Chicago General Contractor License Renewal

Last reviewed October 2026 · 7 min read

The City of Chicago requires a general contractor license from the Department of Buildings for most building construction, alteration, repair and demolition work in the city. A license is valid for one year from issuance and is renewed by mail through Continental Testing Services, which processes renewals for the Department. There are five classes (A to E), each with its own maximum project value, demolition work and minimum general liability insurance, and the license is automatically inactivated if that insurance policy expires. Calendar-2026 renewal fees run from $300 (Class E) to $3,500 (Class A); the Department has published the trade license fee rates that apply from January 1, 2027.

At a glance

Who needs it: Anyone who, for compensation, as an investment, or intending to sell or lease the property, bids on, undertakes (directly or through others), hires or supervises people for, or controls the means and methods of a regulated activity in Chicago: work that needs a building, sign or demolition (wrecking) permit or a sewer permit from the Department of Buildings, a Department of Public Health permit for sandblasting, grinding or chemical washing, work exempt from a building permit under Section 402 of the Chicago Construction Codes Administrative Provisions, or work under a required stormwater management plan
Not required for: Subcontractors and employees working under a licensed general contractor's supervision and control; material suppliers who don't install; City-licensed board-up companies, drain layers, electrical contractors, elevator mechanic contractors, plumbing contractors and mason contractors acting within their license; Illinois-licensed architects, professional engineers, land surveyors and structural engineers acting within their license; government entities working on their own property with their own employees; a person who contracts with a licensed general contractor that supervises and controls the work at their property; and a property owner, or the owner's employee or agent (including an authorized tenant), doing work at the owner's property that needs no building permit under Section 14A-4-402 of the Chicago Construction Codes Administrative Provisions
Your own home: Except for excavation and demolition work, an individual doesn't need the license for work at their primary residence if the building is three or fewer stories above grade, the property has six or fewer dwelling units and no nonresidential occupancy. You can claim this for only one property in a calendar year
Who holds it: Businesses, including sole proprietorships. It covers permitted work by the business, its employees, its subcontractors and their employees, except work that needs a board-up company, crane operator, drain layer contractor, electrical contractor, elevator mechanic contractor, mason contractor or plumbing contractor license
Classes: Class A: unlimited project value, ordinary or complex demolition, $5 million per occurrence insurance. Class B: up to $20 million, ordinary or complex demolition, $3 million. Class C: up to $10 million, ordinary demolition, $2 million. Class D: up to $4 million, ordinary demolition, $2 million. Class E: up to $500,000, no demolition, $1 million. A project's value is the fair market value of materials and labor from all contractors and subcontractors for all concurrent and consecutive regulated activities at the same site
2026 changes: The Class B, C and D project values and the Class C and D insurance minimums took effect January 1, 2026. For Class C and D licenses issued before that date, the higher insurance requirement is enforced when the policy on file expires
Insurance: Commercial general liability from an insurer authorized to insure in Illinois and rated B+ or higher by A.M. Best, covering bodily injury, personal injury, property damage and completed operations arising from the license or work under it. Primary and excess or umbrella policies can be combined to meet minimums above $1 million. Full requirements are in Section 4-36-090 of the Municipal Code
Renews every: Year: a general contractor license is valid for one year from issuance
Insurance lapse: The license is automatically inactivated if the associated insurance policy expires. Proof that the policy was renewed must be mailed to Continental Testing Services
How to renew: Continental Testing Services processes renewals on behalf of the Department of Buildings. Renewal forms are on its website and must be submitted to it by mail, with proof of current insurance
Renewal fees (2026): For calendar year 2026: Class A $3,500, Class B $1,800, Class C $1,300, Class D $900, Class E $300, the same as each class's license fee
2027 fees: On September 28, 2026, the Department of Buildings published the trade license fee rates applicable January 1, 2027 (some City fees are adjusted each year for the Consumer Price Index): check your class's rate before you pay a renewal due in 2027
Reinstatement fee: $100 for each year, or fraction of a year, the license has been expired (calendar-2026 fee table)
Home repair work: For residential work, a general contractor must follow the consumer protection rules for licensed home repair companies, but doesn't need a separate home repair license
Continuing education: None listed: the Department of Buildings' general contractor license page names no continuing education requirement

The license follows your insurance, not just its anniversary: a policy that expires mid-year automatically inactivates it. Proof that the policy was renewed must be mailed to Continental Testing Services.

Renewals go by mail, so put your reminder well ahead of the anniversary of the issue date.

How to renew

Find when your license was issued: it's valid for one year from issuance, so that date sets when it's due.
Check your general liability policy meets your class's minimum and comes from an insurer authorized in Illinois and rated B+ or higher by A.M. Best.
Get the renewal form from Continental Testing Services' website (linked from the Department of Buildings' page) and check the 2027 fee for your class if your renewal falls in 2027.
Mail the renewal form and proof of current insurance to Continental Testing Services, paying the fee as the form directs, and leave time for the mail.
Whenever your insurance renews during the year, mail the proof to Continental Testing Services too: an expired policy automatically inactivates the license.

Still tracking this in a spreadsheet? On a paid plan, get emailed 90, 60, 30, 7 and 1 days before it expires, by default.

Start free

Deadline checklist

60 days outCheck your general liability policy meets your class's minimum and won't expire before the renewal.
45 days outDownload the renewal form from Continental Testing Services and check the current fee for your class.
30 days outMail the renewal form and proof of current insurance to Continental Testing Services, paying the fee as the form directs.
Whenever insurance renewsMail proof of the renewed policy to Continental Testing Services: the license is automatically inactivated if the policy on file expires.

Put this renewal in your calendar

Know your expiration date? Download a free calendar file with reminders before it, no sign-up needed. It's made in your browser: nothing you type is sent to us (your browser keeps it only if you follow the sign-up link, for your new ledger). A Google Calendar button sends just that one event to Google.

The file covers one date: once you renew, make a new one. How to add it to your calendar

The license isn't the only thing expiring

Most lapses that cost contractors work aren't the license itself. They're one of these, renewing on a different date:

Your general liability policy: if it expires, the license is automatically inactivated
Other City of Chicago trade licenses your business or crew holds (electrical, plumbing, mason, drain layer)
Your Illinois roofing contractor license, if you also do roofing (a state license on its own cycle)
Workers' compensation policy (or exemption)
Certificates of insurance (COIs) you've given to clients and owners
Commercial auto insurance

LicenseLedger keeps every one of those dates in one place and emails you before each one expires, with reminders far enough ahead to finish CE and paperwork.

Track your renewal dates free

Frequently asked questions

How often do I renew a Chicago general contractor license?

Every year: a general contractor license is valid for one year from issuance. Renewals are processed by Continental Testing Services on behalf of the Department of Buildings and submitted by mail.

How much does it cost to renew a Chicago general contractor license?

For calendar year 2026: Class A $3,500, Class B $1,800, Class C $1,300, Class D $900 and Class E $300. The Department of Buildings has published the trade license fee rates applicable January 1, 2027, so check your class's rate before you pay.

What insurance does a Chicago general contractor need?

Commercial general liability of $5 million per occurrence for Class A, $3 million for Class B, $2 million for Classes C and D and $1 million for Class E, from an insurer authorized in Illinois and rated B+ or higher by A.M. Best. For Class C and D licenses issued before January 1, 2026, the higher insurance requirement is enforced when the policy on file expires.

What happens if my insurance expires?

The license is automatically inactivated if the associated insurance policy expires. Proof that the policy was renewed must be mailed to Continental Testing Services.

Do I need a general contractor license to work on my own home in Chicago?

Not for most work at your primary residence if the building is three or fewer stories above grade, the property has six or fewer dwelling units and no nonresidential occupancy, and you claim it for only one property in a calendar year. Excavation and demolition work aren't covered by this exception.

Official sources

Rules, fees and CE requirements change. Confirm the current requirements with the official source before you renew:

City of Chicago Department of Buildings, General Contractor License

This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Other Illinois guides

All Illinois guides on one page

Get a reminder before this renewal is due

Add this license, your insurance policies and the COIs you collect from subs to LicenseLedger, and get an email before each one expires. Free for up to 3 records, no credit card required.

Start free

Not ready to sign up? Get the free tracking spreadsheet

Chicago General Contractor License Renewal

Last reviewed October 2026 · 7 min read

At a glance

Who needs it: Anyone who, for compensation, as an investment, or intending to sell or lease the property, bids on, undertakes (directly or through others), hires or supervises people for, or controls the means and methods of a regulated activity in Chicago: work that needs a building, sign or demolition (wrecking) permit or a sewer permit from the Department of Buildings, a Department of Public Health permit for sandblasting, grinding or chemical washing, work exempt from a building permit under Section 402 of the Chicago Construction Codes Administrative Provisions, or work under a required stormwater management plan
Not required for: Subcontractors and employees working under a licensed general contractor's supervision and control; material suppliers who don't install; City-licensed board-up companies, drain layers, electrical contractors, elevator mechanic contractors, plumbing contractors and mason contractors acting within their license; Illinois-licensed architects, professional engineers, land surveyors and structural engineers acting within their license; government entities working on their own property with their own employees; a person who contracts with a licensed general contractor that supervises and controls the work at their property; and a property owner, or the owner's employee or agent (including an authorized tenant), doing work at the owner's property that needs no building permit under Section 14A-4-402 of the Chicago Construction Codes Administrative Provisions
Your own home: Except for excavation and demolition work, an individual doesn't need the license for work at their primary residence if the building is three or fewer stories above grade, the property has six or fewer dwelling units and no nonresidential occupancy. You can claim this for only one property in a calendar year
Who holds it: Businesses, including sole proprietorships. It covers permitted work by the business, its employees, its subcontractors and their employees, except work that needs a board-up company, crane operator, drain layer contractor, electrical contractor, elevator mechanic contractor, mason contractor or plumbing contractor license
Classes: Class A: unlimited project value, ordinary or complex demolition, $5 million per occurrence insurance. Class B: up to $20 million, ordinary or complex demolition, $3 million. Class C: up to $10 million, ordinary demolition, $2 million. Class D: up to $4 million, ordinary demolition, $2 million. Class E: up to $500,000, no demolition, $1 million. A project's value is the fair market value of materials and labor from all contractors and subcontractors for all concurrent and consecutive regulated activities at the same site
2026 changes: The Class B, C and D project values and the Class C and D insurance minimums took effect January 1, 2026. For Class C and D licenses issued before that date, the higher insurance requirement is enforced when the policy on file expires
Insurance: Commercial general liability from an insurer authorized to insure in Illinois and rated B+ or higher by A.M. Best, covering bodily injury, personal injury, property damage and completed operations arising from the license or work under it. Primary and excess or umbrella policies can be combined to meet minimums above $1 million. Full requirements are in Section 4-36-090 of the Municipal Code
Renews every: Year: a general contractor license is valid for one year from issuance
Insurance lapse: The license is automatically inactivated if the associated insurance policy expires. Proof that the policy was renewed must be mailed to Continental Testing Services
How to renew: Continental Testing Services processes renewals on behalf of the Department of Buildings. Renewal forms are on its website and must be submitted to it by mail, with proof of current insurance
Renewal fees (2026): For calendar year 2026: Class A $3,500, Class B $1,800, Class C $1,300, Class D $900, Class E $300, the same as each class's license fee
2027 fees: On September 28, 2026, the Department of Buildings published the trade license fee rates applicable January 1, 2027 (some City fees are adjusted each year for the Consumer Price Index): check your class's rate before you pay a renewal due in 2027
Reinstatement fee: $100 for each year, or fraction of a year, the license has been expired (calendar-2026 fee table)
Home repair work: For residential work, a general contractor must follow the consumer protection rules for licensed home repair companies, but doesn't need a separate home repair license
Continuing education: None listed: the Department of Buildings' general contractor license page names no continuing education requirement

Renewals go by mail, so put your reminder well ahead of the anniversary of the issue date.

How to renew

Find when your license was issued: it's valid for one year from issuance, so that date sets when it's due.
Check your general liability policy meets your class's minimum and comes from an insurer authorized in Illinois and rated B+ or higher by A.M. Best.
Get the renewal form from Continental Testing Services' website (linked from the Department of Buildings' page) and check the 2027 fee for your class if your renewal falls in 2027.
Mail the renewal form and proof of current insurance to Continental Testing Services, paying the fee as the form directs, and leave time for the mail.
Whenever your insurance renews during the year, mail the proof to Continental Testing Services too: an expired policy automatically inactivates the license.

Still tracking this in a spreadsheet? On a paid plan, get emailed 90, 60, 30, 7 and 1 days before it expires, by default.

Start free

Deadline checklist

60 days outCheck your general liability policy meets your class's minimum and won't expire before the renewal.
45 days outDownload the renewal form from Continental Testing Services and check the current fee for your class.
30 days outMail the renewal form and proof of current insurance to Continental Testing Services, paying the fee as the form directs.
Whenever insurance renewsMail proof of the renewed policy to Continental Testing Services: the license is automatically inactivated if the policy on file expires.

Put this renewal in your calendar

The file covers one date: once you renew, make a new one. How to add it to your calendar

The license isn't the only thing expiring

Most lapses that cost contractors work aren't the license itself. They're one of these, renewing on a different date:

Your general liability policy: if it expires, the license is automatically inactivated
Other City of Chicago trade licenses your business or crew holds (electrical, plumbing, mason, drain layer)
Your Illinois roofing contractor license, if you also do roofing (a state license on its own cycle)
Workers' compensation policy (or exemption)
Certificates of insurance (COIs) you've given to clients and owners
Commercial auto insurance

LicenseLedger keeps every one of those dates in one place and emails you before each one expires, with reminders far enough ahead to finish CE and paperwork.

Track your renewal dates free

Frequently asked questions

How often do I renew a Chicago general contractor license?

Every year: a general contractor license is valid for one year from issuance. Renewals are processed by Continental Testing Services on behalf of the Department of Buildings and submitted by mail.

How much does it cost to renew a Chicago general contractor license?

What insurance does a Chicago general contractor need?

What happens if my insurance expires?

The license is automatically inactivated if the associated insurance policy expires. Proof that the policy was renewed must be mailed to Continental Testing Services.

Do I need a general contractor license to work on my own home in Chicago?

Official sources

Rules, fees and CE requirements change. Confirm the current requirements with the official source before you renew:

City of Chicago Department of Buildings, General Contractor License

This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Other Illinois guides

All Illinois guides on one page

Get a reminder before this renewal is due

Add this license, your insurance policies and the COIs you collect from subs to LicenseLedger, and get an email before each one expires. Free for up to 3 records, no credit card required.

Start free

Not ready to sign up? Get the free tracking spreadsheet