New York renewal guide
NYC Rigger Licenses (Master, Special, Tower/Climber)
If this license is up for renewal, this page gives you the fee, the timeline, and the items that usually hold the filing up.
Start here
What matters before you file.
Check the fee, the renewal window, and the documents or insurance records that can slow approval down.
Issuing authority
Renewal period
Every 36 months
Late penalty
$50.00
Bond requirement
No
Insurance requirement
Yes — General Liability
Continuing education
DOB publishes refresher and course requirements on the class-specific rigger renewal pages, so the training depends on whether the filing is Master, Special, or Tower/Climber.
Before you renew
Get the filing straight.
- 1
Finish the CE first
Meet the current CE rule before you start the filing: DOB publishes refresher and course requirements on the class-specific rigger renewal pages, so the training depends on whether the filing is Master, Special, or Tower/Climber.
- 2
Check the insurance certificates
Make sure the required policies are current and match what the board or agency expects before you file.
- 3
File with the board
File through NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) once the supporting proof is ready.
Renew online
If you miss the deadline, the late penalty is $50.00.
Fees by entity type
| Entity type | Renewal fee | Late penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Master Rigger | $150.00 | $50.00 |
| Special Rigger | $75.00 | $50.00 |
| Tower/Climber Crane Rigger | $50.00 | $50.00 |
Master Rigger: Original license fee is $200 and the term is 3 years.
Special Rigger: Original license fee is $100 and the term is 3 years.
Tower/Climber Crane Rigger: Original license fee is $150 and the term is 3 years.
Detailed notes
The fine print is here.
NYC Rigger Licenses
New York City does not issue one catch-all rigger license. The Department of Buildings splits the work into Master Rigger, Special Rigger, and Tower/Climber Crane Rigger, and the right path depends on the load, the site conditions, and whether your business is handling outside-building rigging or crane erection work.
Which rigger license fits the job
- Master Rigger is the broadest city rigger credential and covers hoisting materials and equipment outside of buildings
- Special Rigger covers hoisting materials and equipment weighing up to 2,000 pounds
- Tower/Climber Crane Rigger covers erection and dismantling work for tower and climber cranes
DOB fee schedule
- Master Rigger: $200 original fee, $150 renewal fee, $50 late fee
- Special Rigger: $100 original fee, $75 renewal fee, $50 late fee
- Tower/Climber Crane Rigger: $150 original fee, $50 renewal fee, $50 late fee
- DOB publishes a 3-year term for all three license types
Application and renewal reality
- New applications run through DOB NOW: Licensing
- Master and Special Rigger applicants are pushed to the class-specific obtain pages for the exam, experience, insurance, and business-address requirements that sit behind the public overview page
- Special Rigger and Tower/Climber Crane Rigger renewals require DOB-approved refresher training, and DOB keeps separate renewal pages for each rigger class
- The public rigger page also links to the city's Insurance Guidelines and registered course provider list, which matters because the business filing package is not the same across the three license types
Why contractors should use this page
This route is best used as a sorting guide before you file. If you already know you need Master, Special, or Tower/Climber, go straight to the class-specific DOB page. If you are still figuring out which city credential fits the rigging scope, use this page to avoid filing under the wrong class or assuming one fee structure applies to every rigger credential.
Compliance risk
Rigging problems in the city usually show up when the crew, the foreman paperwork, and the license class do not match the work being performed. That is why the first step is to lock down the right rigger category and then follow the matching DOB obtain or renewal page instead of relying on a generic city-license summary.
*Disclaimer: This information is provided for general reference only and does not constitute legal advice. Always verify the current class-specific requirements directly with the NYC Department of Buildings before filing, renewing, or assigning a rigger to work.*
Official links
Check the board or agency directly.
Required documents
- government_issued_id
- Proof of Insurance
- Experience Documentation
- Examination Results
- training_certificate
Source notes
NYC Department of Buildings Rigger page, LIC2 fee instructions, class-specific obtain and renewal pages, and DOB continuing education materials for rigger renewals . Verified April 2026.
Rules move. Check NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) again before you pay, renew, or schedule work around this requirement.
Related content
Keep exploring.
Next steps
Turn it into a handoff.
Once the rule is clear, these tools help you hand it off cleanly or turn it into a cost plan.
Printable checklist
New York checklist
Use the checklist when you need the board link, required documents, and renewal notes in one handoff.
Open checklistCost planning
Estimate this renewal cost
Start the calculator with this state and license selected so you can review the fee, late-risk, bond, insurance, and CE work faster.
Open calculatorTrack the next renewal.
Keep NYC Rigger Licenses (Master, Special, Tower/Climber) dates, proof, and official links with the rest of your license work.