What Chicago roofers call the "Chicago roofing test" is the Illinois roofing license exam, administered statewide by Continental Testing for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). You need a 70% score to pass, and passing is what lets you get your roofing contractor license and bid work legally in Chicago and across Illinois.
Is There a Separate Chicago Roofing License?
Roofing in Illinois is licensed at the state level, not by the city. So the test a Chicago roofer takes is the same Illinois roofing exam that a roofer in Springfield or Rockford takes. There is no separate city roofing exam to worry about. Get the state license and you are cleared to work in Chicago and anywhere else in Illinois.
The Test at a Glance
There are two versions of the exam, matched to the two license types. Both need a 70% score to pass.
| Residential | Unlimited | |
|---|---|---|
| Questions | 80 | 130 |
| Time limit | 90 minutes | 150 minutes |
| Passing score | 70% | 70% |
| Format | Closed-book, multiple choice | Closed-book, multiple choice |
| Exam fee | $248 | $248 |
Verified with Continental Testing as of 2026. For the deep dive, see our full Illinois roofing exam guide.
What Is on the Test
The exam is broader than day-to-day roofing. It pulls from four areas, and the ones off the ladder are what trip people up:
- Illinois roofing law and licensing rules. The statute and regulations that govern licensed contractors.
- OSHA and safety. Fall protection and jobsite safety standards.
- Roofing materials and methods. Systems, installation, and best practices.
- Business and insurance. Contracts, insurance, and the rules of running a roofing company.
Why Chicago Roofers Fail It
Failing the test usually has nothing to do with whether you can install a roof. It comes down to a few predictable traps:
- Underestimating the law and business sections, which are hard to learn on the job
- Studying from a stack of books without knowing what is actually tested
- Poor time management on a timed exam, especially the longer Unlimited test
- Walking in with field experience but no exam-specific prep
How We Get Chicago Roofers Ready
We have prepared Chicago roofers for this exam since 2010, as the first Illinois company built specifically around the roofing test. Our whole approach is built to get you through on the first attempt:
- We tell you what to study. We teach to the test, so you focus only on what is actually asked, not a stack of reference books.
- We guide you through the paperwork. We point you through the Continental Testing registration, insurance and bond, and the IDFPR application, so you know exactly what to do at each step.
- Learn your way. Attend in person at our classroom or live online by Zoom, whichever fits your schedule.
Exam-focused prep that tells you exactly what to study. Pass the Chicago roofing test the first time.
Register For A Class →Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Chicago roofing test different from the Illinois roofing exam?
No. They are the same exam. Roofing is licensed by the state of Illinois, so a Chicago roofer takes the same Continental Testing exam as everyone else in the state.
What score do I need to pass?
70% on either the Residential or Unlimited version of the exam.
How many questions are on it?
The Residential test is 80 questions in 90 minutes. The Unlimited test is 130 questions in 150 minutes. Both are closed-book and multiple choice.
What happens if I fail?
You can retake it, but you pay the $248 fee again each time, and you lose weeks you could have been working licensed. That is why first-try prep pays for itself.
Can you help me pass?
Yes. We prepare Chicago roofers in person and via Live Zoom, and we teach to the test. Call (773) 635-0099 or register for a class.
The Bottom Line
The Chicago roofing test is the Illinois roofing license exam, and it is very passable with the right preparation. Know the format, respect the law and business sections, and study what is actually tested. The fastest, surest route is exam-focused prep, in person or by Live Zoom, that teaches to the test. That is what we have done for Chicago roofers since 2010.
Go deeper with the full exam guide, the license guide, the cost breakdown, or upcoming classes.
Pass the Chicago Roofing Test the First Time
In-person and Live Zoom prep since 2010. We tell you what to study so you walk in ready.