Roofing Contractor License Requirements in Georgia

Overview — roofing licensing in Georgia

Georgia does not issue a state-level roofing contractor license. Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors does not specifically license roofing. Roofing falls under general contracting if the project exceeds $2,500.. Most Georgia cities still require local contractor registration and per-job permits, and federal lead-paint / refrigerant rules apply regardless of state licensure. The absence of a state license does not mean "no rules".

License classes available

Georgia offers 2 roofing license classes — pick based on the largest project you plan to bid:

• Residential Light Commercial Contractor. Required if the project (including roofing) is over $2,500. Allows residential and light commercial work up to 3 stories.
• General Contractor. Required for any project over $2,500 not limited by structure type. Covers all roofing situations.

Experience required

Residential: 2 years construction experience. General: 4 years. Documented via signed statements and ideally tax records (W-2 / 1099).

Exam — what you're tested on

Georgia requires a written examination administered by PSI Services. Topics covered:

• Georgia construction trade knowledge
• Business and project management
• Construction law
• Building code (GA Building Code for Residential)

Passing score: 75%.

Fees

• Application fee: $200
• Initial license fee: $100
• Renewal fee: $75 ( biennial)

Bond & insurance

Bond: Not required at the state level.

General liability insurance: Minimum $500,000.

Workers' compensation: Required for any employer with 3+ employees in GA. Sole proprietors and small crews under 3 are exempt by statute but most carry coverage.

Commercial auto: Commercial auto required for company vehicles.

Continuing education

Georgia requires 12 hours of continuing education every 2 years. CE must come from approved providers — verify a course is approved before paying. Required topics typically include:

• GA building code updates
• Business and law

Reciprocity with other states

Georgia has reciprocity agreements with: AL, LA, MS, TN, SC, NC, FL. Reciprocity typically waives the trade exam if you hold an equivalent license in good standing in the reciprocal state for at least one year. Each state still requires its own application and business/law exam.

Local permits and requirements

Atlanta, Savannah, Augusta, and most metro counties require building permits per re-roof. Atlanta requires a separate city-level home-improvement registration.

Common gotchas

Things that catch most applicants on their first license cycle in Georgia:

• The $2,500 threshold catches many pros — once a single job exceeds that, you need state licensing for that job. Doing a $5,000 roof without licensing is a violation.
• Reciprocity is generous in the Southeast — GA license can simplify entry into FL, AL, NC, SC, MS, TN, LA via partial reciprocity (varies by state).
• Atlanta's home-improvement contractor registration is on top of state licensing — easily missed for first ATL jobs.
• Workers' comp 3-employee threshold is unusual; GA contractors lean on this exemption but lose it the moment they cross 3.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a Georgia license for a $2,000 roof repair job?

No — GA's threshold is $2,500. Single jobs at or below that don't require a state license. But if your aggregate work for the same client exceeds $2,500 in 12 months, you need to be licensed.

Can a Georgia residential contractor do commercial roofing?

Up to light commercial (under 3 stories, under specific square-footage caps). Anything bigger requires the General Contractor license.

Does Georgia have reciprocity with Florida for roofing?

Partial. Florida's CCC (Certified Roofing Contractor) reciprocates with Georgia residential general — meaning GA contractors can apply for FL licensing without retaking the trade exam if they have a clean GA record. Each state still requires its own application + business law exam.

How long does Georgia residential contractor licensing take?

Application processing: 30–45 days. Exam queue: 2–6 weeks. Total: 8–14 weeks from start to active license.

Is the Georgia 12-hour CE requirement strictly enforced?

Yes — failure to complete CE before renewal means automatic suspension. The board does random audits of CE completion records. Keep certificates for at least 5 years.