How to become a licensed roofer in Florida (2026)

Apply to the DBPR Construction Industry Licensing Board for a Certified Roofing Contractor (CCC) license. You need four years of experience (at least one as a foreman; some can be substituted with college credits or military service), pass the state roofing contractor exams (a Business & Finance exam plus the roofing trade exam), submit fingerprints and a credit report showing financial responsibility (a FICO of 660 or a bond), and show general liability and workers' compensation insurance or an exemption. Alternatively, a Registered (RC) license lets you work only in counties where you hold a local competency card.

Budget roughly $1,000–$2,500 to get licensed: the DBPR application fee is about $249 (more in some fee periods), each exam part is about $135, fingerprinting runs $50–$60, plus exam-prep courses, the credit report and a financial-responsibility bond if your credit is under 660 — and then liability and workers' comp insurance, which is the biggest ongoing cost for a roofing company.

Most people need four to five years: four years of documented experience (or a mix of experience, education and military credit), then a few months for exam prep, the exams and DBPR processing. The exams are offered year-round through the state's testing vendor.

Employed roofers in Florida earn roughly $40,000–$60,000 a year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational data, with crew leads higher. Licensed contractors who own a company earn far more per roof but carry insurance, equipment, payroll and permit costs. Demand spikes after hurricanes.

Usually yes. Florida does not automatically bar applicants with a criminal record; the board reviews each case, and only crimes related to contracting, fraud or the duties of the license weigh heavily. You must disclose convictions on the application and may need to appear before the board.

Form your entity with the Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz), get your federal EIN, qualify the company with your CCC or RC license through the DBPR, carry general liability and workers' compensation (or a legitimate exemption), register with your county for a business tax receipt, and then build a website and a Google Business Profile. Once licensed, claim your free listing on this directory — it is built from the same DBPR data.