- Plan for a trade exam.
- Continuous bond of $10,000 for a limited license or $25,000 for an unlimited license.
- All licenses expire December 31 of each odd-numbered year.
Do you need a state license in Illinois?
Illinois licenses roofing work at the state level through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Roofing Contractor licensing. Below is what the board asks for, in the order you will run into it.
Illinois license types for roofing work
Illinois splits the work into 2 licenses. Pick the one that matches the jobs you take, since working outside its scope is the same as working without one.
| License | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Limited roofing license | Residential roofing only, on properties of 8 units or less. |
| Unlimited roofing license | Residential, commercial and industrial roofing. |
Steps to get licensed in Illinois
- Choose a limited or unlimited license.
- Name your qualifying party and register them for the exam with Continental Testing Services ($226).
- Pass the roofing exam.
- Get the bond, liability and property damage insurance, and workers' compensation if you have employees.
- Send the IDFPR application with the $125 fee, the bond form and the insurance form.
Experience and other requirements
Experience. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
The license to apply for. Roofing Contractor license (Limited or Unlimited).
Illinois roofing exams
Trade exam. Your qualifying party must pass the Illinois Residential exam (limited) or the Residential, Commercial and Industrial exam (unlimited), given by Continental Testing Services.
Business and law exam. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
What it costs in Illinois
The board lists 2 fees along the way. These are the state's own numbers. Insurance, any bond, exam prep and your business registration come on top.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Roofing contractor license application | $125 |
| Qualifying party exam, paid to Continental Testing Services | $226 |
Insurance and bond
Insurance. Public liability and property damage insurance in amounts the department sets, and workers' compensation for roofing that covers your employees.
Bond. Continuous bond of $10,000 for a limited license or $25,000 for an unlimited license.
Renewal and licenses from other states
Renewal. All licenses expire December 31 of each odd-numbered year.
Reciprocity. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
Good to know in Illinois
- Every license needs a qualifying party who passes the exam. For a sole proprietor, that is the owner.
- The qualifying party has three years from the application date to pass the exam.
- A roofer may not pay, waive or rebate a customer's insurance deductible.
After you are licensed
The license lets you take the work. Getting the work is the next job.
- Register the business. If you work under a name other than your own, register it where your state asks (often the Secretary of State, sometimes the county), and keep the name the same on your license, your truck and your invoices.
- Claim your Google Business Profile. It is the listing people see when they search for a roofer near them. Fill in your service area, hours and real photos of your work.
- Put up a website that shows the license. Customers look for it before they call. Koira builds a contractor website for you and keeps it current.
- See where you stand. The free Koira report checks how your business shows up in search and on maps against shops near you.
Where this comes from
Every fact on this page comes from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), Roofing Contractor licensing and the official pages below, checked October 8, 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the board before you file.
More for your trade: how roofing companies run on Koira.