Illinois Contractor License Fee Calculator
Estimate your Illinois contractor license application, registration, and renewal fees based on license type, business entity, and exam requirements. Fees are based on Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) and City of Chicago schedules.
Formula
Total Estimated Fee =
Base License Fee
+ Exam Registration Fee (if applicable)
+ Surety Bond Annual Premium (Bond Amount × 1.5%, min $100, if bond required)
+ Late Renewal Penalty (Base Fee × 25%, if renewing after expiration)
+ Workers' Comp Certificate Filing Fee ($25 if employees > 0)
Base fees by license type (new / renewal):
• Roofing Contractor: $400 new / $200 renewal (all entities)
• Plumbing Contractor: $150 new / $100 renewal
• Electrical Contractor (Chicago): $375 new / $375 renewal
• General Contractor (Chicago): $525 new / $525 renewal
• HVAC Contractor: $200 new / $100 renewal
• Alarm Contractor: $500–$1,000 new / $250–$500 renewal (varies by entity)
• Home Inspector: $125 new / $125 renewal
Assumptions & References
- Base fees sourced from the IDFPR Fee Schedule and the City of Chicago Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP) portal.
- Surety bond premium estimated at 1.5% of the required bond amount (market mid-range); actual premium depends on applicant credit and insurer.
- Required bond amounts: Roofing – $10,000; Electrical (Chicago) – $25,000; General (Chicago) – $25,000; Alarm – $10,000.
- Late renewal penalty of 25% of the base renewal fee applies per IDFPR policy for licenses renewed after the expiration date.
- Workers' Compensation certificate filing fee of $25 applies when the contractor has one or more employees, per Illinois Workers' Compensation Act (820 ILCS 305).
- Home Inspector exam fee reflects the National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE) fee (~$225), required under 225 ILCS 441.
- Plumbing and HVAC exam fees reflect IDFPR-administered examination registration (~$75).
- Chicago Electrical exam fee reflects City of Chicago examination fee (~$100).
- Fees are subject to change. Always confirm current amounts at idfpr.illinois.gov or chicago.gov/bacp.
- This calculator does not include insurance premiums (general liability, etc.), continuing education costs, or municipal permit fees beyond the license itself.