Do Roofers Need a License? Rules by State
Short answerRules differ by state, and some leave licensing to cities and counties. This page lists the 16 places where we read the rule on an official page, each with its source. A missing state means we couldn't verify it, not that no license is needed.
| State | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | A residential roofer needs a license from the Home Builders Licensure Board when the job costs more than $2,500, including when simply replacing a storm-damaged roof. | Source |
| Arkansas | A Residential Roofer Registration is needed for roofing, roof deck and roofing sheet metal projects over $2,000. Contractors holding a Residential Builder or Residential Remodeler license do not need the registration. | Source |
| California | Roofers are licensed by the Contractors State License Board under the C-39 Roofing Contractor classification. | Source |
| Illinois | Roofing contractors are licensed by IDFPR. A limited license covers residential properties and condominium buildings of no more than eight units. If a general contractor subcontracts the work, the subcontractor must also be a licensed roofer, and the license number must appear on contracts and bids. | Source |
| Iowa | Roofers are among the trades that must register as contractors in Iowa if they earn at least $2,000 a year from construction. | Source |
| Kansas | Kansas requires roofing contractors, with few exceptions, to hold a registration certificate from the Attorney General to legally do commercial or residential roofing for a fee. Certificates generally last one year, and violations can bring civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation. | Source |
| Louisiana | Residential Roofing is a subclassification under Residential Construction and requires a trade exam. It covers the construction, installation or repair of roofs on residential structures. | Source |
| Maine | In Maine, trades such as roofing and framing are not licensed or regulated, so the Attorney General urges consumers to research a contractor carefully before hiring. | Source |
| Minnesota | Residential contractors who perform roofing work must be licensed as a residential roofer, building contractor or remodeler. Contractors with annual residential gross receipts under $15,000 are exempt, and roofing subcontractors must register rather than hold a license. | Source |
| Mississippi | A Residential Roofer license from the State Board of Contractors is required for roofing work on a residence over $10,000. Residential Builder and Residential Remodeler licenses also cover residential roofing. | Source |
| New Jersey | Roofing and siding work is home improvement work in New Jersey, so roofing contractors must register with the Division of Consumer Affairs. | Source |
| New Mexico | New Mexico has a GS-21 Roofing classification, which requires two years of foreman-level practical or related trade experience and covers installing, altering or repairing roof systems. | Source |
| Oklahoma | Roofing contractors register with the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board under the Roofing Contractors Registration Act. | Source |
| Oregon | Roofing is among the construction activities covered by the Construction Contractors Board license. | Source |
| Vermont | Roofing is included in Vermont's definition of residential contracting, so roofing jobs of $10,000 or more require contractor registration. | Source |
| Washington | Roofing is one of the regulated contractor specialties in Washington, and each specialty requires its own registration with the Department of Labor & Industries. | Source |
Not verified yet
Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
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General information, not professional advice. Conditions, codes and prices vary. Turn off power, gas or water before any work, and hire a licensed professional when in doubt. Cost figures are our estimates, not quotes.