Do you want to know how to get a roofing license in California? Licensed roofers have professional expertise and will fix your roof correctly the first time. A licensed roofer will be up-to-date on all the current best practices for roof installation, repair, and maintenance and any local, state, or federal regulations that may apply.
By earning a roofing contractor’s license, the contractor demonstrates their competence. A roofing contractor’s expertise may be verified, and customers can feel safe using them if they have a valid license.
Any roofing job in California worth more than $500 requires a licensed roofing contractor. The State Contractors Board for the Department of Consumer Affairs issues Class C Specialty Contractors Licenses, which include roofing contractors.
Who is a Roofing Contractor?
A roofing contractor‘s job is to seal, waterproof, and weatherproof buildings by installing materials and prepping surfaces. This is carried out so that no water or any of its byproducts, chemicals, or solids can seep through the barrier and damage the material or space beyond.
Over the course of a job, a certified roofer will check and install many distinct types of roofing materials. These may include asphalt, tar, felt, urethane foam, metal roofing systems, shakes, shingles, roof tile, and slate.
Why you need a license in California
In California, you need to establish that you have worked as a journeyman, foreman, supervisor, or contractor in the roofing industry for at least four years within the preceding ten years before applying for a roofing license and taking the exam required for that license. Anyone who charges more than $500 for roofing services must have a C-39 Roofing Contractor License.
A $15,000 surety bond is also required to obtain a roofing license in the state of California. Once passed, the result is a C–39 roofing license, which is non–transferable between states.
The CSLB
All California contractors must be licensed through the Contractors State License Board (CSLB). The CSLB provides roofing contractors with the C-39 License.
Its main mission is to safeguard Californians by vetting and registering all construction businesses that charge more than $500 for their services.
Many of the greatest salaries in the building business go-to roofing contractors. Roofing installations must be completed with care to ensure the safety of everyone involved in the building process.
The CSLB administers applications and exams and maintains a database of all active and inactive contractor license numbers, which are public domain.
The roofing sector is worth over a billion dollars annually, so it stands to reason that businesses that are professional, safe, and in possession of the C-39 roofing contractor license would be in high demand.
The C-39 Roofing License
Compared to other states, California has some of the most stringent laws and regulations. However, there is a sound rationale for the legislated restrictions on contractors such as California’s roofing experts.
Only 21 out of the 50 states mandate licensing for roofing professionals, with California being one of them. Only professionals who work on roofs need to apply for the C-39 roofing license.
Roofing is more than just another functional component of a building; it’s an integral aspect of the construction that shields the occupants and their belongings from the elements. The risk of maintaining the roof health on a home or building in California is high due to natural disasters such as fires, earthquakes, and even the Santa Ana winds.
If you are a general contractor in California who also engages in other types of work, you should check whether or not such activities require separate certifications from you. Obtaining a license is not difficult, but it will need time and effort on your part.
The state of California is looking for legitimate roofing contractors who know what they’re doing rather than just trying to make a buck. A licensed contractor must complete any roofing job in California with a total cost of more than $500.
That pretty much encompasses everything other than simple roof repairs. Roofing contractors in California, like their counterparts in many other jurisdictions, are required to have a specialized license in order to practice.
How to Get a Roofing License in California
Property owners should take notice of any contractor operating illegally because they may be sloppy with licenses, warranties, and insurance. If a contractor is able to perform pricey roof repairs and installations in California without a roofing license, that’s a red flag that they may not give necessary paperwork, including contracts, to their customers.
Pros in California must have a C-39 roofing license, but getting one might be tricky. To be eligible to register for the necessary exam, applicants must have worked for a minimum of four years during the preceding ten years.
For any position in California, you must first meet the state’s qualifications and pass an examination. You need four years’ worth of roofing experience to take the test.
After submitting your application to take the exam approved, your next step will be to submit to fingerprinting and the actual exam. The application must be corrected and resubmitted within 90 days, or the application will be considered incomplete.
You’ll need to take three copies of the form with you to a live scan station, like a police station, in order to get your fingerprints taken. After it is done, it is time to start preparing for the exam.
Make use of the state-issued study guide to better prepare for the test. Passing the exam and paying the associated cost will grant you the right to use the C-39 roofing license.
Remember that this is not valid in any other state. Roofing contractors who are considering a move should investigate the licensing requirements of potential new states.
Steps involved in getting a roofing license
| Step | Details |
| Step 1: Gain Experience as a Journeyman (earn your way through the trades) | Applicants without at least four years of experience as a journeyman will not be allowed to take the examination. A c-39 license, like other licenses, calls for apprenticeship training or qualifying by a Joint Examination Board. |
| Step 2: Apply and Study for the Exam | Original contractor’s license applications must be filled out manually, in ink, after a thorough reading of the instructions. After an application has been filed to the CSLB, an acknowledgment letter containing the applicant’s application fee number and a four-digit PIN will be sent out. |
| Step 3: Fingerprinting | Complete fingerprints are needed for identification verification prior to taking the test. A person’s criminal history is handled on an individual basis. |
| Step 4: Take the Exam | Look at the application’s prerequisites to ensure you have everything you need. You can use your application fee number and PIN to see where you stand in the processing queue. |
Fulfill the requirements
Passing the C-39 test requires comprehensive knowledge of the roofing industry as a whole. The following are the minimum standards that must be met in order to obtain a roofing contractor license in the state of California:
• Have reached the age of majority (18)
• Show government-issued photo identification from the United States
• Possess a valid identification number, such as a Social Security or ITIN
• Not Currently on probation or parole
You must also have the following:
4 Years Journey Level Experience
The roofing sector is a subset of the trillion-dollar construction market, so qualified roofers are always in demand. Someone interested in the roofing trade would do well to seek out an apprenticeship or skilled mentor.
You attain the level of a journeyman if you have worked as a plasterer or for a contractor who possesses a C-39 Roofing License and you were responsible for your own work daily.
All tasks linked with a trade are within the abilities of a journeyman. The CSLB requires four continuous years of employment within the last decade.
Credible Witness to Attest to Your Background
Your qualifying individual will require a brief but comprehensive summary of your expertise and experience. The success of your application hinges on the quality of the description you submit.
When seeking a C-39 roofing contractor license, the following are some of the people that may serve as qualifying individuals to attest to your experience:
• C-39 License Holder
• Licensed General Contractor
• Fellow Journeyman
• Fellow Employee or supervisor (within the last ten years)
Something to prove your experience if the government asks
You should be ready to provide proof that you have the skills you say you do. The CSLB does not accept photo submissions of completed work.
There is a good risk that the CSLB won’t document your experience because of the high volume of applications they receive every month, but if you happen to be one of the lucky few who gets evaluated, you’ll need to be prepared to produce evidence of your work history.
The Contractors State License Board offers several options for demonstrating your qualifications.
• Tax Returns
• Material Order Invoices or Receipts
• Check Stubs
• Contracts
Blueprint Reading Course
Two-dimensional drawings called “blueprints” show in great detail how a building is supposed to look once it has been constructed. Dimensions, materials, and fixtures’ placement are frequently detailed in blueprints.
Blueprints for a construction project serve as a pictorial depiction of the plan. They specify the building components and supplies required for accurate price estimations.
Anyone seeking a license in the construction industry, and notably the C-39 Roofing License, would do well to learn how to read blueprints. A familiarity with blueprint reading is also necessary for the General Contractor certification.
EPA Certification
The Environmental Protection Agency mandates that anybody working on a building constructed before 1978 learn how to safely contain lead-based paint. Ozone-depleting substances (ODS) like refrigerants are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and technicians who obtain an EPA certification (also known as a “608 certification”) have demonstrated that they are familiar with these rules and regulations.
Roofing businesses that market themselves as competent and helpful to customers will see the greatest success. Keeping up with EPA regulations is crucial to your company’s health and your clientele’s well-being.
Roofing License Application Processing and Fees
There is some seasonal variation in the time it takes for your application to be processed and the test date to be provided. You should expect to wait 6-8 weeks for your application to be processed and 3-4 weeks for your exam date.
Time of year (processing time slows down over the holidays), criminal history, lack of relevant work experience, and application errors are the most typical causes of application delays.
Costs associated with the CSLB at this time are as follows:
• State Application Fee – $330
• Fingerprinting and bond fees
• License Activation Fee – $200 (after you pass the exam)
Prep for the licensing exam
Candidates can start the licensing procedure for Roofing Contractors once they have amassed the necessary four years of experience and the other requirements. The California Contractors State License Board can be reached at 800-321-2752 or on their official website. Each renewal period necessitates a fresh round of continuing education.
Some things to remember:
• When your application is approved, you will be given a testing facility (the one closest to you), exam date, and time.
• There is a chance that some exam questions will use outdated language and terminology.
• Be well-versed in every facet of your field. You will be tested on topics you have probably never dealt with before.
• You will be asked questions as though you are in charge of a sizable construction firm with many staff and projects all at once.
• It’s possible that procedures will vary greatly from the way they’re carried out in the field.
Parts of the licensing exam
There are a total of five parts to the C-39 Roofing Contractor License Exam.
- Planning and Estimation
Planning roofing projects is important before starting one. You may need to consider variables such as roofing materials, weather, and any extra skill sets you may need, such as aerial photography in the case of an inspection.
• Planning roof projects
• Estimating roof projects
- Job Site Preparation for Roof Projects
Debris removal is an essential step in building, as it guarantees a risk-free environment and a clean slate from which to begin transforming a plot of land into the space you need. Preparing a site for construction requires demolishing or wrecking existing structures, removing debris, and sometimes selling salvaged building materials.
Job site preparation may include:
• Protecting surroundings
• Correcting problems
• Tearing off the existing roofing
- Low-Slope Roof Projects
Different materials and techniques are needed for low-slope roofs. Low-slope roofs are easier to work on than steep-slope roofs, but they flood more easily.
Some of the aspects of low slope roof works include:
• Installing flashings, ventilation, and underlayment
• Installing various low-slope roof systems
• Repairing low-slope roof systems
- Steep-Slope Roof Projects
Steep slope roofs are harder to work on due to the increased risk of falling. One way this could happen is by walking backward while on the roof.
Some of the aspects of steep slope roof works include:
• Installing flashings, ventilation, and underlayment
• Installing various steep-slope roof systems
• Repairing steep-slope roof systems
- Safety
Safety is the first thing in any work situation. It involves both personnel and workplace safety.
• Personnel safety: “Personal safety” refers to efforts an individual or organization takes to protect oneself against danger.
• Job site safety: Securing a work location means guarding against theft and unwanted visitors.
Put your license to use
A roofing contractor’s work includes installing and maintaining materials and systems that protect buildings from the elements. Roofing contractors perform several different tasks, such as:
Safe disposal of an existing roof
• Using roofing tools such as roof saws and asphalt dispensers
• Installation of metal, shingles, ventilation, flat and steep roofs
• Weatherproofing and roof repair
• Estimating and planning roof projects
• Maintaining a safe job site
• Reading blueprints and construction plans
• Bidding, preparing invoices, and accounting
A C-39 contractor license opens up several doors for them. Those in need of roofing services frequently call these professionals directly.
General Contractors who bid on projects requiring specialized roofing work may also hire them as subcontractors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Getting a C-39 Roofing License will not be hindered by a criminal history. You should always be truthful on an application, regardless of how long ago the offense occurred or whether or not it was expunged.
Keep in mind that the CLSB’s job is to keep the public safe. You may rest assured that they will be able to see everything on your fingerprints, so just be honest on the application.
The CSLB evaluates applicants with criminal histories on an individual basis. Some of their concerns may be criminal accusations related to fraud, embezzlement, and forgery.
