Texas Roofer License Requirements

Official classification: No statewide license — voluntary RCAT registration; municipal permits apply · Issued by the No state agency licenses roofers; voluntary program run by the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas (RCAT).

🏠 RooferTX ✔ Verified 2026-06-19

In Texas, roofers must hold the No statewide license — voluntary RCAT registration; municipal permits apply, issued by the No state agency licenses roofers; voluntary program run by the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas (RCAT), 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 Texas

Texas 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. Texas 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. Not state-mandated. RCAT requires $300,000 CSL general liability (residential) or $500,000 CSL (commercial) — or a $100,000 surety bond instead.
Post any local bond. No statewide bond. RCAT accepts a $100,000 surety bond as an alternative to its general-liability requirement; some cities require a permit/registration bond.
Register and pay the local fees. RCAT initial license: members $550 (one category) / $750 (both); non-members $850 / $1,050. RCAT membership (required for the member rate) is billed separately; dues are not published publicly — budget roughly $500/yr.
Renew on your city's schedule. Annual (RCAT).

Texas roofer license lookup

Texas has no statewide roofer license, so there is no state license database to search — verify a contractor's registration or license with the city or county where the work will be done.

License types

RCAT Licensed Residential Roofing Contractor (voluntary) — Voluntary credential. Requires $300,000 combined-single-limit general liability or a $100,000 surety bond, plus workers' comp or equivalent. Pass a business/safety exam and a residential roofing exam at 70%+.
RCAT Licensed Commercial Roofing Contractor (voluntary) — Voluntary credential. Requires $500,000 combined-single-limit general liability or a $100,000 surety bond, plus workers' comp or equivalent. Pass a business/safety exam and a commercial roofing exam at 70%+.
Municipal permits (mandatory in practice) — Roofing work generally requires a city building permit and inspection; some cities require contractor registration before issuing roofing permits. The mandatory layer is local, not state.

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	No state requirement. RCAT (voluntary) requires the applicant to be a principal in a Texas-domiciled roofing company for at least 2 continuous years before applying.
Application fee	RCAT initial license: members $550 (one category) / $750 (both); non-members $850 / $1,050. RCAT membership (required for the member rate) is billed separately; dues are not published publicly — budget roughly $500/yr.
License fee	Included above
Renewal fee	$250 per year (RCAT)
Renewal period	Annual (RCAT)
Continuing education	RCAT: 8 Continuing Education Units per 12-month period.
Bond required	No statewide bond. RCAT accepts a $100,000 surety bond as an alternative to its general-liability requirement; some cities require a permit/registration bond.
Liability insurance	Not state-mandated. RCAT requires $300,000 CSL general liability (residential) or $500,000 CSL (commercial) — or a $100,000 surety bond instead.
Property damage	Covered within the combined single limit above.
Workers' comp	Not state-mandated for roofers, but RCAT requires workers' compensation or equivalent benefits.
Background check	Not a state requirement.
Credit requirement	None
Reciprocity	N/A — no statewide license; RCAT is a private voluntary credential
Processing time	RCAT: exams must be completed within one year of application approval.

Exams

RCAT Business & Safety Exam	Provider: RCAT · Passing: 70% · Fee: Included in RCAT licensing fee
RCAT Roofing Specialty Exam (Residential and/or Commercial)	Provider: RCAT · Passing: 70% · Fee: Included in RCAT licensing fee; complete within 1 year of approval

Preparing for the Roofer exam? State-specific contractor exam-prep courses help you pass the first time. Start exam prep →

Local / municipal notes

Texas does NOT license roofers at the state level — anyone can legally call themselves a roofer. The RCAT 'license' is a respected but VOLUNTARY industry credential, not a government license. What IS required in practice: a city building permit (and inspection) for roofing work, plus whatever insurance/registration the local jurisdiction mandates. Homeowners should verify a roofer's insurance and RCAT status directly.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Texas roofer license cost?

Application: RCAT initial license: members $550 (one category) / $750 (both); non-members $850 / $1,050. RCAT membership (required for the member rate) is billed separately; dues are not published publicly — budget roughly $500/yr.. License: Included above. Renewal: $250 per year (RCAT).

Do roofers in Texas need a surety bond?

No statewide bond. RCAT accepts a $100,000 surety bond as an alternative to its general-liability requirement; some cities require a permit/registration bond.

What experience is required for a Texas roofer license?

No state requirement. RCAT (voluntary) requires the applicant to be a principal in a Texas-domiciled roofing company for at least 2 continuous years before applying.

Is insurance required for roofers in Texas?

Liability: Not state-mandated. RCAT requires $300,000 CSL general liability (residential) or $500,000 CSL (commercial) — or a $100,000 surety bond instead. Workers' compensation: Not state-mandated for roofers, but RCAT requires workers' compensation or equivalent benefits.

How often must a Texas roofer license be renewed?

Annual (RCAT). Continuing education: RCAT: 8 Continuing Education Units per 12-month period.

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-06-19 — always confirm current requirements directly with the No state agency licenses roofers; voluntary program run by the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas (RCAT) before applying. This is not legal advice.