Illinois Masonry License Requirements (2026)
By Gabriel Giner, Editor · Source checked 2026-09-04
Illinois does not use one statewide masonry-contractor application administered by a state contractor board. Instead, Illinois Municipal Code 65 ILCS 5/11-36 establishes a mason-contractor and employing-mason licensing framework for a municipality with more than 500,000 residents: applicants must obtain an annual license, pass the examination directed by the local board, and obtain the required permit before masonry work. Other jurisdictions may administer their own contractor registration, permit, inspection, or bond requirements. Confirm the requirements with the authority having jurisdiction for every project address before bidding or starting work.
Regulatory Body
This license is issued and enforced by Municipal masonry licensing and building-permit authorities (Local AHJ) pursuant to 65 ILCS 5/11-36; local building and contractor ordinances. The applicable municipal or county authority determines contractor registration, licensing, permits, inspections, and local fees. The statutory framework in 65 ILCS 5/11-36 applies to a municipality with more than 500,000 residents.
Eligibility Requirements
This guide does not establish a minimum applicant age; confirm any age requirement with the issuing authority. Check the current application for identification and tax-number requirements. Illinois law does not create a single statewide masonry-contractor application. Confirm applicant and business-registration requirements with the project jurisdiction.
Good moral character
No statewide masonry-contractor character standard is stated in this guide; the local licensing authority may set application standards.
Background investigation
No statewide masonry-contractor background-check rule is stated here. Verify local requirements before filing.
Experience and Education
No fixed number of years of experience is set out in the cited sources for this credential; instead, the controlling requirement is 65 ILCS 5/11-36 requires the covered municipality’s board to examine applicants as to practical knowledge of masonry and mason construction; it does not set a statewide number of experience years in this framework..
Accepted proof of experience or eligibility
- Use the local authority’s current application and ask which experience records, if any, it requires.
Exam Requirements
The cited state materials do not require a written state trade examination for this credential. The controlling process is: The board of examiners designated by the covered municipality; other jurisdictions set their own rules.
Examination fee: Local fee set by the applicable authority.
Retake policy: The statute leaves examination administration to the local board. Obtain the current local examination and retake policy before applying.
Insurance and Bonds
This credential carries no state-level surety bond requirement under the cited sources. Individual jobs may still trigger a permit or public-works bond, which should be verified before bidding.
General liability
Illinois does not set one statewide general-liability amount for masonry contractors in this guide. A project jurisdiction, owner, lender, contract, or local registration program may require coverage or a bond.
Workers' compensation
Illinois requires workers’ compensation insurance for most employers. The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission says an employer with one employee, including a part-time employee, generally must obtain coverage; narrow exceptions exist.
Additional financial requirements
No statewide masonry-contractor financial-statement requirement is identified here. Confirm local and project requirements.
Fee Schedule
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application (non-refundable) | No separate state fee |
| Initial license | No separate state fee |
| Renewal (every year) | No separate state fee |
To turn these board fees into a realistic year-one budget — bond premium, liability insurance, and exam prep included — open the cost calculator preloaded for Illinois masonry.
Renewal and Continuing Education
Expect to renew the Illinois Masonry Contractor Licensing — Municipal Framework every year. The cited materials name no distinct statewide fee for renewal. 65 ILCS 5/11-36 describes an annual license for the covered municipality, with the fee fixed locally. Other local registrations and permits can have different cycles and fees.
Reciprocity
Illinois does not accept the NASCLA Accredited Examination for this classification.
| Reciprocal State | Accepted Exam | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| No formal bilateral reciprocity agreements identified. | ||
There is no statewide masonry reciprocity program described by the sources used for this guide. Local authorization and permits must be verified with the project jurisdiction.
Weighing more than one jurisdiction? The national hub compares Masonry license requirements in every state — exam, bond, fee, and experience thresholds side by side.
Masonry Licensing in Neighboring States
Contractors working near a state line, or weighing where to qualify first, should compare Illinois's requirements against the bordering jurisdictions before committing to an application:
- Indiana Masonry License Requirements — Indiana Masonry — No State License (Local Contractor Registration)
- Kentucky Masonry License Requirements — Kentucky Masonry Contractor Requirements — Local Rules
- Missouri Masonry License Requirements — Missouri Masonry Contractor Requirements — Local Permits and Licensing
- Wisconsin Masonry License Requirements — Wisconsin Dwelling Contractor Certification (Masonry Scope)
Step-by-Step Application Roadmap
- Identify the project authority. Contact the municipality or county that issues the building permit and ask about contractor licensing, registration, bond, insurance, plan-review, and inspection requirements for the exact masonry scope.
- Check whether the statutory municipal licensing framework applies. For work in a municipality with more than 500,000 residents, review 65 ILCS 5/11-36 with the local licensing office. It calls for an annual mason-contractor or employing-mason license and a local examination.
- Complete the local application and examination process. Use only the current forms, instructions, fees, and qualification criteria supplied by the authority having jurisdiction.
- Obtain permits before masonry work. Under 65 ILCS 5/11-36, the covered municipality must require a building-department permit for mason work. Other jurisdictions can have their own permit process.
- Set up required employment coverage. If you have covered employees, obtain workers’ compensation insurance or approved self-insurance and keep required notices and records current.
- Screen public-work contracts for prevailing-wage duties. The Illinois Prevailing Wage Act governs laborer, worker, and mechanic pay on public works. Review the bid or contract, current local rates, certified-payroll requirements, and recordkeeping duties before bid submission.
- Maintain local authorization. A 65 ILCS 5/11-36 license is annual. Track the local expiration date, permit closeout, insurance or bond renewals, and any jurisdiction-specific renewal conditions.
Application Checklist
The items below are the ones worth confirming before the application is filed with Local AHJ:
Progress is saved in this browser, so you can return to this checklist while your application is in flight.
Common Filing Mistakes
Based on the board's own instructions and the sources cited here, the problems below are what most often stall a Illinois Masonry application.
Treating local rules as optional
Illinois does not provide a single statewide masonry-application path. Verify each project jurisdiction’s licensing, registration, permit, and inspection process.
Using old fee or examination information
The statute leaves local examination administration and fees to the municipality. Obtain current information directly from the responsible office.
Starting work before the required permit
The statutory framework requires a permit before mason work in the covered municipality. Local permit rules elsewhere can also apply.
Missing public-work payroll duties
A contract subject to the Prevailing Wage Act can require certified payroll and supporting records. Review IDOL guidance and the contract before work starts.
Assuming an owner or contract will supply insurance
Workers’ compensation duties attach to covered employers, while other insurance and bond requirements can be imposed locally or contractually.
Study and Reference Materials
These are the preparation and reference materials tied to this credential — cited by the regulator or widely used by applicants. CLR earns nothing from listing them.
- 65 ILCS 5/11-36 — Mason contractors and employing masons — Illinois General Assembly. Read the statutory municipal licensing, examination, annual-license, and permit provisions before approaching the local authority.
- Illinois Prevailing Wage Act guidance — Illinois Department of Labor. Use current rates and certified-payroll guidance when a public-work contract is subject to the Act.
Other Illinois Trade Licenses
CLR covers other Illinois trades as well — the published guides below may be more relevant:
- Illinois Plumber License Requirements
- Illinois HVAC Technician License Requirements
- Illinois Roofing Contractor License Requirements
- Illinois Concrete Contractor License Requirements
- Illinois Solar Installer License Requirements
- Illinois Low-Voltage Technician License Requirements
- Illinois Fire Sprinkler Contractor License Requirements
- Illinois Home Inspector License Requirements
- Illinois Pool Contractor License Requirements
- Illinois Handyman License Requirements
- Illinois Pest Control License Requirements
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there one Illinois masonry contractor license?
Not through a single statewide contractor-board application. Illinois law establishes a mason-contractor licensing framework for a municipality with more than 500,000 residents, while local authorities may also set contractor, permit, inspection, and bond requirements.
What does 65 ILCS 5/11-36 require?
For the covered municipality, it requires an annual mason-contractor or employing-mason license, a board examination of practical masonry knowledge, and a building-department permit before mason work. The local authority fixes the license fee and administers the details.
Can one local authorization cover every Illinois project?
Do not assume so. Confirm licensing, registration, permits, and inspection requirements with the authority having jurisdiction for each project address.
Does prevailing wage matter for masonry work?
It can. The Illinois Prevailing Wage Act applies to public works and establishes wage, recordkeeping, and certified-payroll duties. Review the project contract and IDOL’s current guidance before bidding.
Do masonry employers need workers’ compensation coverage?
Most do. The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission says an employer with one employee, including a part-time employee, generally must carry coverage, subject to limited exceptions.
Primary Sources
Regulatory requirements on this page are drawn from the official board, statute, and exam-provider materials listed below.
- Illinois Municipal Code — 65 ILCS 5/11-36 (mason contractors and employing masons)
- Illinois General Assembly — Contractor Unified License and Permit Bond Act (50 ILCS 830)
- Illinois Department of Labor — Prevailing Wage Act
- Illinois Department of Labor — Prevailing Wage Act FAQ
- Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission — Insurance requirements
Verified 2026-09-04 · Next scheduled review 2026-12-03
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Corrections and presentation updates
- : Shared template updated to distinguish unspecified eligibility requirements, retain cost qualifications, and use consistent headings. Source-check dates are unchanged by presentation updates.