Illinois Contractor License Bonds

How much does an Illinois contractor license bond cost?

Illinois contractor license bond costs start at $50 annually. Your exact cost will vary depending on your licensing agency, your license type, and your required bond amount. Most city and county bonds required for local contractor compliance cost $100 annually. A few Illinois contractor bond types require a quick application review to determine pricing. 

How do I get an Illinois contractor surety bond?

You can purchase most Illinois contractor bonds online 24/7 with instant emailed bond delivery. Simply select the bond required by your licensing authority from the dropdown above or the table below. Your licensing authority determines information required for filing approval, but you typically need to provide your contractor or construction company name, physical business address, and license type. Once your order is processed, your bonding confirmation will be sent to your email. 

How fast can I get a contractor license surety bond?

Our industry-leading technology and responsive customer service team allow us to deliver your official Illinois contractor license bond faster than any other surety provider. Most Illinois contractor bonds can be delivered straight to your email within minutes of payment 24/7. Otherwise, orders placed by 4 PM CST Monday-Friday are processed with same-day emailed bond delivery. If your licensing authority requires your official bond be physically issued and delivered to you, we'll ship it to your preferred mailing address.

What is an Illinois contractor license bond?

“Illinois contractor license bond” is a blanket term for the many surety bonds required by the state as well as individual cities and counties. Each individual bond must be filed with its respective government agency before a contractor license will be issued. Illinois contractor license bonds generally protect the regulatory agency and general public from damages resulting from a contractor's failure to comply with state, county, or municipal laws that regulate the construction industry.

How do contractor bonds work?

By filing a bond, a contractor agrees to fulfill their professional obligations as required by applicable Illinois laws when performing construction work. If a contractor fails to do so, the issuing surety company will pay valid claims up to the full bond amount. The contractor must then reimburse the surety company for any damages paid.

Who regulates licensing for contractors?

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulations enforces state licensing for roofing contractors and can be reached by phone at 1(800)560-6420. The Illinois Department of Public Health enforces state licensing for plumbing and irrigation contractors and can be reached by phone at 1(217)524-0791 or by email at [email protected].

Specialty contractor licensees are subject to the regulations, requirements, and fees enforced by individual counties and cities. You can find information about municipal contractor license requirements by searching the websites linked at the end of this page. Contact your local licensing office with any questions.

Who needs a contractor bond in Illinois?

The Illinois Contractor Unified License and Permit Bond Act requires contractors file a surety bond before performing construction work anywhere in the state. The act defines "contractor" as any individual who constructs, alters, repairs, moves, wrecks, or demolishes any fixture or structure in the state, including subcontractors and specialty contractors.

If you work in one of the cities or counties listed in the dropdown above or table below, you must file a specific surety bond with them directly before receiving your local contractor compliance license. If you need a surety bond for a city or county not listed, call 1(800)308-4358.

Need a surety bond for a construction project in Illinois?

Illinois contractor bonds are required for licensing compliance. If you need a surety bond before you can begin work on an individual contracted project, you might need a bid bond, payment bond, performance bond, or other type of contract bond. If you work in states other than Illinois, we also offer contractor license bonds nationwide.

How do I update or change my bond form?

If your licensing authority requires you to update your surety bond documentation for any reason, contact your surety provider. If you purchased your bond from SuretyBonds.com, email [email protected] to explain the needed change.

The most common changes requested for these bonds are the contractor or construction company's name or address.

How do I renew my contractors license bond?

You must renew your Illinois surety bond before its current term expires to keep your license in good standing. Once you pay your SuretyBonds.com renewal invoice, renewal instructions will be emailed to you to keep your bond active for your next license term.

How do you become a licensed contractor in Illinois?

Complete the following 3 steps to apply as a licensed contractor in Illinois.

Step 1: Determine your license type.

Roofing, plumbing, and irrigation specialists must be licensed at the state level. General and specialty contractors must be licensed with their local licensing authorities.

Roofing contractors install, maintain, and/or repair the roofing of residential and commercial establishments. The two types of roofing contractor licenses are limited and unlimited.

Plumbing contractors install, maintain, and repair pipes, fittings, and other apparatuses of water supply, sanitation, and heating systems.

Irrigation contractors install or supervise the installation of lawn sprinkler systems.

The following are the most common types of specialty contractor licenses:

• building or construction
• general
• electrical
• heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC)
• masonry
• wrecking or excavation

Step 2: Verify you're eligible for a contractor license.

You must complete these steps before submitting your licensed contractor application paperwork. 

1. Register your business entity with the Illinois Secretary of State.
2. Register with the Illinois Department of Revenue to ensure you comply with state tax requirements.
3. Provide proof of experience.
4. Pass an Illinois contractor license exam.

Step 3: Submit your application and fees.

Municipalities have their own roofing, plumbing, irrigation, and specialty contractor requirements. Visit your local municipality's website for guidelines on the licensure process.

Below find specific application requirements for state-level roofing, plumbing, and irrigation contractor licenses.

Illinois Roofing Contractor License

Submit these documents to the address below.

• application
• criminal history
• certificate of insurance
• roofing contractor license bond
• check or money order for nonrefundable fees
• roofing qualifying party

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Division of Professional Regulation
P.O. Box 7007
Springfield, IL 62791

Illinois Plumbing or Irrigation Contractor License

Submit these documents to the address below.

• application
• plumbing contractor surety bond
• check or money order for nonrefundable fees
• certificate of insurance

Illinois Department of Public Health
Plumbing Program
525 W. Jefferson St., 3rd Floor
Springfield, IL 62761