National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)

The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) is a trade association representing roofing contractors and related businesses in the United States, with members in other countries as well. Founded in 1886, it is one of the oldest construction trade associations in North America. Its website is nrca.net.

NRCA's members include roofing contractors of all sizes, along with manufacturers, distributors, architects, consultants and building owners. The association works on technical guidance, education, workforce development and government relations for the roofing trade.

Technical work

NRCA is widely known for its technical publications, which describe accepted practice for installing low-slope and steep-slope roof systems. These manuals are used by contractors, designers and inspectors as reference documents, alongside building codes and manufacturer instructions. NRCA also takes part in the development of building codes and industry standards that affect roofing.

Publications and education

The association publishes Professional Roofing, a monthly magazine for roofing professionals. It also offers training courses, online learning and certification programmes for installers and supervisors. NRCA is the official sponsor of the International Roofing Expo, a large annual roofing trade show in the United States, where it also runs education sessions.

Advocacy

NRCA represents the industry before the U.S. Congress and federal agencies on topics such as worker safety, immigration and workforce, taxes and building regulation. It works with state and regional roofing associations on these issues.

Relationship to other bodies

Many U.S. states and regions have their own roofing contractor associations, such as the Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association and the Western States Roofing Contractors Association. These regional bodies often work alongside NRCA. In Canada, the Canadian Roofing Contractors Association plays a similar national role. Membership in NRCA is voluntary and is not a licence; contractor licensing in the United States is handled by states and local governments.