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If you’re interested in earning your California roofing C-39 license, you will need to make sure that you meet several requirements first. Licenses will only be granted when the proper steps are taken and only after you have passed the required written examinations.

The California Roofing Contractor License

Professionals who hold this type of license in the state of California are legally able to repair surfaces and install products that waterproof, weatherproof, and seal various buildings and structures. 

This type of work is carried out in order to protect structures and prevent water and its derivatives, solids, and compounds from penetrating them. 

Within the scope of work carried out by a roofing contractor, the professional will prepare surfaces and examine them for remediation, repair, or installation. They use materials that include:

• Shingles
• Flax
• Shakes
• Metal roofing systems
• Urethane foam
• Pitch
• Tar
• Asphalt
• Glass fabric
• Felt
• Roof tile
• Slate

In addition, roofing contractors may use any other waterproofing substances, weatherproofing materials, roofing supplies, membrane materials, or any combination of them.

Requirements for Obtaining a California C-39 Roofing License

There are five main categories of requirements you will need to fulfill in order to obtain this type of license:

• Written tests
• Experience
• Liability insurance
• Worker’s compensation insurance
• Contractor’s bond

Although the specifics of each requirement may vary from contractors in one trade to another, in general, they are similar.

Written Tests

You will be required to pass the state’s Business and Law Exam as well as the roofing contractor exam that is administered by the state. California exams are closed-book exams, so you need to make sure you are sufficiently prepared to pass them.

Experience

You must have at least four years of experience within the last decade in roofing work. In order for the experience to qualify, it must be at at least a journeyman level or as a foreman while supervising contractors, employees, or owner-builders.

Liability Insurance

If you are operating as an LLC, you’re required to have liability insurance that is valued at between $1 million and $5 million, depending on how many employees you have on record.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

You will also be required to provide proof of workers’ compensation insurance if you have employees. The certificate of insurance that is issued to you must have the same business name on it that was used on your application.

Contractor’s Bond

You must have a contractor’s bond of $15,000 on file with the state. For all contractors qualified by an RME, an additional $12,500 qualifying individual’s bond is needed. If you have an LLC, you are required to have an additional $100,000 bond on file for the benefit of your employees.

Be Prepared with RocketCert

Once you have the experience, the bonds, and the insurance, getting your license in California all comes down to passing the two tests: the roofing contractor exam and the business and law exam. Make sure there are no delays in obtaining your California C-39 roofing license, and sign up with RocketCert to obtain the best test prep materials available anywhere.