Becoming a commercial roofing specialist in Illinois requires an Unlimited Roofing License and some additional certifications. The license requires meeting some strict specifications laid down by the Roofing Industry License Act.
We'll explain these requirements, the steps, and the hurdles. The short version of everything you need to do become a commercial roofing specialist is:
Note: This process is only for sole proprietorship. Check out our guide for starting roofing businesses in Illinois if you're a business owner.
At Illinois Roofing Institute, we've helped 4000+ student get their licenses and kick start their careers. And we'd be more than happy to help you as well.
We'll prepare you for the exam and your commercial roofing career.
A commercial roofing specialist in Illinois is a licensed roofing contractor authorized to perform roofing and waterproofing work on all residential, commercial, and industrial properties.
Commercial roofing specialists work on flat and low slope roof systems found on warehouses, schools, hospitals, retail centers, and industrial facilities. The job pays more than residential roofing because of the larger project scale and material complexity.
According to the Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act, you must get an Unlimited Roofing License to become a commercial roofing contractor. Getting an Unlimited License automatically validates you for all types of roofing projects, including:
And before you ask, NO, you cannot get a license only for commercial roofing. According to the state of Illinois, you can only get a Limited or Unlimited Roofing License. The former allows you to work on residential project alone, while the latter allows you to work on all projects.
You must meet strict licensing requirements to get an Unlimited Roofing License. Some of the requirements for the Illinois Unlimited Roofing License include:
Getting a roofing license in Illinois follows a clear 7 step process through the IDFPR. Most applicants finish the full path within 3 to 6 months from application to license issuance. The chronological steps are:
The Illinois Roofing Institute shortens this timeline by handling the application paperwork, insurance setup, and exam prep in one place. We'll explain each step in detail.
Illinois offers two types of roofing licenses, which are:
You must choose the Illinois Unlimited Roofing License for commercial roofing work. This is the only license that allows you to work on commercial, industrial, and residential roofing projects.
Now there are two exams that you can attend for an Unlimited roofing license:
Some quick details about the exam:
You must apply for these exams by filling out the RF-QP form and mailing it to the CTS address. You can also apply online via the CTS website.
You can prepare for the roofing exam individually as well, but the exam is hard. You must go through multiple roofing study resources, understand some tricky concepts, and learn about regulations. Multiple students fail the exam on their first attempt.
Each failure cost you $248 because the exam fee is non-refundable. That's why we recommend joining our unlimited roofing class. We are the #1 roofing school in Illinois with a 98% student pass rate on the licensing exam.
We offer English and Spanish roofing classes at the Hoffman Estates campus. Every student gets the full study materials, practice quizzes, and one on one guidance from instructors who are active Illinois roofing contractors.
Our classes give you:
Insurance and bonding protect the public and serve as financial proof that a roofing contractor can stand behind the work. Plus you cannot get a license without insurance or a surety bond.
Roofing insurance costs more than the actual license fees. A new roofing contractor should budget for insurance premiums every month. Here's what you should expect:
| Requirement | Unlimited License |
|---|---|
| Surety Bond | $25,000 |
| Public Liability Insurance | $500,000 |
| Property Damage Insurance | $250,000 |
| Workers Compensation | Required if employees |
| Insurance Form | RF INS |
| Bond Form | BD URF |
You can streamline the process by:
We explain all of these requirements in detail through our class. We also have partnerships with multiple vendors across Illinois.
You must fill the final license application form (RF) after you get all the necessary documents. This is the form that the IDFPR keeps in its database. Here's what you have to do:
After that, you have to wait. It can take anywhere between 4 to 8 weeks for the IDFPR to finalize your license. This is also precisely why you must fill out the RF form thoroughly and accurately.
Any missing or incorrect information will cause a rejection. In that case, you'll have to reapply and go through the whole process again.
Passing the Illinois 105 roofing exam is the first step. Becoming a true specialist requires additional certifications and training. Fortunately, you can get multiple manufacturer certifications to validate your experience.
Some great roofing certifications that you can get for specialization are:
These certifications help you stand out as a specialized commercial roofer. Other than this, you can network and build connections to boost your credibility. Don't know where to start? Join our roofing class where hundreds of other roofers are waiting to meet you.
Yes, every commercial roofing contractor in Illinois must hold an Unlimited Roofing License from IDFPR. Working on commercial properties without an Unlimited license is a Class A misdemeanor under the Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act. Penalties reach $5,000 per offense plus possible criminal charges.
Most applicants finish the full Illinois roofing licensure path within 3 to 6 months. The timeline depends on exam scheduling, bond approval, and application processing at IDFPR. Illinois Roofing Institute students often complete the path in 60 to 90 days thanks to guided application and exam prep.
Budget $1,500 to $3,000 in upfront costs to become a commercial roofing contractor in Illinois. Costs include the $125 IDFPR application fee, $248 exam fee, $25,000 surety bond premium, and insurance premiums. Workers compensation and liability insurance premiums recur monthly.
Yes, Test 3 is the direct route to the Unlimited Roofing License for applicants who have not held a Limited license. Test 2 is the upgrade exam for contractors who already hold the Limited license for at least one year. Both paths lead to the same Unlimited credential.
Illinois roofing licenses must be renewed every two years on June 30 of odd numbered years through IDFPR. The renewal fee is $62.50 per year for both Limited and Unlimited licenses. Late renewals carry an extra restoration fee of $50 per year past the deadline.
Yes, Illinois does not require a minimum years of experience to sit for the roofing license exam. The exam tests theory and code knowledge, not field installation skills. Illinois Roofing Institute classes are built for both experienced roofers and complete beginners.
Illinois ranks among the higher paying states for roofers based on US Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Strong union contracts, large commercial markets, and Chicago demand push wages above the national median. Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Minnesota rank slightly higher on median annual pay.
The Illinois Roofing Institute has a 98% student pass rate on the Illinois roofing license exam. The school has helped more than 65% of all licensed roofers in Illinois pass their exam. Classes run in English and Spanish at the Hoffman Estates campus.
You can become a commercial roofing specialist in Illinois by getting the Unlimited license and acquiring additional certifications. The initial path runs through a $125 application fee, $248 examination fee, a $25,000 surety bond, and a 70% passing score on the Illinois 105 roofing exam.
You can get additional roofing and manufacturer certifications to become a specialist. Please remember, you won't get anything without the license. Stuck on the license step?
98% of our students get their license on their first attempt and so can you.
.jpg)