No state roofing license in Texas: what an Austin homeowner can check instead

The license gap, in the Legislature's own words

A 2025 House committee analysis of House Bill 3344, which would have created a reroofing contractor license at the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, begins by stating that Texas does not currently require a state-issued license for reroofing contractors. The bill's history shows its last action as a committee report sent to Calendars on May 8, 2025, and TDLR's list of regulated industries still has no roofing program. The National Roofing Directory's Texas licensing page tracks the local rules that fill in.

Six things you can verify

1. The permit, or the exemption

Central Texas cities disagree about re-roof permits, so ask which rule applies to your address. The City of Austin lists asphalt shingles replacing asphalt shingles as exempt from a building permit unless the property is in the Wildland-Urban Interface area and half or more of the roofing is being replaced. Georgetown requires a permit for a new roof or re-roof inside city limits, while Round Rock does not require one for a residential re-roof. Details are on the Austin, Round Rock and Georgetown and Killeen and Temple pages.

2. Insurance and bond, confirmed at the source

The Texas Department of Insurance suggests asking for the contractor's certificate of insurance and bond certification, then calling the companies listed to confirm the coverage. A certificate emailed to you proves the policy existed on the day it was printed; the call proves it still does.

3. A written contract that meets Texas law

TDI warns homeowners never to sign a contract with blank spaces, and to avoid wording such as "Homeowner agrees to the listed repairs for the value of insurance proceeds," which hands the contractor your entire insurance payment (TDI). When a contract of $1,000 or more is expected to be paid at least partly from an insurance claim, Texas Business and Commerce Code section 27.02 requires it to print a notice, in at least 12-point bold type, that Texas law requires you to pay your deductible.

4. Association membership and the RCAT license

The Roofing Contractors Association of Texas runs a voluntary licensing program that tests individuals on business, safety and roofing, and it says membership and licensing are separate programs. Its Central Texas chapter offers a contractor search by ZIP code, and NRCA keeps a national member directory.

5. Manufacturer programs

Shingle makers run their own contractor programs. The National Roofing Directory's guide to manufacturer certifications lists the tier names each maker publishes and makes the key point: only the manufacturer can confirm that a contractor is currently in its program, so check on the manufacturer's own site.

6. Inspector training

Haag Education rolled out its first certification for residential roof inspectors in 2007, then added commercial roofs in 2009 and wind damage in 2014 (Haag), and introduced a Master Level certification in 2024 (Haag). Haag says its certified inspectors include adjusters, estimators and consultants, so the credential speaks to damage assessment, not installation.

Central Texas hail, county by county

The Central Texas counts below come from NOAA's Storm Events Database and cover 2016 through 2025.

By NOAA's damage estimates, the costliest recent storm hit on September 24, 2023. NOAA's entry says the storm complex caused $700 million in hail damage in Texas, with the most damaging hail in Austin, Georgetown and Round Rock and upwards of $600 million across Williamson and Travis counties (NCEI event 1140580). The biggest stones fell outside the metro: 5.68 inches at Salado in Bell County on April 12, 2022 (NCEI event 1020551), and 5.5 inches south of Smithville on March 18, 2018 (NCEI event 745234).

Find a roofer in Central Texas

The National Roofing Directory lists roofers by city for Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, San Marcos, Kyle and Killeen.

Browse more on the directory's Austin roofers page. Roofing companies can claim a listing and pick up weekly trade news in The Roofing Wire.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit to replace my roof in Austin?

Usually not for a like-for-like shingle roof. The City of Austin exempts asphalt shingles replacing asphalt shingles, and any covering that does not affect the roof structure, unless the property is in the Wildland-Urban Interface and 50% or more of the roofing is replaced. Exempt work must still meet the building codes.

What does a Haag certification tell me about a roofer?

It tells you someone passed Haag's damage-assessment training and exam. Haag says its certified inspectors include adjusters, estimators and consultants, and that certifications must be kept active through renewal (Haag). It is not an installation or state credential.

How do I confirm a roofer is in a manufacturer's program?

Ask which manufacturer and which level, then check it on that manufacturer's own website. The National Roofing Directory's certifications page explains why a badge on a truck or website is not proof of current standing.