Alabama Roofing License Requirements (2026)

Alabama regulates roofing through two separate boards depending on scope. Residential roofing on a one- or two-family dwelling where the cost is $10,000 or more must be performed by a contractor holding a Home Builders Licensure Board (HBLB) license under Code of Alabama §34-14A. Commercial roofing and any roofing project of $50,000 or more on commercial property requires a General Contractor license from the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors (AGC) under §34-8. There is no stand-alone statewide roofer license — you pick the board that matches your jobs and, in practice, most full-service Alabama roofers carry both credentials.

Regulatory Body Profile

Authority over this credential rests with Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors (ALBGC), which issues and polices it under Code of Alabama Title 34 Chapter 8 (General Contractors). ALBGC licenses general contractors statewide, sets monetary classifications, administers the Alabama portion of the contractor exam, and conducts disciplinary proceedings under Title 34 Chapter 8.

Official portal: https://genconbd.alabama.gov/
Address: 2525 Fairlane Drive, Suite 100, Montgomery, AL 36116
Phone: (334) 272-5030

The Eligibility Audit

The applicant must be at least 19 years of age and possess a valid Social Security Number. No Alabama residency requirement, but out-of-state entities must register with the Alabama Secretary of State.

Good moral character

Both boards review felony convictions individually. Fraud and construction-related offenses are disqualifying.

Background investigation

AGC requires a criminal history disclosure; HBLB requires a sworn application with disciplinary history.

Experience and Education Standards

At least three years of documented roofing experience for the AGC commercial license; HBLB residential roofers must demonstrate competency in roofing through the HBLB trade exam has to be evidenced and confirmed. Retain payroll, tax, project, or supervisor records, since the board may audit the experience claimed.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

Notarized experience affidavits from past employers or GCs
Completed project list with addresses, scopes, and contract values
W-2 or 1099 records corroborating dates

Education substitution

AGC allows substitution of an accredited construction degree for up to two years of the experience requirement.

The Exam Syllabus

Testing is handled by PSI Services LLC (under contract to both HBLB and AGC). The applicant has to pass each part listed here before the credential is granted:

AGC Roofing Trade Exam — BUR, single-ply, modified bitumen, metal, shingle, IBC Chapter 15 — 100 questions, 300 minutes, passing score 70%
Alabama Business and Law Exam — 50 questions, 120 minutes, passing score 70%
HBLB Residential Roofer Exam (if pursuing HBLB license) — 50 questions, 120 minutes, passing score 70%

Examination fee: $115 per AGC trade or B&L exam; $90 for the HBLB residential exam. Paid to PSI.

Retake policy: Failed exams may be retaken on a new appointment. Application stays valid one year.

Bonding, Insurance & Financial Security

The applicant must secure and file a $10,000 surety bond before the ALBGC will release the license.

General liability

AGC requires proof of general liability coverage at application. HBLB does not set a minimum but most jurisdictions contractually require $500,000–$1,000,000.

Workers' compensation

Mandatory in Alabama under §25-5-50 for any employer with five or more employees, including part-time.

Additional financial requirements

AGC requires a CPA-reviewed or audited financial statement showing net worth sufficient for the requested license limit. HBLB requires a $10,000 surety bond or irrevocable letter of credit in lieu of a financial statement.

Schedule of Fees

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$300
Examination	$230
Initial license	$300
Renewal (every year)	$300

Renewal and Continuing Obligations

The Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board Roofer / AGC Commercial License runs on a year renewal cycle. The current renewal fee is $300. Annual renewal by anniversary date. Lapsed AGC licenses over 90 days require reapplication.

Continuing education: HBLB residential license requires continuing education under §34-14A-14. AGC requires no CE.

Downloadable Asset

2026 Alabama Roofing License Roadmap (PDF) — a printable step-by-step checklist for the application process.

Download the PDF roadmap →

Out-of-State Reciprocity

For this classification, Alabama recognizes the NASCLA Accredited Examination.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
Mississippi	AGC trade exam waived	Bilateral AGC–MSBOC endorsement for roofers in good standing.
Tennessee	AGC trade exam waived	Bilateral AGC–TBLC endorsement.
Louisiana	AGC trade exam waived	Bilateral AGC–LSLBC endorsement.

Alabama AGC accepts the NASCLA Accredited Commercial Contractor exam in lieu of the trade exam. Business and Law must still be taken.

Weighing more than one jurisdiction? The national hub compares Roofing license requirements in every state — exam, bond, fee, and experience thresholds side by side.

The Application Roadmap

Decide residential (HBLB) vs commercial (AGC) scope. Jobs on one- and two-family homes over $10,000 need HBLB. Commercial or jobs over $50,000 need AGC. Most roofers carry both.
Document three years of roofing experience. AGC Experience Affidavit notarized by former employers plus project list and W-2/1099 corroboration.
Prepare financials. AGC: CPA-reviewed statement proving net worth. HBLB: $10,000 surety bond or letter of credit.
Submit the AGC application (or NASCLA recognition) plus HBLB application. File with each board along with the fee — AGC $300, HBLB $150.
Pass the PSI exams. AGC Roofing Trade and Business and Law at 70%+; HBLB Residential Roofer exam at 70%+ if pursuing the HBLB track.
Bind general liability and workers comp. Alabama mandates workers comp for any employer with five or more employees under §25-5-50.
Receive licenses and renew annually. Both boards issue annual licenses. AGC renewal $300; HBLB renewal $150.

Pre-Application Checklist

Ahead of submission to ALBGC, confirm every item on this short list:

☐ HBLB application and/or AGC application with fees
☐ Three years notarized experience documentation
☐ Completed project list with contract values
☐ AGC: CPA-reviewed financial statement
☐ HBLB: $10,000 surety bond or letter of credit
☐ PSI exam pass certificates at 70%+
☐ General liability certificate of insurance
☐ Workers compensation declaration page (5+ employees)

Where Applications Stall

These are the recurring mistakes that most often delay or reject a Alabama Roofing application, based on the official instructions cited here.

Picking the wrong board

A roofer licensed only with HBLB cannot legally bid a $60,000 commercial warehouse reroof. AGC is required.

Underestimating the AGC financial statement

AGC sets the license monetary limit based on net worth. Weak statements come back with a limit lower than the jobs you wanted to bid.

OSHA fall protection on steep residential

OSHA 29 CFR 1926.501 requires fall protection at six feet. Alabama OSHA citations are common on residential reroofs where crews skip harnesses.

Skipping local business licenses

Alabama municipalities and counties each levy their own business license under §11-51-90. State board licensure does not exempt you.

Letting workers comp lapse in summer

Seasonal roofers who drop below five employees in winter sometimes cancel coverage and forget to reinstate when they hire spring crews — triggering uninsured penalties.

Recommended Study Materials

These materials are drawn from the regulator's own citations and the references applicants commonly use to prepare. CLR receives no compensation for listing them.

International Building Code Chapter 15 — Roof Assemblies — International Code Council. Open-book on the AGC trade exam.
NRCA Roofing Manual (current edition) — National Roofing Contractors Association. Primary technical reference.
Alabama Code §34-8 and §34-14A — State of Alabama. Licensing law for both AGC and HBLB.

Other Alabama Trade Licenses

Looking at a different trade? CLR also publishes these Alabama licensing guides:

Common Questions

Do I need an Alabama license for a small residential reroof?

If the contract amount is under $10,000 on a one- or two-family dwelling the HBLB license is not required. Many municipalities still require a local business license and permit.

What is the difference between HBLB and AGC for roofers?

HBLB regulates residential home-building including roofing on one- and two-family dwellings at $10,000+. AGC regulates commercial construction and any roofing project at $50,000 or more.

Does Alabama accept the NASCLA Accredited Commercial Contractor exam?

Yes. AGC accepts an active NASCLA certificate in lieu of the trade exam for the commercial license. The Alabama Business and Law exam is still required.

Is workers compensation mandatory for Alabama roofers?

Mandatory for any employer with five or more employees under Code §25-5-50. Below that threshold coverage is optional but most GCs require it on commercial jobs.

How often do Alabama roofing licenses renew?

Both HBLB and AGC licenses renew annually. AGC renewal fee $300, HBLB $150. Continuing education required for HBLB residential license.

Primary Sources

Regulatory requirements on this page are drawn from the official board, statute, and exam-provider materials listed below.

Verified 2026-04-30 · Next scheduled review 2026-07-29