Oklahoma Roofing Exam Study Guide

What is House Bill 1628?

HB 1628 (signed 2023) requires all roofing contractors operating in Oklahoma to obtain a CIB roofing contractor endorsement. This applies to anyone performing roofing work for compensation — whether residential or commercial.

• Effective date for exam requirement: July 1, 2026
• Who must comply: Any person or company performing roofing work for pay in Oklahoma
• Exemptions: Property owners doing their own roofing, licensed general contractors supervising subcontractors (the roofing sub must still be licensed)

CIB Registration Requirements

• 1. Pass the roofing exam — 70% or higher through PSI Testing
• 2. General Liability insurance — Minimum $500,000 per occurrence. Certificate of insurance must name the CIB as certificate holder.
• 3. Workers' Compensation — Required if you have employees. Sole proprietors with no employees may be exempt.
• 4. Application and fee — Submit CIB Form R-1 with $100 registration fee
• 5. Renewal — Annual renewal required. 8 hours of continuing education per year.

CIB Contractor Obligations to Know

• Must display your CIB license number on all contracts, estimates, and advertising
• Must pull all required building permits before starting work
• Cannot subcontract to unlicensed roofing contractors
• Must maintain insurance continuously — coverage lapses trigger license suspension
• Must provide written contract for any job over $1,000
• Prohibited from misrepresenting storm damage to insurance adjusters (Oklahoma Statute)
• Must complete work in a workmanlike manner consistent with local codes

Key IRC Sections for Roofing (Chapter 9)

• R901 — General: Scope, roofing on occupied structures, roof inspections
• R902 — Roof Classification: Class A, B, C fire ratings — know what each means and when required
• R903 — Weather Protection: Underlayment requirements, flashing, valleys, eave protection
• R904 — Roof Coverings: Approved materials list, installation requirements by material type
• R905 — Requirements for Roof Coverings: Shingles, tile, metal, built-up — specific installation rules for each
• R907 — Reroofing: When tear-off is required, overlay limits, deck condition requirements

Asphalt Shingle Installation (Most Common on Exam)

• Minimum 2:12 pitch for double-coverage shingles with modified underlayment
• Minimum 4:12 pitch for standard shingle installation
• Underlayment: Single layer #15 felt at 4:12+, double layer below 4:12
• Nailing: Minimum 4 nails per strip shingle, 6 nails in high-wind areas (90+ mph)
• Exposure: Max 5 inches for standard 3-tab shingles
• Starter course: Minimum 2-inch overhang at eaves and rakes
• Ice and water shield: Required in Oklahoma in valleys and at eaves in areas with freezing temperatures
• Hip and ridge: Must have ridge cap shingles or approved ridge vent product

Flashing Requirements

• Step flashing at walls: Minimum 4-inch vertical leg, 4-inch horizontal leg
• Counter flashing at walls: Must overlap step flashing by at least 2 inches
• Valley flashing: Open valleys — 24-inch wide metal minimum; Closed valleys — full ice and water shield
• Chimney flashing: Base, step, saddle, and cap flashing all required
• Pipe boot flashing: Must extend minimum 6 inches up pipe, 4 inches onto deck
• Drip edge: Required at eaves and rakes — install under underlayment at eaves, over at rakes

Ventilation Requirements

• Minimum 1/150 ratio of vent area to attic floor area (or 1/300 with vapor barrier)
• 50% of vents must be at or near ridge (high), 50% at eaves (low)
• Baffles required when using blown-in insulation at eaves
• Cross ventilation required — cannot use ridge vent only

Fall Protection (Most Critical Topic)

Falls are the #1 cause of death in the roofing industry. OSHA 1926 Subpart M governs fall protection for construction.

• 6-foot rule: Fall protection required for any work surface 6 feet or more above a lower level
• Options: Guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems (PFAS)
• PFAS components: Full-body harness, lanyard, anchorage point rated to 5,000 lbs
• Anchorage: Must support 5,000 lbs per employee attached
• Low-slope roofs (under 4:12): Guardrails, safety nets, or PFAS. Warning line systems allowed only in combination with safety monitors.
• Steep-slope roofs (4:12 and above): PFAS, guardrails, or safety nets required — warning lines alone are not sufficient
• Leading edge work: Same 6-foot trigger — PFAS, guardrail, or net required

Ladder Safety

• Extension ladders must extend 3 feet above the roofline landing
• 4:1 ratio — base 1 foot out for every 4 feet of height
• Three points of contact at all times while climbing
• Do not carry tools in your hands while climbing — use a tool belt or hoist
• Ladders must be inspected before each use — check rungs, rails, feet
• Do not use aluminum ladders near power lines

Hazard Communication (HazCom / GHS)

• OSHA requires Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all hazardous chemicals on site
• SDS must be accessible to all workers in their language
• GHS labels must have: signal word (Danger/Warning), pictograms, hazard statements
• Common roofing chemicals: roof cement (flammable), solvents, adhesives, coatings
• Workers must be trained on chemicals they use before working with them

Heat Illness Prevention

Oklahoma summers are extreme. Heat illness is a major OSHA focus for roofing contractors.

• Water: 1 quart per hour per worker in heat
• Rest: 10-minute breaks in shade every 2 hours minimum in high heat
• Acclimatization: New workers need 7-14 days to adjust to heat — reduced workload initially
• Heat stroke: Medical emergency — call 911, cool the worker immediately
• Heat exhaustion: Move to shade, cool water, rest — can progress to heat stroke if untreated

Roof Measurement and Calculation

• 1 square = 100 sq ft — the fundamental unit of roofing
• Calculate area of each roof plane separately, then add (add 10-15% for waste)
• Pitch factor: Multiply flat footprint by pitch factor to get actual roof area
  • 4:12 pitch = 1.054 factor
  • 6:12 pitch = 1.118 factor
  • 8:12 pitch = 1.202 factor
  • 12:12 pitch = 1.414 factor
• Ridge length = total linear feet of ridge cap needed (add 10% for waste and cuts)
• Starter course: 1 bundle covers approximately 105 linear feet

Contract Basics

• Oklahoma law requires written contracts for jobs over $1,000
• Contract must include: scope of work, materials specified, price, payment schedule, start/completion dates
• Change orders: Any changes to original scope should be in writing before proceeding
• Lien rights: Oklahoma allows mechanics liens — file within 4 months of last work day
• Never start work without a signed contract and permit in place

Insurance Claims Work (Oklahoma-Specific Rules)

• Prohibited: Paying or waiving a customer's insurance deductible (Oklahoma law, 36 O.S. § 4416)
• Prohibited: Misrepresenting scope or severity of damage to adjusters
• Required: Provide homeowner with written contract before signing any assignment of benefits
• Assignment of Insurance Benefits (AOB): Oklahoma contractors may use AOBs but must disclose them clearly
• Supplement billing: Allowed, but must be based on actual additional costs — not padding