Illinois General Contractor License: How to Get Licensed

For construction companies and contractors in Illinois, ensuring that you are fully licensed to and ready to offer your services to the general public is an important step that allows you to operate legally and in compliance with local building regulations. However, within Illinois, there is no state-wide contractor license currently required, and anyone wishing to work as a general contractor within the state will need to apply for licenses at the city or county level.

There are exceptions to this rule, with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulations is responsible for roofing licenses and the Illinois Department of Public Health is in charge of licensing plumbers. However, for any other specialty contractor licenses such as electricians, mechanics, builders, landscapers, you will need to adhere to the regulations, requirements and fees passed by individual cities.

Obtaining a general contractor license in Illinois involves a series of steps that can vary depending on the municipality where you plan to work. Here, ,we outline the typical steps involved in securing a general contractor license, from researching local regulations to obtaining a surety bond and passing the necessary examinations. Read on to learn more.

Step 1 — Research Local Requirements

The first step in obtaining a general contractor license in Illinois is to thoroughly research the specific requirements of the city or county where you plan to work. Each municipality has its own licensing board and set of regulations, so understanding the exact steps you need to take, the documentation required, and any fees you will need to pay will allow you to successfully apply for the license you need.

• Roofing contractor — There are two types of roofing license available in Illinois— limited and unlimited. For more details regarding types of roofing licenses, visit the IDFPR website.

• Plumbing contractor — To install, maintain and repair pipes, fittings and other apparatuses of water supply, sanitation and heating systems.

• Specialty contractor (Municipality level) — Duties include electrical, mechanical, landscape, home improvement, and more. Please visit your municipality’s website for more information on specialty contractor licenses.

Step 2 — Complete The Required Applications

Once you have gathered all the necessary information, the next step is to complete the required application forms. These forms are typically available on the website of the city's or county's licensing board. Ensure that you fill out all sections of the form accurately and provide all requested documentation to ensure your application can be processed without delay.

Step 3 — Submit Your Application

After completing the application forms, submit them to the appropriate licensing board along with any required documentation. This may include proof of contractor insurance, business registration, and previous work experience.

• Roofing Contractor License applications can be found here.
• Plumbing Contractor License applications can be found here.
• Specialty contractor licenses will need to be obtained directly through the municipality you will be working in. To find applications and information, please visit the city’s website or call your city hall. 

Step 4 — Get a Surety Bond

In many municipalities, obtaining a surety bond is a mandatory requirement for general contractors. A surety bond is a financial guarantee that you will adhere to the terms of your contract and fulfill your legal obligations. You can get more information about surety bonds and how to obtain one on the Illinois Contractor License Bond page.

• Roofing Contractor License

The contractor license bond must be the original document signed by the applicant in the amount of $25,000.

• Plumbing Contractor License

The surety bond must be the original document signed by the applicant in the amount of $20,000, naming the Department of Public Health as beneficiary. Bonds must be in the form provided by the Department and must expire on September 30th of the current year and cannot be a continuous bond. Signatures must be original, and the name of principal must exactly match the name of the business or individual on the application.

• Specialty Contractor License

Specialty contractor licenses are awarded at the municipal level and other requirements such as bonds can be added at this level. Check with your local development authority for more information.

Step 5 — Pay Required Fees

Each municipality will have its own fee structure for processing your license application. Ensure that you pay all required fees promptly to avoid any delays in the processing of your application.

Roofing contractor license

• $125 application fee (non-refundable)
• $226 residential roofing examination
• $226 commercial and industrial roofing examination
• $277 residential, commercial and industrial roofing examination

Plumber contractor license

• $175 application fee
• $225 application fee for out-of-state plumbers
• $150 registration fee
• $100 reinstatement/late fee
• $200 returned check fee

Step 5 — Pass Any Required Examinations

Some cities or counties may require you to pass a written examination to demonstrate your knowledge of building codes, safety regulations, and construction practices. Prepare for these exams by studying relevant materials and possibly taking preparatory courses.

• Roofing Contractors

For a roofing contractor license, you must first file an application for the roofing contractors qualifying party examination through Continental Testing Services. To schedule an exam you must complete and send in your application along with the required examination fee, made payable to Continental Testing Services, Inc. in the form of a check or money order. You can also apply directly online through the Continental Testing Services website.

• Plumbing Contractor

For a plumbing contractor license, you must first file an application for examination for plumber’s license through IDPH. To schedule an exam, you must complete and send in your application at least 30 days before your examination, along with the required examination fee, made payable to Illinois Department of Public Health in the form of check or money order. You must also attach a 1”x 1” passport photograph of yourself. 

• Specialty Contractor

Call or visit the website of the municipality in which you are working. Examination requirements will differ in each city.

Since each municipality sets its own rules, fees, and classifications for general contractors. Below, we provide a summary of the licensing requirements for several major cities in Illinois, including the entity that issues the license, the types of licenses available, and any associated fees and surety bond requirements. Below we provide you with the resources you need to navigate the requirements in your area.

Aurora

• Issuing Entity — The City of Aurora Licensing Division
• Classes of Licenses — General Contractor, Specialty Contractor
• Fees and Surety Bond Requirements — Vary based on the type and scope of work.

Champaign

• Issuing Entity — Champaign Building Safety Division
• Classes of Licenses — Residential Contractor, Commercial Contractor
• Fees and Surety Bond Requirements — Vary based on license class.

Chicago

• Issuing Entity — City of Chicago Department of Buildings
• Classes of Licenses — General Contractor, Limited Contractor
• Fees and Surety Bond Requirements — General Contractor fees start at $300 and a surety bond is required.

Elgin

• Issuing Entity — Elgin Community Development Department
• Classes of Licenses — Building Contractor, Subcontractor
• Fees and Surety Bond Requirements — Fees vary and a surety bond is required for certain contractors.

Joliet

• Issuing Entity — City of Joliet Building Department
• Classes of Licenses — General Contractor, Home Improvement Contractor
• Fees and Surety Bond Requirements — Application fee required, surety bond varies.

Peoria

• Issuing Entity — Peoria Development Center
• Classes of Licenses — General Contractor, Specialty Contractor
• Fees and Surety Bond Requirements — Fees vary, surety bond may be required.

Rockford

• Issuing Entity — Rockford Building Department
• Classes of Licenses — General Contractor, Subcontractor
• Fees and Surety Bond Requirements — Application fees and surety bond required.

Springfield

• Issuing Entity — Springfield Building Safety Division
• Classes of Licenses — General Contractor, Limited Contractor
• Fees and Surety Bond Requirements — Fees vary, surety bond required.

Waukegan

• Issuing Entity — Waukegan Building Department
• Classes of Licenses — General Contractor, Specialty Contractor

Fees and Surety Bond Requirements — Fees and surety bond requirements in place.

The time it takes to obtain a general contractor license in Illinois can vary significantly from city to city, however, you can expect to wait anywhere between a few weeks to several months for confirmation. Factors that influence the timeline include the completeness of your application, the specific requirements of the municipality, the need to pass examinations, and the processing time of the licensing board.

Consider Bill, a skilled carpenter based in Chicago who wants to expand his business and operate as a general contractor. Bill begins by researching the requirements on the City of Chicago Department of Buildings website. He learns that he needs to apply for a General Contractor license and prepare the necessary documentation, including proof of insurance and previous work experience.

Bill completes the application form and submits it along with a $300 application fee. After this, he will need to apply for an Illinois contractor license bond. We have helped thousands of contractors like Bill get the best deals on their surety bonds, even facilitating applications for those with bad credit. For more information on how to get the right surety bond for your needs, contact us today.

Once the surety bond is in place, Bill is notified that he needs to pass a written examination to prove his knowledge of building codes and construction practices. To prepare for the exam, Bill studies the Chicago Building Code and takes a preparatory course. After six weeks, he receives his General Contractor license, allowing him to legally offer his services in Chicago.

Obtaining a general contractor license in Illinois requires careful research and preparation, however, you can access free licensing tips, as well as a free bond quote, through our form below. Remember, understanding the specific requirements of the municipality where you plan to work and following the necessary steps will lay the foundations for a successful application, allowing you to successfully navigate the licensing process and ensure that you are operating legally and professionally.