Roofing License Requirements by State

Roofers face all kinds of risks on the job, which is why it's critical to have the proper protection. Before you get to work, you'll need to be equipped with roofers insurance. You'll also need to get licensed according to your state's guidelines.

An independent insurance agent can help you find the right roofers insurance for you. We've also gone ahead and compiled a list of roofing license requirements by state. Take a moment to review the guidelines for your area before starting the process of acquiring your license.

Why Roofing Insurance Is Important

Before becoming a licensed roofer, it's important to have the necessary roofing insurance, including general liability coverage, contractors professional liability coverage, commercial auto coverage, commercial property coverage, and coverage for your tools and equipment. Having roofing insurance is critical because it protects your tools and equipment from many disasters, including fire and theft. But perhaps more important, having roofing insurance protects you from lawsuits due to claims of property damage or bodily injury to others.

Now that we've explored why you need to first be protected with adequate roofing insurance, here's a look at roofing license requirements by state.

Alabama 

To obtain a state roofing license in Alabama, you'll need to complete these requirements:

These licenses are required for:

You'll get your Alabama roofers state license from the Licensing Board for General Contractors. 

Alaska

To obtain a non-residential roofing license in Alaska, you'll need to complete these requirements:

To obtain a residential roofing license, you'll need to:

You'll get your Alaska roofers license from the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development. 

Arizona

To obtain a roofers license in Arizona, you'll need to:

You'll get your Arizona roofers license from the State of Arizona Registrar of Contractors.

Arkansas

To obtain a roofers license in Arkansas, you'll need to:

These licenses are required for:

You'll get your Arkansas state roofers license from the Contractors Licensing Board. There are options for commercial and residential licenses, as well as unlimited licenses. 

California

To obtain your roofing license in California, you need to:

These licenses are required for:

You'll get your California state roofers license from the Department of Consumer Affairs Contractors State License Board, under the Class C Specialty Contractors License Classification.

Colorado

To do roofing work in Colorado, you'll need to have a business license. Colorado doesn't require a state roofing license, since roofers are classified as general contractors.

Connecticut

Connecticut also does not require a state roofing license. But if you choose to do work that falls into the state's home improvement contractor category, you'll need to pay a registration fee and register with the Department of Consumer Protection.

Delaware

To obtain a state roofing license in Delaware, you'll need to:

These licenses are required for:

You'll obtain your Delaware state roofing license from the Delaware Division of Revenue. 

Florida

Florida classifies roofers into two different categories, each with their own licensing requirements. To obtain a certified contractor license in Florida, you'll need to:

To obtain a registered contractor license, you'll need to:

You'll obtain your license through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

Georgia

Georgia does not have any state roofing license requirements. Roofers are classified as Exempt Specialty Contractors in the state. Some roofers still choose to get licensed anyway, through the Georgia Roofing Contractors Association. 

Hawaii

To obtain a state roofing license in Hawaii, you'll need to:

The type of license specifically required in Hawaii is a C-42 Roofing Contractor License, which you'll get through the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Professional and Vocational Licensing.

Idaho

Idaho requires roofers to register with the Idaho Contractors board, but they aren't required by state law to get a roofing license. To register with the board, you'll need proof of roofing insurance.

Illinois

To obtain a roofing license in Illinois, you'll need to:

You'll obtain your Illinois state roofing license through the Department of Professional Regulation.

Indiana

Indiana doesn't require state licenses for roofers. 

Iowa

Iowa requires contractors that make more than $2,000 annually to register with the Iowa Division of Labor, but they're not required to obtain a state roofing license. However, there's an exception if you work with asbestos. The state also requires you to show proof of unemployment insurance.

Kansas

Kansas also does not require a state roofing license. However, to complete contractor work on commercial or residential projects, you'll need to get a roofing contractor registration certificate from the Kansas Attorney General and show proof of business insurance and workers' comp. 

Kentucky

Obtaining a state roofing license is optional in Kentucky. If you want to get certified, you'll go through the Kentucky Roofing Contractors Association. 

Louisiana

To obtain a state roofing license in Louisiana, you'll need to:

 Licenses are required for:

You'll obtain your state roofing license through the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors. 

Maine

Maine doesn't require roofers to obtain a state license, with the exception of workers who take on projects with asbestos. The Department of Environmental Protection issues Conditional Asbestos Abatement Licenses for roofers who fall into this category. 

Maryland

Maryland doesn't require roofers or other general contractors to obtain a state license. If your work is classified as home improvement by the state, however, you'll need to get a license through the Maryland Home Improvement Commission. Proof of insurance and two years of related work experience are needed to get this type of license.

Massachusetts

To obtain your state roofing license for work on existing structures in Massachusetts, you'll need to:

For other types of roofing work, to get a Construction Supervisor License that doesn't require an exam, you'll go through the State Board of Building Regulations and Standards. 

Michigan

To obtain a state roofing license in Michigan, you'll need to:

You'll get your Michigan state roofing license through the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.

Minnesota

To obtain a state roofing license in Minnesota, you'll need to:

This license is required for roofers with annual work totaling $15,000 or greater. You'll obtain your state roofing license through the Department of Labor and Industry. 

Mississippi

To obtain a state roofing license in Mississippi, you'll need to:

This license is required for roofers that complete residential work valued at $10,000 or greater. You'll obtain your license through the Mississippi State Board of Contractors. 

Missouri

Missouri doesn't have state licensing requirements for roofers.

Montana

Montana also doesn't require state roofing licenses. That said, roofers and contractors/subcontractors in the construction field who have employees are required to register with the Department of Labor and Industry.

Nebraska

Nebraska doesn't have state roofing license requirements. But construction contractors/subcontractors and roofing contractors do need to register with Nebraska's Department of Labor.

Nevada

To obtain a state roofing license in Nevada, you'll need to:

You'll obtain your state roofing license through the State Contractors Board. 

New Hampshire

New Hampshire doesn't have state roofing license requirements, except for contractors who perform work that deals with asbestos.

New Jersey

New Jersey doesn't have state roofing license requirements, but they do require roofers to register through the state. 

New Mexico

To obtain a state roofing license in New Mexico, you'll need to:

You'll obtain your license through the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department. 

New York

New York does not require roofers to obtain a state license. 

North Carolina

North Carolina requires state licenses for roofers who take on jobs with values of $30,000 or greater. You'll need to pass an exam and provide proof of finances before getting your license through the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors. 

North Dakota

To obtain a state roofing license in North Dakota, you'll need to:

You'll obtain your North Dakota state roofing license for jobs with a value of $4,000 or greater through the Secretary of State of North Dakota. 

Ohio

Ohio doesn't have state roofing license requirements. 

Oklahoma

Oklahoma doesn't require state roofing licenses, but workers do need to register with the state. To do so, roofers must first provide proof of business insurance and proof of workers' comp.

Oregon

To obtain a state roofing license in Oregon, you'll need to:

You'll obtain your Oregon state roofing license through the Construction Contractors Board.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania does not have state roofing license requirements.

Rhode Island

To obtain a Rhode Island state roofing license, you'll need to:

You'll obtain your Rhode Island state roofing license through the Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board. 

South Carolina

South Carolina does not have state roofing license requirements, but it does require roofers to register with the state. State registration requires a surety bond for work with a value of $5,000 or greater, as well as work references. 

South Dakota

South Dakota does not have state roofing license requirements.

Tennessee

To obtain a state roofing license in Tennessee, you'll need to:

To obtain a Tennessee state roofing license for projects valued at $25,000 or greater, you'll go through the state's Department of Commerce and Insurance Board for Licensing Contractors. 

Texas

Texas does not have state roofing license requirements, but you may choose to get a voluntary license through the Roofing Contractors Association.

Utah

To obtain a state roofing license in Utah, you'll need to:

You'll obtain your Utah state roofing license through the state's Department of Commerce Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing.

Vermont

Vermont does not have state roofing license requirements.

Virginia

To obtain a Virginia state roofing license, you'll need to:

You'll obtain your Virginia state roofing license through the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation Board of Contractors. 

Washington

Washington doesn't require roofers to obtain a state license, but roofers do need to register with the state.

West Virginia

To obtain a West Virginia state roofing license, you'll need to:

You'll obtain your West Virginia state roofing license through the Division of Labor West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board. 

Wisconsin

Wisconsin doesn't require roofers to obtain a state roofing license. That said, for roofers that deal with asbestos, they'll need a certificate from the Asbestos Unit Bureau of Public Health before they can start working.

Wyoming

Wyoming does not have state roofing license requirements.

Final Thoughts on State Roofing License Requirements

Even if your state doesn't require you to have a license to perform roofing work, there may still be local licensing requirements. Before agreeing to take on any roofing or related projects, it's crucial to check on any local requirements for this type of work. Also, be sure to keep up to date on your state's roofing license requirements, since they may change from year to year.