Pennsylvania Roofing License Requirements (2026)
By Gabriel Giner, Editor · Reviewed 2026-06-09 · CLR Editorial Review Desk
Pennsylvania does not license roofing contractors at the trade level — there is no statewide trade exam, no bond, and no general contractor license. Instead, the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Bureau of Consumer Protection administers the statewide Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration program under the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (HICPA), 73 P.S. §517.1 et seq. (Act 132 of 2008). Every contractor performing more than $5,000 of residential home improvement work in a calendar year must register, carry $50,000 personal injury / $50,000 property damage minimum insurance, and use a HICPA-compliant written contract. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have additional municipal licensing requirements on top of the state HIC.
Governing Authority
This license is issued and enforced by Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General — Bureau of Consumer Protection, Home Improvement Contractor Registration (PA OAG HIC) pursuant to Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act, 73 P.S. §517.1 et seq. (Act 132 of 2008). The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General administers the statewide Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration program under HICPA. Pennsylvania does NOT issue a statewide general contractor, electrician, plumber, or HVAC license — all trade licensing happens at the municipal level. HIC registration is a consumer-protection filing, not a competency license: there is no exam, no experience requirement, and no trade testing. It is mandatory for any contractor performing residential home improvement work totaling more than $5,000 in a calendar year.
- Official portal: https://hic.attorneygeneral.gov/
- Address: Strawberry Square, 14th Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17120
- Phone: (717) 772-2425
Eligibility Requirements
At a minimum the applicant has to be 18 years old and supply a valid Social Security Number. No PA residency requirement.
Good moral character
PA OAG denies registration for prior home improvement fraud convictions under 73 P.S. §517.3.
Background investigation
Disclosure of certain criminal convictions required on application.
Experience & Education Matrix
There is no published year count for this credential in the cited sources. What actually controls eligibility is no experience threshold — HIC is a consumer protection registration.
Education substitution
Not applicable.
Examination Structure
Rather than a written state examination, the cited materials route this credential through: None — Pennsylvania does not require a trade exam for HIC.
Insurance & Financial Security
This credential carries no state-level surety bond requirement under the cited sources. Individual jobs may still trigger a permit or public-works bond, which should be verified before bidding.
General liability
Minimum $50,000 personal injury / $50,000 property damage insurance required at registration under 73 P.S. §517.3(a)(7). Market practice $1,000,000.
Workers' compensation
Mandatory for every PA employer with one or more employees under the Pennsylvania Workers Compensation Act, 77 P.S. §1.
Additional financial requirements
No financial statement required. No surety bond at state level.
Application and License Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application (non-refundable) | $50 |
| Initial license | $50 |
| Renewal (every 2 years) | $50 |
Maintenance & Renewal
Expect to renew the Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration every 2 years. Renewal currently costs $50. Biennial renewal. Lapsed insurance suspends the HIC.
Continuing education: No CE required.
Downloadable Asset
2026 Pennsylvania Roofing License Roadmap (PDF) — a printable step-by-step checklist for the application process.
Download the PDF roadmap →Reciprocity and Endorsement
Pennsylvania does not accept the NASCLA Accredited Examination for this classification.
| Reciprocal State | Accepted Exam | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| No formal bilateral reciprocity agreements identified. | ||
No reciprocity. HIC registration is universal for PA residential roofing.
Weighing more than one jurisdiction? The national hub compares Roofing license requirements in every state — exam, bond, fee, and experience thresholds side by side.
Step-by-Step Application Roadmap
- Register the business entity with the PA Department of State. LLC or corporation filing plus EIN.
- Bind the $50K/$50K minimum insurance. Required under HICPA. Most contractors carry $1M for credibility.
- Bind PA workers compensation. Mandatory at one employee under 77 P.S. §1.
- Submit the PA OAG HIC Registration application. $50 biennial registration fee.
- Adopt a HICPA-compliant written contract template. Required for all home improvement contracts over $500: HIC number, three-day rescission, total price, materials, dates, lien notice, arbitration disclosure.
- Display the HIC number on all advertising and contracts. Required under 73 P.S. §517.9; missing it is a per-se Consumer Protection Law violation.
- Apply for Philadelphia or Pittsburgh local licenses if working there. Philadelphia L&I Contractor License + tax accounts; Pittsburgh contractor registration.
- Renew HIC every two years. $50 with updated insurance certificate.
Common Filing Mistakes
Working from the cited board instructions, here are the snags most likely to trip up a Pennsylvania Roofing filing.
HIC number missing from advertising
Every ad, vehicle, business card, and proposal must show the HIC number under 73 P.S. §517.9. Missing it is a per-se Consumer Protection Law violation with treble damages.
Non-compliant contract
PA AG treats HICPA contracts missing required disclosures as automatic violations. The three-day rescission notice and lien language are non-waivable.
Philadelphia tax-account omission
Philadelphia L&I requires BIRT and Commercial Activity License accounts before issuing a Contractor License. Out-of-state roofers consistently miss this.
Ice and water shield
PA UCC requires IRC R905.1.2 ice barrier. NW PA (Erie) lake-effect counties enforce extended coverage.
Asbestos in older BUR
PA DEP requires AHERA notification and licensed abatement for ACM roof removal on buildings built before 1981.
Study and Reference Materials
These are the preparation and reference materials tied to this credential — cited by the regulator or widely used by applicants. CLR earns nothing from listing them.
- 73 P.S. §517.1 et seq. — Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act — State of Pennsylvania. Primary HIC statute.
- PA Workers Compensation Act, 77 P.S. §1 — State of Pennsylvania. Mandatory workers comp.
- PA Uniform Construction Code (UCC) — IBC/IRC adoption — PA L&I. Roof assembly requirements.
Pre-Submission Checklist
These are the pieces to lock down before filing with PA OAG HIC:
- ☐ PA Department of State entity registration
- ☐ PA OAG HIC application + $50
- ☐ $50K/$50K minimum insurance certificate
- ☐ PA workers compensation declaration page
- ☐ HICPA-compliant contract template
- ☐ HIC number displayed on advertising and vehicles
- ☐ Philadelphia L&I or Pittsburgh local license (if applicable)
Other Pennsylvania Trade Licenses
CLR covers other Pennsylvania trades as well — the published guides below may be more relevant:
- Pennsylvania General Contractor License Requirements
- Pennsylvania Electrician License Requirements
- Pennsylvania Plumber License Requirements
- Pennsylvania HVAC Technician License Requirements
- Pennsylvania Painting Contractor License Requirements
- Pennsylvania Landscaping Contractor License Requirements
- Pennsylvania Masonry Contractor License Requirements
- Pennsylvania Carpentry Contractor License Requirements
- Pennsylvania Solar Installer License Requirements
- Pennsylvania Low-Voltage Technician License Requirements
- Pennsylvania Fire Sprinkler Contractor License Requirements
- Pennsylvania Home Inspector License Requirements
- Pennsylvania Pool Contractor License Requirements
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Pennsylvania license roofing contractors?
No state trade license. The PA OAG Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration under HICPA is a consumer protection filing, not a competency license. Required for any contractor doing more than $5,000 of residential home improvement annually.
What insurance does PA HIC require?
Minimum $50,000 personal injury / $50,000 property damage. Most contractors carry $1,000,000 for credibility and city permit eligibility.
Does Philadelphia have additional requirements?
Yes. Philadelphia L&I requires a Contractor License plus Business Income and Receipts Tax (BIRT) and Commercial Activity License on top of the state HIC.
What must a HICPA contract contain?
HIC number, three-day rescission notice, total price, materials, start/end dates, lien waiver provisions, and a signed change-order policy under 73 P.S. §517.7.
When does the HIC renew?
Every two years. $50 fee with updated insurance certificate.
Primary Sources
Regulatory requirements on this page are drawn from the official board, statute, and exam-provider materials listed below.
- Pennsylvania OAG — Home Improvement Contractor Registration
- Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (73 P.S. §517.1 et seq.)
- Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections
- Allegheny County — Pittsburgh Plumbing and Electrical Licensing
- Pennsylvania Department of State — Professional Licensing (confirms no state trade boards)
Verified 2026-06-09 · Next scheduled review 2026-09-07