Contractor licenses in New York

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Licensing board: New York City Department of Buildings (DOB)
License lookup: DOB license search
Renewal cycle: Every 3 years for most licenses; every 2 years, every year for others
Renewal fees: $90-$300
Continuing education: 7-8 hours per cycle

DCWP home improvement contractor licenses renew every two years; DOB trade licenses renew on the cycle set for each license type. Working outside the five boroughs? Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties and the City of Yonkers each require their own separate home improvement contractor license — DCWP registration does not cover them.

Open these first

General Contractor Registration (NYC)

New York City Department of Buildings (DOB)

Every 36 months ·$240.00 ·Insurance required

Home Improvement Contractor License (NYC)

New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)

Every 24 months ·$200.00 ·Bond required

Master Electrician License (NYC)

New York City Department of Buildings (DOB)

Every 36 months ·$90.00 ·8 CE hours

All license pages

License	Board	Renewal	Fee	CE
Asbestos Handler / Supervisor Certificate (NYS)	New York State Department of Labor Asbestos Control Bureau	1 year	See page	Required
General Contractor Registration (NYC) Insurance required	New York City Department of Buildings (DOB)	3 years	$240.00	None
Home Improvement Contractor License (NYC) Bond and Insurance required	New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)	2 years	$200.00	None
Master Electrician License (NYC) Insurance required	New York City Department of Buildings (DOB)	3 years	$90.00	8 hours
Master Plumber License (NYC) Insurance required	New York City Department of Buildings (DOB)	3 years	$225.00	7 hours
NYC Hoisting Machine Operator Licenses (Class A/B/C)	NYC Department of Buildings (DOB)	3 years	See page	Required
NYC Rigger Licenses (Master, Special, Tower/Climber) Insurance required	NYC Department of Buildings (DOB)	3 years	See page	Required
NYS Disability Benefits Law (DBL) Coverage Insurance required	New York State Workers' Compensation Board (WCB)	See page	See page	None
NYS DOL Contractor Registry Insurance required	New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL)	2 years	$200.00	None
NYS Paid Family Leave (PFL) Coverage Insurance required	New York State Workers' Compensation Board (WCB)	See page	See page	None
Oil Burning Equipment Installer (Class A) Insurance required	New York City Department of Buildings (DOB)	3 years	$150.00	None
Roofing Contractor (NYC): Home Improvement Contractor License Insurance required	NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)	2 years	$200.00	None
Special Electrician License (NYC) Insurance required	New York City Department of Buildings (DOB)	3 years	$90.00	8 hours
EPA Section 608 Technician Certification Special case	U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)	See page	See page	None
Lead-Safe Renovation (RRP) Requirements Special case	U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)	5 years	$300.00	None
NYC 40-Hour Site Safety Training (Local Law 196) Special case	NYC Department of Buildings	5 years	See page	None
OSHA 10 Construction Outreach Training Special case	U.S. Department of Labor - OSHA	See page	See page	None

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Renewal deadlines in New York

When New York contractor licenses come due

Every 3 years

7 license pages, including General Contractor Registration (NYC), Master Electrician License (NYC), Master Plumber License (NYC).

Every 2 years

3 license pages, including Home Improvement Contractor License (NYC), Roofing Contractor (NYC): Home Improvement Contractor License, NYS DOL Contractor Registry.

Every year

1 license page, including Asbestos Handler / Supervisor Certificate (NYS).

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Contractor Licensing Changes 2026

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New York Contractor License Requirements 2026

Official sources

Where these New York facts come from

New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) New York State Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) NYC Department of Buildings (DOB)

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