Residential roofer - Who needs a license?

If you have questions about whether a license is required, contact the Department of Labor and Industry at (651) 284-5069 to discuss your activities and what type of license may be required. Unlicensed activity may result in administrative action.

A residential roofer is defined as a person engaged in the business of doing work on residential real estate (one to four family dwellings, including detached garages) in roof coverings, roof sheathing, roof weatherproofing and insulation, and repair of roof systems, but not construction of new roof systems.

The following are exempt from the roofer licensing requirements:

employees of a licensed contractor, remodeler or roofer;
material suppliers who do not install or attach the items;
owners doing work on their own property (unless they are engaged in building on speculation);
architects or engineers doing work within the scope of their practice;
people whose annual gross receipts from their residential contracting or remodeling activities are less than $15,000 (gross receipts are defined as the total amount derived from residential contracting or remodeling activities, regardless of where the activities are performed, and must not be reduced by cost of goods sold, expenses, losses or any other amount)*;
school districts and technical colleges;
plumbers, electricians and mechanical contractors.

Note: Any person claiming the gross receipts exemption must obtain a Certificate of Exemption from the Department of Labor and Industry by filing an application that requires an affidavit stating the applicant does not expect to exceed $15,000 in gross annual receipts during the calendar year for which the exemption is requested. The Certificate of Exemption must be renewed annually. If the person's gross receipts exceed $15,000 at any time during an annual exemption period, the and application for a license must be filed.