Contractor License from Montana to Illinois: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Illinois Department of Public Health — Plumbing Program (general contractors are licensed municipally) ↗
Illinois does not offer contractor reciprocity with any state. Expect a full application to the Illinois Department of Public Health — Plumbing Program (general contractors are licensed municipally), including Illinois's exams.
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Verdict
No reciprocity offered
Illinois recognizes no state's contractor license, so coming from Montana changes nothing — it is a full application either way. The practical plan: identify which Illinois license class matches your work, book the business/law and trade exams, and prepare the financial statement and bond early. Nothing about your Montana license is wasted, but none of it substitutes for Illinois's process.
What changes, Montana → Illinois
| Montana (current) | Illinois (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | Electrical license fees are set by the Montana State Electrical Board; construction contractor registration fee is set by DLI. Not captured here to avoid an unverified figure. | No reciprocity/endorsement fee exists because there is no reciprocity path; standard plumber licensing fees apply and were not captured. |
| Processing time | Not published. | Not applicable — no reciprocity path. |
| Licensing authority | Montana State Electrical Board (DLI Business Standards Division); Construction Contractor Registration (DLI Employment Relations Division) | 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
- Review Illinois's initial-licensure requirements on the Illinois Department of Public Health — Plumbing Program (general contractors are licensed municipally) website (linked below).
- Expect to meet Illinois'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 (No reciprocity/endorsement fee exists because there is no reciprocity path; standard plumber licensing fees apply and were not captured.).
- Allow Not applicable — no reciprocity path..
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Illinois accept a Montana contractor license?
Illinois does not offer contractor reciprocity with any state. Expect a full application to the Illinois Department of Public Health — Plumbing Program (general contractors are licensed municipally), including Illinois's exams.
What still applies even if reciprocity covers my trade?
Illinois's business and law exam, financial statement, bond, and registration — reciprocity waives the trade exam only, not these.
What does the Montana-to-Illinois move cost and how long does it take?
No reciprocity/endorsement fee exists because there is no reciprocity path; standard plumber licensing fees apply and were not captured.; processing Not applicable — no reciprocity path..
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 Illinois is one on the Illinois Department of Public Health — Plumbing Program (general contractors are licensed municipally) site.
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)
- Montana State Electrical Board - License Information ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Montana DLI ERD - Construction/Independent Contractor Registration ↗ (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]