Quick answer: Go to the California Contractors State License Board website, choose the license check, and search by license number or business name. Confirm the status is active, the classification includes C-39 Roofing, the business name matches the contract, and bond and workers’ compensation are current. The whole check takes about two minutes.
In California, anyone who does roofing work worth $1,000 or more in combined labor and materials must hold a state contractor’s license. Checking one is free, public and quick. It is also the single best thing you can do before letting anyone on your roof. Here is exactly how to do it and what each part of the record means.
Key takeaways
- Use the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) license check on the official cslb.ca.gov site.
- Look for an active status and the C-39 Roofing classification (a general building B license can also cover roofing as part of a larger project).
- The business name on the license should match the name on your contract.
- Bond and workers’ compensation information should be current.
- Read any disclosed legal actions or citations.
Step 1: Get the license number
California contractors must show their license number on bids, contracts and advertising. If a roofer will not give it to you or offers someone else’s number, stop there. Ours is CSLB #1148511, held by Alpha Eagle Roofing LLC.
Step 2: Open the CSLB license check
On the CSLB website, use the “Check a License” tool. You can search by license number (most precise), business name or the name of a person on the license. Searching by number avoids confusion between companies with similar names.
Step 3: Read the record
The result page shows several sections. Here is what to look at and why.
| Item | What you want to see | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| License status | Active | Expired, suspended or revoked licenses cannot legally contract |
| Business name and entity | Matches the contract exactly | Protects you from someone borrowing a license |
| Classification | C-39 Roofing for a roofing-only job | Shows the license covers roofing |
| Issue and expiration dates | Not expired | Licenses must be renewed |
| Contractor’s bond | On file and current | A limited source of recovery for certain claims |
| Workers’ compensation | Policy on file with carrier listed | Protects you if a worker is injured on your property |
| Liability insurance (for LLCs) | Information shown | California requires LLC licensees to carry liability coverage |
| Disciplinary or legal actions | None, or resolved and explained | Shows past problems the board acted on |
Step 4: Check workers’ compensation closely
Workers’ comp is the line most homeowners skip, and it matters most on a roof. Roofing is physical, high-risk work. CSLB requires roofing (C-39) contractors to keep workers’ compensation coverage on file even if they report no employees. If the record for a roofer shows an exemption instead of a policy, ask questions before going further. If an uninsured worker is hurt on your property, you can end up dealing with the consequences.
Step 5: Match the people
The person who shows up to give you a bid may be the owner, an employee, or a salesperson. In California, home improvement salespeople who sell for a contractor must be registered with CSLB. You can look them up too. The key point: the contract should be with the licensed business, and payments should go to that business, never to an individual’s personal account.
Red flags in a license check
- No record found for the number given.
- Status shows expired, suspended or inactive.
- The classification does not cover roofing.
- The business name on the license differs from the truck, card or contract.
- Workers’ comp exemption on a roofing license.
- A recent pattern of citations or legal actions.
What a license does and does not tell you
A license proves the business met the state’s requirements: experience, exams, a bond, and insurance where required. It does not grade workmanship. That is why you also want a written, itemized estimate after an on-roof inspection, before-and-after photos of real projects, and a written warranty you can read. Our article on finding a licensed roofing contractor in California covers the broader vetting process, and comparing roofing quotes helps with the next step.
Why unlicensed work is a bad deal
An unlicensed roofer may quote less, but you give up a lot: the bond, the CSLB complaint process, reliable insurance, and often the permit. A city will not issue a reroof permit to an unlicensed contractor, so these jobs tend to skip it, which can come back to bite you with insurers or buyers. In California, unlicensed contractors also cannot generally use the courts to collect payment, which tells you how seriously the state takes the requirement.
After storms, check twice
After an atmospheric river or windstorm, out-of-area crews sometimes knock on doors around the Bay Area. Some are legitimate; some are not. Before you sign anything, run the license check on your phone right there on the porch. A real contractor will wait the two minutes it takes. If you have storm damage, our emergency roofing service can tarp and stabilize first so you are not pressured into a fast decision.
Do it for every bid, not just the cheapest
It is tempting to check only the roofer you are unsure about. Check them all. Licenses lapse, companies change names, and a polished website says nothing about status. Keep a short note for each bidder: license number, status, classification, workers’ comp carrier, and the date you checked. When you compare estimates later, that note sits next to the price, so you are comparing qualified contractors and not just numbers. If you are helping an older relative choose a roofer, do the check together on a phone or laptop; it is a simple habit that screens out most of the people you do not want on a roof.
What to do if something looks wrong
If the record does not match what you were told, ask the contractor to explain in writing. Sometimes there is an innocent reason, such as a recent name change still being processed. Often there is not. You can also contact CSLB directly with questions about a license or to report unlicensed activity. Either way, do not sign or pay until the record and the paperwork line up.
Checking us
Look up license 1148511 and you should see Alpha Eagle Roofing LLC, C-39 Roofing. We are happy to send certificates of insurance directly from our insurer on request. You can learn more about how we work on our why Alpha Eagle page, and see completed projects across the Bay Area, including in San Jose and Oakland, in our gallery.
Frequently asked questions
What license does a roofer need in California?
A contractor’s license from CSLB for any job of $1,000 or more in combined labor and materials. For roofing-only work, the specialty classification is C-39 Roofing.
Is a business license the same as a contractor’s license?
No. A city business license lets a company operate locally. Only a CSLB contractor’s license authorizes construction work in California.
Do roofing contractors need workers’ compensation?
CSLB requires C-39 roofing contractors to keep workers’ compensation coverage on file even if they report no employees.
What is Alpha Eagle Roofing’s license number?
CSLB #1148511, Class C-39 Roofing, held by Alpha Eagle Roofing LLC.
Once you have checked our license, book a free inspection and written estimate or call (415) 410-7917.
