Plumbing and HVAC rules in Illinois

What the state says about plumbing and heating and cooling work, with the page each rule comes from. It's a summary of the published rules, not legal advice, and your city or county can have rules of its own.

Checked September 23, 2026

Plumbing licensing

Plumbers in Illinois are licensed by the Department of Public Health, and plumbing contractors register with it. Chicago licenses plumbers separately.1, 2

Heating and cooling licensing

Illinois has no state license for heating and cooling work. Ask your city or county whether it licenses heating and cooling contractors.3, 1

Plumbing and mechanical codes

Your local building department can tell you which plumbing and mechanical codes apply where you live.

Permits to replace a water heater, furnace or AC

Ask your local building department whether replacing a water heater, furnace or AC needs a permit where you live.

Backflow testing

If your home has a backflow preventer, your water utility can tell you whether it needs testing and who can test it.

Sources

  1. Illinois Department of Public Health ↑
  2. Illinois Department of Public Health ↑
  3. Illinois Open Data ↑

What plumbing and HVAC work costs in Illinois

Published national ranges for plumbing, water heater, sewer, AC, heat pump and furnace jobs, and a planning estimate for your own job.

Plumbing, heating and cooling costs in Illinois

Contractors in Illinois

352 plumbers and heating and cooling contractors are listed in Illinois. 109 hold an active USDOT registration. Browse them by county, or ask for quotes and we'll pass your job to contractors near you.

Cite this page

“Plumbing and HVAC rules in Illinois.” PlumbingInformationSite.com, updated September 27, 2026. https://plumbinginformationsite.com/il/rules/