Roofing Contractors in Florida: What to Check

In Florida, roofing contractors must be licensed by the state's Construction Industry Licensing Board, and you can verify a license on MyFloridaLicense.com. State law bars roofers from offering deductible waivers or gifts for an inspection or claim, and from adjusting your claim unless they are a licensed public adjuster. Contracting without a license during a declared state of emergency is a felony.

Who licenses roofing providers in Florida

Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Construction Industry Licensing Board. Roofing contractors in Florida hold either a certified license (code CC), which lets them work anywhere in the state, or a registered license (code RC), which is valid only in the local jurisdictions where it was issued. The roofing license covers roofing and waterproofing work, skylights, roof-deck attachment and certain related sheathing, fascia and roof-to-wall connection work. Search by name, license number, city or county, or license type on the DBPR license search, or call DBPR at (850) 487-1395.

Check a license →

Key facts for Florida

Florida's roofing license comes in two forms: certified (CC), valid statewide, and registered (RC), valid only where it was issued.
Florida law bars contractors from offering a rebate, gift, cash or a waiver of an insurance deductible in exchange for a roof inspection or an insurance claim, with fines up to $10,000 per violation.
Contractors may not interpret policy terms or adjust a claim for a homeowner unless they hold a public adjuster license.
Unlicensed contracting during a state of emergency declared by the governor is a third-degree felony.
A contractor who takes more than 10 percent of the price as a deposit must apply for permits within 30 days and start work within 90 days after permits are issued, unless there is just cause or a written agreement.
Notice of a property insurance claim must be given within one year of the date of loss, and a supplemental claim within 18 months.
If a roof was built to the 2007 Florida Building Code or later and 25 percent or more is repaired or replaced, only the repaired portion must meet current code.
The High-Velocity Hurricane Zone, with Florida's strictest roofing rules, is defined as Miami-Dade and Broward counties.

How does Florida license roofing contractors?

The Construction Industry Licensing Board, part of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), licenses roofers. A certified roofing contractor (CC) can work in any jurisdiction in Florida. A registered roofing contractor (RC) can contract only where the local registration was issued.

State law defines a roofing contractor's scope as unlimited in the roofing trade. It includes skylights, roof-deck attachment, some wood sheathing and fascia repair, and roof-to-wall connection improvements done along with a roof covering repair or replacement.

Before you sign, look the license up on the DBPR license search or the DBPR mobile app. DBPR says to ask for the contractor's license information directly. Report unlicensed activity to DBPR's hotline at 866-532-1440.

What does Florida law say about roofers and insurance claims?

Section 489.147 of Florida Statutes targets common storm-claim tactics. A contractor may not offer a homeowner a rebate, gift, gift card, cash, coupon or deductible waiver in exchange for a roof inspection or an insurance claim. A contractor may not interpret policy terms or adjust a claim without a public adjuster license. Repair agreements must come with a good-faith, itemized estimate. Violations carry fines up to $10,000 each, and the law treats paid solicitors' acts as the contractor's own.

For residential property policies issued on or after January 1, 2023, Florida law generally voids any assignment of post-loss insurance benefits. That limits the practice of signing your claim over to a contractor.

Deadlines matter too. Notice of a new or reopened claim is due within one year of the loss, and a supplemental claim within 18 months. For a hurricane, the date of loss is the landfall date.

What does the Florida Building Code require on a reroof?

State law shapes how much of an old roof must be brought up to current code. If a roof was built, repaired or replaced to the 2007 Florida Building Code or later, and 25 percent or more is being redone, only the redone portion must meet current code. Local governments may not amend that exception.

For site-built single-family homes, a roof replacement must include a secondary water barrier and stronger roof-deck attachment. In the wind-borne debris region, homes with an insured or just value of $300,000 or more must also get roof-to-wall connection improvements when the roof is replaced, with retrofits required only when they can be done for about 15 percent of the reroofing cost.

In Miami-Dade and Broward counties, the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) adds stricter roofing sections. The Florida Building Commission says the HVHZ is specifically defined as those two counties. Trade groups trace many of its requirements to the response to Hurricane Andrew.

What protections apply after a hurricane?

Unlicensed contracting is always illegal in Florida. During a state of emergency declared by the governor, it becomes a third-degree felony. DBPR warns that unlicensed contractors may take a deposit and not do the work, skip permits, do work that doesn't meet code, or lack liability insurance.

Deposits are regulated. A contractor who receives more than 10 percent of the contract price must apply for permits within 30 days and start work within 90 days after permits are issued, unless there is just cause or you agreed in writing to a longer period. Violations are crimes graded by the amount taken.

See our city pages for Miami, Tampa, Orlando and Jacksonville.

How to choose a provider in Florida

Look up the roofing license on MyFloridaLicense.com and confirm it is active.
Check whether it is certified (CC, statewide) or registered (RC, local only), and that a registered license covers your city or county.
Ask for proof of general liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage.
Get a good-faith, itemized estimate in writing before signing any repair agreement.
Refuse any gift, cash or deductible waiver tied to an inspection or claim.
Don't let a roofer adjust your claim unless they hold a public adjuster license.
If you pay a deposit over 10 percent, note the 30-day permit and 90-day start deadlines.
Confirm the permit is pulled and inspections are scheduled.
Report your claim within one year of the loss.

Roofing in Florida cities

Questions people ask

How do I check a roofer's license in Florida?

Use the DBPR license search at MyFloridaLicense.com, the DBPR mobile app, or call (850) 487-1395. You can search by name, license number, city or county, or license type.

What is the difference between a CC and RC roofing license?

A certified roofing contractor (CC) can work anywhere in Florida. A registered roofing contractor (RC) can contract only in the local jurisdictions where the registration was issued.

Can a Florida roofer offer me a gift card or pay my deductible?

No. Florida law bars contractors from offering rebates, gifts, gift cards, cash, coupons or deductible waivers in exchange for a roof inspection or claim. Fines run up to $10,000 per violation.

Can my roofer negotiate with my insurance company?

A contractor may not interpret policy terms or adjust a claim for you unless they hold a Florida public adjuster license. You can deal with your insurer directly.

How long do I have to file a roof claim in Florida?

Notice of a new or reopened claim must be given within one year of the date of loss. A supplemental claim is due within 18 months. For hurricanes, the date of loss is the landfall date.

What is Florida's 25 percent roof rule?

If a roof was built to the 2007 Florida Building Code or later and 25 percent or more is repaired or replaced, only that portion must meet current code. Local governments can't amend that exception.

What happens to unlicensed roofers after a hurricane?

Unlicensed contracting during a governor-declared state of emergency is a third-degree felony in Florida. Report it to DBPR's unlicensed activity hotline at 866-532-1440.

Sources

This guide was written by our editorial team from the public sources listed above. It is general information, not legal advice; confirm licensing and terms directly with any provider.

Hiring a roofer in Florida: licenses, code rules and claim laws