In California, any roofing contractor doing work valued at $500 or more in labor and materials is legally required to hold a valid license from the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB). Hiring an unlicensed contractor isn’t just risky — it can leave you personally liable for injuries on your property, invalidate your homeowner’s insurance for related claims, and provide you with no legal recourse if the work is defective.

The good news: verifying a contractor’s license takes about two minutes and is completely free. Here’s exactly how to do it.

Step 1: Get the License Number

Ask any contractor you’re considering for their California Contractor’s License number before they step foot on your property. A legitimate contractor will provide this immediately and without hesitation. It’s typically a 6 or 7-digit number. You’ll also find it on their business cards, website, and any written estimate or contract they provide.

For roofing work specifically, look for a Class C-39 Roofing Contractor license. This is the specific classification required to legally perform roofing work in California. A general contractor with a Class B license can also legally perform roofing as part of a larger project, but a specialty roofer should hold a C-39.

Step 2: Verify on the CSLB Website

Go to cslb.ca.gov and click on “Check a License” (or search for “CSLB license check”). Enter the license number or the contractor’s business name. The database is updated in real time and is the authoritative source for license status in California.

Step 3: What to Check in the Results

When you pull up the license record, verify the following:

  • License status: Should show “Active.” If it shows “Expired,” “Suspended,” or “Revoked,” do not hire this contractor.
  • License classification: Should include C-39 (Roofing) for a specialty roofer, or Class B (General Building) for a general contractor.
  • Business name and owner name: Make sure these match what the contractor told you and what’s on their contract. Scammers sometimes present a legitimate license number that belongs to a different business.
  • Workers’ compensation: The record will show whether the contractor has workers’ comp insurance on file. If it shows “Exempt,” that means they claim to have no employees — be cautious, as this is sometimes used to avoid insurance requirements. If workers are injured on your property and the contractor has no workers’ comp, you can be held liable.
  • Bonding: California requires licensed contractors to maintain a contractor’s bond. Verify this is current.
  • Disciplinary actions: The CSLB record will show any complaints, citations, or disciplinary actions against the contractor. A clean record isn’t guaranteed, but a history of complaints is a serious warning sign.

Step 4: Verify Insurance Separately

A CSLB license does not guarantee the contractor carries adequate general liability insurance — that’s separate from the CSLB bond. Ask for a Certificate of Insurance (COI) showing general liability coverage of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence, with your name listed as an additional insured for the duration of the project. Call the insurance company directly to verify the policy is active — certificates can be forged.

Step 5: Check Reviews and References

A valid license is necessary but not sufficient. Also check:

  • Google Business reviews — look for a consistent track record over multiple years, not just a handful of recent 5-star reviews (which can be purchased).
  • Yelp — particularly the “filtered” reviews, which sometimes contain legitimate negative feedback that Yelp’s algorithm has suppressed.
  • Better Business Bureau (bbb.org) — check complaint history and BBB rating.
  • Physical address — verify the contractor has a real local business address, not just a P.O. box or out-of-state address.

What to Do If a Contractor Can’t Provide a License Number

Walk away. There is no legitimate reason for a licensed California roofing contractor to be unable to provide their CSLB license number on request. “I left my card at the office” or “I’ll text it to you later” are not acceptable answers when you’re about to sign a contract for thousands of dollars of work on your home.

You can also report unlicensed contractor activity to the CSLB at 1-800-321-CSLB (2752). The CSLB actively investigates complaints and conducts sting operations targeting unlicensed contractors in California.

Eco Smart Roofer’s California Contractor’s License is displayed on our website, our vehicles, and every contract we issue. We welcome verification and encourage every San Francisco homeowner to check any contractor before hiring — including us. Contact us for a free, no-pressure roof evaluation from a fully licensed and insured Bay Area roofing contractor.