What Are the Requirements for Qualified Roofing Contractors?

Becoming a contractor is no easy task. In fact, roofing contractors Arizona have to invest a serious amount of time and money to gain the necessary qualifications.

If you've been wondering just what it takes to become a qualified roofing contractor, read on.

Getting Started

First, qualified roofing contractors must be licensed. To apply for a contractor's license, you must be at least 18 years old. Next, you must have four years of verifiable practical and management trade experience in roofing. (Two of those years must have taken place within the last 10 years.)

The Application Process

In Arizona, prospective contractors must obtain and complete an application for a contractor's license in addition to an application for examination. This can be picked up from any office of the Arizona Registrar of Contractors or can be downloaded from the Arizona Registrar of Contractors' website.

Classifications

Testing requirements must be met for the license classification you are applying for. There are dozens of different classifications, however, for those interested in becoming a roofing contractor, the relevant classifications are general residential contractor (B), general commercial contractor (B-01) and roofing (CR-42).

It's important to note that CR-42 is a specialty dual license contracting classification. This means a contractor with this classification is licensed to perform roofing repair, replacement and installation but is also licensed to do work included in the scope of general contracting.

This means that both a general contractor and a roofing contractor are licensed to do roofing. However, a roofing contractor must take a trade examination in order to obtain their license.

Examinations

As mentioned above, a roofing contractor must take a specific trade examination. However, all contractor's license applicants must take a Business Management Examination. This exam includes questions pertaining to state and federal laws, as well as questions about the management of construction projects, business and financial management.

Fees and Bonds

Roofing contractor license fees include a $100 application fee, $380 license fee and a $370 Recovery Fund assessment for a total of $850. (This does not include testing fees which are $56 for one exam and $106 for two.) Dual contractors are required to provide an additional $200,000 for consumer protection. Participation in the Recovery Fund meets this requirement. This consumer protection bond is in addition to the Contractor's Bond requirement, the amount of which varies depending on your classification and anticipated annual gross income.

Applicants must also submit a background check with their application packet. This can be done online through the registrar's website.

Once all examinations have been taken and passed, and all application forms have been completely filled out and signed, the application can be submitted with all fees and bonds paid.

Insurance

Once a license has been obtained, qualified roofing contractors Arizona will carry general liability and worker's compensation insurance. Contractors should be happy to show you documentation of insurance before beginning work on your property.

While a qualified contractor will have all of the above legal requirements, the best contractors also perform high-quality work and provide exceptional customer service. For more information visit: http://thomasroofingaz.com/

Ros Aashley the author of this article is a devoted and seasoned writer. She has written a lot of articles especially on home decor and flooring.