Contractor License from Illinois to New Jersey: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs — Regulated Business Section (Home Improvement Contractors) ↗
New Jersey does not offer contractor reciprocity with any state. Expect a full application to the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs — Regulated Business Section (Home Improvement Contractors), including New Jersey's exams.
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Verdict
No reciprocity offered
New Jersey recognizes no state's contractor license, so coming from Illinois changes nothing — it is a full application either way. The practical plan: identify which New Jersey license class matches your work, book the business/law and trade exams, and prepare the financial statement and bond early. Nothing about your Illinois license is wasted, but none of it substitutes for New Jersey's process.
What changes, Illinois → New Jersey
| Illinois (current) | New Jersey (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | No reciprocity/endorsement fee exists because there is no reciprocity path; standard plumber licensing fees apply and were not captured. | $110 (Home Improvement Contractor registration fee; this is a registration, not a license, and involves no exam) |
| Processing time | Not applicable — no reciprocity path. | Board does not publish a stated processing time |
| Licensing authority | Illinois Department of Public Health — Plumbing Program (general contractors are licensed municipally) | New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs — Regulated Business Section (Home Improvement Contractors) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — New Jersey sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Review New Jersey's initial-licensure requirements on the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs — Regulated Business Section (Home Improvement Contractors) website (linked below).
- Expect to meet New Jersey's education/experience requirements and pass its required exams — prior out-of-state licensure may still count toward experience.
- Submit the standard (new applicant) application with fees ($110 (Home Improvement Contractor registration fee; this is a registration, not a license, and involves no exam)).
- Allow Board does not publish a stated processing time.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does New Jersey accept a Illinois contractor license?
New Jersey does not offer contractor reciprocity with any state. Expect a full application to the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs — Regulated Business Section (Home Improvement Contractors), including New Jersey's exams.
What still applies even if reciprocity covers my trade?
New Jersey's business and law exam, financial statement, bond, and registration — reciprocity waives the trade exam only, not these.
What does the Illinois-to-New Jersey move cost and how long does it take?
$110 (Home Improvement Contractor registration fee; this is a registration, not a license, and involves no exam); processing Board does not publish a stated processing time.
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 New Jersey is one on the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs — Regulated Business Section (Home Improvement Contractors) site.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- NJ Division of Consumer Affairs — Home Improvement Contractor (registration fee $110) ↗ (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]