Illinois to Texas: master HVAC technician license reciprocity

How local licensing works. Illinois has no state HVAC license. Each municipality licenses or registers mechanical contractors under its own ordinance; the ICC National Standard Master Mechanical exam (G29, formerly W29; residential W32) is the common denominator among testing cities.

Chicago. No HVAC or mechanical contractor license. Contractors obtain a General Contractor license from the Department of Buildings in Class A (unlimited project value, $3,500), B ($1,800), C ($1,300), D ($900) or E (projects up to $500,000, $300), each valid one year, with commercial general liability insurance from $1 million per occurrence (Class E) to $5 million (Class A) and a financial solvency statement, administered through Continental Testing Services; no trade exam.

Springfield. The Building and Zoning Department issues a person-held Mechanical License: Residential requires 5 years of practical experience in all types of mechanical work approved by the Mechanical Commission and proof of passing the ICC Master Mechanical Exam G29; Commercial requires 7 years and the same exam. Mechanical contractors also register with the city. A contractor licensed in another Illinois or out-of-state municipality with reciprocal testing may substitute that test only if the license was issued before 10/7/2007 (10/10/2007 in the earlier memo) and never lapsed; all others pass the ICC exam. Passing the exam does not itself guarantee a license.

Peoria. HVAC contractors must be licensed or registered ($150 non-refundable, calendar year) with an ICC contractor test certificate from the 2018 or newer code cycle; holders of current Normal or Pekin licenses register without retesting. Only the licensed contractor may pull permits and must attend inspections.

Aurora. Accepts a current ICC Master Mechanical certification (N29) in lieu of municipal testing; requires a certificate of insurance naming the City of Aurora as primary and non-contributory additional insured; registration through Development Services.

Elgin. Requires a mechanical contractor's license from any Illinois city that gives a written examination, or proof of passing the ICC Master Mechanical G29 exam, plus a $20,000 license and permit bond; the license is not required when an Illinois-licensed architect or engineer seals the plans and accepts responsibility.

Unincorporated Cook County. HVAC contractors register as 'all other trades' with the Department of Building and Zoning: $150 initial and $75 annual per trade, $1,000,000 general liability insurance naming the department; no exam.

Not verified. Naperville's contractor registration page was blocked when opened for this entry; Rockford publishes only electrical registration rules.

Out-of-state holders. None of these jurisdictions publishes reciprocity or endorsement for another state's master HVAC or mechanical license. The practical route is to pass the ICC National Standard Master Mechanical exam (accepted by Springfield, Peoria, Aurora and Elgin), then license or register in each municipality where work will be performed, and obtain a Chicago general contractor license for work in Chicago.