Illinois asbestos rules: licensing, notices and homeowner exemptions

Built from official Illinois and federal agency pages. Checked November 2026.

In Illinois, the Department of Public Health (IDPH) licenses asbestos contractors, workers and professionals for schools, commercial and public buildings. Illinois EPA must receive a notification and a $150 fee at least 10 working days before a regulated demolition or renovation. Cook County and the City of Chicago have their own filing requirements.

Who licenses asbestos work in Illinois

Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).

• Workers who manage or abate asbestos in schools, commercial or public buildings must be trained and licensed, and contractors are required to be licensed. Source
• If a project design is developed for asbestos abatement in a commercial or public building, a licensed Project Designer must complete it. Source
• Illinois EPA refers asbestos training and licensure questions to IDPH at (217) 782-3517. Source

Notification before renovation or demolition

• Owners and operators subject to the NESHAP must submit the notification form and a $150 fee at least 10 working days before starting a regulated asbestos demolition or renovation. Electronic payment adds a $6.00 convenience fee. Source
• The Combined Notification of Demolition and Renovation Form is used for notices to Illinois EPA, IDPH and the City of Chicago. Source

Homeowners and private residences

• IDPH's licensing page describes requirements for schools, commercial and public buildings and does not address single-family homes. Ask IDPH at (217) 782-3517 before you do or hire asbestos work in a home. Source
• At the federal level, the NESHAP work practices exclude residential buildings with four or fewer dwelling units, unless the home is part of a commercial or public project. Source

An exemption from licensing or notice is not a safety finding. EPA advises leaving undamaged material alone and having a trained professional sample anything you plan to disturb. See do I need asbestos testing before renovating?

Local programs in Illinois

• Cook County no longer uses the combined notification form; notifications there go through Cook County's online system. Illinois EPA links the City of Chicago's own asbestos requirements and advises checking with local authorities before demolition or renovation. Source

The federal baseline

State rules sit on top of the federal Asbestos NESHAP. These points apply nationwide.

• Before a covered demolition or renovation starts, the owner or operator must thoroughly inspect the affected facility for asbestos, including Category I and Category II nonfriable material. Source
• The full removal and work-practice requirements apply when the regulated asbestos-containing material (RACM) involved totals at least 260 linear feet on pipes, 160 square feet on other components, or 35 cubic feet where it could not be measured beforehand. Source
• Written notice of intent is due at least 10 working days before asbestos stripping or removal work, or any other covered activity, begins. Source
• The owner or operator must notify the delegated agency before any demolition. Renovations need notice only when they involve the threshold amount of regulated asbestos-containing material. Source
• The work practice standards cover demolitions and renovations of all facilities except residential buildings with four or fewer dwelling units. A home demolished or renovated as part of a commercial or public project is not exempt. Source

This guide summarizes official agency pages for property owners. It is not legal advice. Abate Safe is a directory and does not perform asbestos work.