A properly licensed roofer is a contractor whose current government record matches the person or company you plan to hire and covers the roofing work. Ask for the roofer's license number and legal business name, then verify both through your state's official contractor licensing database.
Use these 8 checks before signing a contract. Licensing requirements differ by state, county and city. A January 2025 Federal Trade Commission consumer alert also recommends checking licensing, insurance and written contract details before hiring a contractor. The U.S. Small Business Administration explains that construction licensing rules vary by location.
1. Ask the roofer for license information
Before accepting an estimate, request:
- Contractor license number
- Full legal name of the license holder
- Business name and any DBA name
- State, county or city that issued the license
- Proof of insurance
- Names of subcontractors who will work on the roof, if known
A roofer who refuses to provide a license number or says the license is "pending" has not given you enough information to proceed. The same applies when the business name cannot be matched to a government record.
2. Find the official government license lookup
Search for:
[Your state] contractor license lookup roofing
Look for a website operated by a government agency, such as:
- State contractor licensing board
- Department of business and professional regulation
- Department of labor and industry
- State consumer protection agency
- City or county building department
The licensing agency's database is the record to rely on. A roofer's website, social media profile, review site or third-party directory may contain marketing claims, but those sources do not establish the license status.
California's Contractors State License Board lets consumers search by license number, contractor name or business name. Florida's Department of Business and Professional Regulation provides searches by license number, individual name and business entity.
3. Search by license number and business name
Enter the license number into the official database. Then search again using the contractor's individual name and business name.
The results should match the information on the estimate or contract:
| Information | What should match |
|---|---|
| License holder | The person who provided the license information |
| Business name | The company named on the estimate or contract |
| License number | The number printed on the roofer's documents |
| Business address | The current address, where shown |
| Trade classification | Roofing or another classification that legally covers the proposed work |
The second search matters because some states license an individual contractor while also requiring that person to qualify the business entity. Florida, for example, tells consumers to verify both the individual license and the business entity connected to it.
4. Confirm that the license is active and current
Look for a status such as:
- Active
- Current
- In good standing
Check the expiration date. An expired, inactive, suspended or revoked license should not be treated as valid because the roofer held a license in the past.
The database may also show disciplinary actions, complaints, legal actions, bond information or workers' compensation information. California's license lookup, for example, provides license status and complaint disclosure information. California contractor guidance also identifies insurance information available through the license record.
5. Check that the license covers roofing work
A contractor may hold a license for one type of construction without being authorized to perform every type of work.
Look for:
- Roofing contractor classification
- General building contractor classification that includes roofing, where permitted
- Residential or commercial scope that fits your project
- Limits on the value or type of work
- Required local registration
If the record does not clearly show that the license covers roofing, contact the licensing agency before signing. Ask:
"Does this license authorize the company to replace or repair a residential roof at my property address?"
6. Check local licensing and permit requirements
A state license may not be the only requirement. Your city or county may also require:
- Local contractor registration
- Business license
- Roofing permit
- Building permit
- Storm-repair registration
- Additional inspections
Contact the local building department. Ask whether the roofer must register locally and whether the proposed work requires a permit. A state database search may not show these local requirements.
7. Verify insurance separately
A contractor license does not prove that the company has current insurance.
Ask for a certificate of insurance showing applicable coverage, such as:
- General liability insurance
- Workers' compensation insurance
- Property damage coverage
- Commercial auto coverage, if relevant
Confirm that the policy is current and covers the company and workers performing the job at your property. The Federal Trade Commission recommends hiring licensed and insured contractors, checking with state or county government, requesting proof of insurance and getting a written contract.
Insurance rules vary by location. For example, California requires workers' compensation coverage for active roofing contractors in specified circumstances. Commercial general liability insurance is addressed separately in California contractor guidance.
8. Compare the license record with the contract
Before signing, confirm that the contract includes:
- The same legal business name shown in the government database
- Correct license number
- Contractor's address and phone number
- Detailed work description
- Materials and manufacturer specifications
- Project price and payment schedule
- Start and estimated completion dates
- Warranty terms
- Permit responsibility
- Subcontractor information
The person signing the contract should be authorized to represent the licensed business. If the estimate names one company but the license belongs to another, ask for an explanation and confirm the relationship with the licensing agency.
Warning Signs That a Roofer May Not Be Properly Licensed
Be cautious if the roofer:
- Refuses to provide a license number
- Gives a number that belongs to another company
- Has an expired, inactive or suspended license
- Says a license is unnecessary without identifying the applicable local rule
- Pressures you to sign immediately
- Demands full payment before work begins
- Requests cash, wire transfers, gift cards or cryptocurrency
- Asks you to sign a blank contract
- Offers to waive your insurance deductible
- Arrives immediately after a storm and discourages independent verification
The FTC identifies refusal to provide licensing, insurance or a written contract, pressure tactics and unusual payment methods as warning signs in contractor scams.
What to Do If You Cannot Verify the Roofer
Do not sign the contract or pay a deposit while the license remains unverified.
Contact the licensing agency using the phone number on its official website. Ask whether the license number, business name, qualifying individual, trade classification and local registration are valid for your project.
If the roofer appears to be working without a required license, report the company to the state contractor board, local building department or consumer protection agency. Keep copies of the estimate, contract, license information and messages exchanged with the roofer.
Bottom Line
If the license number, legal business name, status or roofing classification does not match the government record, stop and resolve the discrepancy before hiring the roofer. A matching license record, current insurance certificate and detailed contract give you a stronger basis for moving forward.