Licensing Guides
State Roofing License: How to Become a Roofing Contractor in New York
Roofing, NY
Table of Contents
Roofing License Requirements in New York
Who Issues Roofing Licenses in New York?
Types of Roofing Licenses in New York
Steps to Get a Roofing License in New York
How Much Does it Cost to Get a Roofing License in New York?
How Long Does it Take to Get a Roofing License in New York?
New York Roofer Training Programs and Schools
New York Roofing Licensing Exam Details
Do I Need to Renew My New York Roofing License?
Continuing Education
Does New York Reciprocate Roofing Licenses?
National Roofing Certifications
We all need a good roof over our heads, so the people who build and maintain roofing systems need to know what they’re doing. Many states require roofers to be licensed. Others simply require proof of insurance coverage to back up that essential work.
There are 168,100 roofers nationwide, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and New York employs 4,800 of them. The national number is projected to grow 6% by 2033, adding more than 13,000 of these skilled workers to the ranks. According to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website, the projected growth rate in New York is lower than the national average at 3% for roofers.
If you’re thinking about starting a roofing contracting business or you want a job in the roofing industry, you need to know the requirements and licensing process in your state or local jurisdiction. This guide will help you determine what you need to get started in the state of New York.
Roofing License Requirements in New York
New York doesn’t offer a statewide roofing license or general contractor license.
In New York state, most licensing occurs at the local level, not the state level, including for general contractors, electricians, plumbers, crane operators, asbestos contractors, and more. This means requirements can vary widely by municipality, from the City of Buffalo to the Big Apple. Check with each locality where you plan to work to ensure you meet contractor licensing requirements.
In New York City, you need to obtain a Home Improvement Contractor license to legally perform roofing work. Licensing requirements include obtaining a business license from the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), providing a sales tax identification number and Certificate of Authority, obtaining workers’ compensation insurance and general liability insurance certificates, showing proof of EPA certification, passing the Home Improvement Exam, and more.
The Home Improvement Contractor license is valid in Suffolk, Nassau, Westchester, Putnam, and Rockland counties.
Who Issues Roofing Licenses in New York?
Home Improvement Contractor licenses are issued by the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, formerly the Department of Consumer Affairs. No roofing licenses are issued at the state level.
Types of Roofing Licenses in New York
New York City licenses different types of contractors, including specialty contractors and subcontractors. The Home Improvement Contractor license is the most suitable for roofing work.
According to the DCWP, “A person or business must have a Home Improvement Contractor License if engaged in the construction, repair, remodeling, or addition to any land or building used as a residence. This includes, but is not limited to, the construction, replacement, or improvement of basements, driveways, fences, garages, landscaping, patios, porches, sidewalks, swimming pools, terraces, and other improvements to structures or upon land that is next to a home or apartment building.”
Steps to Get a Roofing License in New York
Complete the following steps to apply for a home improvement license in New York City.
Complete the license application.
Obtain a sales tax identification number or Employer Identification Number.
Obtain a business certificate showing your business name.
Show proof of a driver’s license, business address, and home address (a utility bill is sufficient).
Show proof of workers’ compensation insurance and name the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection as the certificate holder; also include the Department’s address: 42 Broadway, New York, NY, 10004.
Include a copy of the EPA RRP [renovate, repair, or paint] certification and EPA Lead-Based Paint Activities certification.
Obtain a $20,000 surety bond or complete the Trust Fund Enrollment form.
Sign the HIC contractual compliance agreement and have it notarized.
Pass the required exam and pay the $50 exam fee.
Complete a background check, including fingerprinting.
Pay the license application fee (ranges from $25-$100, depending on time of year).
Submit the application online or in person. If submitting in person, you must schedule an appointment.
What Business Owners Need to Know
Getting the most out of a roofing technician, no matter where they are in their licensing journey, takes work. ServiceTitan’s cloud-based, all-in-one roofing software gives technicians and business owners the technology they need to do the work efficiently, and the data they need to do it smartly.
ServiceTitan features:
SMS communications that keep customers informed about the technician’s visit
Location-specific service history, including recorded calls, accessible from the mobile app
Required forms that ensure every job is done right, driving consistency
The ability to build multi-option proposals with photos, on-site, in minutes
Sales presentations that make conversations with customers easier and drive the average ticket
Mobile payment acceptance, eliminating lost checks and increasing cash flow
To learn more, schedule a demo with a product expert today.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Roofing License in New York?
In NYC, the Home Improvement Contractor license needed to perform roofing work includes a $50 exam fee and a license fee that ranges from $25-$100, depending on the time of year. There will be additional costs for obtaining insurance, completing the background check, and registering your business.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Roofing License in New York?
According to the DCWP, it takes two weeks to review Home Improvement Contractor license applications. Applicants may also check the status of their license application online.
New York Roofer Training Programs and Schools
While NYC doesn’t require previous work experience, you can gain a competitive edge by earning a degree in a related field. If you choose to start your career path at a college or university, you can pursue a degree in construction management or construction engineering. There are many higher-education options throughout New York that offer programs for construction work.
Here are a few options:
New York Institute of Technology, Long Island | BS in Construction Engineering — 4 years
State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse | BS in Construction Management — 4 years
Utica University, Utica | BS in Construction Management — 4 years
New York Roofing Licensing Exam Details
All NYC Home Improvement Contractor applicants need to pass the Home Improvement Exam via ExamBuilder. The exam fee is $50 and you can register online. The exam consists of 30 questions, and you must score correctly on at least 21 to pass.
Do I Need to Renew My New York Roofing License?
NYC Home Improvement Contractor licenses require renewal every two years. You can renew online, by mail, or in person. You must submit the renewal application and documents at least 15 days before the license expires and pay the $100 renewal fee.
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Continuing Education
New York City currently doesn’t require continuing education for Home Improvement Contractors.
Does New York Reciprocate Roofing Licenses?
No, since roofers are licensed at the local level, New York does not have reciprocal agreements with other states. Check with each locality where you plan to work to ensure you meet contractor licensing requirements.
National and State Roofing Certifications
Other certifications can help you demonstrate your proficiency to potential employers and clients. The National Association of Roofing Contractors offers certification. Professional certifications are not required but can add to your marketability and therefore increase your opportunity to make more money.
You can also learn more about certification and roofing in New York through the Roofing and Waterproofing Contractors Association of New York.
Resources
You can stay up to date on all roofing industry news several ways:
Check top roofing blogs, including ServiceTitan’s blog.
Read about the latest industry trends, and discover ideas on how to grow your roofing business.
Listen to top roofing podcasts like ServiceTitan’s “Toolbox for the Trades” podcast.
The states have licensing requirements for other trades, too. You can find out more about how to get an HVAC, Plumbing, general contractor, or Electrical license in New York, or in any of the other 49 states and the District of Columbia through the ServiceTitan Licensing Hub.
