Licensing Guides

State Roofing License: How to Become a Roofing Contractor in Kentucky

category-iconRoofing, KY

Table of Contents

  1. Roofing License Requirements in Kentucky

  2. Types of Roofing Licenses in Kentucky

  3. Steps to Get a Roofing License in Kentucky

  4. Benefits of Getting a Roofing Contractor License in Kentucky

  5. What Is the Mean Salary for a Roofer in Kentucky?

  6. How Much Does It Cost to Get a Roofing License in Kentucky?

  7. How to Get a Roofing License in Kentucky

  8. How Long Does it Take to Get a Roofing License in Kentucky?

  9. Kentucky Roofer Training Programs and Schools

  10. Kentucky Roofing Licensing Exam Details

  11. Who Issues Roofing Licenses in Kentucky?

  12. Do I Need to Renew My Kentucky Roofing License?

  13. Continuing Education

  14. Does Kentucky Reciprocate Roofing Licenses?

  15. Does My Kentucky Roofing Contractor License Work in Any Other State?

  16. National Roofing Certifications

  17. Other Requirements Unique to Kentucky

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We all need a good roof over our heads, so the workers who build and maintain that part of our homes need to know what they’re doing. Many states require roofers to be licensed. Others simply require solid insurance to back up that essential work. 

No Kentucky state license is required for roofing, but many roofers seek certification from the Kentucky Roofing Contractors Association (KRCA) to demonstrate their commitment to providing quality workmanship.

There are 135,140 roofers nationwide according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Kentucky employs 1,000 of them. The national number is projected to grow 6% from 2023 to 2033, adding more than 13,000 of these skilled workers to the ranks. According to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website, the projected growth rate in Kentucky is 1%.

If you’re thinking about starting a roofing business or you want a job in the field, you need to know the requirements in your state or local jurisdiction. This guide will help you determine what you need to know to get started. 

Roofing License Requirements in Kentucky

In Kentucky, no licensure is required to perform roofing work at the state level. Kentucky issues HVAC licenses, electrical contractor licenses, plumber licenses, and a few others through the Kentucky Public Protection Cabinet of the Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction.

For roofers, however, the KRCA issues roofing certifications to contractors who demonstrate:

  • Minimum $1 million general liability insurance

  • Workers’ compensation insurance

  • Minimum $10,000 judgment bond

  • Commitment to the KRCA Code of Ethics

  • Participation in extensive continuing education

Also, some cities and counties require local licensing or permits to install or remove a roof on a residential home or commercial property.

For instance, in the city of Louisville, roofers must apply for a permit before re-roofing a home or business or installing a new roof. In Bowling Green, any person engaging in the business of a general contractor or a specialty contractor within Bowling Green-Warren County must seek a contractor’s license from the Bowling Green Contractors Licensing Board.

Make sure to check local contractor license requirements in the city or town where you intend to perform roofing work.

Types of Roofing Licenses in Kentucky

There is no state-level Kentucky contractor license for roofers. People working in the industry can become a certified contractor with the KRCA, a nonprofit trade association promoting professional roofers with honesty, integrity, and dependability. KRCA represents the Kentucky roofing industry, which includes contractors, manufacturers, distributors, architects, and roof consultants.

In the city of Louisville, if a contractor or subcontractors are to be employed for a building project, they must have a current Louisville license and be listed on the building permit application. Applicable licenses for roofing contractors include:

  • License A – One or more permitted projects in the span of a calendar year from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31

    • Building A-R (Residential)

    • Building A-RC (Residential and Commercial)

    • Building A-C (Commercial)

  • License B – Only one permitted project in the span of a calendar year from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31

    • Building B – Residential

    • Building B – Commercial

  • For Building A-R, Building A-RC, and Building B – Residential licensing, contractors must complete six continuing education units (CEUs) per year from the list of approved online classes.

In Bowling Green, a "general contractor" refers to a contractor whose business operations require the use of more than two unrelated building trades or crafts that the contractor supervises or performs. A "specialty contractor" refers to any person providing special skills involving the use of specialized building trades or crafts, such as electricians and plumbers.

  • A general contractor’s license is required for anyone doing any type of general contract work in Bowling Green/Warren County, including pulling permits for building or remodeling, construction management, or when employing two or more subcontractors per job.

  • A specialty contractor license is required for anyone doing any type of subcontract work in Bowling Green/Warren County or who employs a maximum of one subcontractor per job.

Steps to Get a Roofing License in Kentucky

KRCA

To become a certified contractor with KRCA, members must annually:

  • Provide evidence they carry a minimum of $1 million in liability insurance.

  • Post a $10,000 surety bond for protection against claims of shoddy, incomplete work, or allegations of theft and fraud.

  • Attend at least 10 hours of approved continuing education annually.

  • Sign and agree to abide by a strict code of ethics.

For more information about joining KRCA visit the website. You can also call (502) 721-7898 or write to:

KRCA P.O. Box 33323 Louisville, KY 40232-3323

Louisville

To obtain a building contractor’s license in Louisville, applicants must provide:

An applicant must also provide local, state, and federal tax numbers and comply with local, state, and federal ordinances.

Bowling Green

To obtain a general contractor or specialty contractor license in Bowling Green, applicants must:

  • Fill out a contractor’s license application form, and furnish the Contractors Licensing Board a certificate of insurance with the Contractors Licensing Board listed as the certificate holder. This includes:

    • General liability insurance with a minimum of $100,000 per occurrence.

    • If you employ roofers, your certificate of insurance must indicate your workers’ compensation coverage.

    • If you do not have employees, contact the Contractors Licensing Board for an affidavit of exemption, which must be signed and notarized.

    • If you’re applying as a partnership, you must sign and notarize a Partnership Agreement.

Benefits of Getting a Roofing Contractor License in Kentucky

There are many benefits to getting certified by the KRCA or obtaining licensing at the municipality level, such as:

  • First, and most important, many cities and towns require a contractor license to legally perform roofing services.

  • Certification proves your experience, honesty, and integrity in the roofing industry.

  • Only certified or licensed contractors can:

  • Operate a business and advertise roofing services

  • Obtain commercial insurance

  • Pull building permits

  • Pass inspections

  • Bid on public and government projects

  • Being properly certified or licensed protects your company and customers.

  • Certification and licensing gives you a competitive advantage in the job market.

  • It also increases your earning potential.

What Is the Mean Salary for a Roofer in Kentucky?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the annual mean pay for roofers nationally as $53,030, and $47,450 for those in Kentucky. That salary, as you might expect, increases as you acquire more experience.

According to Indeed.com, the average wage for a roofer in Kentucky is $21.06 per hour with $6,375 of overtime per year, totaling $53,332 for a full-time roofer per year.

Pay ranges can vary widely, depending on the city and many other important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession. 

What Business Owners Need to Know

Getting the most out of a roofing technician, no matter where they are in their licensing journey, takes work. ServiceTitan’s cloud-based, all-in-one roofing software gives technicians and business owners the technology they need to do the work efficiently, and the data they need to do it smartly. 

ServiceTitan features:

  • SMS communications that keep customers informed about the technician’s visit.

  • Location-specific service history, including recorded calls, accessible from the mobile app.

  • Required forms that ensure every job is done right, driving consistency.

  • The ability to build multi-option proposals with photos, on-site, in minutes.

  • Sales presentations that make conversations with customers easier and drive up the average ticket.

  • Mobile payment acceptance, eliminating lost checks and increasing cash flow.

To learn more, schedule a demo with a product expert today.

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Roofing License in Kentucky?

Getting started in the roofing field in Kentucky is relatively affordable. Since there is no requirement for higher education, people entering the field can learn on the job.

There is also the expense of securing the various types of insurance required for licensure, but that is primarily done by the contracting company, so this will only affect you if you open your own business.

To become a certified contractor member of KRCA, membership fees are based on annual sales:

  • Less than $1 million: $475

  • $1-3 million: $575

  • Over $3 million: $675

KRCA also offers annual memberships to Associates (suppliers, manufacturers, independent reps, and agents) for $575, and to Affiliates, Architects, Engineers, and Consultants for $300.

Louisville

  • License A: $125 per year for obtaining more than four permits a year

  • License B: $50 per year

Bowling Green

  • General contractors license: $250

  • Specialty contractors license: $100

How to Get a Roofing License in Kentucky

To earn certification from the KRCA, roofing contractors must provide a certificate of insurance for liability, proof of liability for workers’ compensation insurance, a surety bond, agree to the KRCA Code of Ethics, and pursue continuing education.

To receive a building contractor’s license in Louisville, applicants must show proof of general liability insurance, workers’ compensation insurance, unemployment insurance, an occupational license number from the Revenue Commission of Jefferson County, and submit a contractor’s license application.

To obtain a general contractor or specialty contractor license in Bowling Green, applicants must submit a contractor’s license application, a certificate of insurance for general liability, and workers’ compensation insurance.

Insurance

To become a KRCA certified contractor, roofers must show proof of $1 million (minimum) general liability insurance coverage, $10,000 surety bond, and workers’ compensation insurance.

The cities of Bowling Green and Louisville also require liability, workers’ compensation, and unemployment insurance.

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How Long Does It Take to Get a Roofing License in Kentucky?

Since there are no formal education or licensing requirements in Kentucky, there’s no set length of time to become a roofer. If you choose to pursue a roofing apprenticeship or formal education, the time for completion varies depending on the program.

Kentucky Roofer Training Programs and Schools 

If you choose to start your career path at a college or university, you can pursue a degree in construction management or construction engineering. There are many higher education options throughout The Bluegrass State that offer these types of programs.

Here are some options:

Eastern Kentucky University | Richmond BS Construction Management Degree — 4 years Online Construction Management Graduate Certificate — 12 hours

Kentucky Community and Technical College System | Versailles AAS Construction Management — 60 hours

Northern Kentucky University | Highland Heights BS Construction Management Degree — 4 years

Western Kentucky University | Bowling Green BS Construction Management Degree — 4 years

Kentucky Roofing Licensing Exam Details

There is no exam requirement for roofers in Kentucky.

Who Issues Roofing Licenses in Kentucky?

Although Kentucky contractor licenses are required for HVAC, plumbing, and electrical contractors, roofing contractors do not obtain state licenses. Instead, they can become a certified contractor with the Kentucky Roofing Contractors Association and many local jurisdictions require some type of llicense, registration, or at a minimum permitting.

Do I Need to Renew My Kentucky Roofing License?

The KRCA contractor certification is valid for one year and must be renewed annually.

The Louisville building contractor license is valid for one year and must be renewed annually. Renewal applications must include: current liability insurance, continuing education for residential contractors, workers’ comp form, subcontractor list, and a check for $125.

The Bowling Green general contractor and specialty contractors licenses are valid for one year and must be renewed annually. The licensee must provide proof of compliance with Kentucky's workers' compensation and unemployment insurance laws, proof of construction liability insurance, and proof of compliance with all local ordinances and regulations. A general contractors license renewal costs $250, and a specialty contractors license renewal costs $100.

Continuing Education

Unlike for mechanical contractors, electrical contractors, and refrigeration, sheet metal, and hydronics professionals, there are no continuing education requirements to maintain a business license as a roofer in the state of Kentucky.

Does Kentucky Reciprocate Roofing Licenses?

Kentucky does not hold reciprocal license agreements for general contractors or roofers with any other state. Most businesses operating in Kentucky are required by law to register with the Office of the Secretary of the State, the Department of Revenue, the Office of Employment Training, the Internal Revenue Service, and with local municipalities to obtain business licenses and permits.

Does My Kentucky Roofing Contractor License Work in Any Other State?

Because Kentucky doesn’t grant a roofing license, Kentucky roofers don’t receive license reciprocity in any other states. 

National Roofing Certifications

Other certifications can help you demonstrate your proficiency to potential employers and clients. The National Association of Roofing Contractors offers certification. It and other professional certifications are not required but can add to your marketability and therefore increase your opportunity to make more money. You can also learn more about certification and roofing in Kentucky through the Kentucky Roofing Contractors Association.

Other Requirements Unique to Kentucky

Kentucky promotes asphalt roofing shingle recycling, and several recyclers in the state process asphalt shingles. Some roofing products may have contained asbestos until the early 1980s, and those disposing of shingles with asbestos must check with the recycling company to determine whether a permit is needed.

Resources

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