
Illinois Engineering Industry Licensing

Licensing requirements for engineering industry firms and individuals in Illinois.
This page provides an overview of engineering industry licensing in Illinois for individuals and firms. You will find state requirements, application fees, filing instructions, and more. For assistance with licensing, please contact us to learn about our software and managed license services.

Company Licenses
Illinois Engineering Company Licenses
Illinois Professional Design Firm Registration
Agency: | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation |
Law: | 225 ILCS 305/21; 225 ILCS 325/23; 225 ILCS 330/25; and 225 ILCS 340/19 |
Eligible Entity Types: |
|
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Yes |
Ownership Requirements: | Business Corporations:
Professional Corporations:
Professional Limited Liability Companies:
Partnerships:
|
Notes: | The Illinois Secretary of State requires that all businesses organized as a Limited Liability Company (LLC) and who plan to provide professional services which are regulated/licensed by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, must register as a Professional Limited Liability Company (PLLC) with the IL SOS or have an assumed name listed as a PLLC.
Sole Proprietorships: Registration is not required for a licensed sole proprietor who offers or provides design services in his or her individual name and is not employing other individuals to perform work for which professional licensure is required. However, any sole proprietorship conducting business as a design professional under an assumed name must register as a professional design firm. Any sole proprietorship not owned by an Illinois licensed design professional is prohibited from offering professional services to the public. |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Not Set |
Qualifying Individual Requirements: |
|
Requirement Notes: | Special Requirement for the practice of Architecture: Two-thirds of the individuals who make up the business organization's Board of Directors/Members/Partners must be |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | Mail your completed application, fee, and support documents to:
|
Agency Fee: | $75 |
Turnaround: | ~2 weeks. Confirmation will be sent to applicants via email. |
Before you Apply: | Foreign Qualification - YES
Qualified Party:
|
How to Apply: | Domestic Applicants:
Foreign Applicants:
|
Required Attachments: |
|
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $75 |
Due: | By April 30 of odd-numbered years. Renewals may be filed as early as 3 months prior to the expiration date. |
Notes: | Renewal notices are mailed 2 months prior to the expiration date. |
Required Attachments: |
|
Amendment
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Due: | If the managing agent status changes, the professional design firm must notify the Department by mail within 10 business days and notify within 30 days of the name and license number of the newly designated managing agent by submitting a Resolution of the board/members/partners and the seal and signature of the new managing agent. |
Original Ink: | Not required |
Notarize: | Not required |
Reinstatement
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $75 for each renewal period missed + $50 late fee |
Notes: | If the license has been expired for 5 or more years, the license holder should apply for a new license. |
Required Attachments: |
|
Individual Licenses
Illinois Individual Engineering Licenses
Illinois Engineer Intern License
Agency: | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Not Set |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Not Set |
Initial Registration
Form: | Application for Engineer Intern enrollment - Applicants without a U.S. SSN or TIN |
Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
Agency Fee: | $20 |
Notes: | Applicants who have a U.S. SSN or TIN should apply online. |
Renewal Not Required
Not required
Illinois Professional Engineer License
Initial Registration
Form: | Application for PE License - Applicants without a U.S. SSN or TIN |
Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
Agency Fee: | $100 |
Notes: | Applicants who have a U.S. SSN or TIN should apply online. |
Reciprocal Registration
Form: | Application for PE License - Applicants without a U.S. SSN or TIN |
Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
Agency Fee: | $100 |
Notes: |
|
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $60 |
Due: | By November 30 of odd-numbered years. |
Illinois Professional Geologist License
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $250 |
Reciprocal Registration
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $250 |
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $150 |
Due: | By March 31 of odd-numbered years. |
Illinois Professional Land Surveyor License
Agency: | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Not Set |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Not Set |
Initial Registration
Form: | Professional Land Surveying Examination/License - Application |
Agency Fee: | $150 |
Reciprocal Registration
Form: | Professional Land Surveying Examination/License - Application |
Agency Fee: | $150 |
Notes: |
|
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $60 |
Due: | By November 30 of even-numbered years. |
Illinois Professional Land Surveyor-in-Training License
Agency: | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | Not Set |
Exam Required? | Not Set |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | Not Set |
Initial Registration
Form: | Professional Land Surveying Examination/License - Application |
Agency Fee: | $70 |
Renewal Not Required
Not required
A license for a Land Surveyor-in-Training is valid for 10 years and may not be renewed.
Illinois Structural Engineer License
Initial Registration
Form: | Application for SE License - Applicants without a U.S. SSN or TIN |
Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
Agency Fee: | $100 |
Notes: | Applicants who have a U.S. SSN or TIN should apply online. |
Reciprocal Registration
Form: | Application for SE License - Applicants without a U.S. SSN or TIN |
Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
Agency Fee: | $100 |
Notes: |
|
Registration Renewal
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $60 |
Due: | By November 30 of even-numbered years. |
Original Ink: | Not required |
Notarize: | Not required |
Learn about engineering licensing in other states:
Design Firm - Engineering firm registration is sometimes grouped with architecture and land surveying on a single “design firm” application form.
EI (Engineering Intern) - A term also used to describe an Engineer in Training.
EIT (Engineer in Training) - A professional designation granted upon having completed at least 3 years of school at an ABET-accredited university and having passed the FE exam.
FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) - An exam testing on basic engineering principles that is required to become an engineer in training.
PE (Professional Engineer or 'Principles and Practice in Engineering') - Means either Professional Engineer or refers to the Principles and Practice in Engineering exam that is a prerequisite for an engineering license.
Reciprocity - When a licensed engineer in one state can provide documentation (often an NCEES Record) to more easily apply for a license in another jurisdiction.
Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
Accrediting board that sets standards for university programs in a variety of applied science disciplines.
American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC)
Engineering, architecture, and land surveying advocacy group.
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Organization that provides continuing education, professional conferences, and advocacy efforts to the civil engineering community.
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
Mechanical engineering organization that focuses on education and professional development.
Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC)
Reviews accreditation requirements and makes final decisions regarding the accreditation process.
National Council of Examiners for Engineering & Surveying (NCEES)
Develops, administers, and scores the exams used for engineering licenses.
National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)
NSPE is an advocacy group for professional engineers.
