Illinois roofing license
Illinois roofers need an IDFPR roofing license: limited (residential, 8 units or less) or unlimited. The bond is $10,000 or $25,000. (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.
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. Roofing license classes
| Class | Name | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Limited roofing | Limited roofing contractor (IDFPR) | Residential roofing only, including properties of 8 units or less (source: 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1460: Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act rules (opens in a new tab)) |
| Unlimited roofing | Unlimited roofing contractor (IDFPR) | Roofing license without the residential-only limit; $25,000 bond (source: 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1460: Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act rules (opens in a new tab)) |
3. Fees, exam, bond and insurance
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.
Experience and steps
- 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))
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))
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))
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).
8. Sources and last verified
Last verified: . Next check due: . Every fact on this page links to one of these official pages. How we verify.
- 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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