Your Roadmap to Licensure

Road to Your Illinois Roofing License

Two tracks, one road — every step from today to license in hand, so nothing surprises you.

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How it works

Two tracks, one road.

Getting licensed runs on two tracks at the same time — the State of Illinois’ track and ours. The state owns the exam. CNTC owns getting you through it. You’ll make two registrations and pay two separate fees: your course enrollment with CNTC, and your $248 exam registration with Continental Testing Services (the state’s testing company). We help you with both.

With CNTC With the State / Continental
The timeline

Which exam are you aiming for?

Heads up: these dates are projected from the current schedule. Call (773) 635-0099 to confirm the exact exam and class dates.
1
Enroll with CNTCTodayWith CNTC

We’ll help you decide if you’re a fit for Residential or Unlimited.

2
Register for the exam with Continental TestingBy Aug 19With the State

A separate registration and separate fee ($248 to the state’s testing company). Miss this date and you wait for the next exam cycle. Register with Continental Testing →

3
Take the prep courseSep 8–11With CNTC

3 days (Residential) or 4 days (Unlimited), 9 AM–5 PM, in Rosemont near O’Hare or on Zoom — the week before the exam, on purpose, so it’s all fresh.

4
Sit the state examSep 16, 2026With the State

Hillside or Springfield, closed-book. Retake guarantee: back in any future CNTC class free for a full year.

5
Official results arrive~3 weeks · OctoberWith the State

Continental mails your official results roughly three weeks after the exam.

6
Apply for your licenseOctoberWith the State

File the license application with the state — CNTC walks you through the paperwork.

7
License in hand6–10 weeks · Nov–DecWith the State

Legal to pull your own permits and bid your own jobs — your license number on your contracts and your truck.

Get licensed in the off-season. Own the spring.

Roofing in Chicagoland shuts down from roughly December through March — so a license finished this fall costs you zero working days. Test now, and when the spring storms bring the busiest season of the year, you’re fully licensed and ready to take every job. Wait until the winter exam cycles, and you’re still doing paperwork in April while the phones are ringing.

Current cycle

Upcoming exam dates

Exam DateRegistration DeadlineCNTC Prep Course
Sep 16, 2026Aug 19, 2026Sep 8–11, 2026
Nov 4, 2026Oct 7, 2026Oct 26–29, 2026

Exams run six times a year (January, March, May, July, September, November). Registration closes about a month before each exam.

Common questions

Illinois roofing license FAQ

How long does it take to get an Illinois roofing license?
From exam day: about 3 weeks for official results, then a 6–10 week state processing window after you file your application — plan on roughly 2.5–3.5 months from exam to license in hand. Working back from a busy season, start about 4–5 months ahead.
What’s the difference between the Residential and Unlimited license?
Residential covers buildings under 8 units; Unlimited adds commercial and industrial. You can go straight to Unlimited — no need to do Residential first. CNTC’s Unlimited prep is a 4-day course; Residential is 3 days.
Do I register with CNTC or with the state?
Both — two separate registrations. The course with CNTC; the exam ($248) with Continental Testing Services.
What if I fail the exam?
CNTC students can attend any future roofing class free for up to one year.
Do I need a license to do roofing work in Illinois?
Yes — all roofing contractors must be licensed. Unlicensed work carries fines of up to $5,000 per offense, and your license number is required on contracts, permits, vehicles, and your website.
Let’s go

Ready to start the road?

We’ll pick your license level, lock your seat, and make sure your exam registration is done right — all in one call.