Business License Exemptions

Some Occupations are exempt from city licensing if the occupation/profession is licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Please note, if additional business activities are offered and not covered by the State of Illinois license, a City of Chicago business license may be required.

Automatic Teller Operators
Architects
Athletic Trainers
Boxing or Wrestling Match Promoters, Contestants, Referees, Judges, Managers, Trainers and Timekeepers
Business and Vocational Schools
Clinical Psychologists
Clinical Social Workers and Social Workers
Cosmetology Schools and Similar Establishments
Deception Examiners
Dentists, Dental Assistants, Dental Hygienists
Dietitians and Nutrition Counselors
Environmental Health Practitioners
Hearing Aid Dispensers
Insurance Companies and Insurance Agents
Interior Designers
Landscape Architects
Land Surveyors
Marriage and Family Therapists
Massage Therapist
Nurses
Nursing Home Administrators

Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapist Assistants
Optometrists
Pharmacists
Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants
Physicians and Physicians Assistants
Podiatrists
Private Detectives, Private Alarm Companies, Security Guards and Locksmiths
Professional Counselors and Clinical Professional Counselors
Professional Engineers
Professional Geologists
Public Accountants
Real Estate Brokers
Respiratory Care Practitioners
Shorthand Reporters
Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists
Structural Engineers
Veterinarians
Water Well and Pump Installation Contractors
Wholesale Drug Distributors

Potential Taxes

Employer's Expense Tax
Personal Property Lease Transaction Tax
Use Tax for Non-Titled Personal Property
Use Tax for Titled Personal Property

Disclaimer:The information on this page is intended to provide general licensing and tax information for City of Chicago business owners. The above listed taxes are those typically remitted by licensees engaging in this specific type of business. However, because every business is different, there may be additional taxes that you may be required to collect and/or remit. Please refer to the complete Tax List to determine which taxes apply to your business activity. Nothing contained within these pages shall to any extent substitute for the independent investigations and the sound technical and business judgment of the business owner.