Who needs a license
State registration required. The state keeps a list of registered contractors. The roofer pays a fee and shows proof of insurance, but takes no trade exam.
The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL) runs Contractor Registration. Any person or business that earns at least $2,000 a year from construction work, including roofing, must register. The fee is $50, there is no exam, and a contractor based outside Iowa must file a $25,000 bond. Ask the roofer for the Iowa contractor registration number and proof of insurance.
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 Iowa
When new material does not match the old in quality, color or size, the insurer must replace enough of it to look reasonably uniform within the same line of sight, and you pay only your deductible. A contractor may not rebate your deductible or negotiate your claim with the insurer. A storm repair contract that breaks these rules is void, and you owe nothing under it.
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 Iowa DIAL contractor registration search. Check that the name and the status match the company you talk to.
Sources
We read these official pages. Rules change, so check with the state or your building department before you sign. This page is general information. It is not legal advice.
The Roofing List does not check licenses or insurance. Our guide shows how to check a roofer's insurance and license, step by step.