Whether you're building a new home or renovating an old one, a stable, leak-free roof needs to be a priority. Roofing contractors are professionals who provide advice on what roof is best for you and install the roof you choose. In order to make sure that your contractor does the best job possible, you should check the roofing contractor's license before he lays a single shingle.

License Number

Be upfront with the contractor you are considering hiring and ask them to provide you with a contractor's number. This number is the number given to the contractor by their state when she passes all necessary licensure exams for their jurisdiction. If she cannot provide this number, or doesn't have a clue what you are referring to, walk away fast and hire someone else.

Registrar of Contractors

Every state has different licensure requirements, but all have a state board, usually the Registrar of Contractors, that distributes and maintains licensing records and certifications. If you know the exact name of the company or individual you will be hiring, you can contact the ROC for your state and inquire as to whether the contractor or company has a valid license. Follow this up with an inquiry about the company or individual via the Better Business Bureau and you should be in excellent shape.

Websites

Some websites list registered contractors not only for roofing but also for fields like plumbing. An example is the Contractor's License Reference site, which provides links and phone numbers to organizations that can verify the license for you, such as the state's Department of Commerce (see Resources below). The only problem with such websites is that they are only a stepping stone--you'll still need to go to another site for your state or pick up the phone to get the information you need. Some of the sites not endorsed by the state may not provide up-to-date contractor's lists, either, so your contractor still could be licensed even if he isn't on a website list.

NRCA

The National Roofing Contractor's Association has an excellent website (nrca.net) that allows you to search for licensed roofing contractors either by name or by state. If the contractor doesn't appear, she may not be fully licensed. Even if she is licensed, the fact that a company does not have membership with the NRCA does not speak well of their work experience or affiliation with other members of the field.

Source:

National Roofing Contractor's Association: Search

Arizona: License Inquiry

More Information:

Contractors-license.org: Contractor's License Reference Site