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 Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (CRLB) registers every contractor and subcontractor who works on a home, and the statute names roofers. Registration needs a 5-hour pre-registration course, insurance and a fee; there is no trade exam. A separate Commercial Roofer license, with an exam and $2,000,000 insurance, applies only to roofs on nonresidential buildings and buildings with more than four units. Ask to see the contractor's CRLB registration card and check that the business name matches the contract.
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 Rhode Island
If your policy pays replacement cost and the new material does not match the old in quality, color or size, the insurer must replace all such items so they look reasonably uniform. You pay only your deductible for this.
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 CRLB Search for a General Contractor. 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.