Roofing Contractor License Requirements in Pennsylvania

Registration Required — Not a License

Pennsylvania does not license roofing contractors at the state level, but it does require a mandatory statewide registration with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General (HIC Registration) — no trade exam. The fees, bond and insurance below are what registration requires; the difference from a license is that the state does not test competency. Philadelphia requires contractors to obtain a city contractor license. Other municipalities may have their own permit and licensing requirements for roofing work.

Licensing Authority	Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General (HIC Registration) (OAG)
License Type	No Statewide Roofing License — HIC Registration Required for Residential
Experience Required	No statewide experience requirements for roofing contractors. HIC registration has no experience prerequisite. Local municipalities may have their own requirements.
Exam Required	No
Bond Required	No
Insurance	General liability: required. Workers comp: required with employees
Continuing Education	Not required
Processing Time	4-8 weeks (paper applications currently; online system not operational as of early 2026)

Fee Breakdown

Application Fee	$100
Est. Initial Total	$100

Related & additional fees

Separate or ongoing costs — not included in the estimate above.

Fee increase effective March 2, 2026 (previously $50)

Renewal: $100 every 2 years (HIC registration)

Set up the business before you apply in Pennsylvania

Most states license the company as well as the person, so the application usually asks for an LLC or corporation and a registered agent in Pennsylvania. Northwest forms the entity and acts as your registered agent — a flat fee, no upsell funnel.

Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Form an LLC with Northwest→

Notes

Pennsylvania does NOT issue roofing contractor licenses at the state level
Residential roofing contractors must register as Home Improvement Contractors (HIC) if performing $5,000+ annually
Commercial-only roofing contractors do not need HIC registration but may need local permits
Philadelphia requires a separate contractor license from L&I for work within city limits
Registration fee increased from $50 to $100 effective March 2, 2026
No exam, no experience requirement, and no continuing education for HIC registration
OSHA 30-hour construction safety training is recommended but not legally required

You're registered in Pennsylvania as a roofing contractor — the next 30 days

Most of the steps below are required before your first paid job; the order is the order the state and its counties will ask for them.

Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Form the business and get an EIN.
The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General (HIC Registration) issues the No Statewide Roofing License — HIC Registration Required for Residential; the business that invoices Pennsylvania customers is a separate decision. A sole proprietorship is the default, an LLC keeps business liability off your personal assets, and either needs an EIN before the first payroll. Settle it before the registration number goes on an estimate.
Bond: none required by the state.
Pennsylvania does not require a surety bond for this registration — No statewide bond required. Some municipalities or commercial contracts may require a surety bond.
Carry the insurance the registration requires.
Pennsylvania requires general liability insurance for this registration. Must provide proof of liability insurance with minimum $50,000 personal injury and $50,000 property damage for HIC registration. Workers' comp required for any employees. Industry standard GL is $1M/$2M. Contractor insurance requirements→
Register locally.
Philadelphia requires contractors to obtain a city contractor license. Other municipalities may have their own permit and licensing requirements for roofing work.
Set up quoting, scheduling and invoicing before the first call.
Your first customers will ask for a written estimate and expect to pay by card on site. Most one-truck roofing contractor businesses run that on field-service software; Housecall Pro is the one we link because it is built for this size of company and this link carries 20% off your first 12 months. Start a free trial of Housecall Pro→
Keep the license.
Renewal is every 2 years (HIC registration) at $100.

Other licenses in Pennsylvania

General Contractor license in Pennsylvania
Statewide registration, not a license · $100 in fees · OAG
Electrician license in Pennsylvania
No statewide license — check local requirements
Plumber license in Pennsylvania
No statewide license — check local requirements
HVAC Technician license in Pennsylvania
No statewide license — check local requirements

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a roofing contractor license in Pennsylvania?

No — Pennsylvania does not issue a statewide roofing contractor license, but it requires a mandatory statewide registration with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General (HIC Registration). There is no trade exam; registration carries its own fee and insurance requirements.

Do I need a roofing contractor license in Pennsylvania?

No, Pennsylvania does not require a statewide roofing contractor license. However, local permits or registrations may be required. Philadelphia requires contractors to obtain a city contractor license. Other municipalities may have their own permit and licensing requirements for roofing work.

What do I need to work as a roofing contractor in Pennsylvania?

While no statewide license is required, you may need local business licenses, building permits, or contractor registration depending on your city or county. Must provide proof of liability insurance with minimum $50,000 personal injury and $50,000 property damage for HIC registration. Workers' comp required for any employees. Industry standard GL is $1M/$2M.

Does Pennsylvania require insurance for roofing contractors?

General liability insurance is required for roofing contractors in Pennsylvania. Workers compensation is required if you have employees. Must provide proof of liability insurance with minimum $50,000 personal injury and $50,000 property damage for HIC registration. Workers' comp required for any employees. Industry standard GL is $1M/$2M.

Next steps

You know the requirements for roofing contractors in Pennsylvania— here's how to actually pass and apply.

Pass the exam →What to study, prep courses, and first-try strategies for the contractor license exam.Roofing Contractor requirements in every state →Compare apprenticeship hours, exams, fees, and the full path to getting licensed.

Data last verified: 2026-04-02 | Source: OAG