Contractor License from Illinois to District of Columbia: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) - Board of Industrial Trades ↗
A contractor license transfers from Illinois to District of Columbia by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) - Board of Industrial Trades, verify your Illinois license, and meet District of Columbia's endorsement requirements. DC is a NASCLA-electrical participating jurisdiction and accepts the NASCLA Accredited Electrical Examination in lieu of a DC-specific electrician trade exam (exam portability). General contractors/construction managers are NOT competency-examined - they register through a DC Basic Business License.
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Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
District of Columbia does not have a trade agreement covering Illinois for the selected trade, so this move runs on District of Columbia's case-by-case endorsement process. If you do commercial general-building work, check whether District of Columbia accepts the NASCLA exam — passing it once can replace the trade exam here and in about fourteen other states. Electricians should check District of Columbia's NERA status.
What changes, Illinois → District of Columbia
| Illinois (current) | District of Columbia (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | No reciprocity/endorsement fee exists because there is no reciprocity path; standard plumber licensing fees apply and were not captured. | DLCP fees not verified (DLCP pages not retrievable at research time) |
| Processing time | Not applicable — no reciprocity path. | Not verified |
| Licensing authority | Illinois Department of Public Health — Plumbing Program (general contractors are licensed municipally) | District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) - Board of Industrial Trades |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — District of Columbia sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm District of Columbia's current requirements on the District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) - Board of Industrial Trades website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) - Board of Industrial Trades.
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- General contractor/construction manager operates under a DC Basic Business License (bond required); no competency exam and no trade reciprocity for general contracting.
- Trade licenses (electrician, plumber/gasfitter, refrigeration and A/C) are issued by the DC Board of Industrial Trades.
- Electricians may transfer the NASCLA electrical exam result to DC.
- Pay the fees (DLCP fees not verified (DLCP pages not retrievable at research time)) and allow Not verified.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does District of Columbia accept a Illinois contractor license?
A contractor license transfers from Illinois to District of Columbia by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) - Board of Industrial Trades, verify your Illinois license, and meet District of Columbia's endorsement requirements. DC is a NASCLA-electrical participating jurisdiction and accepts the NASCLA Accredited Electrical Examination in lieu of a DC-specific electrician trade exam (exam portability). General contractors/construction managers are NOT competency-examined - they register through a DC Basic Business License.
What still applies even if reciprocity covers my trade?
District of Columbia's business and law exam, financial statement, bond, and registration — reciprocity waives the trade exam only, not these.
What does the Illinois-to-District of Columbia move cost and how long does it take?
DLCP fees not verified (DLCP pages not retrievable at research time); processing Not verified.
Would the NASCLA exam help for this move?
If you do commercial general-building work, possibly — about 15 states accept the NASCLA Accredited Commercial General Building exam toward licensure. Check whether District of Columbia is one on the District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) - Board of Industrial Trades site.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- NASCLA - States/jurisdictions accepting the NASCLA Accredited Electrical Examination (District of Columbia listed) ↗ (accessed 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)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]