Help Center for Illinois Roofing License

Yes, you must have a roofing license to do any roofing in the state of Illinois. According to the Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act, all contractors offering roof construction services must obtain either a Limited or Unlimited Roofing License, authorized by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).

Doing roofing work without a license in Illinois is illegal and can result in fines up to $5,000, cease and desist orders, and even criminal charges. The Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act mandates that all roofing contractors be licensed unless exempted. Violators may also face civil penalties or business closure.

• Limited Roofing License: Contractors are limited to residential roofing, consisting of but not limited to 8 units or fewer.
• Unlimited Roofing License: Contractors can work on any roof type, including residential, commercial, and industrial properties.

You will need either one of these to become a licensed roofer or contractor.

No, you can apply for the Unlimited or Limited Roofing License from the get-go. Some people apply for the residential roofing license and then upgrade to the unlimited license. Choosing a license depends on your subjective choices and needs.

You can update your Limited License to an Unlimited License by attempting the Upgrade Exam (105 Roofing Exam Test Code 2). However, you can only attempt this exam when you've held the Limited License for one year or more.

Yes, the Illinois roofing license exam is hard for first-time candidates. The exam requires a thorough understanding of theories and building regulations. You have to answer questions in a time-controlled environment, which adds to the stress. These factors are why only 40% of candidates pass the exam on their first attempt.

You can register for the Illinois Roofing Exam by visiting continentaltesting.net. You can register individually or do it during our classes. We will complete the exam registration process for you, which includes helping you fill out the forms and receiving your acceptance cards.

To get a roofing license in Illinois, you must be at least 18 years old, pass the state roofing exam, show proof of liability and workers' compensation insurance, provide a valid Social Security number (unless exempted), and pay the application fee. Check out the extended roofing license requirements list for more details.

Yes, you can apply for a roofing license without an SSN because of certain exemptions. Please contact our team for a free consultation at 630-326-6452. 

You can still get an Illinois Roofing License with a conviction, but the approval depends on the type of offense. The IDFPR reviews convictions on a case-by-case basis, considering factors like the type of crime, time elapsed, and evidence of rehabilitation or compliance.

There are no convictions that would result in an automatic bar to obtaining a roofing contractor license. The IDFPR checks each case and gives the final approval for roofing licenses. Large-scale or major offenses might cause a licensure rejection.

Yes, but only if the out-of-state contractor first obtains an IL roofing license. To obtain the IL roofing license, you must take the Illinois Roofing Contractor Exam.

Roofing apprenticeships are vital for gaining the necessary experience and skills. You can join a roofing apprenticeship with different affiliated programs. Please remember, a roofing apprenticeship does not equate to roofing exam prep or approval for a license.

You can apply for the roofing license as an individual or through a business entity, but not both. Either way, you have to be the qualifying party to obtain a license under your name.

Yes, you can apply for the license as a qualifying party for a foreign entity. Please contact our team for foreign entities and the required legal process. For a free consultation, call 630-326-6452.

(A Foreign entity is any business that is located outside the state of Illinois)

A roof certification can cost between $380 and $500. This includes the cost of application ($125), examination ($248), and other miscellaneous items. Extra costs revolve around materials, print-out, taxes, and mail. 

The Illinois roofing exam costs $248, and you can apply for it online via the Continental Testing Services website. You can also apply via mail, which adds to the indirect exam application costs. We recommend applying online for quicker and transparent applications.

Study guides and resources can cost anywhere between $400 and $7000. You can find all of these official study guides on the NRCA website. You do not need to buy any of these resources for our roofing classes because we give you all the necessary prep materials.

Yes, you need workers' compensation and general liability insurance. You also need surety bonds of $10000 (Limited License) and $25000 (Unlimited License). We help you apply for the necessary insurance plans and surety bonds throughout and after your classes end.

A roofing license application costs $125. This amount is payable to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). Please note, the application fee is different from the examination fee that you must pay Continental Testing Services. We'll complete this application for you during the class.

No, you do not need a class to take the Roofing Contractor exam. However, a class is recommended because the exam is based on theory versus installation. Our classes are set up for students with no roofing experience and roofers with 20+ years of experience.

We give our students the tools they need to pass the exam, obtain the Illinois roofing license, and get their business off the ground.

• Residential Class is 2 days from 9 am to 4 pm.
• Unlimited Class is 3 days from 9 am to 4 pm.

These classes are structured to give you the full roofing license exam prep, without disturbing your schedules.

State exams are only offered 6 times per year, and the deadlines change accordingly. The deadline for a roofing exam is 28 to 30 days before the exam. Our classes are scheduled according to the roofing exam dates and schedule.

No, our class will give you a complete breakdown of the state requirements to obtain your roofing license. Insurance and bonding are required when you pass your exam and are ready to apply for your roofing license. We can provide you with insurance carriers for quotes if needed, to best accommodate your needs.

No, you do not need to have a settled business identity to attend a class. We will go through the entire application process during class. We will help you file the necessary applications, find an entity, and understand the necessary technical terms to settle your business.

Our roofing classes will cover theories, laws and regulations, practices, ethics, and everything else that you might get in the exam. We will also walk you through the process of getting licensed with unlimited free consultations regarding licensing and business formation.

No, you do not need to prepare anything beforehand to attend our class. We will give you the necessary materials, including books, pens, pencils, highlighters, calculators, a notebook, and daily quizzes. Our exam prep classes are designed for everyone, irrespective of their preparation and experience levels.

Our staff is fully equipped and knowledgeable in the roofing industry, licensing department, state requirements, and more. We give you detailed and tailored advice to navigate the application, examination, and business formation processes. Our connection stays strong even after you graduate from our institute.

There are 4,140 licensed roofing contractors in the State of Illinois as of May 2025. Dalia has helped about 2,902 of those contractors obtain their license. We collaborate with other roofing schools of Illinois and help them navigate various hurdles in the application processes.

Yes, we help you start your roofing business by going through the necessary paperwork. Our parent company, The Roof CoLab, can provide you with all the tools and resources you need to start, scale, and maintain your roofing business. Our experts give you unlimited consultations to answer as many questions as you have about business formation.

You can join our Advanced Sales Training Program or use our consultations to set up your business. Every student of Illinois Roofing Institute recieves free consultations, application assistance, and peerless connections in the industry, even after their graduation.

Exams are posted on continentaltesting.net typically a week or two after the exam. You can use your application ID to check your results on the website.

No, you must apply for your roofing license by completing an application with the Illinois Department and Professional Regulation. We at the Illinois Roofing Institute will complete this application for our students while in class.

The process can take anywhere from 6 to 8 weeks, assuming your application is properly completed. In some cases, the license can arrive faster, but the average is 6 weeks.

No, legally, you must NOT perform any roofing work until you have an active 104 or 105 roofing license number. The 104 license is for residential roofers, while the 105 is for Unlimited License holders. Working without a license could lead to fines and legal proceedings.

No, you do not need continuing education or a retest to maintain the license. You will only need to fill out a renewal application and pay the required $62.50 fee per year. You must pay an extra reactivation fee if you fail to renew the license within the due time.

Yes, your license expires 2 years after its registration date. You must renew your license every 2 years for $125 ($62.5 per year) with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

If your roofing license expires, the IDFPR will move it into a dormant state. You will have to pay a re-instatement fee, in addition to the renewal fee. Please renew your license before the expiry date to avoid unnecessary costs.