What Licenses and Insurance Should a Roofer Have in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts, a roofer’s credentials aren’t paperwork — they’re the protection that stands between you and a bad outcome. Three things matter: the Home Improvement Contractor registration, the Construction Supervisor License that lets someone pull the permit, and two insurance policies that cover two different risks. Here’s what each one does, and how to confirm a contractor actually has it.

This is part of the larger picture in our guide to comparing roofing quotes — credentials are one of the five things you weigh before price.

What is a Home Improvement Contractor registration?

Massachusetts requires most residential contractors — roofers included — to register as a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) through the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation. The registration does two things for you. It puts the contract on a legal footing: a Massachusetts HIC contract over $1,000 must be in writing and include the total price, the payment schedule, start and completion dates, and the contractor’s name, address, and registration number. And it gives you access to the state’s arbitration and Guaranty Fund programs if a dispute goes sideways.

That registration number should appear on the quote and the contract. Global Roofing’s is HIC #193875 — the kind of number you should be able to find on any contractor’s paperwork and look up yourself.

Who pulls the permit, and what is a Construction Supervisor License?

Every full roof replacement in Massachusetts requires a building permit from your local building department. To pull that permit, the applicant generally needs a Construction Supervisor License (CSL) — a separate state credential from the HIC registration. The HIC registration covers the consumer contract; the CSL covers the building-code side of the work.

The practical rule for homeowners: the permit should be pulled in the contractor’s name, not yours. When a contractor asks you to pull the permit as the homeowner, they’re shifting the code responsibility onto you — and that’s a warning sign worth taking seriously. A contractor who pulls the permit is inviting the town’s inspector to check the work.

Why does a roofer need both workers’ comp and general liability?

They cover two different risks, and you want both:

• Workers’ compensation covers injuries to the crew while they’re working on your property. Roofing is one of the higher-risk trades, and if a worker is hurt on a roof that has no workers’ comp behind it, the claim can come back to you as the homeowner. Massachusetts requires employers to carry workers’ comp for their employees.
• General liability covers damage the work itself causes — a fallen bundle of shingles that cracks your driveway, a tear-off that lets water into the house, damage to a neighbor’s property. Without it, you’re relying on the contractor’s ability to pay out of pocket.

A contractor should be able to produce a current Certificate of Insurance (COI) showing both. Global Roofing is fully insured — general liability, umbrella, and workers’ compensation — and a COI is available on request.

How do you verify a roofing contractor in Massachusetts?

You don’t have to take anyone’s word for it. Three checks cover the essentials:

1. Look up the HIC registration. Use the Massachusetts HIC lookup on mass.gov to confirm the registration is active and the business name matches the one on your quote.
2. Ask for the CSL number of whoever will pull the permit, and confirm the permit will be in the contractor’s name.
3. Request a current Certificate of Insurance showing both workers’ compensation and general liability. If you want to be thorough, call the agent listed on the certificate to confirm the policies are in force.

Run the same three checks on every contractor you’re considering. It takes a few minutes and rules out the riskiest hires before price ever enters the conversation. For the full set of questions to bring to each visit, see what to ask a roofing contractor before hiring.

Frequently asked questions

What license does a roofer need in Massachusetts?

A residential roofer should be a registered Home Improvement Contractor (HIC). The full replacement also needs a building permit, which is pulled by someone holding a Construction Supervisor License (CSL). The HIC registration governs your contract; the CSL allows the permit. A reputable company holds or works under both.

Should a roofing contractor have both workers’ comp and general liability?

Yes. Workers’ compensation covers injuries to the crew on your property — without it, a claim can come back to you. General liability covers damage the work does to your home or a neighbor’s. A contractor who can’t show a current certificate for both is one to pass on.

How do I verify a roofing contractor’s license in Massachusetts?

Look up the HIC registration on mass.gov to confirm it’s active and matches the business name on your quote, ask for the CSL number of whoever pulls the permit, and request a current Certificate of Insurance showing both workers’ comp and general liability.

Is Global Roofing licensed in Massachusetts?

Yes. Global Roofing is a registered Massachusetts Home Improvement Contractor (HIC #193875), and is also licensed in Rhode Island (GC #42886) and Connecticut (HIC #0654925). We are fully insured — general liability, umbrella, and workers’ compensation — with a Certificate of Insurance available on request.