Illinois Contractor License Requirements
2026 Guide — Everything you need to know about contractor licensing in Illinois.
932
Contractors in IL
568
Verified Licenses
9 yrs
Avg. Experience
10
Cities Covered
Illinois Licensing Board
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
License Types in Illinois
Roofing Contractor
State license required for roofing work
Plumbing License
State license required for plumbing
Electrical License
No state license; local jurisdictions license electricians
General Contractor
No state license; local municipalities may require registration
Bond Requirements
No state-level surety bond is required for general contractors.
Roofers require a $10,000 surety bond; other trades vary by locality
Insurance Requirements
General Liability Insurance
Not required at the state level. Roofers must have insurance; other contractors follow local requirements
Workers' Compensation
Required when you have employees.
Penalties for Unlicensed Work
Varies by municipality; roofing without a license is a Class A misdemeanor with fines up to $2,500
How to Verify a License in Illinois
1. Use Our Free Verification Tool
Search our database of 932 contractors in Illinois by name, license number, or business name.
Verify a contractor now2. Check the Official State Board
Visit the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) for real-time license verification and disciplinary actions.
Visit Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)Additional Information
Illinois does not license general contractors at the state level. Chicago and many municipalities have their own requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Illinois require a contractor license?
Illinois does not require a general contractor license at the state level. However, specialty trades like electrical and plumbing typically require state licenses, and many local jurisdictions have their own licensing requirements.
What are the bond requirements for contractors in Illinois?
Roofers require a $10,000 surety bond; other trades vary by locality
What are the penalties for unlicensed contracting in Illinois?
Varies by municipality; roofing without a license is a Class A misdemeanor with fines up to $2,500
Is insurance required for contractors in Illinois?
Illinois does not mandate general liability insurance at the state level for general contractors. Roofers must have insurance; other contractors follow local requirements However, insurance is strongly recommended and may be required by local jurisdictions or project contracts.
How do I verify a contractor's license in Illinois?
You can verify a contractor's license through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) website at https://idfpr.illinois.gov/. You can also use our free license verification tool at vemra.ai/licensing/verify to search our database of 932 contractor profiles in Illinois.
How many licensed contractors are there in Illinois?
Our database includes 932 contractor profiles in Illinois, with 568 verified license numbers on file. The average contractor in Illinois has 9 years of experience.