Illinois Contractor License Guide
In Illinois, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulations is responsible for roofing licenses and the Illinois Department of Public Health is in charge of licensing plumbers.
Specialty contractor licenses such as electricians, mechanics, builders, landscapers, etc. are issued at the municipal level and are subject to the regulations, requirements and fees passed by individual cities.
Determine the Type of Contractor License You Need
- Roofing contractor: install, maintain and/or repair roofing of residential and commercial establishments. There are two types of roofing license available in Illinois; limited and unlimited. For more details regarding types of roofing licenses, visit the IDFPR website.
Note: Reciprocity is considered on a case by case basis
- Plumbing contractor: install, maintain and repair pipes, fittings and other apparatuses of water supply, sanitation and heating systems.
Note: Reciprocity is considered on a case by case basis
- Specialty contractor (Municipality level): duties include electrical, mechanical, landscape, home improvement, and more. Please visit your municipality’s website for more information on specialty contractor licenses.
Access Illinois License Application Forms
- Roofing Contractor License applications can be found here.
- Plumbing Contractor License applications can be found here.
Note: Specialty contractor licenses will need to be obtained directly through the municipality you will be working in. To find applications and information, please visit the city’s website or call your city hall.
Pass the Examination
Roofing Contractors:
For a roofing contractor license, you must first file an application for the roofing contractors qualifying party examination through Continental Testing Services. To schedule an exam you must complete and send in your application along with the required examination fee, made payable to Continental Testing Services, Inc. in the form of a check or money order. You can also apply directly online through the Continental Testing Services website.
Send examination applications to:
Continental Testing Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 100
LaGrange, Illinois 60525-0100
Plumbing Contractor:
For a plumbing contractor license, you must first file an application for examination for plumber’s license through IDPH. To schedule an exam, you must complete and send in your application at least 30 days before your examination, along with the required examination fee, made payable to Illinois Department of Public Health in the form of check or money order. You must also attach a 1”x 1” passport photograph of yourself.
Specialty Contractor:
Call or visit the website of the municipality in which you are working. Examination requirements will differ in each city.
Obtain Your Contractor License Bond
Roofing Contractor License:
The contractor license bond must be the original document signed by the applicant in the amount of $25,000.
Plumbing Contractor License:
The surety bond must be the original document signed by the applicant in the amount of $20,000, naming the Department of Public Health as beneficiary. Bonds must be in the form provided by the Department and must expire on September 30th of the current year and cannot be a continuous bond. Signatures must be original and the name of principal must exactly match the name of the business or individual on the application.
Note: Cross-outs, white-outs and riders are not accepted.
Specialty Contractor License:
Specialty contractor licenses are awarded at the municipal level and other requirements such as bonds can be added at this level. Check with your local development authority for more information.
Fulfill Requirements and Obtain Required Documents
Please note that municipalities may have their own roofing, plumbing and specialty contractor document and ID needs, but many of the requirements below are likely part of the process.
Roofing Contractor License:
- Criminal history must be indicated when applying for a roofing license. If you have been convicted or pled guilty of a criminal offense or felony, you must state so on your application and attach a Certificate of Relief of Disabilities by the Prisoner Review Board.
- Attach one of these 3 certificates of insurance: workers’ compensation insurance, certificate of approval as a self-insurer, or out-of-state workers’ compensation insurance. You must hold property damage insurance with a minimum amount of $250,000 for each occurrence of property damage. Your must also hold insurance with a minimum amount of $500,000 for each occurrence of personal bodily harm or injury. For more information regarding insurance requirements, visit the IDFPR website.
- You must appoint someone as a qualifying party. The qualifying party will be an individual who will be responsible for all aspects regarding the roofing license of your company, LLC, partnership, etc. For more information regarding the qualifying party, visit the IDFPR website.
- You must not be more than 30 days delinquent in complying with a child support order.
- You must not be in default on an educational loan or scholarship provided or guaranteed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission or other government agencies in the state.
Plumbing Contractor License:
Note: The certificate must name the Illinois Department of Public Health, Plumbing Program, 535 W. Jefferson St., Springfield, IL 62761, as certificate holder.
- Provide proof of hours on-the-job. Depending on the type of license you are applying for, you must meet certain work experience criteria.
- Depending on whether the company is a corporation, LLC, partnership or out-of-state corporation, you must submit accompanying documents for your company. For more information on specific documents regarding corporations and companies visit the Illinois Department of Public Health.
- Attach a certificate of insurance. You must be insured for a minimum of $100,000 for general liability, $300,000 for bodily harm and injury, $50,000 for property damage, and $500,000 for workers’ compensation. If you don’t have, or intend to have, any employees you might not be liable to hold workers’ compensation insurance. For more information, visit the Illinois Department of Public Health website.
- You must have successfully completed 2 years of high school or equivalent, in addition to completing approved courses from a trade school, college or university.
Specialty Contractor License:
- Requirements and required documents vary within different municipalities.
Contractor Insurance
There are several types of insurance coverages that are recommended for contractors, but the recommended coverage will vary based on your operation.
If you’d like to learn more about all of the insurance coverages available to you, please read our contractor insurance guide.
Submit Your Illinois Contractor License Application
How to fill out your application:
Roofing contractor license:
Applications must be typed or printed clearly with black ink only.
Licensing/Application Fees:
- Roofing contractor license:
- $125 application fee (non-refundable)
- $226 residential roofing examination
- $226 commercial and industrial roofing examination
- $277 residential, commercial and industrial roofing examination
Note: All fees are non-refundable. The application fee must be paid by check or money order made payable to Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Examination fees must be in the form of check or money order payable to Continental Testing Services, Inc.
- Plumber contractor license:
- $175 application fee
- $225 application fee for out-of-state plumbers
- $150 registration fee
- $100 reinstatement/late fee
- $200 returned check fee
Note: All fees are non-refundable. Payments can be made through check or money order, payable to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
- Specialty contractor license: varies by municipality.
Mailing Address:
Roofing Contractor License:
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Division of Professional Regulation
P.O. Box 7007
Springfield, Illinois 62791
Plumbing Contractor License:
Illinois Department of Public Health
Plumbing Program
525 W. Jefferson St., 3rd Floor
Springfield, IL 62761
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