Do you need a roofing license in Texas?

What the state requires

Unlike electricians or plumbers, Texas has no mandatory state license for roofers. That means anyone can open a roofing company, which also explains why so many out-of-town companies show up after every hail storm.

No license doesn't mean no rules. The most important one: the Texas Insurance Code (§707.002) does not allow a contractor to pay, waive or "absorb" a customer's deductible. Offering it on the phone or in an ad can get you in trouble.

What cities require

This is where it changes. Many Texas cities require contractors to register and to pull a permit for each re-roof. One example with real numbers is Plano:

• General contractor registration: $100 a year, covers roofing companies.
• Residential re-roof permit: $75.
• Final inspection with an attic check.

See every detail on our Plano roofing permit page. Each city has its own fees and rules, so check every place you work before you start.

Credentials that help you sell

They aren't required, but some credentials give homeowners and insurers confidence:

• RCAT voluntary license, from the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas.
• Manufacturer certification for the shingle brands you install, which sometimes allows longer warranties.
• General liability insurance and, if you have employees, workers' comp. Many homeowners and insurers ask for it.

How to earn trust without a state license

Homeowners don't know Texas has no roofing license. What they do notice is whether the company has a local address, answers the phone, explains things in their language and puts everything in writing. After a storm, when companies from other states arrive, answering fast and in Spanish is one of the clearest ways to show you're local.

1. 1Put a local address and number on your ads and your truck.
2. 2Answer every call, day or night.
3. 3Always give a written estimate with materials, permits and warranty.
4. 4Never promise insurance will pay or offer to cover the deductible.

Summary

To be a roofer in Texas you don't need a state license, but you do need each city's registration and permits, to follow the deductible law and to carry insurance. The rest, homeowner trust, you earn by answering and delivering.

Frequently asked questions

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