Ohio Roofer License Requirements
Official classification: No statewide license — City of Columbus Home Improvement Limited Contractor License · Issued by the City of Columbus Department of Building and Zoning Services.
🏠 RooferOH ✔ Verified 2026-07-09
In Ohio, roofers must hold the No statewide license — City of Columbus Home Improvement Limited Contractor License, issued by the City of Columbus Department of Building and Zoning Services, 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 Ohio
Ohio licenses roofers at the city level rather than statewide, so the path runs through your local permitting office. Here are the general steps — the verified specifics are detailed further down the page.
- Start with your city, not the state. Ohio has no statewide roofer license — registration, bonds and insurance are set by each municipality, so confirm the rules with your local permitting office first.
- Carry the insurance your city requires. Certificate of liability insurance from an Ohio-licensed insurer naming the City of Columbus as certificate holder (no minimum limits published)
- Post any local bond. $25,000 surety bond (City of Columbus)
- Register and pay the local fees. $300 new-application fee (City of Columbus)
- Renew on your city's schedule. Annual.
Ohio roofer license lookup
To confirm a roofer is properly licensed in Ohio — 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.
License types
- Home Improvement Limited Contractor — Residential roofing and home improvement work on 1–3 family dwellings (City of Columbus)
- General Contractor — Commercial roofing and all new construction (City of Columbus)
Requirements at a glance
| Experience required | 1 year of hands-on field experience for Home Improvement Limited Contractor; 3 years for General Contractor (City of Columbus) |
|---|---|
| Application fee | $300 new-application fee (City of Columbus) |
| License fee | $350 per year (City of Columbus) |
| Renewal fee | $350 per year (City of Columbus) |
| Renewal period | Annual |
| Continuing education | — |
| Bond required | $25,000 surety bond (City of Columbus) |
| Liability insurance | Certificate of liability insurance from an Ohio-licensed insurer naming the City of Columbus as certificate holder (no minimum limits published) |
| Property damage | — |
| Workers' comp | Required under Ohio law if the contractor has employees |
| Background check | — |
| Credit requirement | — |
| Reciprocity | None |
| Processing time | Applications must be submitted by the 7th day before the licensing board's monthly meeting (first Wednesday of each month) |
Exams
No state trade exam is required — the No statewide license — City of Columbus Home Improvement Limited Contractor License is a registration, not an examined license. Local jurisdictions may set their own exam requirements.
Local / municipal notes
Ohio has no statewide roofing license. In Columbus, residential roofing falls under the Home Improvement Limited Contractor license; commercial roofing requires the city's General Contractor license. Each Ohio municipality sets its own requirements.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Ohio roofer license cost?
Application: $300 new-application fee (City of Columbus). License: $350 per year (City of Columbus). Renewal: $350 per year (City of Columbus).
How do I look up a roofer license in Ohio?
Search the official license database at portal.columbus.gov. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.
Do roofers in Ohio need a surety bond?
$25,000 surety bond (City of Columbus)
What experience is required for an Ohio roofer license?
1 year of hands-on field experience for Home Improvement Limited Contractor; 3 years for General Contractor (City of Columbus)
Is insurance required for roofers in Ohio?
Liability: Certificate of liability insurance from an Ohio-licensed insurer naming the City of Columbus as certificate holder (no minimum limits published) Workers' compensation: Required under Ohio law if the contractor has employees
How often must an Ohio roofer license be renewed?
Annual. Continuing education: —
Official sources
columbus.gov/Business-Development/Business-Licenses-Resources/Contractor-Licenses
portal.columbus.gov/Permits/GeneralProperty/PropertyLookUp.aspx?isLicensee=Y&TabName=HOME