Roofers in Texas don’t have to be licensed. Out of the gate, that might sound great, but it really isn’t. Plumbers, electricians and HVAC technicians all go through strict licensing requirements, yet roofers, who install arguably one of the very most important pieces of your home, have no requirements. Even nail techs at nail salons have to be licensed! What that means is that anyone with a truck (or Ford Escape) and a hammer can call themselves a roofer.
There is an organization in Texas called Roofing Contractors of Texas (RCAT) which offers voluntary licensing to contractors who feel like licensing should matter. Contractors can test in both residential and commercial, and I can vouch for the fact that it is not an easy test!
Texas has 8,629 roofing contractor businesses, which is the second highest number in the United States, after California. It is estimated that there are 4,500 roofing contractors in Austin, Texas, and over 2,500 in San Antonio, Texas (according to the BBB). Of all those roofers, only 300 have chosen to go through the licensing process!!!!
To get an RCAT license an individual has to pass the test with a 70% or better, have adequate liability insurance, have adequate workman’s compensation, and complete 8 continuing education units (CEUs) per year.
At Roofer Chicks, Ami Feller, our owner and CEO, holds licenses in both residential and commercial roofing and has since we were founded in 2016. What does that mean for you? It means you are protected – you are hiring a roofing company that holds itself to the highest standards, even when no one is really looking.
We have been members of RCAT since 2012, and even go to the capitol to help lobby for licensing to be passed. Each year we fair a bit better, but we still have not gotten the house bill onto the floor to be passed. As you might well imagine, there are a lot of politics and parties who don’t want the bill to pass. One of the main ones who are against is builders of new homes, because forcing the issue of having licensed workers would increase the cost of building.
RCAT has local chapters; we are also members of Central Texas Roofing Contractor Association (CTRCA). This is affiliated with RCAT but actually a stand alone membership. Ami is on the board and serving as the secretary for this group since 2025. The group provides continuous education and networking opportunities to us on a monthly basis. We believe very strongly in continuing education and training – because the more we know, the better we are.
