A private alarm contractor or private alarm contractor agency licensed by the State of Illinois may "register" with the City of Chicago, by providing an email address and other contact information, in order to apply for (or be listed on) permits for work that the private alarm contractor or private alarm contractor agency is authorized to perform without a Chicago electrical contractor license under the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004 as amended.

Private alarm contractor and private alarm contractor agency licenses are issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).

Frequently Asked Questions

How can an Illinois-licensed private alarm contractor be listed on a permit in Chicago?

Illinois-licensed private alarm contractors and private alarm contractor agencies must provide an official email address to the City of Chicago so that they can receive permit-related notifications before they can be listed on permits for private alarm work in the City of Chicago without holding a City of Chicago electrical contractor license.

State-licensed private alarm contractors that will be performing electrical work in addition to private alarm work within the City of Chicago must obtain an electrical contractor license and can pull all necessary permits using that license.

How does an Illinois-licensed contractor provide their email address / contact information?

If you are an authorized representative of an Illinois-licensed private alarm contractor, please email the following information to expresspermits @ cityofchicago.org:

• Illinois license number
• Exact name on Illinois license
• Company email address
• Company phone number
• Company street address, state, ZIP (no PO boxes)

Please allow up to 10 business days for processing. After the company email address is added to the license in the City’s permitting system, a unique link will be sent to that email address. This link will allow set up of one or more “employee” accounts tied to the Illinois license.

What is private alarm work?

The Illinois Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004 defines an “alarm system” as “any system, including an electronic access control system, a surveillance video system, a security video system, a burglar alarm system, a fire alarm system, or any other electronic system that activates an audible, visible, remote, or recorded signal that is designed for the protection or detection of intrusion, entry, theft, fire, vandalism, escape, or trespass, or other electronic systems designed for the protection of life by indicating the existence of an emergency situation [including] emergency communication system[s] and mass notification system[s].” The Act describes private alarm work as installing, designing, maintaining, testing, inspecting, altering, repairing, replacing, or servicing alarm and other security-related systems or parts thereof, including fire alarm systems.

Who can perform work under an Illinois private alarm contractor license?

Illinois private alarm contractor licenses are issued to individuals performing private alarm work without employees. Registration of an Illinois private alarm contractor license only authorizes private alarm work to be performed by the individual who holds the state license.

Illinois private alarm contractor agency licenses are issued to businesses with employees. Registration of an Illinois private alarm contractor agency license authorizes private alarm work by the state-licensed business and its employees when complying with all requirements of the state license.

“Employees” means individuals that the business treats as employees for purposes of unemployment insurance contributions, workers’ compensation, and income taxation. A private alarm contractor agency registration does not authorize private alarm work to be performed by individuals who are paid by the licensed business as independent contractors.

If employees of another business will be performing private alarm work at a job site, that business must be properly licensed, registered, and listed on the permit.  

Are there different types of private alarm contractor licenses?

Yes. The City of Chicago receives license information directly from the Illinois Department of Professional and Financial Regulation (IDFPR). A private alarm contractor license is for an individual who does not have any employees. A private alarm contractor agency license is required for an individual or business entity that performs private alarm work through employees.

How long is a private alarm contractor license valid?

As of September 16, 2024, the City of Chicago receives license information directly from the Illinois Department of Professional and Financial Regulation (IDFPR) on a weekly basis, including license expiration and renewal information. 

Ordinances and Rules 

Municipal Code of Chicago, Section 4-290-010 Registration required.