Pennsylvania Roofer License Requirements
Official classification: Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration · Issued by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection.
🏠 RooferPA ✔ Verified 2026-07-09
In Pennsylvania, roofers must hold the Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration, issued by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection, 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 Pennsylvania
Follow these steps to earn your Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration. Every figure is verified against the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection; full detail for each step is further down the page.
- Build the required experience. None — HIC registration has no experience or exam requirement
- Confirm exam requirements. Pennsylvania sets no state trade exam for this license, though your city or county may require one.
- Check the insurance rules. Liability: $50,000 per occurrence minimum. Property damage: $50,000 per occurrence minimum. Workers' compensation: Required if the contractor has employees.
- Clear the background check. Criminal history and bankruptcy disclosures required on the application
- Submit your application and fees. Apply through the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection — $100 application fee, plus a Included in the $100 registration fee license fee. Processing time: Apply online for faster processing; for a mailed application the Attorney General says to allow several weeks once it is complete (HIC application instructions).
- Keep the license active. Renewal: Every 2 years (biennial).
Pennsylvania roofer license lookup
To confirm a roofer is properly licensed in Pennsylvania — 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 Contractor (HIC) — Residential roofers performing $5,000 or more per year of home improvement work must register (Act 132 / HICPA)
Requirements at a glance
| Experience required | None — HIC registration has no experience or exam requirement |
|---|---|
| Application fee | $100 |
| License fee | Included in the $100 registration fee |
| Renewal fee | $100 every 2 years |
| Renewal period | Every 2 years (biennial) |
| Continuing education | None required |
| Bond required | None required |
| Liability insurance | $50,000 per occurrence minimum |
| Property damage | $50,000 per occurrence minimum |
| Workers' comp | Required if the contractor has employees |
| Background check | Criminal history and bankruptcy disclosures required on the application |
| Credit requirement | — |
| Reciprocity | None · other states' agreements |
| Processing time | Apply online for faster processing; for a mailed application the Attorney General says to allow several weeks once it is complete (HIC application instructions) |
What a Pennsylvania roofer license costs
| Application fee | $100. |
|---|---|
| License fee | Included in the $100 registration fee. |
| Surety bond | None required. |
| Renewal fee | $100 every 2 years. |
| Renewal period | Every 2 years (biennial). |
Exams
No state trade exam is required — the Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration is a registration, not an examined license. Local jurisdictions may set their own exam requirements.
Renewing a Pennsylvania roofer license
The Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration renews on a fixed cycle set by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection. Late and lapsed renewals are handled differently by every board, so check the renewal page linked below before the deadline passes.
| Renewal period | Every 2 years (biennial) |
|---|---|
| Renewal fee | $100 every 2 years |
| Continuing education | None required |
| Where to renew | Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection |
Local / municipal notes
Pennsylvania has no roofing-specific license. Residential roofers register as Home Improvement Contractors with the Attorney General; some municipalities add their own contractor licensing on top. Commercial roofing is outside HICPA's scope.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Pennsylvania roofer license cost?
Application: $100. License: Included in the $100 registration fee. Renewal: $100 every 2 years.
How do I look up a roofer license in Pennsylvania?
Search the official license database at hicsearch.attorneygeneral.gov. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.
Do roofers in Pennsylvania need a surety bond?
None required
What experience is required for a Pennsylvania roofer license?
None — HIC registration has no experience or exam requirement
Is insurance required for roofers in Pennsylvania?
Liability: $50,000 per occurrence minimum. Property damage: $50,000 per occurrence minimum. Workers' compensation: Required if the contractor has employees.
How long does it take to get a Pennsylvania roofer license?
Processing time: Apply online for faster processing; for a mailed application the Attorney General says to allow several weeks once it is complete (HIC application instructions).
Is a background check required for roofers in Pennsylvania?
Background check: Criminal history and bankruptcy disclosures required on the application.
How often must a Pennsylvania roofer license be renewed?
Every 2 years (biennial). Continuing education: None required.
Official sources
attorneygeneral.gov/wp-content/uploads/HIC-Application-Instructions.pdf
attorneygeneral.gov/resources/home-improvement-contractor-registration
pa.gov/agencies/dli/programs-services/labor-management-relations/bureau-of-occupational-and-industrial-safety/uniform-construction-code-home/contractor-licensing
hicsearch.attorneygeneral.gov