New Jersey Roofing HIC Registration Requirements (2026)

The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs (DCA) Regulated Business Section licenses roofing contractors through the Home Improvement Contractor Registration (HIC) program under the Contractors' Registration Act (N.J.S.A. 56:8-136 et seq.). Every contractor performing residential roofing (and any home improvement) in New Jersey must register with the DCA, carry at least $500,000 general liability, and comply with the written contract requirements of N.J.A.C. 13:45A-16. There is no trade exam. Commercial roofing is not regulated by the HIC program but is subject to municipal building permit requirements under the NJ Uniform Construction Code.

Federal requirement: EPA Lead RRP Rule

Whether or not New Jersey licenses this trade, any work that disturbs paint in pre-1978 housing falls under the federal EPA Lead RRP Rule nationwide. See our complete EPA RRP Lead Certification guide for who needs firm and renovator certification, what it costs, and how renewal works.

Regulatory Body Profile

Licensing for this trade is governed by New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs (NJDCA), the agency that issues and regulates the credential under N.J.S.A. 56:8-136 et seq. (Contractors Registration Act); N.J.A.C. 13:45A-17. The NJ Division of Consumer Affairs registers Home Improvement Contractors and houses the professional and occupational boards that license electrical, plumbing, and HVACR contractors statewide.

Official portal: https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/
Address: 124 Halsey Street, P.O. Box 45027, Newark, NJ 07101
Phone: (973) 504-6200

The Eligibility Audit

The threshold requirements are straightforward: age 18 or above, plus a valid Social Security Number. No NJ residency requirement.

Good moral character

DCA reviews construction fraud and consumer protection complaints.

Background investigation

Disclosure on application; DCA may request documentation.

Experience and Education Standards

The cited source set does not publish a fixed year-based experience threshold for this credential. The controlling requirement is no experience threshold — HIC is a consumer protection registration.

Education substitution

Not applicable.

The Exam Syllabus

The cited sources impose no written trade exam at the state level here. The path to the credential runs through: None — NJ DCA does not require a trade exam for HIC registration.

Bonding, Insurance & Financial Security

There is no statewide surety bond tied to this credential in the cited record. Bonding can still surface at the project level — permit, license, or public-works bonds — so check before you bid.

General liability

Minimum $500,000 per occurrence commercial general liability under N.J.S.A. 56:8-142. Certificate must be filed directly with DCA by the insurance carrier.

Workers' compensation

Mandatory for every NJ employer with one or more employees under N.J.S.A. 34:15-1.

Additional financial requirements

No financial statement required.

Schedule of Fees

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$110
Initial license	$110
Renewal (every year)	$110

Renewal and Continuing Obligations

The New Jersey Home Improvement Contractor Registration (HIC) runs on a year renewal cycle. The current renewal fee is $110. Annual renewal by March 31. Lapsed insurance immediately suspends the HIC.

Continuing education: No CE required.

Downloadable Asset

2026 New Jersey 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, New Jersey does not recognize the NASCLA Accredited Examination.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
No formal bilateral reciprocity agreements identified.

No reciprocity. HIC registration is universal for home improvement in NJ.

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

Register the business entity with the NJ Division of Revenue. LLC or corporation formation plus EIN and NJ tax registration.
Bind $500,000 general liability insurance. Certificate must be filed with DCA directly by the carrier under N.J.A.C. 13:45A-17.
Submit the DCA Home Improvement Contractor application. Annual $110 registration fee plus disclosure forms.
Bind NJ workers compensation. Mandatory at one employee under N.J.S.A. 34:15-1.
Adopt N.J.A.C. 13:45A-16 compliant contract template. Written contract for any home improvement over $500 with HIC number, start/end dates, payment schedule, three-day rescission, and warranty disclosures.
Display HIC number on all advertisements and vehicles. Required under N.J.S.A. 56:8-144. Violation is a Consumer Fraud Act violation.
Renew HIC annually by March 31. $110 annual renewal with updated insurance certificate filed directly by carrier.

Where Applications Stall

The following pitfalls summarize the issues most likely to delay, return, or derail a New Jersey Roofing application based on the published board instructions and source materials cited on this page.

Non-compliant contract

NJ Consumer Fraud Act treats HIC contracts missing required disclosures as per-se violations with treble damages. NJ AG actively litigates.

Missing HIC number on ads

Every advertisement, truck, business card, and proposal must show the HIC number. Missing it is a Consumer Fraud Act violation.

Superstorm Sandy-era storm chasers

Post-disaster unregistered contracting carries NJ AG enforcement. Shore counties enforce aggressively during hurricane season.

Asbestos in older BUR systems

NJDEP requires notification and licensed abatement for ACM roof removal on buildings built before 1981.

Lead paint RRP rule

NJ has extensive pre-1978 housing. Roofing work near painted soffits triggers federal RRP compliance and NJ Department of Health rules.

Pre-Application Checklist

Have each of the following squared away before the packet goes to NJDCA:

☐ NJ Division of Revenue entity registration
☐ $500,000 GL certificate filed with DCA by carrier
☐ DCA HIC application + $110
☐ NJ workers compensation declaration page
☐ N.J.A.C. 13:45A-16 compliant contract template
☐ HIC number on all advertising and vehicles

Recommended Study Materials

The list below collects the board's cited references and the materials applicants typically study from. CLR is not paid to recommend any of them.

N.J.S.A. 56:8-136 et seq. Contractors' Registration Act — State of New Jersey. Primary HIC statute.
N.J.A.C. 13:45A-16 and 17 — NJ Division of Consumer Affairs. Contract and insurance rules.
NJ Uniform Construction Code — NJ Department of Community Affairs. Roof assembly requirements statewide.

Other New Jersey Trade Licenses

For a different New Jersey credential, see these companion guides published by CLR:

Common Questions

Does New Jersey license roofing?

New Jersey requires Home Improvement Contractor registration for all residential roofing. There is no trade exam — it is a consumer-protection registration with mandatory insurance.

What GL minimum does NJ require?

$500,000 per occurrence commercial general liability. The certificate must be filed directly with DCA by the carrier.

What must an HIC contract contain?

N.J.A.C. 13:45A-16 requires a written contract for any home improvement over $500 with HIC number, start/end dates, payment schedule, three-day rescission, warranty, and change-order provisions.

Is the HIC number required on advertising?

Yes. N.J.S.A. 56:8-144 requires the HIC number on every ad, vehicle, business card, and estimate. Missing the number is a Consumer Fraud Act violation with treble damages.

When does the HIC renew?

Annually by March 31. Fee $110 with updated insurance certificate.

Primary Sources

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

Verified 2026-05-14 · Next scheduled review 2026-08-12