors need a license in Illinois?
| Who licenses them | local (city/county); no state HVAC license found. Chicago: HVAC permit work is done by a city-licensed General Contractor (Department of Buildings) |
|---|---|
| When a license is required | None at state level |
Illinois has no statewide HVAC license, though cities may license heating and air conditioning contractors, so check with your city. Refrigerant work requires federal EPA Section 608 certification.
How do you look up an HVAC contractor's license in Illinois?
- Ask the HVAC contractor for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the Illinois HVAC license lookup run by local (city/county); no state HVAC license found. Chicago: HVAC permit work is done by a city-licensed General Contractor (Department of Buildings).
- Search by license number first. A name search can return several people or companies with similar names.
- Check that the status is active or current, that the license type covers your job, and that the name matches the company on your contract.
- If something doesn't match, ask the HVAC contractor about it before you sign or pay a deposit, or contact local (city/county); no state HVAC license found. Chicago: HVAC permit work is done by a city-licensed General Contractor (Department of Buildings).
How do you get a HVAC license in Illinois?
Licenses are issued by the local (city/county); no state HVAC license found. Chicago: HVAC permit work is done by a city-licensed General Contractor (Department of Buildings). Requirements such as experience, exams, insurance and fees change, so read the current rules on the official local (city/county); no state HVAC license found. Chicago: HVAC permit work is done by a city-licensed General Contractor (Department of Buildings) source before you apply. Already licensed? List your business on Expert Helper to get matched with customers.
Which Illinois city is the job in?
How many HVAC contractors are there in Illinois?
The Census Bureau counted 4,042 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors with employees in Illinois in 2023. The counties with the most:
| Cook County | 1,377 |
|---|---|
| DuPage County | 388 |
| Will County | 293 |
| Lake County | 283 |
| Kane County | 222 |
| McHenry County | 169 |
| Madison County | 97 |
| Winnebago County | 88 |
What do Illinois homes mean for heating and cooling work?
The median home in Illinois was built in 1970, 33% of households rent and 64% of homes are single-family houses. 76% of homes heat with utility gas and 18% with electricity.
How do you choose an HVAC contractor in Illinois?
- Check the state or local mechanical or HVAC license, and ask whether the technicians hold EPA 608 certification for refrigerant work.
- For a new system, ask for a load calculation (often called Manual J) rather than a size picked from square footage.
- Ask which rebates and tax credits apply to heat pumps and high-efficiency equipment, and whether the contractor files the paperwork.
- Compare quotes on the same equipment model numbers and efficiency ratings (SEER2, HSPF2, AFUE).
- Ask what the labor warranty covers, separately from the manufacturer's parts warranty.
HVAC Contractors in other states
Sources: Illinois licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.