Georgia Roofer License Requirements

Official classification: No dedicated statewide roofing license; roofers use Residential Basic, Residential Light Commercial, or General Contractor license issued by SLBRGC · Issued by the State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors (SLBRGC), Georgia Secretary of State.

🏠 RooferGA ✔ Verified 2026-06-22

In Georgia, roofers must hold the No dedicated statewide roofing license; roofers use Residential Basic, Residential Light Commercial, or General Contractor license issued by SLBRGC, issued by the State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors (SLBRGC), Georgia Secretary of State, and a $25,000 surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed roofer in Georgia

Follow these steps to earn your No dedicated statewide roofing license; roofers use Residential Basic, Residential Light Commercial, or General Contractor license issued by SLBRGC. Every figure is verified against the State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors (SLBRGC), Georgia Secretary of State; full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. Residential Basic: 2 years documented experience in residential construction (roofing qualifies) plus successful completion of at least 2 projects in the prior 4 years. Residential Light Commercial and General Contractor: 4 years documented experience or 4-year accredited degree in engineering, architecture, or construction management, plus at least 2 completed projects in the prior 4 years.
Pass the Georgia Residential Basic Contractor Examination (90 questions, 200 minutes, open-book; covers roofing, carpentry, masonry, OSHA safety, and general building code) and NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors (required for Residential Light Commercial and General Contractor tracks) and Georgia Business & Law Examination (required for all tracks) exams. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Secure your surety bond. Georgia requires $25,000 surety bond acceptable as alternative to demonstrating $25,000 minimum net worth (Residential Basic and Light Commercial); General Contractor Unlimited requires CPA-prepared financial statement showing $150,000 net worth (no bond alternative).
Line up insurance. You'll need liability insurance (Residential Basic: $300,000 per occurrence. Residential Light Commercial and General Contractor: $500,000 per occurrence.), and workers' compensation coverage.
Clear the background check. Applicants must disclose all arrests, charges, or convictions; affirmative answers require written explanation with supporting documentation.
Meet the credit / financial requirement. Residential Basic and Light Commercial: $25,000 net worth (or equivalent surety bond/letter of credit). General Contractor Unlimited: $150,000 net worth (CPA-prepared financial statement required).
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors (SLBRGC), Georgia Secretary of State — $200 application fee + $5–$10 processing fee (submitted via GOALS portal) application fee, plus a $100 (initial license fee) license fee. Processing time: Application processing time not publicly stated by SLBRGC; exam approval and scheduling through PSI after board review.
Keep the license active. Renew every 2 years (June 30 of even-numbered years), completing Residential Basic: 3 hours annually. Residential Light Commercial: 6 hours annually. General Contractor: None required.

License types

Residential Basic Contractor (roofing use-case) — Residential roofing projects over $2,500 in combined labor and materials; no commercial work
Residential Light Commercial Contractor (roofing use-case) — Residential and commercial roofing on structures under 4 stories and less than 25,000 sq ft; projects over $2,500
General Contractor — Unlimited (roofing use-case) — All roofing work, residential or commercial, no dollar or size limit

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	Residential Basic: 2 years documented experience in residential construction (roofing qualifies) plus successful completion of at least 2 projects in the prior 4 years. Residential Light Commercial and General Contractor: 4 years documented experience or 4-year accredited degree in engineering, architecture, or construction management, plus at least 2 completed projects in the prior 4 years.
Application fee	$200 application fee + $5–$10 processing fee (submitted via GOALS portal)
License fee	$100 (initial license fee)
Renewal fee	$100 (biennial; due June 30 of even-numbered years); $200 late penalty after June 30
Renewal period	Every 2 years (June 30 of even-numbered years)
Continuing education	Residential Basic: 3 hours annually. Residential Light Commercial: 6 hours annually. General Contractor: None required.
Bond required	$25,000 surety bond acceptable as alternative to demonstrating $25,000 minimum net worth (Residential Basic and Light Commercial); General Contractor Unlimited requires CPA-prepared financial statement showing $150,000 net worth (no bond alternative).
Liability insurance	Residential Basic: $300,000 per occurrence. Residential Light Commercial and General Contractor: $500,000 per occurrence.
Property damage	—
Workers' comp	Required under O.C.G.A. §34-9-2 for any business with 3 or more employees.
Background check	Applicants must disclose all arrests, charges, or convictions; affirmative answers require written explanation with supporting documentation.
Credit requirement	Residential Basic and Light Commercial: $25,000 net worth (or equivalent surety bond/letter of credit). General Contractor Unlimited: $150,000 net worth (CPA-prepared financial statement required).
Reciprocity	Louisiana (Residential Basic and General Contractor Unlimited tracks — must still pass Georgia Business & Law exam); Mississippi (Residential Basic and General Contractor Unlimited tracks — must still pass Georgia Business & Law exam); South Carolina (Residential Basic track only — must still pass Georgia Business & Law exam)
Processing time	Application processing time not publicly stated by SLBRGC; exam approval and scheduling through PSI after board review

Exams

Georgia Residential Basic Contractor Examination (90 questions, 200 minutes, open-book; covers roofing, carpentry, masonry, OSHA safety, and general building code)	Provider: PSI Exams (for SLBRGC) · Passing: 70% · Fee: Not publicly disclosed separately by SLBRGC; included in exam registration
NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors (required for Residential Light Commercial and General Contractor tracks)	Provider: NASCLA / PSI Exams · Passing: 70% · Fee: $130 (paid to PSI)
Georgia Business & Law Examination (required for all tracks)	Provider: PSI Exams (for SLBRGC) · Passing: 70% · Fee: $195 (paid to PSI)

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Local / municipal notes

Georgia does not issue a roofing-specific state license. Roofing work on any residential project valued over $2,500 legally requires a valid SLBRGC contractor license. The Georgia Roofing Contractors Association (GARCA) offers a voluntary certification program (not a state license) for steep-slope and low-slope roofing. Many counties also require a local business license or permit registration independent of the state license.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Georgia roofer license cost?

Application: $200 application fee + $5–$10 processing fee (submitted via GOALS portal). License: $100 (initial license fee). Renewal: $100 (biennial; due June 30 of even-numbered years); $200 late penalty after June 30.

Do roofers in Georgia need a surety bond?

$25,000 surety bond acceptable as alternative to demonstrating $25,000 minimum net worth (Residential Basic and Light Commercial); General Contractor Unlimited requires CPA-prepared financial statement showing $150,000 net worth (no bond alternative).

What experience is required for a Georgia roofer license?

Residential Basic: 2 years documented experience in residential construction (roofing qualifies) plus successful completion of at least 2 projects in the prior 4 years. Residential Light Commercial and General Contractor: 4 years documented experience or 4-year accredited degree in engineering, architecture, or construction management, plus at least 2 completed projects in the prior 4 years.

Is insurance required for roofers in Georgia?

Liability: Residential Basic: $300,000 per occurrence. Residential Light Commercial and General Contractor: $500,000 per occurrence. Workers' compensation: Required under O.C.G.A. §34-9-2 for any business with 3 or more employees.

How often must a Georgia roofer license be renewed?

Every 2 years (June 30 of even-numbered years). Continuing education: Residential Basic: 3 hours annually. Residential Light Commercial: 6 hours annually. General Contractor: None required.

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-06-22 — always confirm current requirements directly with the State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors (SLBRGC), Georgia Secretary of State before applying. This is not legal advice.