Licensing Guides
State Roofing License: How to Become a Roofing Contractor in West Virginia
Roofing, WV
Table of Contents
Roofing License Requirements in West Virginia
Who Issues Roofing Licenses in West Virginia?
Types of Roofing Licenses in West Virginia
Steps to Get a Roofing License in West Virginia
How Much Does it Cost to Get a Roofing License in West Virginia?
How Long Does it Take to Get a Roofing License in West Virginia?
West Virginia Roofer Training Programs and Schools
West Virginia Roofing Licensing Exam Details
Do I Need to Renew My West Virginia Roofing License?
Continuing Education
Does West Virginia Reciprocate Roofing Licenses?
National Roofing Certifications
We all need a good roof over our heads, so the people 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 proof of insurance coverage to back up that essential work.
There are 168,100 roofers nationwide, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and West Virginia employs 460 of them. The national number is projected to grow 6% by 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 West Virginia is slightly higher than the national average at 7% for roofers.
If you’re thinking about starting a roofing contracting business or you want a job in the roofing industry, you need to know the requirements and licensing process in your state or local jurisdiction. This guide will help you determine what you need to get started in the state of West Virginia
Roofing License Requirements in West Virginia
According to the West Virginia Contractor Licensing Act, a general contractor license is required to perform any residential construction work valued higher than $5,000 or commercial contracting work valued higher than $25,000, including roofing.
Licensing requirements include:
Pass a Business and Law and classification exam.
Obtain a business registration tax number from the West Virginia State Tax Department.
Register with the West Virginia Secretary of State for a business license.
Obtain general liability insurance, as well as workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance if you intend to employ anyone.
Commercial roofers with employees must post a wage bond with the West Virginia Division of Labor.
Who Issues Roofing Licenses in West Virginia?
The West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board oversees licensing in the state, including for roofers.
Types of Roofing Licenses in West Virginia
Roofers must get a Specialty Contractor license for their scope of work. According to West Virginia Code, a Specialty Contractor is defined as “a person who engages in specialty contracting services which do not substantially fall within the scope of any contractor classification.”
Other contractor license classifications in West Virginia include:
General Building Contractor: Per West Virginia Code, “A person whose principal business is in connection with any structures built, being built, or to be built for the support, shelter, and enclosure of persons, animals, chattels, or movable property of any kind, requiring in the construction the use of more than two contractor classifications, or a person who supervises the whole, or any part, of the construction.”
Multi-Family Contractor: “A person who is engaged in construction, repair, or improvement of a multi-family residential structure.”
Remodeling and Repair Contractor: “A contractor whose principal business is the general remodeling, additions, and repairs to existing structures requiring the use of two or more classifications where the cost of the undertaking does not exceed $40,000 and includes all rough and finish general carpentry work, the installation of related hardware and accessories, and all minor repairs and replacement of pre-manufactured items on existing structures.”
Residential Contractor: “A person whose principal business is in connection with construction, repair, or improvement of real property used as, or intended to be used for, residential occupancy.”
Steps to Get a Roofing License in West Virginia
To obtain a Specialty Contractor license in West Virginia, follow these steps:
1. Email the West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board to verify the classification and exams required for obtaining your contractor license.
2. Schedule to take license exams with ProV, Inc.
3. Obtain a business registration tax number from the West Virginia State Tax Department and register with the West Virginia Secretary of State.
4. Acquire general liability insurance. If you have employees, obtain workers’ compensation and unemployment compensation insurance. Post a bond if you intend to do commercial work and have employees.
5. Fill out the contractor license application online or download a fillable PDF to submit via email, mail, or fax with a $90 licensing fee.
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 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 West Virginia?
There’s a $90 application fee, and each exam costs $59.95, making the total cost $209.90. There will be additional expenses associated with obtaining the required insurance and bond.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Roofing License in West Virginia?
With no advanced education or experience requirements for contractor licensing in West Virginia, it’s a quick process to complete the application process and receive a license. Once an application is processed by the Contractor Licensing Board, the license is mailed within 24 hours.
West Virginia 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 West Virginia that offer these types of programs.
Here are a few options:
Mountwest Technical College (MCTC) | Huntington | Apprentice Readiness Program — 9 weeks
West Virginia University Institute of Technology | Beckley | BS in Construction Management — 4 years
Wheeling University | Wheeling | Construction Management Essentials Certificate — 1 year
West Virginia Roofing Licensing Exam Details
Roofing contractors have to take the Business and Law exam and a classification exam that covers building codes and more. Each one costs $59.95.
Do I Need to Renew My West Virginia Roofing License?
Yes, West Virginia contractor licenses must be renewed annually for a $90 fee. You can renew online with a credit card, in person at the Charleston office, or mail a check or money order along with the renewal form to WV Contractor Licensing Board, 1900 Kanawha Boulevard East, State Capitol Complex - Building 3, Room 200, Charleston, WV 25305.
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Continuing Education
There are no continuing education requirements for licensure in West Virginia.
Does West Virginia Reciprocate Roofing Licenses?
West Virginia has reciprocity agreements with Tennessee for the General Building, Multi-Family, and Residential classifications. The Contractor Licensing Board also accepts the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors administered by PSI Services Inc. in place of the classification exam. Applicants are still required to pass the West Virginia Business and Law exam and meet all other requirements.
National and State Roofing Certifications
Other certifications can help you demonstrate your proficiency to potential employers and clients. The National Association of Roofing Contractors offers certification. 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 West Virginia through one of the industry associations in the state, like the Contractors Association of West Virginia or Home Builders Association of West Virginia.
Resources
You can stay up to date on all roofing industry news several ways:
Check top roofing blogs, including ServiceTitan’s blog.
Read about the latest industry trends, and discover ideas on how to grow your roofing business.
Listen to top roofing podcasts like ServiceTitan’s “Toolbox for the Trades” podcast.
There are state licensing requirements and licensing boards for other trades, too. You can find out more about how to get an HVAC, plumbing contractor, general contractor, or electrician license in West Virginia, or in any of the other 49 states and the District of Columbia through the ServiceTitan Licensing Hub.
