Why Florida licenses roofers at all
After Hurricane Andrew (1992) exposed widespread shoddy roofing work, Florida built one of the strictest contractor licensing systems in the country. Roofing licenses are issued through the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) under the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Getting licensed requires documented experience, passing trade and business exams, financial responsibility, and continuing education — which is exactly why “my cousin does roofs” isn’t a legal option here.
Certified vs. Registered: the two roofing licenses
Certified Roofing Contractor
Licensed by the state. Can contract roofing work anywhere in Florida without additional local competency cards (though local business-tax receipts and permits still apply). This is the gold standard for companies working across the Tampa Bay area’s many cities and counties.
Registered Roofing Contractor
Holds a state registration tied to competency established at the local level. Can only work in the jurisdictions where that local competency is recognized. Perfectly legitimate — but confirm they’re authorized in your city or county, not just somewhere in Florida.
Both license types must carry insurance and both appear in the same DBPR lookup. Neither type exempts a contractor from pulling local building permits.
How to verify a license (2 minutes)
- Go to the DBPR license search at myfloridalicense.com → “Verify a License.”
- Search by the contractor’s name or license number. Ask for the license number directly — hesitation is a red flag.
- Confirm: status is Current/Active, the license type includes Roofing (not just General or Building), and the business name matches who you’re talking to.
- Check the complaint/discipline history shown on the record. One old resolved complaint isn’t damning; a pattern is.
- For Registered contractors, confirm your jurisdiction is covered.
Beyond the license: the full vetting checklist
- General liability + workers’ comp certificates, verified with the insurer
- Written scope with named materials (brand, model, underlayment system)
- Permit pulled in the contractor’s name, with municipal inspections
- Payment tied to milestones — never 100% upfront
- Workmanship warranty in writing, separate from the manufacturer’s material warranty
- Local references from the past 12 months you can actually contact
Where to complain if it goes wrong
If a licensed contractor abandons a job, does defective work, or violates the contract, you can file a complaint with the DBPR — and Florida’s Construction Recovery Fund exists to compensate homeowners harmed by licensed contractors in certain circumstances. None of these protections exist if you hired unlicensed. That’s the real value of the license: it’s your recourse.
Connect with a licensed Tampa roofer
License FAQs
What's the difference between a Certified and a Registered roofing contractor?
A Certified Roofing Contractor holds a state license valid anywhere in Florida. A Registered Roofing Contractor is registered with the DBPR but only authorized in the local jurisdictions where they hold competency. Both are legitimate — the key is that the license is current and covers your area.
Can a general contractor do roofing work in Florida?
Generally no — roofing requires its own license classification in Florida. A Certified General Contractor's license does not automatically authorize roofing work. Always confirm the license specifically includes roofing.
What happens if I hire an unlicensed roofer?
You lose the protections licensing provides: no state complaint process, likely no valid insurance, permits can't be properly pulled, and your homeowner's insurance may deny claims tied to their work. It's also illegal for them to contract the work in the first place.
Licensing rules summarized here are general information as of 2026, not legal advice. Verify current requirements with the Florida DBPR.