Roofing license requirements in Georgia

Who needs a license

No state roofing license. 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.

The State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors licenses residential and general contractors for work over $2,500. The board says a license is not required for work that is only a specialty trade, and a roofing-only business falls in that group. A contractor who also does structural or other general work over $2,500 needs a Residential-Basic or higher license. Most cities and counties require only a business (occupational tax) certificate and a permit, not a roofing license. Ask to see proof of liability and workers' compensation insurance, and the state license if the job goes beyond roofing.

Bond and insurance

A license or registration is not insurance. Ask every roofer for a certificate of general liability and workers' compensation insurance. Then call the insurer to confirm the policy is active. If the state asks a roofer for a bond, the rules above say so.

Roof insurance rules in Georgia

In Georgia it is a crime for anyone to advertise or promise to pay or rebate your insurance deductible to sell you work. A roofer may not file a claim for you unless the roofer is, or employs, a licensed public adjuster.

Permits

Confirm roof permit requirements with the building department responsible for your address and scope of work. Agree with your contractor who will obtain any required permit and arrange inspections before work begins.

How to verify a roofer's license

Ask the roofer for the license or registration number. Then look it up yourself on the state's own site, the Georgia Secretary of State License Verification. Check that the name and the status match the company you talk to.

Open the Georgia Secretary of State License Verification