Illinois contractor license lookup

1. Who needs a license

Illinois licenses roofing contractors and plumbers statewide. There is no statewide general, electrical or HVAC contractor license; check with your city or county. (source: 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1460: Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act rules (opens in a new tab), source: Illinois Department of Public Health: Plumbing (opens in a new tab))

• Anyone who plans, inspects, installs, alters, extends, repairs or maintains plumbing systems in Illinois must be licensed by IDPH. (source: Illinois Department of Public Health: Plumbing (opens in a new tab))
• Roofing licenses are not required for sheet metal, electrical, plumbing, refrigeration or mason contractors, or carpenters doing chimney repairs. (source: 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1460: Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act rules (opens in a new tab))
• Home repair or remodeling over $1,000 needs a written contract or work order before work starts. (source: 815 ILCS 513/15: Home Repair and Remodeling Act, written contract (opens in a new tab))

Penalties (roofing)

• Unlicensed roofing: $200 per violation, $400 for a repeat within 12 months. (source: 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1460: Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act rules (opens in a new tab))
• Aiding unlicensed practice: $100 ($200 repeat). Substandard work: $100. (source: 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1460: Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act rules (opens in a new tab))

2. License classes

3. Fees, exam, bond and insurance

Fees

Fees are set by the board and can change. Check the official fee page before you pay.

Experience and steps

1. Name a qualifying party Roofing companies designate a qualifying party who passes the exam. (source: 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1460: Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act rules (opens in a new tab))
2. Get bonded $10,000 bond for a limited license, $25,000 for unlimited. (source: 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1460: Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act rules (opens in a new tab))
3. Get insured $250,000 property damage and $500,000 bodily injury liability per occurrence. (source: 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1460: Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act rules (opens in a new tab))
4. Apply and pay Send the IDFPR application with the $125 fee. (source: 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1460: Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act rules (opens in a new tab))

Exam

An exam is required. (source: 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1460: Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act rules (opens in a new tab), source: Illinois Department of Public Health: Plumbing (opens in a new tab))

• Roofing: the company's qualifying party must pass the exam. (source: 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1460: Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act rules (opens in a new tab))
• Plumbers: pass the state exam; apply at least 30 days before the exam date. (source: Illinois Department of Public Health: Plumbing (opens in a new tab))

Bond

A bond is required. Roofing: continuous surety bond of $10,000 (limited) or $25,000 (unlimited). (source: 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1460: Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act rules (opens in a new tab))

Insurance

• General liability: Roofing: at least $250,000 per occurrence for property damage and $500,000 per occurrence for bodily injury. (source: 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1460: Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act rules (opens in a new tab))

Renewal

• Renew every 2 years. (source: 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1460: Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act rules (opens in a new tab), source: Illinois Department of Public Health: Plumbing (opens in a new tab))

Roofing licenses expire 31 December of odd-numbered years; renewal is $62.50 per year. Plumbers complete continuing education every year. (source: 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1460: Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act rules (opens in a new tab), source: Illinois Department of Public Health: Plumbing (opens in a new tab))

4. How to look up a contractor

Check a license on the IDFPR website ↗ (official site, opens in a new tab)

How: Choose License Type "ROOFING CONTRACTOR", enter a license number, business or person name, complete the CAPTCHA and search. (source: IDFPR License Lookup (opens in a new tab))

You can search by: License number, Legal business name, Doing business as, First and last name, City, county or ZIP. (source: IDFPR License Lookup (opens in a new tab))

Full checklist: how to check a contractor

5. Reciprocity (license transfer)

• We did not find a roofing reciprocity agreement in the IDFPR rules. (source: 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1460: Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act rules (opens in a new tab))

Use the reciprocity checker

6. Red flags when hiring

• A roofer who is not on the IDFPR lookup as a roofing contractor. (source: IDFPR License Lookup (opens in a new tab))
• Home repair over $1,000 with no written contract or work order. (source: 815 ILCS 513/15: Home Repair and Remodeling Act, written contract (opens in a new tab))
• A plumber who can't show an IDPH plumbing license. (source: Illinois Department of Public Health: Plumbing (opens in a new tab))

7. How to complain

We're still verifying this, check the official board: IDFPR website (opens in a new tab).