Connecticut Roofing License Requirements

Official classification: Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration · Issued by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) – Trade Practices Division.

🏠 RooferCT ✔ Verified 2026-06-23

In Connecticut, roofers must hold the Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration, issued by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) – Trade Practices Division, and no state surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed roofer in Connecticut

Follow these steps to earn your Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration. Every figure is verified against the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) – Trade Practices Division; full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. No experience requirement. Connecticut does not issue a state roofing license — only HIC (or NHCC) registration is required. No apprenticeship, trade exam, or minimum years of experience are mandated by the DCP for roofing work.
Confirm exam requirements. Connecticut sets no state trade exam for this license, though your city or county may require one.
Check the insurance rules. Liability: Minimum $20,000 general liability insurance required under CGS Chapter 400 for HIC registration. Insurance provider name and policy number must be provided at application and each renewal. Property damage: Covered within general liability policy; no separate state-mandated property damage amount specified for HIC registration. Workers' compensation: Required for any business with one or more employees under CGS § 31-284.
Clear the background check. HIC registration has no fingerprinting, but the application must disclose any felony conviction in Connecticut, under federal law, or in another jurisdiction for an act that would be a felony here (CGS 20-421(a)(2)).
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) – Trade Practices Division — $220 first year ($120 application fee + $100 Home Improvement Guaranty Fund contribution, non-refundable) application fee, plus a Included in registration fee license fee. Processing time: Applications are processed online through the DCP eLicense portal; typically a few weeks after complete application submission.
Keep the license active. Renewal: Annually – HIC registration expires March 31; renewal notices sent approximately 30 days before expiration; online renewal only.

Connecticut roofer license lookup

To confirm a roofer is properly licensed in Connecticut — 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 elicense.ct.gov database →

License types

Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration — Required for roofing work on existing residential property where contract value exceeds $200. Roofing is explicitly listed in the Connecticut Home Improvement Act (CGS Chapter 400) as a covered home improvement activity. Applies to repair, replacement, and new roofing installations on existing homes.
New Home Construction Contractor (NHCC) Registration (if applicable) — Required when roofing work is performed as part of new home construction. Roofing contractors performing both residential re-roofing and new construction roofing must hold both HIC and NHCC registrations.
Major Contractor Registration (commercial roofing) — Required for commercial roofing projects. Application fee: $500; annual renewal: $500; expires June 30 annually. Separate from the residential HIC registration.

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	No experience requirement. Connecticut does not issue a state roofing license — only HIC (or NHCC) registration is required. No apprenticeship, trade exam, or minimum years of experience are mandated by the DCP for roofing work.
Application fee	$220 first year ($120 application fee + $100 Home Improvement Guaranty Fund contribution, non-refundable)
License fee	Included in registration fee
Renewal fee	$220 annually ($120 renewal fee + $100 Guaranty Fund contribution); online renewal only; expires March 31 annually
Renewal period	Annually – HIC registration expires March 31; renewal notices sent approximately 30 days before expiration; online renewal only.
Continuing education	None required.
Bond required	No surety bond is required as a standard condition of HIC registration. Under CGS § 20-426a the DCP commissioner MAY require a $15,000 bond (running to the State of Connecticut for the benefit of harmed consumers) as a condition of issuance, renewal, or reinstatement — typically imposed as a disciplinary measure. The Home Improvement Guaranty Fund (funded by the $100 annual fee, up to $25,000 per eligible claim) is the primary consumer-protection mechanism in lieu of a posted bond.
Liability insurance	Minimum $20,000 general liability insurance required under CGS Chapter 400 for HIC registration. Insurance provider name and policy number must be provided at application and each renewal.
Property damage	Covered within general liability policy; no separate state-mandated property damage amount specified for HIC registration.
Workers' comp	Required for any business with one or more employees under CGS § 31-284.
Background check	HIC registration has no fingerprinting, but the application must disclose any felony conviction in Connecticut, under federal law, or in another jurisdiction for an act that would be a felony here (CGS 20-421(a)(2)).
Credit requirement	None for HIC registration. A Major Contractor Registration applicant must submit two credit references, one from the trade industry (supplier or subcontractor) and one from a financial institution.
Reciprocity	Connecticut does not recognize out-of-state contractor registrations. All contractors performing roofing work on Connecticut residential property must register independently with the DCP regardless of licenses or registrations held in other states. · compare all states
Processing time	Applications are processed online through the DCP eLicense portal; typically a few weeks after complete application submission.

What a Connecticut roofer license costs

Application fee	$220 first year ($120 application fee + $100 Home Improvement Guaranty Fund contribution, non-refundable).
License fee	Included in registration fee.
Surety bond	No surety bond is required as a standard condition of HIC registration. Under CGS § 20-426a the DCP commissioner MAY require a $15,000 bond (running to the State of Connecticut for the benefit of harmed consumers) as a condition of issuance, renewal, or reinstatement — typically imposed as a disciplinary measure. The Home Improvement Guaranty Fund (funded by the $100 annual fee, up to $25,000 per eligible claim) is the primary consumer-protection mechanism in lieu of a posted bond.
Renewal fee	$220 annually ($120 renewal fee + $100 Guaranty Fund contribution); online renewal only; expires March 31 annually.
Renewal period	Annually – HIC registration expires March 31; renewal notices sent approximately 30 days before expiration; online renewal only.

Exams

None — no examination required for HIC registration	Provider: N/A · Passing: N/A · Fee: N/A

Renewing a Connecticut roofer license

The Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration renews on a fixed cycle set by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) – Trade Practices Division. Late and lapsed renewals are handled differently by every board, so check the renewal page linked below before the deadline passes.

Renewal period	Annually – HIC registration expires March 31; renewal notices sent approximately 30 days before expiration; online renewal only.
Renewal fee	$220 annually ($120 renewal fee + $100 Guaranty Fund contribution); online renewal only; expires March 31 annually
Continuing education	None required.
Where to renew	Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) – Trade Practices Division

Local / municipal notes

Connecticut does not issue a state roofing license. Roofing on existing homes falls under Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration (CGS Chapter 400); roofing on new construction falls under New Home Construction Contractor (NHCC) registration (CGS Chapter 399a). Commercial roofing requires a separate Major Contractor registration. The Home Improvement Guaranty Fund provides consumer protection of up to $25,000 per eligible claim against registered contractors. Some municipalities may require additional local permits or bonding.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Connecticut roofer license cost?

Application: $220 first year ($120 application fee + $100 Home Improvement Guaranty Fund contribution, non-refundable). License: Included in registration fee. Renewal: $220 annually ($120 renewal fee + $100 Guaranty Fund contribution); online renewal only; expires March 31 annually.

How do I look up a roofer license in Connecticut?

Search the official license database at elicense.ct.gov. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Do roofers in Connecticut need a surety bond?

No surety bond is required as a standard condition of HIC registration. Under CGS § 20-426a the DCP commissioner MAY require a $15,000 bond (running to the State of Connecticut for the benefit of harmed consumers) as a condition of issuance, renewal, or reinstatement — typically imposed as a disciplinary measure. The Home Improvement Guaranty Fund (funded by the $100 annual fee, up to $25,000 per eligible claim) is the primary consumer-protection mechanism in lieu of a posted bond.

What experience is required for a Connecticut roofer license?

No experience requirement. Connecticut does not issue a state roofing license — only HIC (or NHCC) registration is required. No apprenticeship, trade exam, or minimum years of experience are mandated by the DCP for roofing work.

Is insurance required for roofers in Connecticut?

Liability: Minimum $20,000 general liability insurance required under CGS Chapter 400 for HIC registration. Insurance provider name and policy number must be provided at application and each renewal. Property damage: Covered within general liability policy; no separate state-mandated property damage amount specified for HIC registration. Workers' compensation: Required for any business with one or more employees under CGS § 31-284.

How long does it take to get a Connecticut roofer license?

Processing time: Applications are processed online through the DCP eLicense portal; typically a few weeks after complete application submission.

Is a background check required for roofers in Connecticut?

Background check: HIC registration has no fingerprinting, but the application must disclose any felony conviction in Connecticut, under federal law, or in another jurisdiction for an act that would be a felony here (CGS 20-421(a)(2)).

Is there a credit or financial requirement for a Connecticut roofer license?

Credit requirement: None for HIC registration. A Major Contractor Registration applicant must submit two credit references, one from the trade industry (supplier or subcontractor) and one from a financial institution.

How often must a Connecticut roofer license be renewed?

Annually – HIC registration expires March 31; renewal notices sent approximately 30 days before expiration; online renewal only. Continuing education: None required.

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-06-23 — always confirm current requirements directly with the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) – Trade Practices Division before applying. This is not legal advice.