State contractor license
$25,000+
required at this job size, all counties
Home improvement license
$3,000–$24,999
only in 9 Tennessee counties
Manufacturer certification
Voluntary
check the maker’s own directory
State rules: Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (checked November 2, 2026).
Roofing contractor certification in Tennessee means two different things, and homeowners often mix them up. The state does not issue a roofing-only license. It licenses contractors by job size: any contractor who bids or contracts a project of $25,000 or more needs a state contractor license, and in nine counties a separate home improvement license covers residential jobs from $3,000 to $24,999.
Manufacturer certifications, such as GAF’s, are something else: voluntary programs run by the shingle makers, often tied to the warranties a roofer can offer. This guide explains what each one means, how to check it, and what else to ask before you hire a roofer in West Tennessee.
If you are planning work on your home, our residential roofing page explains how we inspect, quote and install, starting with a free inspection.
A finished shingle roof on a two-story home. The roof looks the same whoever installed it; the paperwork behind the contractor is what differs.
Does Tennessee License Roofing Contractors?
Yes, by the size of the job rather than by trade. The Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors says a contractor’s license is required before contracting, including bidding, offering to engage or negotiating a price, on projects of $25,000 or more. That applies to a prime contractor who deals with the owner directly. It also covers subcontractors doing roofing work when their share of a project is $25,000 or more, counting materials, equipment and labor.
To get that license, the company’s qualifying agent has to pass Tennessee’s open-book “Business and Law” exam, and some license classifications add a trade exam. So a state license tells you the company has met the board’s business and legal requirements. It is a floor, not a measure of how well someone installs a roof.
Because many residential reroofs come in under $25,000, a roofer can legally do a lot of home work in most of the state without that license. That is why the other checks in this guide matter.
The Home Improvement License and Which Counties Need It
Tennessee also has a home improvement license for residential remodeling projects from $3,000 to $24,999. The board defines home improvement to include repair, replacement and remodeling of a home, and it names roofing in that definition. But it only applies in counties that have adopted the law. Right now, according to the board, those are:
| County | County | County |
|---|---|---|
| Bradley | Davidson | Hamilton |
| Haywood | Knox | Marion |
| Robertson | Rutherford | Shelby |
Madison, Gibson and Dyer Counties are not on that list, so a roof repair or reroof under $25,000 in Jackson, Milan, Humboldt or Dyersburg does not need the state home improvement license. Haywood and Shelby Counties, to the southwest, do. Where the license applies, the board requires a $10,000 surety bond and proof of general liability and workers’ compensation insurance.
Your city or county may also require a business license or a building permit for a reroof. Those rules are local, so check with your city before work starts, or ask the roofer how they handle it.
How to Check a Roofer’s Tennessee License
The state keeps a public lookup. On the board’s Verify a License page you can search by company name or license number and see whether the license is active and what it covers. The board also lists disciplinary actions and takes complaints.
A few things worth checking while you are there:
- The name matches. The license should be in the name of the company on your estimate and contract, not a different business.
- It is active. An expired or suspended license is not a license.
- The classification fits the work. The lookup shows what the license covers. If it reads like a different trade entirely, ask why.
What a Manufacturer Certification Means
When a roofer says they are “certified,” they usually mean a shingle manufacturer’s program. GAF, Owens Corning and CertainTeed each run one, and all are voluntary.
The manufacturer sets the entry requirements, which generally include proof of licensing where required and insurance, and the programs have tiers. Higher tiers usually let a contractor register a roof for a stronger warranty that covers more than the shingles alone.
Two practical points:
- Ask which program and which tier. “Certified” covers several levels, and the warranty options differ between them.
- Check the manufacturer’s own directory. Each maker has an online contractor finder. If a roofer claims a certification, the company should appear there under the same name.
A manufacturer certification tells you the roofer works with that product line and meets the program’s standards. It does not replace a state license, and it does not cover workmanship by itself unless the warranty registered on your roof says so. Read the warranty paperwork you are given.
A shingle roof on a single-story brick home. Ask whose warranty covers the shingles and whose covers the installation.
Insurance: The Credential That Protects You
Of everything on this list, insurance is the one that protects you directly. Two kinds matter:
- General liability pays for damage the roofer causes to your home or property, such as a leak during the job or a dropped bundle through a skylight.
- Workers’ compensation covers a worker who is hurt on your roof. Roofing is dangerous work, and you do not want an injury claim landing on your homeowners policy.
The Federal Trade Commission’s advice on hiring a contractor is to consider only contractors who are licensed and insured, and to ask for proof of insurance (FTC, How To Avoid a Home Improvement Scam, July 2022). A certificate of insurance sent straight from the roofer’s agent is better than a photocopy.
What to Check Before You Sign
The FTC lists what a home improvement contract should include and the warning signs of a scam. In roofing terms:
- A written contract with the contractor’s name, address, phone number and license number, an estimated start and finish date, and every promise made in conversation, with no blank spaces.
- A payment schedule that does not ask for the whole job up front. The FTC says never to make the final payment until the work is done and you are satisfied.
- Your right to cancel. If you sign at home rather than at the company’s place of business, the contract should include a written statement of your right to cancel within three business days.
- No door-to-door pressure. The FTC flags contractors who knock on doors looking for work, push for an immediate decision, or only take cash. After a storm, these are worth remembering.
Our Credentials
Crawford Residential and Industrial Repair is a family-owned roofing company based in Jackson and roofing West Tennessee since 2012. We are licensed and insured, and we are GAF certified, which allows enhanced warranty options on qualifying installations. Every job starts with a free inspection and a written estimate before any work begins, and we photograph what we find so you can see it for yourself.
We work on homes across Madison, Gibson and Dyer Counties, including Medina, Trenton and Henderson. Ask us for our license and insurance details when we come out; we are glad to show them. To get started, see our residential roofing services or request a free inspection below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do roofers need a license in Tennessee?
Tennessee has no roofing-only license. A state contractor license is required for any project of $25,000 or more, including roofing subcontract work of that size. In nine counties, a home improvement license also covers residential jobs from $3,000 to $24,999.
Do I need a licensed roofer in Madison County, Tennessee?
For jobs of $25,000 or more, yes: the state contractor license applies in every county. Madison, Gibson and Dyer Counties have not adopted the home improvement license, so smaller residential jobs there do not need it, though your city may require a business license or permit.
How do I check if a roofer is licensed in Tennessee?
Use the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors Verify a License search on tn.gov. Search by company name or license number and confirm the license is active, in the same name as your estimate, and covers the kind of work you are hiring for.
Is a GAF certified roofer better?
A GAF certification means the roofer meets GAF's program requirements and can offer GAF warranty options that depend on the certification tier. It is a useful sign, but it does not replace a state license or proof of insurance. Check the roofer appears in GAF's own contractor directory.
What insurance should a roofing contractor have?
General liability insurance for damage to your property and workers' compensation for injuries to the crew. Ask for a certificate of insurance, ideally sent directly from the roofer's insurance agent.
Should I pay a roofer up front?
Not in full. The FTC advises against paying the full amount up front and says never to make the final payment until the work is done and you are satisfied. A written payment schedule tied to the work is normal.