What Is a PA HIC Number, and Why Every New Roof Installation Contractor Should Have One

If you’re hiring a new roof installation contractor in Pennsylvania, there’s one credential that matters more than almost anything else on a business card or truck decal: the HIC number. It’s not optional, it’s not a nice-to-have certification — it’s a legal requirement, and it’s one of the fastest ways to tell a legitimate local contractor apart from someone who might disappear with your deposit.

Here’s what it actually is, why it exists, and how to use it to protect yourself before signing anything.

What Is a PA HIC Number?

HIC stands for Home Improvement Contractor. It’s a registration number issued by the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection under the state’s Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (HICPA), which took effect in 2009. The law was created specifically to protect homeowners from unscrupulous contractors after years of documented scams — unfinished projects, unreturned deposits, and bait-and-switch pricing across the state.

Under HICPA, any business or individual who performs more than $5,000 worth of home improvement work in Pennsylvania in a calendar year must register with the Attorney General’s office. Roofing — including new roof installation, replacement, and repair — falls squarely under the law’s definition of “home improvement,” alongside siding, gutters, windows, and similar exterior work.

Why It Matters When Hiring a Roofing Contractor

It’s the law, not a courtesy. A registered contractor is required to include their HIC number on every estimate, contract, and advertisement. If a new roof installation contractor can’t show you a valid number, they’re either operating illegally or aren’t who they claim to be.

It’s easy to verify — and you should. Homeowners can call the Attorney General’s Home Improvement Registration line to confirm a contractor’s HIC number is active, matches the business name, and isn’t expired or suspended. This takes a few minutes and can save thousands of dollars.

It signals accountability. Registration comes with real consequences attached. HICPA gives homeowners civil remedies — including the ability to recover triple damages and attorney’s fees — against contractors who violate the law. It also created a specific criminal offense for home improvement fraud. A contractor who’s properly registered has something real to lose by cutting corners; one who isn’t registered has nothing on the line at all.

It’s especially important after storms. Pennsylvania’s Insurance Department has specifically warned homeowners about contractor scams following major storms, when door-to-door “storm chasers” often target neighborhoods with damage. These are exactly the situations where checking for a valid HIC number matters most, since scammers count on homeowners acting quickly out of urgency rather than checking credentials first.

What a Legitimate Roofing Estimate Should Include

Beyond the HIC number itself, HICPA requires home improvement contracts to include specific protections. A trustworthy new roof installation contractor’s estimate should include:

• The contractor’s full legal business name, address, and phone number
• A valid HIC registration number
• An itemized breakdown of labor and materials, not just a lump-sum total
• The specific shingle or roofing product being installed, not a vague description
• Total price and a clear payment schedule
• Estimated start and completion dates
• Written warranty terms, both manufacturer and workmanship

If an estimate is missing several of these, or a contractor pressures you to sign before providing them, that’s worth pausing on regardless of how good the price sounds.

HIC Number vs. License vs. Insurance — What’s the Difference?

These three terms get used interchangeably, but they’re not the same thing:

• HIC registration confirms a contractor is legally registered to perform home improvement work in Pennsylvania and is bound by HICPA’s consumer protections.
• Insurance (general liability and workers’ compensation) protects you financially if something goes wrong on your property during the job.
• Manufacturer certifications (like being a certified installer for a specific shingle brand) speak to training and product-specific expertise, but aren’t a legal requirement the way HIC registration is.

A reputable new roof installation contractor should be able to show you all three — not just one.

The Bottom Line

Before hiring anyone for a new roof installation in Pennsylvania, ask for their HIC number and verify it directly with the Attorney General’s office. It takes a few minutes, it’s free, and it’s one of the simplest ways to avoid becoming another home improvement fraud story. A contractor who’s confident in their registration will hand it over without hesitation — one who hesitates is telling you something too.

Cambria Exteriors is a fully registered, licensed, and insured roof replacement contractor serving Cambria, Somerset, Westmoreland, Indiana, and the surrounding counties throughout Western PA. We’re happy to provide our HIC number and registration details upfront, before you ever sign anything. You can get a free, no-obligation inspection or estimate, or see examples of our past roofing projects here.

Schedule Your Free Roof Estimate →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a PA HIC number?

A HIC (Home Improvement Contractor) number is a registration number issued by the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office to contractors performing home improvement work, including roofing, under the state’s Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act.

Is every roofing contractor in PA required to have a HIC number?

Any contractor performing more than $5,000 in home improvement work per year in Pennsylvania must register and display a valid HIC number, with limited exceptions for very small contractors and large retailers.

How do I verify a contractor’s HIC number?

You can call the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Home Improvement Registration line to confirm a HIC number is active, matches the contractor’s business name, and hasn’t been suspended or expired.

What happens if a contractor isn’t registered?

Operating without required HIC registration is a violation of Pennsylvania law. Homeowners who are harmed by an unregistered or fraudulent contractor may be entitled to triple damages and attorney’s fees under HICPA.

Does having a HIC number mean a contractor is automatically trustworthy?

Not by itself — but it’s a legal baseline every legitimate contractor should meet. Combine it with checking insurance coverage, reading reviews, and getting a detailed written estimate for a fuller picture.