Alabama Roofer License Requirements

Official classification: Roofers License · Issued by the Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board (HBLB).

🏠 RooferAL ✔ Verified 2026-09-30

In Alabama, roofers must hold the Roofers License, issued by the Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board (HBLB), and a $10,000 surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed roofer in Alabama

Follow these steps to earn your Roofers License. Every figure is verified against the Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board (HBLB); full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. Must provide a copy of a currently held — or held within one year prior to application — business or occupational contractor license issued by an Alabama municipality, township, or county. No minimum years of experience mandated in statute beyond this occupational license requirement.
Confirm exam requirements. Alabama sets no state trade exam for this license, though your city or county may require one.
Secure your surety bond. Alabama requires $10,000 License/Permit Bond naming the HBLB Board as obligee; must be submitted directly to the Board by the Surety.
Check the insurance rules. Liability: Not mandated by HBLB statute; licensees should consult Alabama Department of Labor requirements and client contracts. Workers' compensation: Not mandated by HBLB; subject to Alabama law based on number of employees.
Clear the background check. Proof of citizenship or lawful presence required (driver license, birth certificate, or passport). Corporate/LLC applicants must provide Certificate of Compliance from Alabama Department of Revenue; foreign entities must provide Certificate of Existence from Alabama Secretary of State.
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board (HBLB) — $100 non-refundable application processing fee / $25 if requesting paper application package by mail application fee, plus a $150/year (Active Roofer License) / $75/year (Inactive Roofer License) license fee. Processing time: Approximately 3 to 4 weeks for a complete application to be reviewed by the Board; it must be complete seven days before a scheduled Board meeting.
Keep the license active. Renewal: Annual (expires December 31; timely renewal by November 30). Continuing education: 6 credit hours of continuing education each year before the renewal license is issued, for licensees (or the designated qualifying representative) under age 60 as of October 1. First-time renewal applicants are exempt (HBLB 2026 Roofer renewal instructions).

Alabama roofer license lookup

To confirm a roofer is properly licensed in Alabama — or to check the status of your own license — search the issuing agency's official license database. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Verify a license now: Search the official alhobv7prod.glsuite.us database →

License types

Roofers License — Residential roofing contractor; required when cost of roofing work exceeds $2,500; licensed under HBLB (not ALBGC)
Unlimited Home Builder License (with roofing authority) — Holders of the HBLB Unlimited Home Builder License may perform residential roofing without obtaining a separate Roofers License

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	Must provide a copy of a currently held — or held within one year prior to application — business or occupational contractor license issued by an Alabama municipality, township, or county. No minimum years of experience mandated in statute beyond this occupational license requirement.
Application fee	$100 non-refundable application processing fee / $25 if requesting paper application package by mail
License fee	$150/year (Active Roofer License) / $75/year (Inactive Roofer License)
Renewal fee	$150/year (Active) / $75/year (Inactive); late renewal (Dec 1–31) adds $50 penalty; expired license (after Jan 1) processing fee $150
Renewal period	Annual (expires December 31; timely renewal by November 30)
Continuing education	6 credit hours of continuing education each year before the renewal license is issued, for licensees (or the designated qualifying representative) under age 60 as of October 1. First-time renewal applicants are exempt (HBLB 2026 Roofer renewal instructions).
Bond required	$10,000 License/Permit Bond naming the HBLB Board as obligee; must be submitted directly to the Board by the Surety
Liability insurance	Not mandated by HBLB statute; licensees should consult Alabama Department of Labor requirements and client contracts
Property damage	—
Workers' comp	Not mandated by HBLB; subject to Alabama law based on number of employees
Background check	Proof of citizenship or lawful presence required (driver license, birth certificate, or passport). Corporate/LLC applicants must provide Certificate of Compliance from Alabama Department of Revenue; foreign entities must provide Certificate of Existence from Alabama Secretary of State.
Credit requirement	None (credit report not required for Roofer license; required only for Unlimited/Limited Home Builder licenses)
Reciprocity	None publicly established for Roofers License by HBLB · other states' agreements
Processing time	Approximately 3 to 4 weeks for a complete application to be reviewed by the Board; it must be complete seven days before a scheduled Board meeting.

What an Alabama roofer license costs

Application fee	$100 non-refundable application processing fee / $25 if requesting paper application package by mail.
License fee	$150/year (Active Roofer License) / $75/year (Inactive Roofer License).
Surety bond	$10,000 License/Permit Bond naming the HBLB Board as obligee; must be submitted directly to the Board by the Surety. A bond's premium is a percentage of the bond amount, set by the surety.
Renewal fee	$150/year (Active) / $75/year (Inactive); late renewal (Dec 1–31) adds $50 penalty; expired license (after Jan 1) processing fee $150.
Renewal period	Annual (expires December 31; timely renewal by November 30).

Exams

No examination required for Roofers License	Provider: — · Passing: — · Fee: —

Renewing an Alabama roofer license

The Roofers License renews on a fixed cycle set by the Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board (HBLB). Finish the continuing-education requirement before you file — boards generally will not process a renewal without it. Late and lapsed renewals are handled differently by every board, so check the renewal page linked below before the deadline passes.

Renewal period	Annual (expires December 31; timely renewal by November 30)
Renewal fee	$150/year (Active) / $75/year (Inactive); late renewal (Dec 1–31) adds $50 penalty; expired license (after Jan 1) processing fee $150
Continuing education	6 credit hours of continuing education each year before the renewal license is issued, for licensees (or the designated qualifying representative) under age 60 as of October 1. First-time renewal applicants are exempt (HBLB 2026 Roofer renewal instructions).
Where to renew	Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board (HBLB)

Local / municipal notes

Roofer licensing falls under HBLB (residential), not the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors (ALBGC). The ALBGC licenses general contractors on commercial or public projects of $100,000 or more (swimming pools $5,000 or more), so large commercial roofing work may need an ALBGC license as well. Roofing work threshold for HBLB licensure is $2,500. Unlicensed roofing work above $2,500 is a Class A misdemeanor.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an Alabama roofer license cost?

Application: $100 non-refundable application processing fee / $25 if requesting paper application package by mail. License: $150/year (Active Roofer License) / $75/year (Inactive Roofer License). Renewal: $150/year (Active) / $75/year (Inactive); late renewal (Dec 1–31) adds $50 penalty; expired license (after Jan 1) processing fee $150.

How do I look up a roofer license in Alabama?

Search the official license database at alhobv7prod.glsuite.us. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Do roofers in Alabama need a surety bond?

$10,000 License/Permit Bond naming the HBLB Board as obligee; must be submitted directly to the Board by the Surety

What experience is required for an Alabama roofer license?

Must provide a copy of a currently held — or held within one year prior to application — business or occupational contractor license issued by an Alabama municipality, township, or county. No minimum years of experience mandated in statute beyond this occupational license requirement.

Is insurance required for roofers in Alabama?

Liability: Not mandated by HBLB statute; licensees should consult Alabama Department of Labor requirements and client contracts. Workers' compensation: Not mandated by HBLB; subject to Alabama law based on number of employees.

How long does it take to get an Alabama roofer license?

Processing time: Approximately 3 to 4 weeks for a complete application to be reviewed by the Board; it must be complete seven days before a scheduled Board meeting.

Is a background check required for roofers in Alabama?

Background check: Proof of citizenship or lawful presence required (driver license, birth certificate, or passport). Corporate/LLC applicants must provide Certificate of Compliance from Alabama Department of Revenue; foreign entities must provide Certificate of Existence from Alabama Secretary of State.

Is there a credit or financial requirement for an Alabama roofer license?

Credit requirement: None (credit report not required for Roofer license; required only for Unlimited/Limited Home Builder licenses).

How often must an Alabama roofer license be renewed?

Annual (expires December 31; timely renewal by November 30). Continuing education: 6 credit hours of continuing education each year before the renewal license is issued, for licensees (or the designated qualifying representative) under age 60 as of October 1. First-time renewal applicants are exempt (HBLB 2026 Roofer renewal instructions).

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-09-30 — always confirm current requirements directly with the Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board (HBLB) before applying. This is not legal advice.