How to Acquire a Roofing License
In many states, you need a roofing license before you can accept jobs installing roofs. Different states usually have different regulations for licensure. In some states, you don't even need a license for commercial roofing, but you will, ,need a license to work on residential roofing.
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Instructions
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Train to be a roofer. Enroll in an apprenticeship program or a construction training course to get a certification that will make you eligible to take the licensing exam. While you don't need a college degree to be licensed, you must have extensive knowledge of roofing to pass the licensing test. State community colleges usually offer construction training and vocational courses in roofing.
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Obtain personal injury and property insurance. To work as a roofing contractor, you need liability insurance to protect your future clients. Most states, such as Illinois, will require you to take out personal injury insurance of at least $250,000 and $500,000 property insurance. You will need to attach proof of insurance to your application form.
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Fill out the application forms for the roofing license. Your state's Department of Regulation or Licensing Board should be able to furnish you with the requisite forms. Some questions cover basic information, while others ask for detailed answers regarding the type of roofing services you wish to provide.
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Post bond for the license. Some states require a $10,000 bond while others don't. Make sure to inquire about this detail with your local licensing board so that you can prepare the money beforehand.
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Take the licensing exam. Michigan, Illinois, California and Minnesota, among others, require applicants to take a 50-question exam on roofing before they can be licensed. The exam covers various types of roofing and technical information of the roofing process.
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Wait for your license to arrive. If you passed your exams, you will only have to wait a few days for your license to be processed. The license is valid for two years, after which you need to renew it by going through the same tests again.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure to contact your state licensing board about the requirements needed to apply for your roofing license. Brush up on your knowledge of roofing before the exam. If you fail the test, you won't get the money back that you spent for the application and the exam.
Being licensed in one state doesn't necessarily mean you are allowed to operate under the same specialty in other states. You will probably have to get a license in the other state where you want to offer your services.
