Why License Verification Matters
After every major hurricane or hailstorm, unlicensed and out-of-state contractors flood affected communities. They target homeowners when they're most vulnerable — stressed, displaced, dealing with damaged property — and offer quick starts and low prices. The results range from substandard work to outright fraud.
The consequences of hiring unlicensed: your insurer can deny the claim or withhold depreciation payment; the work may not pass the required building inspection; in TWIA territory, the work won't qualify for a Certificate of Compliance; and you have limited legal recourse if the contractor disappears or the work fails.
⚠️ Never Hire Before Verifying — It Takes 2 Minutes
Every state in our coverage area has a free online license lookup tool. It takes less than 2 minutes to verify a license. There is no excuse to skip this step — the cost of not doing it can be tens of thousands of dollars.
License Verification Portals: All 13 States
| State | License Type for Roofing | Verification Portal |
|---|
| Florida | Roofing Contractor (CCC) or Certified General Contractor (CGC) | myfloridalicense.com/licensee-search |
| Texas | No separate roofing license; TDLR general contractor. TWIA work requires TDI windstorm inspector involvement. | tdlr.texas.gov/LicenseSearch |
| Louisiana | State Contractor License (LSLBC) for work over $50,000 | lslbc.louisiana.gov/licensee-search |
| Mississippi | State Construction License (MSBOC) for work over $10,000 | msboc.us/license-lookup |
| Alabama | ALBGC General Contractor for work over $10,000 | genconbd.alabama.gov/verify |
| Georgia | State Contractor License (Secretary of State) | verify.sos.ga.gov |
| South Carolina | Specialty Contractor — Roofing (SC Contractors' Licensing Board) | llr.sc.gov/POL/ContractorsLicensing |
| North Carolina | General Contractor License, Unlimited/Intermediate/Limited (NCLBGC) | nclbgc.org/license-lookup |
| Virginia | Class A/B/C Contractor License (DPOR) | license.dpor.virginia.gov |
| Maryland | Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) License (DLLR) | dllr.state.md.us/license/occpro.shtml |
| Delaware | Home Improvement Contractor Registration (Division of Revenue) | revenue.delaware.gov/hic |
| New Jersey | Home Improvement Contractor Registration (DCA) | njconsumeraffairs.gov/hic |
| New York | County-level HIC registration; NYC requires DCA license | nyc.gov/dca (NYC); county consumer affairs portals elsewhere |
✅ Florida: Check Both License Types
In Florida, a roofing job can legally be done by a licensed Roofing Contractor (CCC prefix) or a licensed Certified General Contractor (CGC prefix) or a Certified Building Contractor (CBC prefix). Verify the specific license at myfloridalicense.com and confirm it is in "Active" status — not "Delinquent," "Null and Void," or "Revoked."
Beyond the License: The Full Verification Checklist
A valid license is necessary but not sufficient. Run all four checks before signing any contract:
- License — current and correct class — verify at the state portal; confirm no disciplinary actions
- Liability insurance — request a certificate of insurance; call the insurer directly to confirm the policy is active (certificates can be forged)
- Workers' compensation insurance — required for any contractor with employees; verify the policy number is active with the listed insurer
- Local permit history — search your county or municipal building department for the contractor's name; a contractor who has been working in your area should have permit records
For TWIA Territory in Texas
In the 14 TWIA-eligible Texas coastal counties, roofing work must be done in compliance with Texas Department of Insurance windstorm standards and inspected by a TDI-licensed windstorm inspector to obtain a Certificate of Compliance (COC). Verify that your contractor is familiar with the COC process and will coordinate the TDI inspection before work begins.
Red Flags: Signs of an Unlicensed or Fraudulent Contractor
- Out-of-state license plates and no local address — storm chasers
- Offers to waive your deductible — this is insurance fraud in every state
- Pressure to sign today or lose the price — legitimate contractors don't disappear overnight
- Large upfront deposit required — industry standard is 10–30% down; 50%+ upfront is a red flag
- No written contract offered — required by law in most states for work over a certain dollar amount
- Can't provide license number immediately — any licensed contractor knows their number
- No permit offered — any contractor suggesting you skip the permit is working illegally
- Assignment of benefits pressure — in Florida, AOB is now banned for property insurance; any contractor pushing an AOB is operating illegally
Find a Licensed Contractor in Your Area
We connect coastal homeowners with licensed, insured local roofing contractors who know their state's requirements. Free inspection, no obligation.
Get Free Inspection →Frequently Asked Questions
Why does it matter if my roofing contractor is licensed?
Licensing matters for several critical reasons. First, unlicensed roofing work is illegal in most states and can result in the work being ordered to be removed or redone at your expense. Second, insurance companies may deny claims or refuse to pay depreciation holdbacks when the contractor who did the work was not properly licensed and permitted. Third, in Texas TWIA territory, roofing work done without a proper Certificate of Compliance (COC) can void your windstorm coverage entirely. Fourth, licensed contractors carry required liability insurance and workers' compensation — if an unlicensed contractor is injured on your property, you may be liable.
What does a roofing contractor license cover — and what are the state differences?
Most states license roofers either as a specialty contractor category or under a general contractor classification. Florida has a separate Roofing Contractor license (CC or CCC) that is specific to roofing. Texas licenses roofers under the general contractor system — there is no separate roofing license, but TWIA work requires familiarity with TDI windstorm standards. Louisiana requires a State Contractor License for work over $50,000. Alabama requires licensure through the State Licensing Board for General Contractors for projects over $10,000. North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York each have general contractor classifications under which roofing falls. Always check the specific class of license — a Class B license may not cover the full scope of your project.
How do I verify a contractor is licensed and not just claiming to be?
Never accept a contractor's word or a copy of a license card — always verify independently at the state licensing board's official website. Look up the license by contractor name and/or license number. Verify: (1) the license is current and not expired, (2) the license class covers the type of work being performed, (3) there are no active disciplinary actions or complaints on file, (4) the license is in the individual's or company's name, not an unrelated entity, and (5) the license covers the county or jurisdiction where your work is located (some states have county-level requirements in addition to state licenses).
What else should I verify besides the license?
Beyond the license, verify three additional items before signing any contract. First, liability insurance — ask for a certificate of insurance naming you as an additional insured; call the insurance company directly to confirm the policy is active. Second, workers' compensation insurance — if the contractor's employees are injured on your property without workers' comp, you may be liable; verify the policy is current. Third, permit history — search your local building department's online permit portal for the contractor's name; a licensed contractor should have a history of pulled permits in your area. A contractor with no permit history is a red flag even if their license is current.
What is a storm-chaser contractor and how do I spot one?
Storm-chaser contractors are out-of-state or out-of-area roofing companies that follow storm events and solicit work in affected communities, often door-to-door within days of a major event. Warning signs: out-of-state license plates on vehicles, no verifiable local business address, pressure to sign immediately, offers to waive your deductible (insurance fraud), no verifiable license in your state, inability to provide local references, and requests for large upfront deposits. A legitimate local contractor will have a verifiable state license, a local business address, permit history in your jurisdiction, and references you can actually call.
