Roofer license requirements in Texas.
Texas does not license roofing contractors at the state level. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation licenses electricians and HVAC contractors, but it does not administer roofing licensure — so there is no state roofing license to hold. What does exist is a voluntary industry certification and, in many cities, local contractor registration.
What Texas requires.
No state roofing license
Texas has no state-issued roofing contractor license. Roofing is not among the trades TDLR licenses.
RCAT voluntary certification
An optional statewide certification run by the industry association. Not required by law, but used to signal credibility to homeowners and insurers.
Local contractor registration
Many Texas cities require roofers to register with the municipality before pulling permits. Requirements vary city to city.
What RCAT certification takes (voluntary)
- RCAT certification (voluntary): a principal of the company needs at least two years of Texas roofing experience and a fixed business address
- RCAT residential applicants carry at least $300,000 general liability insurance, or post a $100,000 surety bond
- RCAT commercial applicants carry at least $500,000 general liability insurance, or post a $100,000 surety bond
- RCAT applicants pass a business and safety exam plus a residential and/or commercial roofing exam at 70% or better
- · Because there is no state license, the practical checklist in Texas is local: register with the cities you work in, carry insurance, and keep your permits clean.
- · RCAT certification is issued by a trade association, not the state — it is a credibility signal, not a legal authorization.
The official board
Roofing Contractors Association of Texas (RCAT) — a voluntary industry certification program, not a state licensing board
Visit the boardVerified 2026-08 against the sources below. Licensing rules change — confirm with the board before relying on this page.
Texas roofing licensing FAQ.
Do you need a license to do roofing work in Texas?
No, not at the state level. Texas does not license roofing contractors — the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation licenses trades like electrical and HVAC, but not roofing. Many cities do require local contractor registration, so check the municipalities where you work.
What is RCAT certification in Texas?
A voluntary statewide certification run by the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas. It is not required by law. To qualify, a principal of the company needs at least two years of Texas experience and a fixed business address, minimum liability insurance or a surety bond, and passing scores on a business and safety exam plus a roofing exam.
How much insurance does RCAT certification require?
Residential applicants need at least $300,000 in general liability coverage, and commercial applicants at least $500,000. Either can be satisfied instead with a $100,000 surety bond.
If Texas has no roofing license, how do homeowners check a roofer?
They look at what does exist: local contractor registration in your city, proof of general liability insurance, and voluntary credentials like RCAT certification. Since the state offers no license to verify, showing those proactively is what separates you from storm-chasers.
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