New Jersey Asbestos Abatement Contractor License

Asbestos abatement contractors in New Jersey pay $2,000 per year to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) — and a late renewal is treated as a brand-new application at the same $2,000 cost. The license is issued under the Asbestos Control and Licensing Act (N.J.S.A. 34:5A-32, N.J.A.C. 12:120) and is required before any asbestos removal, encapsulation, or enclosure work can begin.

Requirements

• Supervisors training: A company principal or job supervisor must hold a training certificate issued by the NJ Commissioner of Health under the Asbestos Model Accreditation Plan (40 CFR Part 763)
• Examination: Pass the NJ asbestos contractor exam before submitting an application
• Workers' compensation insurance: Submit a certificate naming the carrier, policy number, and coverage period with every application
• Application fee: $2,000 (N.J.A.C. 12:120-4.3)

Renewal and the cost of lapsing

The license is valid for 12 months. Annual renewal costs $2,000 per N.J.A.C. 12:120-4.9(a), and each renewal cycle requires refresher training for supervisors and workers. If the license expires, DOLWD treats it as an original application — you pay the full $2,000 fee again, not a reduced reinstatement amount.

Penalties for unlicensed work

Working without a valid license exposes a firm to civil administrative penalties up to $25,000 per violation (N.J.S.A. 34:5A-40(c)). The ACLA also classifies unlicensed asbestos abatement work as a third-degree crime. Both the Commissioner of Labor and the Commissioner of Health have enforcement authority.

*Sources: NJ DOL&WD application form R-08/2014; renewal form ACL-15(08/14); N.J.A.C. 12:120-4.9(a); N.J.S.A. 34:5A-40(c). Verified May 2026.*