To protect you and your family, your local community can issue permits and require public inspection with respect to all plumbing work in its jurisdiction to be sure that the plumbing code is adequately enforced. The permit allows plumbing inspectors to check that the work is done with approved methods, fixtures and supplies in accordance with the Plumbing Code provisions. That’s how it protects your water supply and assures that waste water is carried away safely.

Large municipalities and those with significant amounts of construction generally have full-time plumbing inspectors on their payroll. Others may use part-time inspectors or hire outside inspection services.

Some counties also employ plumbing inspectors. And the Illinois Department of Public Health has several inspectors with wider jurisdictional authority.

But Illinois law requires that all the inspectors actually doing the work must be licensed plumbers. And they also must meet continuing education requirements to maintain their licenses.

To further protect you at the state level, Illinois requires that anyone doing plumbing work must be registered with the State or the City of Chicago. To register, contractors must provide evidence of general liability, bodily injury, property damage and workers compensation insurance, must post a $20,000 indemnification bond, must have a state- or Chicago-licensed plumber as owner or a part owner, and must provide information about company ownership. Registration must be renewed each May 1 and is not transferable upon sale of the business.