Quick answer: No. As of October 2026, Texas does not require roofing contractors to hold a state roofing license, and the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) does not license roofers. The only “roofing license” in Texas is a voluntary credential from the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas (RCAT), which you can look up free in the RCAT directory. Many cities, including Abilene, Lubbock, Midland and San Angelo, also require contractors to register with the city before they can pull a permit.
Hail is the main reason West Texas homeowners replace a roof. After a big storm, out-of-town trucks show up fast. Some do good work. Some take a deposit and leave. With no state license, nobody screens a roofer for you. This guide shows you how to check one yourself and which Texas laws protect you during an insurance claim.
In this guide
How to check a roofer before you hire
Step 1: Get the full business name and a local address
Ask for the legal company name, a physical address and a phone number. Drive by or look it up on a map. A P.O. box or a hotel room is not a business address. The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) also warns that a local address does not always mean the company is local.
Step 2: Confirm city registration
If you live inside city limits, call the city building inspections office and ask if the roofer is a registered contractor. In cities that require registration, an unregistered contractor cannot pull a roofing permit.
Step 3: Search the RCAT directory
Search the RCAT directory by ZIP code, or call RCAT at (800) 997-6631. The directory lists RCAT members and RCAT licensed contractors. Not being listed does not mean a roofer is bad. Being listed is one more data point.
Step 4: Ask for proof of insurance
Ask for a certificate of general liability insurance and ask whether they carry workers’ compensation. Call the agent on the certificate to confirm the policy is active.
Step 5: Check reviews and complaints
Look the company up with the Better Business Bureau and read recent online reviews. Ask for references from jobs in your area, and call them.
Step 6: Get a written contract and read every line
Get more than one bid. The contract should list materials, scope of work, price, payment schedule and warranty. Never sign a contract with blank spaces. Do not pay for the whole job up front.
What to check and where to check it
| What to check | Where to check it |
|---|---|
| State roofing license | None exists in Texas. TDLR does not license roofers. |
| RCAT license or membership | RCAT directory or (800) 997-6631 |
| City contractor registration | Your city’s building inspections or permit office |
| Roofing permit for your job | Same city office. Ask who pulled the permit. |
| Liability insurance | Certificate from the roofer, then a call to the insurance agent listed |
| Complaints and reviews | BBB, online reviews, local references |
| Public adjuster license (if one is involved) | TDI license lookup |
The RCAT license, explained
The Roofing Contractors Association of Texas is a statewide trade group founded in 1975. It runs a voluntary program called the RCAT Licensed Roofing Contractor program. RCAT states plainly that this “license” is managed by RCAT, not by the state.
What it takes to earn it
- The license holder must be a principal in a roofing company based in Texas for at least two straight years, with a fixed physical location.
- The company must show general liability insurance or the ability to get a bond, at amounts RCAT sets for residential and commercial work.
- The company must show workers’ compensation coverage or a state filing that it does not carry it.
- The applicant must pass a business and safety exam plus a residential and/or commercial roofing exam.
- The license renews each year and requires 8 hours of continuing education.
RCAT licenses individuals, not companies. A company may market itself as “licensed” once a principal qualifies, so ask who holds the license. RCAT itself says the credential does not guarantee a contractor’s work. Treat it as a good sign, then do the other checks.
City registration and roofing permits
With no state license, cities fill part of the gap. Many Texas cities require contractors to register before they can get a building permit, and many require a permit for a roof replacement.
- Abilene: The City of Abilene requires contractors to register with the city. Ask the city’s Building Inspections office to confirm a contractor is registered.
- Lubbock: City code says no permit will be issued to a contractor who is not registered with the building official. Registration requires a $20,000 surety bond and general liability insurance, and it renews every year.
- Midland: The City of Midland has a contractor registration program run through Development Services.
- San Angelo: The city’s contractor registration form covers roofing contractors, and registration renews each calendar year.
Rules and fees change, so call the city office to confirm. If you live outside city limits, city registration may not apply. Ask your county what is required.
Texas insurance claim rules for roofers
Hail roofs are often paid partly by insurance. Texas has specific laws for this.
You must pay your deductible
Texas Insurance Code Section 707.002 says a person insured under a property policy must pay the deductible on a claim. Under Business and Commerce Code Section 27.02, a seller who will be paid from insurance proceeds cannot pay, waive, absorb or rebate your deductible without the insurer’s consent. That offense is a Class B misdemeanor. Your insurer can also ask for reasonable proof that you paid the deductible.
Required notice in the contract
A contract of $1,000 or more that is expected to be paid from a property insurance claim must include a notice in at least 12-point bold type. The notice says Texas law requires you to pay your deductible. If that notice is missing, ask why.
Your roofer cannot act as your public adjuster
Texas Insurance Code Section 4102.163 bars a contractor from acting as a public adjuster, or advertising to adjust claims, on any property where they provide or may provide contracting work. TDI explains that this includes offering to negotiate your settlement or telling your insurer they represent you. Read more on TDI’s page, Roofing and insurance: Know the law.
Three days to cancel a door-to-door deal
Under Business and Commerce Code Chapter 601, if a seller comes to your home and you sign there, you can generally cancel by midnight of the third business day after you sign. The seller must give you notice of this right. Some sales are excluded, so read the notice you are given.
Storm chaser red flags
- An offer to waive, cover or “work with” your deductible.
- A promise to deal with your insurance company for you.
- Pressure to sign today, often on a tablet in your driveway.
- A request for full payment, or a large deposit, before work starts.
- A contract with blank spaces or no written scope of work.
- No local address you can verify, and no references nearby.
- They want you to pull the permit.
Also check any manufacturer certification a roofer claims. Shingle makers run their own contractor programs, often tied to extended warranties. Confirm the certification on the manufacturer’s website, and ask what warranty you will actually get in writing.
Need a roofer in West Texas? Send a free request and we pass it to a participating local roofer. Free, no obligation.
Where to report a problem
- Texas Attorney General, Consumer Protection: file a consumer complaint or call 800-621-0508. TDI lists this number for reporting deductible and public adjusting violations.
- Texas Department of Insurance: questions about your claim or insurer, 800-252-3439, or file an insurance complaint.
- Your city: report unpermitted work to the building inspections office.
- BBB: file a complaint at bbb.org.
Frequently asked questions
Does Texas require a roofing license?
No. Texas does not require a state roofing license, and TDLR does not license roofing contractors. Bills to create a state license, such as House Bill 3344 in 2025, have been filed, but no state license is in place as of October 2026. Many cities require contractor registration and permits.
How do I look up an RCAT license?
Search the RCAT directory at web.rcat.net by ZIP code, or call RCAT at (800) 997-6631 or (512) 251-7690. The directory shows RCAT members and RCAT licensed contractors.
Is an RCAT license the same as a state license?
No. It is a voluntary program run by a private trade association. It requires exams, insurance or bonding, and yearly continuing education, but it is not issued by the state and does not guarantee the work.
Can a roofer pay or waive my insurance deductible in Texas?
No. Texas law requires you to pay your deductible. A seller paid from insurance proceeds who waives, absorbs or rebates it without the insurer’s consent commits a Class B misdemeanor.
Can my roofer talk to my insurance company for me?
A roofer can meet the adjuster and point out damage. Texas law bars a contractor from acting as a public adjuster on a property they work on, which includes negotiating your settlement or saying they represent you.
Can I cancel a roofing contract I signed at my door?
Often, yes. Under Texas Business and Commerce Code Chapter 601, a consumer can generally cancel a home solicitation sale by midnight of the third business day after signing. Some sales are excluded, so read the cancellation notice the seller must give you.
Do I need a permit to replace my roof?
Many Texas cities require one. Call your city building inspections office to ask. Your roofer should pull the permit, and in cities like Lubbock, only a registered contractor can.
Looking for a roofer in your city?
We have a local page for roofers in Abilene. Hiring other trades? See our guide on how to check a plumber’s license in Texas.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Laws, city rules and agency websites can change; confirm with the agency or a Texas attorney before you act.
Pricing a new roof? See our Abilene roof replacement cost guide.