Contractor License from Arizona to Illinois: Does It Transfer? (2026)
There is no Illinois state license to transfer into: Illinois issues no statewide general contractor license. Any licensing for this work is handled below the state level (a city, county or contractor-level authority), so check with the authority where you will work.
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Verdict
No state license to transfer
There is nothing at state level to transfer your Arizona license into: Illinois issues no statewide general contractor license. Identify the local authority that governs your jobsite and work from its rules; your Arizona license and experience may help there, but no state agreement applies to general contracting.
What changes, Arizona → Illinois
| Arizona (current) | Illinois (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | ROC fee schedule was not machine-readable (roc.az.gov and the Secretary of State code PDF block automated fetches); application fees vary by classification and the license bond ranges $4,250-$100,000. Verify current fees at roc.az.gov | General contractor fee: none at state level — general contractor licensing is local, so the city or county sets any fee |
| Processing time | Not stated on accessible official pages | None at state level — set by the local authority |
| Licensing authority | Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) | General contracting: licensed locally (city or county); trade licenses: Illinois Department of Public Health — Plumbing Program (general contractors are licensed municipally) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Illinois sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Illinois issues no statewide general contractor license, so there is no state license to transfer: confirm with the authority linked on this page who licenses the work where you will practice.
- Contact that city, county or contractor-level authority for its own requirements, exams and fees.
- Keep records of your current license, exams and documented experience — a local authority may credit them, but nothing transfers at state level.
- Obtain any general contractor or electrical license from the local municipality (no state license).
- General contractor fee: none at state level — general contractor licensing is local, so the city or county sets any fee.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Illinois accept an Arizona contractor license?
There is no Illinois state license to transfer into: Illinois issues no statewide general contractor license. Any licensing for this work is handled below the state level (a city, county or contractor-level authority), so check with the authority where you will work.
What applies in Illinois without a state general contractor license?
The rules of the local authority that governs your jobsite — Illinois issues no statewide general contractor license or exam. Trade licenses Illinois does issue are a separate question for the checker.
What fees apply in Illinois, and how long does processing take?
Illinois issues no state general contractor license, so there is no state license fee: general contracting is licensed locally, and the city or county sets any fee and timeline.
Would the NASCLA exam help for this move?
Not for general contracting: Illinois issues no state general contractor license, so there is no state GC exam for NASCLA to replace.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- Illinois Department of Public Health — Plumbing (licensing, forms; reciprocity form is Chicago-only) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Illinois IDFPR — Roofing Contractors (no reciprocity provision) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Arizona Administrative Code R4-9-106 (Registrar of Contractors — examination and trade-exam waiver for comparable classification held in another state within 5 years) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Arizona Revised Statutes 32-1122 (qualifications for license; in-state exam-waiver framework) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- California CSLB Reciprocal Classifications List (confirms Arizona mutual reciprocity and classification mapping) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by the License Reciprocity Editorial Team · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]