How to Check a Roofer's License in Your State

All eight states we cover require most roofing contractors to hold a state license or registration, and every one of them has a free lookup on a state website. Search the roofer's business name or license number there, and check that the license is active and covers roofing before you sign anything.

The FTC's advice is simple: "Consider only contractors who are licensed and insured," and check with your state or county government to confirm the license (FTC ↗). This guide shows where to look in each state and what to look for once you find the record.

Why checking a license matters

A business card with a license number on it is not proof. California's licensing board puts it plainly: "Seeing a license number doesn't necessarily mean the license is valid" (CSLB ↗). A two-minute lookup can also protect you in ways that matter later:

• Some state help is only for licensed work. Arizona's Residential Contractors' Recovery Fund pays homeowners hurt by a licensed residential contractor who broke the rules, up to $30,000 per person (A.R.S. 32-1132 ↗, 32-1132.01 ↗).
• Unlicensed work can be a crime. In California, unlicensed repair work on damage from a declared natural disaster can be charged as a felony, and the homeowner counts as a crime victim even if they didn't know (B&P 7028.16 ↗).
• Contracts can fall apart. In Florida, an unlicensed contractor can't enforce its contract and has no lien or bond claim for the work (Fla. Stat. 489.128 ↗).

A license is not a promise of every protection, though. Minnesota, for example, leaves roofer-only licensees out of its contractor recovery fund (Minn. Stat. 326B.81 ↗). Ask your state board what applies to you.

Roofing licenses by state

Here is what each state requires, the license name to look for, the small-job exemption (if any), and the official lookup.

A few notes on the table:

• Oklahoma is adding a Residential Roofing Endorsement. CIB says the transition period starts January 1, 2027, and the endorsement will be required for all residential roofing work from January 1, 2028 (CIB ↗).
• Minnesota's license covers residential work. Roofing subcontractors don't need a license but must register with the state (DLI ↗).
• Oregon's endorsements aren't tied to one trade. The CCB chart uses roofing as an example of work a residential or commercial specialty contractor may do (CCB chart ↗). So the license tells you the business may do the work, not that it's a roofing company.
• Exemptions are narrow. In California and Arizona, a job that needs a building permit doesn't qualify for the small-job exemption (B&P 7048 ↗, A.R.S. 32-1121 ↗). In Florida and Oregon, anyone who advertises as a contractor doesn't qualify (489.103 ↗, ORS 701.010 ↗).

For the full step-by-step in three states, see our guides for Florida, California and Arizona. Other state details are on the state pages: Nevada, Virginia, Oklahoma, Minnesota and Oregon.

Can a general contractor replace my roof?

It depends on the state, so check the license type, not just the word "licensed."

• Florida: general, building and residential contractors must subcontract roofing unless they also hold a roofing license. The one exception is shingle or shake roofs on a new building they are constructing themselves (Fla. Stat. 489.113 ↗).
• California: a B General Building contractor can't take a roof-only job unless it holds the roofing classification or subcontracts the work to a licensed roofer (B&P 7057 ↗).
• Minnesota: a Residential Building Contractor or Residential Remodeler license also allows residential roofing (326B.805 ↗).
• Virginia: the CBC and RBC classes and the HIC and CIC specialties also cover roofing (18VAC50-22-30 ↗).

If your state isn't listed here

Rules differ from state to state, and in some places local governments set their own contractor rules. The FTC says to check with your state or county government to confirm a contractor's license (FTC ↗). Start with your state's contractor licensing board, then call your city or county building department and ask what a roofer needs to pull a permit where you live.

What to check on the license record

Once you find the record, look at five things:

1. The name matches. The business name on the record should match the contract and the truck. California's board suggests asking to see the pocket license and a photo ID, and making sure the person is the same one on the license (CSLB ↗).
2. The status is active. In Florida, a "C" (Current) and "A" (Active) status is what you want; "S" means suspended (DBPR codes ↗). In Minnesota, an active license shows "Issued" (DLI ↗).
3. The license type covers roofing. Use the license names in the table above.
4. It's valid where you live and for your job size. A Florida RC license works only in the local areas where the contractor is registered (Fla. Stat. 489.117 ↗). Every Nevada license has a monetary limit, the largest contract the business may take on one site for one client (NRS 624.220 ↗).
5. Bond, insurance and complaints. California's license check shows complaint disclosures, and California licensees must carry a $25,000 license bond (CSLB Check a License ↗, CSLB ↗). Nevada has a separate disciplinary actions search ↗. Ask every roofer for proof of insurance (FTC ↗).

Red flags

• No license number on the paperwork. In California, contractors must put their license number on business cards, bids and contracts (CSLB ↗). In Arizona, any contract over $1,000 must list it (A.R.S. 32-1158 ↗).
• The license belongs to someone else. The name on the record doesn't match the business you are dealing with.
• They want you to get the permit. The FTC lists this as a scam warning sign (FTC ↗).
• They want full payment up front, or cash only. Also on the FTC's list (FTC ↗).
• They offer to handle your insurance claim. Several states bar contractors from acting as public adjusters: Florida (626.854 ↗), Minnesota (325E.66 ↗) and Arizona for post-storm roof work (32-1158.02 ↗). If you need claim help, see how to verify a public adjuster's license ↗.

If a crew knocked on your door after a storm, read out-of-town roofers after a storm before you sign.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Laws change, so confirm with your state board before you hire. You can browse roofing companies and state pages, or Get matched with roofers near you.

Frequently asked questions

Is a roofing "registration" the same as a license?

Not always, but both mean the state gave permission to do the work. Oklahoma uses registration: resident and nonresident roofing contractors must register with the Construction Industries Board before offering or doing roofing work, and commercial work also needs an endorsement (CIB ↗). Look it up the same way you would a license.

Do small roof repairs need a licensed roofer?

Sometimes not, but the exemptions are narrow. Florida's is under $2,500; California's, Arizona's, Nevada's and Oregon's are under $1,000, with conditions such as no building permit or no advertising (489.103 ↗, B&P 7048 ↗, 32-1121 ↗, NRS 624.031 ↗, ORS 701.010 ↗). Splitting one job into small contracts doesn't count.

Can a roofer handle my insurance claim?

No. Several states bar contractors from acting as public adjusters, including Florida, Minnesota and Arizona (for post-storm roof work). For help with a claim, look for a public adjuster licensed in your state or talk to an attorney.

What if the license is expired or suspended?

Don't hire on a promise that it will be fixed soon. Ask the state board what the status means, and keep looking.