Windforce Blog

A WPI-8 is a Certificate of Compliance issued by the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI). It certifies that a building on the Texas coast, or a specific improvement to it (like a new roof), was built, altered, or repaired to the windstorm building code TDI has adopted.

The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) requires one before a property is eligible for its wind and hail coverage. That’s why insurance agents, lenders, and buyers ask for it.

Most people call it a “windstorm certificate,” a “TWIA certificate,” or just “the WPI-8.” They all mean the same document. The confusing part is the rest of the paperwork: WPI-1, WPI-2-BC-8, WPI-2E, WPI-8-E, WPI-8-C.

This article explains each document and how to get a certificate issued without running into problems.

Who needs a WPI-8?

You need a WPI-8 for properties in TDI’s designated catastrophe area, which includes the 14 first-tier coastal counties: Aransas, Brazoria, Calhoun, Cameron, Chambers, Galveston, Jefferson, Kenedy, Kleberg, Matagorda, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, and Willacy, plus parts of Harris County east of State Highway 146.

Within that area, TDI says most new construction, roof replacements, major repairs, and other alterations require an inspection and a certificate. Some work doesn’t require a WPI-8, including painting, plumbing and electrical work, and small roof repairs that fall under TDI’s size limit.

If you aren’t sure which side of that line your project falls on, ask before the work starts. The certification process is simpler for ongoing construction than after work is complete.

What does each WPI form mean?

The forms fall into two groups:

1. What gets filed along the way
2. The certificate that comes out at the end

This table breaks down each of the forms and which of these two categories each falls into:

Each WPI-2 issued will state the building code inspected to. TDI requires construction to the following codes based on construction start date:

• WPI-2-BC-5: Construction that began January 1, 2008, through December 31, 2016
• WPI-2-BC-6: January 1, 2017, through August 31, 2020
• WPI-2-BC-7: September 1, 2020, through March 31, 2026
• WPI-2-BC-8: On or after April 1, 2026

The April 2026 change matters for anyone building now. Starting April 1, 2026, work must be certified under the 2024 International Residential Code or the 2024 International Building Code. Projects that began before that date can generally finish under the prior requirements.

WPI-8 vs. WPI-8-E vs. WPI-8-C: What’s the difference?

All three do the same job: They’re the certificate TWIA looks for. The difference is how the work was inspected and who issued the certificate. Here’s a breakdown:

• WPI-8: The work was inspected while it was being built.
• WPI-8-E: The work was already finished, and an appointed engineer inspected it afterward. TDI issues these today.
• WPI-8-C: The same completed-work certificate, issued by TWIA during the 3-and-a-half years it ran that program (no longer available). If your property has one, it doesn’t need to be recertified unless the structure changes after it was certified.

How do you get a WPI-8?

There are two paths for obtaining a WPI-8. The one you should follow depends on timing.

Path 1: Inspected During Construction (WPI-8)

This is the standard path for new homes, additions, and roof replacements. It’s also the simplest of the two paths. This is the process:

1. Hire an appointed inspector before the work starts.
2. Have the inspector file a WPI-1 with TDI to open the file.
3. The inspector visits at the stages where the wind-resisting work is still visible. Depending on the project, that may include the foundation, framing and connections, roof deck and covering, and windows and doors.
4. After the final inspection, the inspector files the Inspection Verification (currently the WPI-2-BC-8).
5. TDI reviews the file and issues the WPI-8.

Path 2: Inspected After Construction (WPI-8-E)

This is for work that is already finished and wasn’t inspected along the way. This happens when a roof goes on during a busy season, work by a previous owner was performed but not inspected/certified, or nobody knows an inspection is needed.

A post-construction inspection report must be generated and sealed by a licensed professional engineer, and then submitted to TDI for approval. Because the wind-resisting details are now covered up, the engineer has to see underneath. Depending on the structure, that may include:

• Removing some roofing so the deck, underlayment, and fastening can be checked
• Removing trim at a window and a door to see how they were fastened
• Opening a small section of siding
• Opening a section of drywall to see framing connections
• Exposing part of the foundation to confirm its dimensions
• Access to the attic to see the roof framing

The engineer also needs signed and sealed plans for structural work. If none exist, plans may need to be drawn before the report can go to TDI. The engineer then submits the WPI-2E application with a sealed post-construction inspection report, and TDI issues the WPI-8-E.

TDI itself notes that post-construction inspections can be more invasive and costly than inspections during construction. If you’re planning work now, lining up the inspector first is the easiest way to avoid Path 2.

Who Can Do a Windstorm Inspection?

Only two kinds of inspectors can perform this work:

• TDI inspectors handle non-structural work, including most repairs, alterations, and roof replacements, while the work is in progress.
• Appointed Qualified Inspectors (AQIs) are Texas-licensed professional engineers appointed by TDI. They can inspect all types of work.

TDI publishes its list of appointed engineers on its windstorm website. The “AQI” after an engineer’s name means they are on the list.

Does a WPI-8 expire?

A certificate covers the work that was inspected, and it does not need to be renewed. New work is a different matter. If you later replace the roof, the windows, or another covered component, that new work needs its own inspection and certificate. That’s why one property can have several certificates on file: one for the original house, another for a replacement roof, and so on.

How can I check whether my property has a WPI-8?

TDI keeps a searchable online database of WPI-8 and WPI-8-E certificates. WPI-8-C certificates issued by TWIA aren’t in TDI’s database — TWIA has its own lookup tool for those, or you can reach out to WindForce or another AQI for assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a WPI-8 the same thing as a windstorm certificate?

Yes. “Windstorm certificate,” “TWIA certificate,” and “WPI-8” all refer to TDI’s Certificate of Compliance. A WPI-8-E or WPI-8-C serves the same purpose for work certified after completion.

Can I get a WPI-8 after the work is already done?

Yes, through a post-construction inspection by a licensed professional engineer or AQI. It usually involves opening up selected areas so the engineer can verify how the work was done. The engineer files a WPI-2E application with a sealed report, and TDI issues a WPI-8-E.

Do I need a windstorm inspection for a new roof?

In TDI’s designated catastrophe area, a roof replacement generally requires an inspection and a certificate. Small repairs under TDI’s size limit may not. The simplest approach is to have the inspection arranged before the old roof comes off.

Need a windstorm certificate?

WindForce is led by Travis Tatum, PE, a TDI-appointed engineer. We inspect during construction for builders and roofers, and we certify completed work for homeowners, buyers, and agents on the Texas Gulf Coast.

Get in touch to request a windstorm inspection, or call us at 409-422-9463.

10/2/2026