Illinois Roofing License Practice Test: Sample Questions From Every Exam Section
Published May 13, 2026
The Illinois roofing contractor exam is 105 questions, administered by Continental Testing Services. You have three hours. You need 70% to pass. And if you fail, you pay another $248 to retake it.
The best way to walk in confident? Know exactly what kind of questions to expect. Below are 12 sample questions drawn from the five sections of the actual exam — codes, materials, business law, safety, and project management. Each one mirrors what you'll see on test day.
Exam Blueprint at a Glance
The 105 questions break down across five categories. You'll face questions from each:
- ~25% Illinois Building Codes & Regulations
- ~20% Roofing Materials & Application Methods
- ~20% Business Law & Contractor Requirements
- ~20% Safety, OSHA & Worker Protection
- ~15% Estimating, Project Management & Plans
Section 1: Illinois Building Codes & Regulations
About 26 questions on the exam test your knowledge of Illinois-specific codes. These aren't generic — they're tied to the Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act and state building code.
Question 1 — Licensing Act
Under the Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act, which of the following requires a roofing contractor license?
A) Installing gutters on a residential property
B) Replacing shingles on a single-family home
C) Painting exterior trim on a commercial building
D) Installing skylights with no roofing work involved
Correct: B
The Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act requires a license for any roofing work — including shingle replacement — on residential or commercial properties. Gutters and painting alone don't trigger the requirement.
Question 2 — Building Code
According to the Illinois building code, what is the minimum required roof slope for asphalt shingles?
A) 1:12
B) 2:12
C) 3:12
D) 4:12
Correct: B
The minimum slope for asphalt shingles is 2:12 (2 inches of rise per 12 inches of run). Below 2:12, you need a different roofing system. At slopes between 2:12 and 4:12, double underlayment is required.
Question 3 — Licensing Classifications
A contractor holds an Illinois Limited Residential Roofing License. Which project can they legally take?
A) A 12-unit apartment building roof replacement
B) A warehouse roof repair
C) A single-family home with an attached garage
D) A strip mall roofing project
Correct: C
The Limited/Residential license covers homes and buildings with 8 or fewer units. The 12-unit apartment (A) and commercial properties (B, D) require the Unlimited license.
Section 2: Roofing Materials & Application Methods
Roughly 21 questions covering shingles, underlayments, flashing, ventilation, fasteners — everything that goes on a roof and how it goes on.
Question 4 — Underlayment
When installing asphalt shingles on a roof with a 3:12 slope, how many layers of underlayment are required?
A) One layer
B) Two layers
C) Three layers
D) Underlayment is optional at this slope
Correct: B
For slopes between 2:12 and 4:12, code requires double underlayment. For slopes 4:12 and steeper, a single layer is sufficient.
Question 5 — Flashing
What is the minimum height that step flashing should extend up a vertical wall?
A) 2 inches
B) 4 inches
C) 6 inches
D) 8 inches
Correct: B
Step flashing must extend a minimum of 4 inches up the vertical wall surface and 4 inches onto the roof deck. Each piece should overlap the piece below by at least 2 inches.
Question 6 — Ventilation
For proper attic ventilation, what is the recommended ratio of net free vent area to attic floor area?
A) 1:100
B) 1:150
C) 1:300
D) 1:500
Correct: C
The standard is 1 square foot of net free vent area for every 300 square feet of attic floor space (1:300), with a vapor barrier. Without a vapor barrier, the ratio drops to 1:150. The intake and exhaust should be balanced — roughly 50% each.
Section 3: Business Law & Contractor Requirements
About 21 questions on contracts, liens, insurance, bonding, and Illinois-specific business regulations. This section trips up the most test-takers because it's legal, not technical.
Question 7 — Mechanics Lien
In Illinois, how long does a contractor have to file a mechanics lien after completing work on a project?
A) 30 days
B) 60 days
C) 90 days
D) 120 days
Correct: C
Under the Illinois Mechanics Lien Act, a contractor has 90 days from the date of last substantial work to record a mechanics lien. The lien must then be enforced (lawsuit filed) within 2 years.
Question 8 — Insurance
Which type of insurance is legally required for all Illinois roofing contractors?
A) Professional liability insurance
B) Workers' compensation insurance
C) Commercial auto insurance
D) Umbrella liability insurance
Correct: B
Illinois law requires all roofing contractors to carry workers' compensation insurance for their employees. General liability insurance is also typically required by the IDFPR for licensure, but workers' comp is the statutory requirement with the stiffest penalties for non-compliance.
Section 4: Safety, OSHA & Worker Protection
About 21 questions on job site safety. OSHA standards, fall protection, ladder safety, and hazard communication.
Question 9 — Fall Protection
At what height does OSHA require fall protection for roofing work on a residential project?
A) 4 feet
B) 6 feet
C) 10 feet
D) 15 feet
Correct: B
OSHA requires fall protection at 6 feet for construction work, including roofing. This can include guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems. The trigger height is lower than general industry (4 feet) but higher than some states with stricter rules.
Question 10 — Ladder Safety
When using an extension ladder to access a roof, how far should the ladder extend above the roof edge?
A) 1 foot
B) 2 feet
C) 3 feet
D) 4 feet
Correct: C
OSHA requires extension ladders to extend at least 3 feet above the landing surface to provide a secure handhold when stepping on and off. The base should be set 1 foot away from the wall for every 4 feet of height (4:1 ratio).
Section 5: Estimating, Project Management & Plans
About 16 questions covering how to read plans, estimate materials, and manage a roofing project from start to finish.
Question 11 — Material Estimating
You are estimating shingles for a roof with 24 squares of surface area and a 5:12 slope. Using a 10% waste factor, how many squares of shingles should you order?
A) 24 squares
B) 26 squares
C) 26.4 squares
D) 28 squares
Correct: C
24 squares × 1.10 (10% waste) = 26.4 squares. Waste factor accounts for cuts, hips, valleys, and starter courses. The slope alone doesn't change the waste calculation — it's the roof complexity (hips, valleys, dormers) that drives waste higher.
Question 12 — Project Management
Before beginning any roofing project in Illinois, what document must the contractor provide to the property owner?
A) A certificate of insurance
B) A written contract with scope of work and price
C) A copy of the contractor's exam results
D) A permit from the local building department
Correct: B
Illinois law requires a written contract specifying the scope of work, total price, and payment schedule before any residential roofing work begins. The contractor must also provide their license number on the contract. Insurance certificates are recommended but not statutorily required to be provided before work starts.
How to Prepare for the Real Exam
Twelve practice questions give you a feel for the format. But the real exam has 105 of them, spread across five categories, with a 70% passing threshold. You need depth — not just recognition.
Here's what works:
- Group your study by exam section. Don't bounce between topics randomly. Spend focused time on each of the five categories. The Business Law section is where most people stumble — give it extra attention.
- Read the Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act. At least skim it. Questions 1 and 3 above came directly from the Act. You can find it on the IDFPR website.
- Memorize the numbers. Every exam has them: 2:12 minimum slope. 4 inches of flashing. 3 feet of ladder extension. 90 days for a lien. These are the difference between passing and failing by two questions.
- Use a study guide organized to the exam blueprint. The best study guides follow the same structure as the test. When you sit down, you recognize the categories. That familiarity alone reduces test anxiety.