How to get a contractor license in Illinois
The short version: 1) Name a qualifying party 2) Get bonded 3) Get insured 4) Apply and pay. (source: 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1460: Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act rules (opens in a new tab))
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))
Checked against official Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (roofing) sources. See sources.
Step by step
- 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))
- 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))
- 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))
- 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))
The 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))
Costs and fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Roofing license application (limited or unlimited) Exam fee is paid separately. | $125 (source: 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1460: Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act rules (opens in a new tab)) |
| Roofing license renewal, per year Licenses expire 31 December of odd-numbered years. | $62.5 (source: 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1460: Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act rules (opens in a new tab)) |
| Restore a non-renewed roofing license Plus lapsed renewal fees, up to $375 total. | $50 (source: 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1460: Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act rules (opens in a new tab)) |
Fees are set by the board and can change. Check the official fee page before you pay.
Bonds and insurance
Bond: 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))
- 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))
Sources and last verified
Last verified: . Next check due: . Every fact on this page links to one of these official pages.
- IDFPR License Lookup (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1460: Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act rules (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- Illinois Department of Public Health: Plumbing (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
- 815 ILCS 513/15: Home Repair and Remodeling Act, written contract (opens in a new tab) (checked Oct 24, 2026)
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