Contractor Licensing

Commercial General Contractor:
All Commercial General Contractors must be licensed in the City of Evanston. We do not honor licenses from other cities. To obtain the license, the contractor must take an open-book exam using International Building Code (IBC) 2003 Edition. (see testing info below)  License Fee:  $125, renewable annually

Residential General Contractor:
All Residential General Contractors must be licensed in the City of Evanston. We do not honor licenses from other cities. To obtain the license, the contractor must take an open-book exam using International Residential Code for One and Two Family Dwellings (IRC), 2003 Edition (see testing info below)  License Fee:  $100, renewable annually

HVAC Contractor:
All Mechanical Contractors must be licensed in the City of Evanston. We do not honor licenses from other cities. To obtain the license, the contractor must take an open-book exam using the 2003 International Mechanical Code and the 2003 International Fuel Gas Code. (see testing info below)  License Fee:  $100, renewable annually

Plumbing Contractor:
All Plumbing Contractors must have a state license. 

Electrical Contractor:
All Electrical Contractors must hold a current electrical license at any city that has an Electrical Commission.  

All other Sub-Contractors:
All other sub contractors must have a current license in the State of Illinois.

Contractor Licensing Exam - Testing Information:

All contractors should allow up to three hours for the licensing exam. Exams must be started between the hours of 8:30am - 1:00pm on Monday through Friday at the Building Department (3rd Floor of the Civic Center-2100 Ridge, Evanston). There is no fee for the exams. Code books may be purchased at the City Clerk's office on the 1st floor of the Civic Center (847.866.2925) Test results are given within 2 business days.

Contractor Licensing exam application - Complete and bring in with code book to Building Department.