The best Illinois roofing school is the one that gets you through the roofing license exam on your first try without wasting weeks of your time. A good prep course turns a dense state exam into a few focused days, then helps you handle registration, insurance, and your first jobs.
We'll compare the top Illinois roofing schools side by side, including class length, locations, and what each one reports for pass rates. By the end, you'll know which roofing school fits your goals, your schedule, and your budget.
Want an obvious answer? Join the Illinois Roofing Institute.
Train under working roofing experts, earn the credentials that unlock manufacturer warranties, and get the business support to build a career — or a company — that lasts.
A good Illinois roofing school does one thing above all: it gets you ready to pass the roofing license exam through Continental Testing Services. The exam is closed book and you need a 70% score, so the right prep course matters.
Beyond the pass, the best schools set you up for the business side too. Here's what to weigh when you compare roofing schools in Illinois:
The table below compares the top Illinois roofing schools on the factors that matter most. Pass rates and student counts are each school's own reported figures, so treat them as marketing claims rather than independently verified data.
| Roofing School | Class Format | Locations | What They Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois Roofing Institute | 2 days Residential, 3 days Unlimited (9 to 4) | Chicago area (Hoffman Estates) | Reports a 98% pass rate and 2,700+ contractors trained, plus business and application help |
| Contractors Network & Training Center | Three session classes | Chicago | Materials included, continuing education, running classes since 2010 |
| Illinois Roofing Academy | Exam focused classes | Chicago area | Reports 1,600+ students passed since 2012 |
| Prime-IL Roofing Exam Prep | 2 day Residential or Commercial | Chicago and Springfield | Budget pricing with all study materials provided |
| Exam Prep School of Illinois | 3 days (2 for Residential) | Chicagoland | Reports a 98% first try pass rate, covers roofing and public adjuster |
| Roofing Academy X | Week before the exam (9 to 4) | Chicago and Springfield | Daily graded practice exams from a veteran instructor |
Illinois Roofing Institute is our school, and we built it to get you licensed fast and launched into a real roofing business. Our Residential class runs 2 days and our Unlimited class runs 3 days, all from 9 to 4, so you keep your week mostly intact.
We report a 98% student pass rate and more than 6000+ roofing contractors trained to date. We don't stop at the exam either, since we help with your application, insurance, and even W-7 ITIN paperwork.
We're one of the few institutes in Illinois that offers Spanish roofing classes. Join our exam preparation course today and establish your career.
Contractors Network & Training Center, also known as Chicago Roofing School, runs roofing classes in Chicago aimed at passing the exam in the least time. The school reports helping hundreds of roofing contractors get licensed and expand their business.
Their three session format covers the Residential, Commercial, and Unlimited exams. They include study materials and offer continuing education to help you maintain your license.
Illinois Roofing Academy focuses on the learning outcome, meaning whether you walk out able to pass your exam. The school reports that its instructor has guided over 1,600 students to passing the Illinois roofing exam since 2012.
The academy leans on an experienced single instructor model and answers the common questions roofers have about cost, timing, and the registration process.
Prime-IL Roofing Exam Prep markets itself as the most affordable roofing license classes in the state. Classes are in person in Chicago and Springfield, with students traveling in from Peoria, Champaign, and Rockford.
You can pass a Residential or Commercial class in just 2 days. They provide all the study material, notepads, pens, highlighters, and calculators, and you are not required to buy the NRCA books.
Exam Prep School of Illinois is a newer school led by instructor John Podgorny, who brings a business and public speaking background. Classes run 3 days, or 2 for the Residential exam, with all practice quizzes and study guides included.
The school reports that more than 98% of its students pass on the first try. It preps both the roofing exam and the public adjuster exam.
Roofing Academy X is run by a roofer with two decades of experience who founded an earlier Illinois roofing school before starting this one. Classes run 9 to 4 during the week before the exam, so the material stays fresh.
The standout feature is a graded practice exam at the end of each class day, with the instructor pointing out where you need extra study before test day.
A few smaller schools round out the Illinois roofing school market. They are worth a look if class size or price is your top priority.
Whichever school you pick, confirm current class dates and pricing directly with them, since these change every exam cycle.
The best roofing school in Illinois depends on your goals, not just the lowest price. Match the school to what you actually need from your roofing license.
Use this quick guide to narrow your choice:
Not sure which Illinois roofing exam you even need? Our 105 roofing exam guide breaks down the Residential, Commercial, and Unlimited options.
Passing the exam is the first step, not the finish line. After you pass, you submit your license application to the IDFPR and put your insurance and surety bond in place.
The best roofing schools walk you through this part so your license does not stall. Here's the path after exam day:
The best roofing school in Illinois is the one that matches your license goal and gets you a passing score. Illinois Roofing Institute reports a 98% pass rate and adds business and application help, while schools like Prime-IL focus on low cost. Compare class length, location, and after exam support before you enroll.
Illinois roofing school prices vary by provider and license type, so confirm current pricing directly with each school. Most include study materials so you avoid the $2,000 NRCA book set. Remember the school fee is separate from the $248 exam fee paid to Continental Testing Services.
No, a roofing school or classes aren't legally required to get an Illinois roofing license. You can register for the exam directly through Continental Testing Services. Most roofers still use a prep course because the closed book exam has a strict 70% passing score.
Most Illinois roofing classes run 2 days for the Residential license and 3 days for the Unlimited license. Many schools hold classes the week before the exam so the material stays fresh. Class days typically run from 9 to 4.
Take the Residential class if you only plan to work on residential properties of 8 units or fewer. Take the Unlimited class if you want commercial and industrial roofing work too. The Unlimited license lets you take any roofing job from day one.
Several Illinois roofing schools report pass rates around 98%, including Illinois Roofing Institute and Exam Prep School of Illinois. These figures are self reported, so ask each school how it tracks and defines its pass rate. A strong reported pass rate paired with included materials is a good sign.
The best Illinois roofing school comes down to fit: your license goal, your schedule, your budget, and how much help you want after the exam. Compare class length, locations, included materials, and each school's reported track record before you enroll.
At Illinois Roofing Institute, we prep you for the roofing license exam in just a few focused days, then guide you through registration, insurance, and starting your business. Join our Illinois roofing classes and take the first step toward your roofing contractor license today.
.jpg)