In Illinois, roofing is a licensed trade. If you contract to install, repair, or waterproof a roof for pay, the state requires a roofing contractor license from IDFPR. There are two types, Residential and Unlimited, and getting either one comes down to passing a state exam and filing the paperwork. Here is the short version, plus where to go for the details.
Illinois Roofing License, at a Glance
Two license classes cover every roofer in the state. Pick the one that matches the buildings you plan to work on.
| Residential | Unlimited | |
|---|---|---|
| What you can roof | Homes of 8 units or fewer | Any roof: residential, commercial, industrial |
| Exam | 80 questions, 90 min, 70% to pass | 130 questions, 150 min, 70% to pass |
| Exam fee | $248 | $248 |
| Surety bond | $10,000 | $25,000 |
| Application / renewal | $125 / $62.50 per year | $125 / $62.50 per year |
Verified with IDFPR and Continental Testing as of 2026. For the full picture, see the complete license guide and the full cost breakdown.
Why a Roofing License Is Worth It
A license is not just a legal box to check. It changes what your business can do and what you can charge.
- Credibility. A state license tells customers, insurers, and general contractors that you are legitimate. It is often the difference between winning the bid and losing it.
- Bigger, better work. An Unlimited license lets you take on commercial and industrial roofs, not just small residential jobs, which opens the door to larger contracts and higher margins.
- Higher earning power. Licensed roofers can bid work that unlicensed operators legally cannot touch, and they can charge accordingly.
- Permits and protection. The license is what lets you pull permits and enforce your contracts. Working unlicensed puts your pay and your business at risk.
What It Takes to Get Licensed
The path is well defined. In short, you will need to:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Designate a qualifying party who passes the state roofing exam (70% to pass)
- Carry general liability and workers’ compensation insurance, plus a surety bond
- File your application with IDFPR and keep the license renewed
Each of those steps is covered in depth on the pages below. The step that decides how fast, and how affordably, you get licensed is the exam.
Where to Go Next
How We Help
We have run in-person roofing exam prep since 2010, as the first Illinois company built specifically around the roofing exam. We teach to the test, so you study only what is actually asked, and we help you through the parts most people dread:
- We tell you what to study. No expensive stack of reference books, no guessing.
- We guide you through the paperwork. We point you through the Continental Testing application, insurance and bond, and the IDFPR filing, so you know exactly what to do at each step.
- One place for the whole path. After roofing you can move into Public Adjusting, Xactimate, Claims, Masonry, and Liens, with preferred rates for our student network.
- Learn your way. Attend in person at our Rosemont training center or live online by Zoom.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need a license to roof in Illinois?
Yes. Contracting to install, repair, or waterproof a roof for pay in Illinois requires a state roofing contractor license from IDFPR. Working without one risks penalties and unenforceable contracts.
Which license should I get, Residential or Unlimited?
Most contractors should get Unlimited. It covers residential, commercial, and industrial roofs, and the exam fee is the same $248 either way. Choose Residential only if you are certain you will stay with small residential jobs.
Is getting a roofing license worth the cost?
For most roofers, yes. The license unlocks work you cannot legally bid otherwise, adds credibility with customers and insurers, and typically pays for itself on the first job it opens up.
How hard is the exam?
These are serious tests, and many contractors fail without preparation. The toughest parts are the law and business sections, not the hands-on roofing. Focused prep is what gets most people through on the first try.
Can you help me get licensed?
Yes. We prepare you for the exam and walk you through insurance, the bond, and the IDFPR paperwork. Call (773) 635-0099 or register for a class.
The Bottom Line
An Illinois roofing license is required to roof for pay, and it is one of the best investments a contractor can make: more work, bigger jobs, and the credibility to charge what you are worth. The path runs through a state exam, and the smartest way through it is in-person or Live Zoom prep that teaches to the test. That is what we have done in Illinois since 2010.
Start with the complete license guide, check the cost, or register for a class.
Ready to Get Your Illinois Roofing License?
In-person and Live Zoom prep since 2010. We tell you what to study and guide you through the process.