The Importance of a Roofing License in Illinois
If you’re planning to work as a roofing contractor in Illinois, possessing a valid roofing license is not just a recommendation — it’s a requirement. Under Illinois law, all roofing contractors engaged in activities such as construction or repair must be licensed. The penalties for operating without a license can be steep, with fines reaching up to $5,000 per offense.
To maintain your credibility and protect your business, your roofing license number must be visible on:
- ✓All contracts and bid proposals
- ✓Building permits
- ✓Commercial vehicles used for business
- ✓Your business website and marketing materials
Operating without a valid license can also expose you to liability beyond fines — including voided contracts, refused insurance claims, and disqualification from bidding on certain projects. Getting licensed is the foundational step in building a credible, sustainable roofing business in Illinois.
Registering for the Exam with Continental Testing
The Illinois Roofing Exam is administered by Continental Testing Services, a third-party testing provider contracted by IDFPR. Before you can sit for the exam, you must register with Continental Testing directly. CNTC does not handle registration on your behalf.
How to Register
- Visit Continental Testing’s online registration portal at continentaltesting.net and locate the Illinois Roofing Industry Examination page.
- Or call Continental Testing directly at (800) 359-1313 to register by phone.
- Complete the application form, paying close attention to which exam type you’re registering for: Residential (Limited) or Residential, Commercial & Industrial (Unlimited).
- Pay the exam fee at the time of registration.
- You’ll receive confirmation of your exam date, time, and location approximately 10 days before the exam.
General Examination Information
Purpose of the Examinations
These examinations are required for professional licensure of Roofing Contractors by the Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act. Refer to the Act for a legal description of the profession and to determine which license you need. Copies of the Act are available from the IDFPR at idfpr.illinois.gov.
Test Validity & Test Length
These examinations have been developed under the jurisdiction of IDFPR and reflect specifications, standards, and practices supported by roofing industry professionals. All questions are subjected to strict psychometric controls and reviewed by a panel of roofing professionals.
The Commercial and Industrial Roofing examination form is available only for candidates who already hold the Residential (limited) license and wish to qualify for the unlimited license.
Candidate Eligibility
As mandated by Illinois statute, qualifications include verifiable experience in specified areas of employment and education, as well as good moral character. Contact IDFPR for full eligibility details.
Application for Candidacy
Obtain the proper application packet from IDFPR or their website. Complete the packet as instructed. You will be notified of your candidacy status (Accepted or Denied). If accepted, you will be notified of the date, time, and site of the examination approximately 10 days prior to the test.
What to Bring to the Exam
- ✓Two (2) sharpened Number 2 black lead pencils
- ✓A non-programmable, non-printing, solar or battery-powered calculator (optional)
No power source will be available for calculators at the test site. Programmable calculators, computers, electronics, markers, or other writing tools are not permitted at any time during the examination.
✓ Passing
Candidates who score 70% or higher will receive a PASSING notice and an application for licensure.
✕ Re-Examination
Candidates scoring below 70% receive a FAILURE notice and a re-examination application. As long as employment, education, and application credentials remain valid, there is no limit to retake attempts.
Test Content & Subject Areas
The Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act specifies two classifications of roofing contractor: Residential (Limited) and Residential, Commercial and Industrial (Unlimited). The breakdown below is for the Residential exam.
Topics Covered
Asphalt Shingle, Tile, Slate and Wood Roofing · Architectural Metal · Reroofing · Moisture Control · Metal Roofing Systems · Rigid Board Roof Insulation · Spray Polyurethane Foam · Waterproofing and Dampproofing · Design Guidelines · Repair
Recommended Study Materials
Most study materials can be purchased from the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) bookstore at nrca.net. The remaining reference is available from bookstores or their websites. All questions on these tests are supported by these references.
NRCA References
- The NRCA Roofing Manual: Architectural Metal Flashing, Condensation Control and Reroofing (2010)
- The NRCA Roofing Manual: Membrane Roofing Systems (2011)
- The NRCA Roofing Manual: Metal Panel and SPF Roofing Systems (2012)
- The NRCA Roofing Manual: Steep-Slope Roof Systems (2009)
- The NRCA Waterproofing Manual (2005)
- Repair Manual for Low-Slope Membrane Roof Systems (1997)
- The NRCA Safety Manual, Second Edition (2009)
- Pocket Guide to Safety (1997)
Other Materials
Roofing Construction and Estimating by Daniel Atcheson (1995), Craftsman Book Company
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See CNTC Roofing Prep Course →Submitting Your IDFPR License Application
Passing the exam is a major milestone — but it’s not the final step. To receive your Illinois Roofing Contractor License, you must submit a complete application to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) along with all required supporting documents.
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Receive your passing score from Continental Testing. They will send a passing notice and an application packet for licensure.
- Obtain the required surety bond in the correct amount (see below).
- Secure the required insurance coverage (see below).
- Complete the IDFPR application form in full, including all personal and business information.
- Submit the application to IDFPR along with the application fee, your bond, and proof of insurance.
- Wait for license issuance — typical processing time is 4–8 weeks, but may be longer during peak periods.
Bond Requirements
Illinois requires all licensed roofing contractors to maintain a surety bond as a financial guarantee to protect consumers. Required bond amounts:
Bonds are typically issued through licensed surety bond providers. Annual premiums are usually a small percentage of the bond face value and depend on your credit profile.
Insurance Requirements
In addition to bonding, IDFPR requires proof of insurance coverage before issuing your license:
- ✓General Liability Insurance — minimum $1,000,000 combined single limit per occurrence
- ✓Workers’ Compensation Insurance — required if you have any employees (Illinois law mandates coverage for all W-2 workers)
- ✓Property Damage Coverage — typically bundled within your general liability policy
Your insurance provider must submit a Certificate of Insurance (COI) listing the State of Illinois as a certificate holder, with IDFPR listed in the description of operations.
Walk In Prepared — Walk Out Licensed
Studying for the Illinois Roofing Exam on your own is possible — but most contractors find the volume of material overwhelming, and the test is rigorous by design. Our prep course is built specifically for the IDFPR exam structure outlined above.
We help you understand what the exam covers, focus your study time on the highest-weighted content areas, and walk into the testing center confident and prepared.
See Roofing Prep Course Details →What’s Included
- ✓Full coverage of all 5 exam content areas
- ✓Study materials and reference handouts
- ✓Practice questions and test-taking strategy
- ✓Live and online class formats
- ✓Instructor with decades of industry experience
- ✓Convenient Rosemont, IL location near O’Hare
Build Your Contractor Career With CNTC
Beyond the Illinois Roofing Exam, we offer specialized exam prep and advanced training for several contractor disciplines. Whether you’re just starting or scaling your business, we have a course for you.
Get Your Illinois Roofing License — On Your First Try
Now that you know what the exam covers, let us help you pass it. Call us or register now — spots fill fast!
The Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act
In the state of Illinois, under the Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act, all contractors offering roof construction services must obtain a license from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) before engaging in any work.
To obtain that license, each contractor must undergo a rigorous examination designed to reflect current standards and practices used by the roofing industry. The exam comes in a few different forms depending on the types of buildings you intend to service.