For homeowners

Roofing license requirements by state

Each state sets its own rules for roofers. Some license them, some only register them, some leave it to cities and counties, and a few ask for nothing. Find your state below. Each page links to the state's own lookup and the pages we read.

The four kinds of rule

State license required (24 states). The state issues a license for roofing work. The roofer meets the state’s rules to get it, and you can look the license up.
State registration required (15 states). The state keeps a list of registered contractors. The roofer pays a fee and shows proof of insurance, but takes no trade exam.
Licensed by city or county (8 states). The state does not license roofers. Your city or county may. Ask your building department what it asks of a roofer.
No state roofing license (4 states). The state does not license roofers, and we found no common city or county license. Proof of insurance and a written contract matter most here.

A license is not insurance. In every state, ask the roofer for proof of insurance. Our guide shows how to check a roofer's insurance and license.

Want only the lookup links? Our roofer license lookup puts every state's official lookup in one table.

How many roofing firms work in states with no license? Our data story, which states do not license roofers, counts them state by state.

State license required

State	The rule
Alabama	Alabama requires a state Residential Roofer license for roofing jobs over $2,500.
Arizona	Arizona requires a Registrar of Contractors license for roofing on a home.
California	California requires a C-39 Roofing contractor license.
District of Columbia	Washington, DC requires a Home Improvement Contractor license for roofing on a home.
Florida	Florida requires a state roofing contractor license.
Hawaii	Hawaii requires a C-42 Roofing contractor license.
Illinois	Illinois requires a state roofing contractor license.
Louisiana	Louisiana requires a state license for residential roofing jobs of $7,500 or more.
Maryland	Maryland requires a Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) license for home roofing.
Massachusetts	Massachusetts requires HIC registration and a Construction Supervisor License for home roofing.
Michigan	Michigan requires a state Maintenance and Alteration Contractor or Residential Builder license for roofing.
Minnesota	Minnesota requires a state residential roofer license.
Mississippi	Mississippi requires a state license for home roofing jobs over $10,000.
Montana	Montana requires a state Construction Contractor License, but it has no exam.
Nevada	Nevada requires a state contractor license for roofing work.
New Mexico	New Mexico requires a state contractor license for roofing work.
North Carolina	North Carolina requires a state general contractor license for roofing jobs of $40,000 or more.
North Dakota	North Dakota requires a state contractor license for jobs over $4,000.
Oregon	Oregon requires a state Construction Contractors Board license for roofing work.
Tennessee	Tennessee requires a state contractor license for roofing jobs of $25,000 or more.
Utah	Utah requires a state contractor license for most roofing work.
Virginia	Virginia requires a DPOR contractor license for roofing jobs over $1,000.
West Virginia	West Virginia requires a state contractor license for residential jobs of $5,000 or more.
Wisconsin	Wisconsin requires a state Dwelling Contractor certification to pull a reroof permit on a home.

State registration required

State	The rule
Alaska	Alaska requires roofers to hold a state contractor registration, but there is no roofing exam.
Arkansas	Arkansas requires a state Residential Roofer Registration for roofing jobs over $2,000.
Connecticut	Connecticut requires roofers to register as Home Improvement Contractors.
Delaware	Delaware has no roofing license, but roofers must register with the state and hold a business license.
Idaho	Idaho requires roofers to register with the state Contractors Board; there is no exam.
Iowa	Iowa registers contractors; it does not license roofers.
Kansas	Kansas requires roofing contractors to register with the Attorney General.
Nebraska	Nebraska requires contractor registration with the state, not a roofing license.
New Jersey	New Jersey requires Home Improvement Contractor Business registration with the state.
Oklahoma	Oklahoma requires roofing contractors to register with the state.
Pennsylvania	Pennsylvania requires Home Improvement Contractor registration with the Attorney General.
Rhode Island	Rhode Island registers residential roofers and licenses only commercial roofers.
South Carolina	South Carolina registers residential roofers; it does not license them.
Vermont	Vermont registers residential contractors for jobs of $10,000 or more.
Washington	Washington registers roofing contractors with L&I; it does not license them.

Licensed by city or county

State	The rule
Colorado	Colorado has no state roofing license; cities and counties license roofers.
Indiana	Indiana has no state roofing license; cities and counties license roofers.
Kentucky	Kentucky has no state roofing license; some cities license contractors.
Missouri	Missouri has no state roofing license; cities and counties license contractors.
New York	New York has no state roofing license; some cities and counties license home improvement contractors.
Ohio	Ohio has no state roofing license; many cities and counties register or license contractors.
South Dakota	South Dakota has no state roofing license; some cities license roofers.
Wyoming	Wyoming has no state roofing license; some cities license roofers.

No state roofing license

State	The rule
Georgia	Georgia does not license roofing-only contractors at the state level.
Maine	Maine has no state roofing license.
New Hampshire	New Hampshire has no state roofing or general contractor license.
Texas	Texas has no state roofing license.

We read each state's own pages in 2026. Each state page gives its sources and the date we checked them. This is general information, not legal advice.