Minnesota Roofing License Requirements
Minnesota licenses residential roofing contractors at the state level. A company contracting directly with a homeowner for roofing on a one- to four-family residential property generally needs an active Minnesota residential roofer, residential building contractor, or residential remodeler license.
Do roofers in Minnesota have to be licensed? Yes, in most residential situations. A contractor that contracts directly with a homeowner to perform residential roofing generally must hold an active Minnesota Residential Roofer (RR), Residential Building Contractor (BC), or Residential Remodeler (CR) license. Roofing subcontractors that do not contract with the homeowner generally do not need the roofer license, but they must register through Minnesota's Construction Contractor Registration Program. A contractor registration beginning with IR is not the same as a roofing license.
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Do roofers in Minnesota have to be licensed?
For residential roofing, the answer is generally yes. Minnesota is a statewide licensing state, not a state where ordinary residential roofers rely only on city or county registration.
Verify an RR, BC, or CR license
A person or company that contracts directly with the owner of residential real estate to provide roofing must generally hold a Minnesota Residential Roofer license, Residential Building Contractor license, or Residential Remodeler license. Residential real estate generally means buildings constructed for one to four families, including detached garages.
Registration is different from licensing
A roofing subcontractor that does not contract directly with the homeowner generally does not need the residential roofer license, but must register through the Construction Contractor Registration Program. Minnesota registration numbers begin with IR; license numbers begin with RR, BC, or CR.
Important: Do not accept an IR contractor-registration number as proof that a company is licensed to contract directly with you for residential roofing. Minnesota DLI specifically distinguishes registration from licensure.
Which Minnesota roofing license should a contractor have?
The correct credential depends on the scope of the job and the services the company is selling.
| Credential | Typical scope | What homeowners should know |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Roofer (RR) | Residential roof coverings, sheathing, weatherproofing, insulation, and repair of roof systems within the statutory roofing scope | This is the roofing-only license. It does not authorize the company to contract for gutters, downspouts, soffit, fascia, or unrelated residential work. |
| Residential Remodeler (CR) | Improvement of existing residential real estate using two or more special skills | A remodeler can contract for roofing plus other residential improvement skills on existing structures. |
| Residential Building Contractor (BC) | Residential construction and remodeling, including multiple special skills | This broader license allows work that a remodeler may perform and also allows new residential construction. |
| Construction Contractor Registration (IR) | Registration for contractors that are not otherwise required to hold a license, including many subcontractors and commercial contractors | An IR registration is not a residential roofer license and should not be treated as one. |
Roofing plus gutters? Minnesota DLI states that a Residential Roofer license alone does not allow a contractor to contract for gutters, downspouts, soffit, or fascia. A company offering those services with the roofing project generally needs the broader Residential Building Contractor or Residential Remodeler credential.
How to verify a Minnesota roofing contractor
Use the state license record first, then verify the business, insurance, permit, and written contract.
Search the Minnesota DLI license database
Confirm the company has an active RR, BC, or CR license when a residential roofing license is required. Match the legal business name and license number to the estimate and contract.
Check whether you are seeing a license or only a registration
License numbers generally begin with RR, BC, or CR. An IR number is a contractor registration and does not provide the same proof of residential licensing.
Review enforcement and disciplinary history
Minnesota DLI provides licensing and enforcement information. Look beyond the word “active” and check whether the department reports disciplinary action or other licensing issues.
Confirm the company and qualifying person
The business itself is licensed. Each company designates a qualifying person who passes the required prelicensing exam and maintains continuing education. A qualifying-person registration is not a substitute for the company's active license.
Verify insurance
Licensed roofers must maintain required liability coverage and workers' compensation compliance. Ask for a current certificate and confirm the named insured and coverage with the issuing agent or carrier.
Verify the local roofing permit
Permit administration is local. Ask the city, township, or county building authority whether the project requires a reroofing permit, whose license must be shown, and which inspections must be completed.
Save the verification record: Keep a screenshot of the DLI license result, the signed contract, insurance confirmation, permit, inspection records, invoices, change orders, photographs, warranties, lien documents, and insurance-claim correspondence.
Minnesota roofer license exemptions are limited
Not every person touching a roof must personally hold the residential roofer license, but homeowners should be careful about applying exemptions to a company that is directly selling them a roofing project.
- Employees working for a properly licensed company do not each obtain a separate contractor license.
- Roofing subcontractors that do not contract with the homeowner generally register through the Construction Contractor Registration Program rather than obtain the residential roofer license.
- Contractors with annual gross receipts from residential contracting or remodeling below $15,000 may qualify for an exemption, but Minnesota DLI states they must obtain a Certificate of Exemption each year.
- Commercial contractors are generally outside the residential roofer-license system but are subject to contractor registration requirements unless another exemption applies.
- An owner improving the owner's own residential real estate may fall within a statutory owner exemption, subject to limits including rules for resale or speculative construction.
Ask for documentation. If a company tells you it is “exempt,” ask for the current Minnesota Certificate of Exemption and independently confirm that the exemption fits the company and the work being offered.
Minnesota roofing contracts must be in writing
Minnesota's residential licensing law requires written agreements between a licensee and customer, including proposals, estimates, bids, quotations, contracts, purchase orders, and change orders.
Scope, materials, and price
The written agreement must include a detailed summary of the services, the specific materials or standard features to be used, and the total price or the basis for calculating it. Agreements must be signed and dated.
Get the standards in writing
The licensee must provide written performance guidelines before entering the agreement and include or incorporate those guidelines in the contract. Written change orders are especially important when decking or other hidden damage is discovered.
For a roofing contract, spell out: tear-off versus overlay, shingle or roofing-system manufacturer and product, underlayment, ice protection, flashing, ventilation, decking allowances, disposal, cleanup, permit responsibility, start and completion expectations, payment milestones, workmanship warranty, and manufacturer-warranty requirements.
Roofing permits and inspections are local
Minnesota has statewide contractor licensing and a statewide building code framework, but local building departments administer many roofing permits and inspections.
| Jurisdiction | Example requirement | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis | The city publishes roofing and reroofing requirements. Contractors applying for building permits must show an appropriate state residential contractor, remodeler, or roofer license, or other qualifying specialty credential. | Permit issuance, contractor credential, applicable roofing requirements, and inspections. |
| Saint Paul | The city honors Minnesota residential contractor licensing and specifically states that roofing requires a Minnesota residential roofer license for applicable residential work. | State license, any city requirement that applies, permit, and inspections. |
| Rochester | Since May 1, 2025, residential reroofing projects require a building permit and inspections. Rochester states roofing contractors must have a state-issued roofing contractor license. | Permit, roof-sheathing/underlayment/final inspections as applicable, and state license status. |
| Duluth | Duluth lists Residential Re-Roofing as a permit type and identifies an owner-occupant or Minnesota licensed residential contractor as the applicable license path. | Residential reroofing permit, contractor license, and inspection completion. |
Do not assume the permit rule. A mailing address does not always identify the correct building authority. Verify the jurisdiction responsible for the exact property address before work begins.
Insurance requirements for Minnesota licensed roofers
Minnesota requires licensed residential contractors to maintain general liability insurance and workers' compensation compliance. DLI's residential roofer application materials specify liability insurance of at least $300,000 per occurrence, including required property-damage protection.
- Ask for the certificate of liability insurance before signing.
- Confirm that the named insured matches the company on the contract and DLI license record.
- Call the issuing insurance agent or carrier to confirm the policy is current and applies to roofing operations.
- Ask who will actually perform the work and whether subcontractors have appropriate coverage.
- Confirm workers' compensation coverage or the contractor's documented basis for exemption.
License verification helps, but it is not enough by itself. Insurance can change between licensing cycles. Verify the current policy for your project rather than relying only on an old certificate or advertisement.
Storm-damage roofing and insurance claims
Minnesota has specific consumer protections for insurance-funded residential repairs.
A roofer cannot pay your deductible
State law prohibits residential contractors from offering to pay, rebate, or otherwise absorb all or part of a homeowner's insurance deductible as an inducement to enter the repair contract. Contractors performing insurance-funded work must provide written notice of the law with the initial estimate.
72-hour cancellation right
When a written roofing contract is to be paid from property or casualty insurance proceeds, the insured generally has the right to cancel within 72 hours after being notified that the insurer denied the claim. The contractor must provide the required cancellation notice.
Roofers are not automatically public adjusters. Current Minnesota law restricts residential contractors from interpreting policy provisions, advising an insured about policy coverage or duties, or adjusting a property claim unless the contractor separately holds the required public-adjuster license.
Post-loss assignments of insurance benefits
Minnesota regulates assignments of insurance rights or benefits to residential contractors. A compliant post-loss assignment is limited and must include itemized work, materials, labor, fees, total amount, and specific consumer disclosures.
- The assignment may authorize the contractor to be named as a copayee for insurance benefits, subject to statutory requirements.
- The document must include itemized descriptions of work, materials, labor, fees, and the total amount.
- The contractor cannot promise that the insurer will fully cover the loss.
- The named insured has a statutory cancellation right tied to receipt of the scope of work by the insurer.
- The assignment cannot prevent the insurer from communicating with the homeowner or mortgagee.
Read every insurance-related document before signing. Do not sign a blank authorization, assignment, completion certificate, direction-to-pay form, or scope-of-work document simply because a salesperson says it is needed to “talk to insurance.”
Contractor Recovery Fund: an important Minnesota distinction
Minnesota's Contractor Recovery Fund can protect eligible consumers in some licensed-contractor disputes, but the statute specifically treats residential roofers differently.
The fund may apply to qualifying claims
The Contractor Recovery Fund is designed to compensate eligible owners or lessees who suffer qualifying out-of-pocket losses connected to a licensed residential building contractor or residential remodeler. Eligibility requires satisfying statutory requirements and is not automatic.
Residential roofers are excluded from the fund
Minnesota Statutes section 326B.81 states that residential roofers are subject to the residential licensing requirements except the Contractor Recovery Fund in section 326B.89. Do not assume an RR-only roofing contract carries Recovery Fund protection.
Credential type matters. If Recovery Fund eligibility could become important, the exact license held by the company and the type of transaction matter. Confirm eligibility directly with Minnesota DLI rather than assuming every licensed roofing project is covered.
Questions to ask a Minnesota roofer
These questions make it easier to distinguish a properly licensed roofing company from a salesperson relying on vague claims.
- What is your Minnesota RR, BC, or CR license number?
- Does the legal company name on the license match my contract?
- Are you selling only roofing, or roofing plus gutters, soffit, fascia, or other work?
- Who is obtaining the reroofing permit?
- Which inspections will the local building department perform?
- Can your insurance agent confirm current roofing liability coverage?
- Will employees or registered subcontractors perform the work?
- How will hidden decking damage be documented and priced?
- What workmanship warranty do you provide?
- If this is an insurance claim, are you asking me to assign any policy rights or benefits?
How to report a Minnesota roofing problem
| Issue | Where to start |
|---|---|
| Unlicensed residential roofing, license misuse, contractor misconduct, or state licensing concern | Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry |
| Permit, inspection, or building-code issue | The city, township, county, or other building authority responsible for the property |
| Insurance-deductible rebate, improper insurance-claim conduct, or deceptive contracting practice | Minnesota DLI and, when appropriate, the Minnesota Attorney General or insurance regulator |
| Business-identity or entity-status question | Minnesota Secretary of State |
| Payment, workmanship, warranty, lien, or private contract dispute | Preserve documents and obtain qualified Minnesota legal advice when necessary |
Preserve evidence: Save advertisements, the DLI license lookup, the contract, estimates, insurance certificates, claim documents, permit and inspection records, invoices, payment records, change orders, lien notices, warranties, photographs, texts, emails, and complaint correspondence.
Minnesota roofing license questions
Answers to common questions Minnesota homeowners ask before hiring a roofer.
Do roofers in Minnesota have to be licensed?
Yes, generally. A company contracting directly with a homeowner to perform residential roofing on one- to four-family residential real estate generally must hold an active Minnesota Residential Roofer, Residential Building Contractor, or Residential Remodeler license unless a specific exemption applies.
How do I check a roofer's license in Minnesota?
Use the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry license lookup and confirm the exact business name, license type, license number, current status, and any available enforcement history. RR, BC, and CR numbers are licenses; an IR number is a contractor registration.
Is a Minnesota IR contractor registration the same as a roofing license?
No. Minnesota DLI specifically warns that contractor registration is not a license. Roofing subcontractors and some contractors not subject to residential licensing may register, but an IR number alone does not prove that a company may contract directly with a homeowner for licensed residential roofing work.
Can a Minnesota residential roofer install gutters too?
A roofing-only RR license does not authorize the contractor to contract for gutters, downspouts, soffit, or fascia. A company selling those additional services generally needs a Residential Building Contractor or Residential Remodeler license.
Do roofing subcontractors need a Minnesota roofer license?
A subcontractor that does not contract directly with the homeowner generally does not need the residential roofer license, but must register through Minnesota's Construction Contractor Registration Program unless another exception applies.
Does Minnesota require a written roofing contract?
Yes. Agreements between a licensed residential contractor and a customer must be in writing and include the required scope, materials, and price information. Minnesota also requires written performance guidelines and signed, dated documents.
Can a Minnesota roofer pay my insurance deductible?
No. State law prohibits residential contractors from offering to pay or rebate all or part of an insurance deductible as an inducement to enter an insurance-funded repair contract.
Can I cancel a Minnesota roofing contract if insurance denies the claim?
For qualifying insurance-funded roofing contracts, the insured generally may cancel within 72 hours after being notified that the insurer denied the claim. The contractor must provide the statutory cancellation notice.
Are Minnesota roofing permits required?
Permit administration is local. Many Minnesota jurisdictions require residential reroofing permits and inspections. Verify the rule with the building authority responsible for the exact property address before work starts.
Does the Minnesota Contractor Recovery Fund cover every licensed roofer?
No. Minnesota law specifically excludes residential roofers from the Contractor Recovery Fund provisions. Some qualifying transactions involving licensed residential building contractors or remodelers may be eligible, but homeowners should confirm the exact requirements with DLI.
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Official Minnesota sources
- Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry — Who Needs a Roofer License?
- Minnesota DLI — Residential Contractor Licensing
- Minnesota DLI — Residential Roofer License
- Minnesota DLI — Contractor, Roofer and Remodeler Exams
- Minnesota DLI — Residential Contractor FAQs
- Minnesota DLI — Tips for Hiring a Contractor
- Minnesota DLI — Contractors and Insurance Deductibles
- Minnesota Revisor of Statutes — Chapter 326B, Residential Contractor and Roofer Licensing
- Minnesota Revisor of Statutes — Chapter 325E, Residential Contracting Insurance Claims
- City of Minneapolis — Roofing Requirements
- City of Minneapolis — Permit Applicants and Contractor Credentials
- City of Saint Paul — Contractor Licensing
- City of Rochester — Residential Re-Roofing Permits
- City of Duluth — Residential Re-Roofing Permit
Last reviewed: August 7, 2026. Contractor licensing, exemptions, insurance, registration, permit, code, contract, and insurance-claim requirements can change. Confirm current information with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry and the building authority responsible for the property before signing a contract or beginning work. This guide is general consumer information and is not legal advice.