A contractor license in Illinois - with the exception of public works and roofing - is issued at the city or county level. So most construction contractors don't need to be licensed in Illinois. However, roofing contractors are the exception.

For example, the city of Chicago requires a contractor license for:

• Mason Contractor
• Plumbing Contractor
• Wreckers
• Electrical Contractors
• General Contractors

Roofing Contractor License

To do roofing work in Illinois a contractor has to be certified by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation. There is no exam for certification but companies with employees have to provide information about the company, the organization and the workers' compensation and unemployment insurance. In addition, roofing contractors will have to:

• Post a $10,000 bond
• Show proof of  property damage insurance $250,000
• Show proof of $500,000 in personal injury insurance.

For licensing, every roofing contractor must designate a person from the company to take and pass a state examination. Here are they types of licenses:

• Residential Roofing         
• Commercial & Industrial Roofing           
• Commercial, Industrial & Residential Roofing

Fire Sprinkler Contractor License

This license is to regulate persons engaged in planning, selling, installing, maintaining or servicing fire protection sprinkler systems. This applies to all individuals and businesses who engage in fire sprinkler installation.

Other Contractor License Trades

• Architects
• Land Surveyors
• Landscape Architects
• Professional Engineers
• Structural Engineers
• Asbestos and Lead Abatement

Consumers are advised to check for additional local municipal contractor license requirements as contractor laws tend to be amended. It is also advised to double check with the state’s requirements before hiring a contractor.