Roofing Contractors in Texas: What to Check

Texas does not require a state-issued license for roofing contractors, so you have to check a roofer yourself. Confirm insurance, a local address and references, ask your city whether a permit and contractor registration are required, and get several written bids. State law does make it illegal for a contractor to offer to waive or rebate your insurance deductible, and the Texas Department of Insurance tells homeowners to report anyone who does.

Who licenses roofing providers in Texas

No state roofing license in Texas (TDLR does not regulate roofing). Texas does not require a state-issued license for reroofing contractors, and roofing is not among the programs the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation oversees. There is no state roofing license number to look up. You can confirm a company is a registered Texas business entity through the Comptroller's franchise tax account search, and check permit and contractor-registration rules with your city's building department.

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Key facts for Texas

A 2025 Texas House bill analysis states that Texas does not currently require a state-issued license for reroofing contractors.
House Bill 3344, which would have had TDLR license reroofing contractors, cleared a House committee in May 2025, but the Legislature's records show no floor vote.
Since September 1, 2019, it has been illegal in Texas for contractors or roofers to offer to waive a deductible or promise a rebate for it, with penalties of up to a $2,000 fine and six months in jail.
TDI says that after a declared disaster, it is against the law for contractors from outside the area to ask for payment before they start work.
In the first tier of Gulf coast counties and parts of Harris County east of State Highway 146, TDI inspects windstorm repairs and issues a Certificate of Compliance, Form WPI-8.
The Mayfest hailstorm of May 5, 1995 dropped hail up to softball size and caused about $2 billion in damage in Tarrant and Dallas counties, according to NWS Fort Worth.
A 6.416-inch hailstone found near Hondo on April 28, 2021 was certified as Texas's first official state hailstone record by a NOAA climate extremes committee.

Does Texas license roofing contractors?

No. A 2025 bill analysis prepared for the Texas House states plainly that Texas does not currently require a state-issued license for reroofing contractors. The bill, HB 3344, would have created a reroofing license under the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. The author cited concerns about consumer protection and inconsistent quality. The bill cleared committee, but legislative records show no further action.

If a roofer says they are licensed, ask what the credential is and who issued it. There is no state roofing license behind that word in Texas.

What you can check: your city's permit rules and contractor registration, the contractor's insurance certificates, a permanent local address and references. Texas regulators also suggest asking whether a contractor belongs to an industry association.

What does Texas law say about deductibles and storm contractors?

Texas made it illegal, starting September 1, 2019, for contractors or roofers to offer to waive a deductible or promise a rebate for all or part of it. Violators face up to a $2,000 fine and up to six months in jail. TDI says to report any such offer to the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-621-0508.

TDI also warns about storm-chasing contractors. Its guidance says to work with local companies when possible, get bids in writing and check references. After a declared disaster, TDI says, it is against the law for contractors from outside your area to ask for payment before they start work.

The Office of Public Insurance Counsel, a state agency, adds that you should be wary of paying before work begins, never sign a contract with blanks, and get warranty terms in writing.

What changes on the Texas coast?

In the first row of Texas counties along the Gulf of Mexico, and in Harris County east of State Highway 146 (La Porte, Morgan's Point, Pasadena, Seabrook and Shore Acres), TDI inspects windstorm repairs. If they comply with the building code, TDI issues a Certificate of Compliance, Form WPI-8, to the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association.

TDI's advice for those areas: verify that the repair is eligible for a WPI-8 before work starts, and don't make the final payment until the contractor finishes and the certificate is issued. TDI lists contractors who aren't familiar with the Windstorm Inspections Program as a red flag.

Where is hail a major roofing risk in Texas?

Hail hits much of the state. The National Weather Service's Fort Worth office calls the 1995 Mayfest storm one of the costliest hailstorms in history, with about $2 billion in damage in Tarrant and Dallas counties. A 2016 storm north of downtown San Antonio produced hail up to 4.5 inches and damage the NWS estimated around $1.36 billion.

Storms also bring wind. NWS Houston says a May 16, 2024 derecho sent a swath of 100-plus mph winds through the Houston metro. See our city pages for Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and Austin.

How to choose a provider in Texas

Don't take "licensed" at face value in Texas. Ask what credential the roofer holds and who issued it.
Ask your city whether the job needs a permit and whether the roofer must be registered to pull it.
Get liability insurance and workers' compensation certificates, and confirm they are current.
Confirm a physical local address. TDI flags contractors with only out-of-state references.
Get at least three written bids, as TDI recommends.
Reject any offer to waive or rebate your deductible, and report it to the Attorney General.
Never sign a contract with blanks or one that ties the price to whatever insurance pays.
On the coast, confirm the roofer knows the WPI-8 windstorm inspection process before work starts.
Hold the final payment until the work is done and, where it applies, the WPI-8 is issued.

Roofing in Texas cities

Questions people ask

Do roofers need a license in Texas?

No. Texas does not require a state-issued license for reroofing contractors, and TDLR does not regulate roofing. Some cities require contractor registration to pull permits, so check with your local building department.

Is it legal for a Texas roofer to cover my deductible?

No. Since September 1, 2019, it has been illegal for contractors or roofers to offer to waive a deductible or promise a rebate for it. Violators face up to a $2,000 fine and six months in jail. Report offers to the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-621-0508.

How do I check out a roofer if there's no license?

Ask for insurance certificates, references and a local address, and search for complaints. You can confirm the company is a registered Texas business entity through the Comptroller's franchise tax account search. Ask your city whether the roofer is registered to pull permits.

Can an out-of-town roofer ask for money before starting?

TDI says that after a declared disaster, it is against the law for contractors from outside your area to request payment before starting work. In any case, TDI warns against paying in full up front.

What is a WPI-8?

It is a Certificate of Compliance that TDI issues after inspecting windstorm repairs in designated coastal areas. TDI issues it to the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association. TDI says not to make the final payment until it is issued.

Where do I report a roofing scam in Texas?

TDI's fraud unit takes reports at fraudunit@tdi.texas.gov. Deductible-waiver offers go to the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-621-0508. For insurance questions, the TDI Help Line is 800-252-3439.

Did Texas pass a roofing license law in 2025?

Legislative records show HB 3344 cleared the House Trade, Workforce and Economic Development Committee in May 2025 and was sent to the Calendars committee. They show no floor vote, Senate action or signature.

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 Texas: what homeowners should check first