How to Verify a Roofing Contractor's License: The Complete 50-State Guide

Why Verifying a Roofing License Matters — Before You Sign Anything

A roofing license is not just a piece of paper. In states that require it, a licensed contractor has passed a trade examination, demonstrated minimum experience, maintained proof of insurance and bonding, and submitted to state oversight. When something goes wrong — a defective installation, a job abandoned midway, a contractor who vanished with your deposit — the license is your primary enforcement lever.

Without a valid license in a state that requires one, you cannot file a complaint with the state licensing board. The contractor's bond (which compensates victims of contractor fraud) may be invalid. Manufacturers may void roof warranties that require licensed installation. Your homeowner's insurance may complicate future claims if the work was performed by an unlicensed contractor. And in most states, an unlicensed contractor cannot legally sue you for unpaid work — but that cuts both ways: you lose protection if the contractor holds a mechanic's lien on your property while operating without a license.

The research is consistent and unsurprising: unlicensed contractors are dramatically overrepresented in consumer fraud complaints. If a contractor is willing to operate without the legal credentials required to work in your state, that willingness to cut corners rarely stops at the licensing office.

Storm Season Warning

After major storms, the highest concentration of unlicensed and out-of-state contractors appears within 72 hours of the event. These "storm chasers" move fast, pressure homeowners to sign immediately, and frequently operate without licenses in the states where they solicit work. The time pressure they create is engineered — there is almost never a legitimate reason a roofing contract cannot wait 24 hours for you to verify credentials.

How to Verify a Roofing Contractor's License in 4 Steps

8 Red Flags That Signal an Unlicensed or Fraudulent Contractor

Refuses or delays providing a license number

Pressures you to sign the same day as their estimate

Offers to "handle your insurance claim" as part of the pitch

Has no local address, only a cell number and an out-of-state truck

Quote is dramatically lower than all other bids

Requests large upfront payment (more than 10–15% deposit)

Cannot produce a Certificate of Insurance on request

Arrived unsolicited immediately after a storm

All 50 States: Official Roofing Contractor License Lookup Portals

Use the table below to find your state's licensing requirements and go directly to the official government verification portal. The "License Type" column tells you what kind of credential is required. States marked STATE LICENSE have mandatory statewide roofing or contractor licensing. States marked THRESHOLD-BASED require a license only above a certain dollar amount. States marked LOCAL ONLY have no statewide requirement — check your city or county directly. States marked NO REQUIREMENT have neither a state nor broadly-enforced local requirement.

Storm Chasers and Out-of-State Roofers: A Special Warning

After every major storm — hurricane, hail event, tornado — a predictable surge of out-of-state roofing crews enters affected markets. Many of these contractors are legitimate: they come from neighboring states during a period of high demand and do quality work. But a significant portion are storm chasers: transient operators with no local ties, no intention of standing behind their work, and in many cases, no valid license in the state where they're soliciting jobs.

A contractor's license is typically only valid in the state where it was issued. A Florida roofing contractor arriving in Georgia after a hail event needs a Georgia license — or a qualifying exemption — to legally perform work there. Reciprocity agreements between states exist in some cases, but they are limited and state-specific. Do not assume a license from another state transfers. Verify the license specifically for the state where your home is located.

The pressure tactics that storm chasers use are designed to prevent you from doing exactly what this guide teaches: taking two minutes to verify credentials. They arrive uninvited, they offer prices that seem too good, they claim materials are "already on the truck," and they create artificial urgency around "storm damage deadlines" that don't exist in law. The best response to any contractor who pressures you to sign before verifying their license is to end the conversation and find someone else.

What to Check Beyond the License

Verifying an active license is the starting point, not the finish line. A licensed contractor can still perform defective work, abandon a job, or commit fraud. Layer your verification:

Insurance certificate: Request a Certificate of Insurance showing active general liability (minimum $1 million per occurrence for roofing) and workers' compensation. Call the insurance company directly to verify it's current. Ask to be named as an additional insured on the project.

Local permit: Most roofing jobs over a certain scope require a building permit. Ask your contractor if a permit is required for your job and verify that they will pull it. A contractor who discourages permits is a red flag — permits create an inspection record that protects you.

Better Business Bureau and licensing board complaint history: Most state licensing portal results show disciplinary actions. Check these. A contractor who has had their license suspended or revoked and reinstated deserves scrutiny. Also check the BBB at bbb.org and your state attorney general's consumer complaint database.

Google and local reviews: Search the company name plus "complaint," "review," and "scam." Also search the owner's name. Storm-chasing operators often cycle through company names but the owner's name stays the same.

Already Hired an Unlicensed Contractor? Here's What to Do

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a roofing contractor need a separate license in every state they work in?

Yes, in almost all cases. A contractor's license is valid only in the state that issued it. Reciprocity agreements exist between some states but are limited and must be verified directly with the issuing board. After major storms, contractors routinely cross state lines to work — verify their license in your state, not just their home state.

What's the difference between a license and a registration?

A license typically requires passing an exam, demonstrating experience, and meeting ongoing renewal requirements. A registration (used in states like Pennsylvania and Washington) requires submitting paperwork and proof of insurance but does not involve a trade examination. Both are searchable through official state portals, and both matter.

My state says local-only licensing. How do I check?

Go to your city or county's official website and search for "building department" or "contractor registration." In local-licensing states, the building permit office is typically the right starting point. You can also call your county courthouse.

Can I hire an unlicensed contractor in a state that requires licensing?

You can, but you expose yourself to significant risk: no licensing board recourse, potential warranty voids, complications with your homeowner's insurance, and limited legal remedies if work is defective or incomplete. In many states, an unlicensed contractor cannot enforce a contract against you in court — but that protection only matters if you know about it before you've already paid.

A contractor showed me their license on their truck magnet. Is that enough?

No. License numbers on vehicles, cards, and websites can be fabricated, borrowed from another company, or simply expired. Always verify independently through the official state portal — it takes under two minutes and is the only way to confirm current active status.