Florida Roofing License Requirements: Complete 2026 Guide

Why Florida Roofing Licenses Matter

Florida is the most regulated state in the country when it comes to roofing. Between hurricane season, intense UV exposure, and heavy afternoon thunderstorms, our roofs take a beating that most states never experience. The licensing system exists to protect homeowners from shoddy work that could fail when a Category 3 storm rolls across Tampa Bay toward St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and the rest of Pinellas County.

After every major hurricane, unlicensed contractors flood into Florida promising fast, cheap repairs. We saw it after Irma in 2017, after Ian in 2022, and after Milton and Helene in 2024. These storm chasers often disappear before the first leak shows up. The Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) exists specifically to prevent this by establishing strict requirements for anyone who wants to legally perform roofing work in the state.

For homeowners in Pinellas County, understanding how licensing works helps you separate qualified professionals from fly-by-night operators. A properly licensed contractor has passed rigorous exams, carries adequate insurance, and maintains their credentials through ongoing education. They also have a reputation and a license number you can verify before handing over a deposit.

CCC vs. CRC: Understanding Florida Roofing License Types

The two main license categories you will encounter in Florida roofing are the CRC and what many in the industry still call the CCC. Let us break down what each one means and which one your contractor should have.

Certified Roofing Contractor (CRC)

The CRC license is the dedicated roofing license in Florida. It is issued by the state through the DBPR (Department of Business and Professional Regulation) and allows the holder to perform all types of roofing work anywhere in the state. This includes new roof installations, re-roofs, repairs, waterproofing, and any related sheet metal or flashing work that is part of the roofing system.

A CRC holder can work on residential homes, commercial buildings, industrial facilities, and any other structure. In Pinellas County, the vast majority of roofing companies you interact with will hold a CRC license. This is the gold standard for a company that focuses exclusively on roofing.

Certified Building Contractor (CBC) and Certified General Contractor (CGC)

The term "CCC" is sometimes used informally in the industry, but officially, Florida issues CBC (Certified Building Contractor) and CGC (Certified General Contractor) licenses. Both of these allow the holder to perform roofing work as part of their broader scope of construction activities.

A CGC can do virtually any type of construction work, including roofing, structural work, plumbing oversight, and electrical oversight. A CBC is slightly more limited but still covers roofing as part of general building construction. The key difference is that these contractors are generalists. They may do excellent roofing work, but roofing is not their sole focus the way it is for a CRC holder.

Registered vs. Certified: Local Licensing

Florida also has a registered contractor category. A registered roofing contractor holds a license through their local county or municipality rather than through the state. In Pinellas County, a registered contractor can only work within the jurisdictions where they are registered. A certified contractor (CRC, CBC, or CGC) can work anywhere in Florida.

For homeowners, the practical takeaway is this: always verify that your contractor holds a valid state-certified license (CRC, CBC, or CGC) rather than just a local registration. State certification means they passed state-level exams and meet statewide standards. If a contractor only has a local registration, they may be perfectly competent, but their credentials have not been vetted at the same level.

How to Get a Florida Roofing License (CRC)

If you are a roofer looking to get licensed in Florida, here is the step-by-step process as of 2026. The requirements are set by the CILB under the DBPR.

Step 1: Meet the Basic Eligibility Requirements

• Be at least 18 years old
• Hold a high school diploma or GED equivalent
• Have a minimum of 3 years of roofing experience (or equivalent combination of education and experience)
• Have no disqualifying criminal history (felony convictions are reviewed on a case-by-case basis)

Step 2: Complete Pre-License Education

Florida does not mandate a specific number of pre-license education hours for the CRC exam, but virtually every successful candidate takes a comprehensive prep course. These courses typically run 2 to 4 weeks and cost between $500 and $1,500. They cover Florida building code, business management, estimating, and the technical knowledge you will need to pass the exam.

Reputable schools include Gold Coast Schools, Florida Contractor Exam Prep, and several online programs. If you are based in the Tampa Bay area, there are in-person options in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater that include hands-on components.

Step 3: Pass the State Examination

The CRC exam is administered by Prometric testing centers. There are testing locations throughout Florida, including several in the Tampa Bay and Pinellas County area. The exam consists of two parts:

• Business and Finance Examination: Covers project management, financial management, and Florida construction law. This portion has approximately 60 questions and a time limit of about 5.5 hours. It is open-book, meaning you can bring approved reference materials.
• Trade Knowledge Examination: Covers roofing systems, materials, installation methods, safety, and the Florida Building Code roofing provisions. This portion also has roughly 45 to 60 questions with a similar time limit. Open-book as well.

The passing score for each section is typically 70%. You can retake a failed section, but there is a waiting period and additional fees. Most candidates who take a quality prep course pass on their first attempt.

Step 4: Submit Your Application

After passing both exam sections, you submit your application to the DBPR. The application fee is $249, and you will need to provide:

• Proof of passing exam scores
• Documentation of your 3+ years of experience
• Financial responsibility information (credit report authorization)
• Proof of insurance (see requirements below)
• Workers compensation coverage or exemption
• Business entity information (if applicable)

Step 5: Obtain Required Insurance and Bonding

Before your license is activated, you must demonstrate that you carry:

• General Liability Insurance: Minimum $300,000 per occurrence for bodily injury and property damage. Most reputable contractors carry $1 million or more.
• Workers Compensation Insurance: Required if you have any employees. If you are a sole proprietor with no employees, you can file for an exemption, but this limits your ability to hire subcontractors.

Many Pinellas County homeowners now ask for proof of insurance before signing a contract. This is a smart practice. If a roofer cannot produce a current certificate of insurance, walk away. Understanding your Florida roof insurance options as a homeowner also helps you evaluate what protections should be in place.

Continuing Education Requirements for Florida Roofers

Getting licensed is just the beginning. Florida requires all certified contractors, including CRC holders, to complete continuing education (CE) every two years to maintain their license. The current requirement is 14 hours per renewal cycle, broken down as follows:

Licenses renew on a biennial schedule. If a contractor fails to complete their CE hours, their license can be placed on inactive or delinquent status. An inactive or delinquent license means they cannot legally pull permits or perform roofing work. This is another reason to always verify your contractor through the DBPR before hiring them.

The Florida Building Code update requirement is especially important. Florida updates its building code on a three-year cycle, and the roofing provisions change significantly with each update. Contractors who skip their CE may not be current on the latest requirements for wind resistance, underlayment, and fastener patterns that are critical in Pinellas County. For more on the code itself, see our guide to the Florida Building Code roof requirements.

How to Verify a Roofing Contractor License in Pinellas County

This might be the single most important section of this article for Pinellas County homeowners. Before you sign any contract, give a deposit, or let a crew on your property, verify the contractor license. Here is exactly how to do it.

Online Verification Through DBPR

1. Go to myfloridalicense.com and click on "Verify a License"
2. Select "Construction Industry Licensing Board" from the board/commission dropdown
3. Enter the contractor name, business name, or license number
4. Review the results for license type, status, expiration date, and any disciplinary actions

What to Look for When Verifying

• License Status: Should say "Current, Active." Anything else (inactive, suspended, revoked, delinquent) means they should not be performing work.
• License Type: Look for CRC, CBC, or CGC. Any of these allow roofing work.
• Disciplinary History: Check for any past complaints, fines, or enforcement actions.
• Insurance Status: The DBPR record should show current insurance filings.
• Business Name: Make sure the business name matches the company you are dealing with. Some contractors operate under different business entities.

Additional Verification Steps for Pinellas County

Beyond the state license check, Pinellas County homeowners should also:

• Check with the Pinellas County Building Department to confirm the contractor has pulled permits in the county before
• Verify with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) serving West Florida
• Search Pinellas County court records for any civil suits or liens
• Ask for local references in Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Largo, Dunedin, Safety Harbor, Palm Harbor, or Tarpon Springs
• Confirm they have a physical office or shop in the area, not just a P.O. box

Taking these extra steps only adds about 30 minutes to your research, but it can save you thousands of dollars and months of headaches. We cover more about what to check during the process in our roof inspection guide.

Insurance Requirements for Licensed Florida Roofers

Insurance is not optional for Florida roofing contractors. The state mandates specific coverage, and Pinellas County building departments verify insurance before issuing permits. Here is what a properly insured contractor should carry:

General Liability Insurance

The state minimum is $300,000 per occurrence, but the industry standard in Pinellas County for residential work is $1 million per occurrence with a $2 million aggregate. This coverage protects you if the contractor damages your property, injures someone during the work, or causes damage to a neighbor's property.

Workers Compensation Insurance

Any roofing contractor with one or more employees must carry workers compensation insurance. This is non-negotiable. Roofing is classified as one of the highest-risk trades in Florida, and workers comp premiums reflect that risk. If a worker is injured on your property and the contractor does not have workers comp, you could be held liable.

Sole proprietors can file for a workers comp exemption with the state, but this only applies to the owner. The moment they have a single employee or use a subcontractor without their own coverage, they need a policy in place.

Additional Coverage to Ask About

• Completed Operations Coverage: Covers defects or failures discovered after the project is complete. This is critical for roofing because leaks may not show up until the first heavy rain.
• Vehicle Insurance: If the contractor drives company vehicles to your property, they should carry commercial auto insurance.
• Umbrella Policy: An extra layer of liability protection beyond the base policy limits. Companies doing work on high-value homes in areas like Belleair, Tierra Verde, or Pass-a-Grille often carry umbrella policies.

Penalties for Unlicensed Roofing Work in Florida

Florida takes unlicensed contracting seriously. Under Florida Statute 489.127, performing construction work (including roofing) without a proper license is a criminal offense. Here is what unlicensed contractors and the homeowners who hire them face:

• First Offense: First-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a $1,000 fine
• Second Offense: Third-degree felony, punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine
• Third Offense: Second-degree felony, punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine

For homeowners, hiring an unlicensed contractor does not carry criminal penalties, but you face significant financial risks. Work performed without proper permits and licensing may not be covered by your homeowners insurance. Your insurance company can deny a claim if they discover the roof was installed by an unlicensed contractor. In Pinellas County, the building department can also issue stop-work orders and require you to tear out non-permitted work at your own expense.

Beyond legal penalties, unlicensed work voids manufacturer warranties on roofing materials. A 30-year architectural shingle warranty is worthless if the shingles were installed by someone who is not a licensed and manufacturer-certified installer. Learn more about how this connects to your overall roofing decisions and options.

Owner-Builder Exemption: Doing Your Own Roof in Florida

Florida law does allow homeowners to perform roofing work on their own primary residence under the owner-builder exemption. However, there are important restrictions and consequences you should understand before going this route.

Requirements for Owner-Builder Work

• The property must be your primary residence (not a rental or investment property)
• You must personally supervise the work or perform it yourself
• You must pull the proper building permits from Pinellas County
• All work must comply with the Florida Building Code
• You must pass all required inspections
• You cannot hire unlicensed workers to do the job under your owner-builder permit

Consequences of Owner-Builder Work

If you sell the home within one year of completing owner-builder work, you must disclose this to the buyer. The buyer may require you to escrow funds to cover potential defects. Additionally, manufacturer warranties on materials may not apply if the installation was not performed by a licensed and certified contractor. Your homeowners insurance may also have coverage limitations for owner-installed roofing.

For most Pinellas County homeowners, the risks of owner-builder roofing outweigh the cost savings. A full roof replacement is dangerous, physically demanding work that requires specialized equipment and knowledge of the Florida Building Code roof provisions. Leave it to the professionals.

Pinellas County Specific Licensing and Permitting Notes

While the state license is the primary credential, Pinellas County has its own local requirements that contractors must follow:

• Permit Requirements: All roofing work in Pinellas County requires a building permit, including re-roofs, repairs exceeding a certain square footage, and any structural modifications. The permit process goes through the local municipality (St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo, etc.) or the unincorporated county building department.
• Wind Mitigation Compliance: Due to our coastal location, Pinellas County falls within the Wind-Borne Debris Region under the Florida Building Code. All roofing work must meet enhanced wind resistance requirements, including specific nail patterns, underlayment standards, and roof-to-wall connection methods.
• Inspection Requirements: Pinellas County typically requires multiple inspections during a roofing project, including a pre-cover inspection (before the final roofing material goes on) and a final inspection. Some municipalities require an initial permit inspection as well.
• Historic District Considerations: Parts of St. Petersburg, Dunedin, and Tarpon Springs have historic districts with additional requirements for roofing materials and appearance. If your home is in a historic district, your contractor needs to be aware of these restrictions.

Understanding local wind requirements is essential. Our guide to roof wind ratings explains what these mean for your property and your insurance rates.

Red Flags: Signs of an Unlicensed or Unqualified Roofing Contractor

After decades of working in the Pinellas County roofing industry, here are the warning signs that a contractor may not be properly licensed or qualified:

• They cannot provide a license number when asked, or they give you a "pending" or "in process" number
• They want to pull the permit in your name as an owner-builder rather than under their contractor license
• They offer a suspiciously low price that undercuts every other bid by 30% or more
• They demand full payment or a large deposit upfront (Florida law limits deposits to 10% of the contract price or the cost of materials, whichever is less, for contracts under certain thresholds)
• They have out-of-state plates on their trucks and no verifiable local address
• They only accept cash and cannot provide a proper written contract
• They pressure you to make an immediate decision without time to verify their credentials
• They show up unsolicited at your door after a storm, claiming they "noticed damage" while driving by

Storm chasers are a particular problem in Pinellas County after tropical storms and hurricanes. Understanding how hurricane roof damage works helps you make informed decisions during stressful post-storm situations.

How Licensing Protects Your Roof Investment

A new roof in Pinellas County typically costs between $8,000 and $25,000 or more, depending on the size, materials, and complexity of your home. That is a significant investment, and the contractor license is your first line of defense in protecting it.

Licensed contractors can register with roofing manufacturers as certified installers. This means if your contractor installs GAF, Owens Corning, CertainTeed, or another major brand, you may qualify for enhanced warranty coverage that is only available through certified installers. These enhanced warranties often cover both materials and labor for 25 to 50 years, compared to materials-only coverage for non-certified installations.

Licensed contractors are also accountable through the state regulatory system. If something goes wrong, you can file a complaint with the DBPR, and they have real authority to investigate, fine, or revoke the contractor license. With an unlicensed operator, your only recourse is civil court, and good luck finding them after they have moved on to the next county.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a CCC and CRC roofing license in Florida?

A CRC (Certified Roofing Contractor) license is specific to roofing work. The broader licenses, CBC (Certified Building Contractor) and CGC (Certified General Contractor), allow the holder to perform roofing as part of their general construction scope. The informal "CCC" term typically refers to these broader building contractor categories. For dedicated roofing work, a CRC is the standard credential.

How do I verify a roofing contractor license in Florida?

Visit myfloridalicense.com, click "Verify a License," select the Construction Industry Licensing Board, and search by contractor name or license number. Look for "Current, Active" status, confirm the license type allows roofing (CRC, CBC, or CGC), and check for any disciplinary history.

How much does it cost to get a roofing license in Florida?

Budget approximately $1,500 to $4,000 total. This breaks down to: application fee ($249), exam fees ($100 to $300), pre-license education ($500 to $1,500), insurance costs (varies by coverage level), and incidental expenses like reference materials and travel to the testing center.

Does Florida require continuing education for roofing contractors?

Yes. Certified roofing contractors must complete 14 hours of continuing education every two years. Required topics include workplace safety (1 hour), business practices (1 hour), workers compensation (1 hour), and Florida Building Code updates (1 hour), plus 10 hours of elective topics.

Can I do my own roofing work in Florida without a license?

Yes, under the owner-builder exemption. You can perform roofing work on your own primary residence. You must pull permits, meet all code requirements, pass inspections, and you cannot hire unlicensed workers. If you sell within one year, you must disclose the owner-builder work to the buyer.

What happens if I hire an unlicensed roofer in Florida?

You face significant financial risk. Work may not be covered by your homeowners insurance. Manufacturer warranties may be void. The building department can require removal of non-permitted work. You also have limited legal recourse if the work is defective because unlicensed operators often lack the assets or insurance to cover damages.

The Bottom Line on Florida Roofing Licenses

Florida roofing license requirements exist for good reason. Our state throws everything at our roofs: hurricanes, tropical storms, relentless UV, driving rain, and salt air along the Pinellas County coast. A properly licensed contractor has demonstrated the knowledge, financial responsibility, and commitment to ongoing education needed to protect your home.

Before you sign any roofing contract, take 10 minutes to verify the license on myfloridalicense.com. Check for active status, proper insurance, and a clean disciplinary record. Ask for local references in your area, whether that is Clearwater Beach, downtown St. Petersburg, Seminole, Indian Rocks Beach, or anywhere else in Pinellas County. A legitimate contractor will welcome the scrutiny because they know their credentials set them apart from the unlicensed competition.

If you need help understanding your roof condition, our comprehensive roof inspection guide walks you through what to look for and when to call a professional.