New York contractor license requirements

Licenses and registrations

NYC Home Improvement Contractor License (Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, DCWP)

Anyone doing construction, repair, remodeling or other home improvement work to any residential land or building in New York City, including basements, driveways, fences, garages, landscaping, patios, porches, sidewalks, swimming pools and terraces.

• Good to know: Two-year license that expires February 28 of odd-numbered years. Requires a $200 Trust Fund enrollment fee or a $20,000 surety bond, an exam, fingerprinting and workers' compensation proof.

Nassau County Home Improvement License (Department of Consumer Affairs)

Contractors who remodel residential homes in Nassau County.

• Good to know: Two-year license. Commercial-only contractors, contractor employees and certain licensed professionals (such as plumbers, electricians, architects and engineers) are listed as not needing it.

Suffolk County Home Improvement License (Department of Labor, Licensing and Consumer Affairs)

Home improvement contractors working in Suffolk County; the county describes home improvement broadly, including roofing, masonry, painting, driveways, swimming pools and tree services.

• Good to know: Fee, term and insurance details weren't confirmed on an official page.

Westchester County Home Improvement License (Department of Consumer Protection)

Anyone in the home improvement business in Westchester County, covering work on residences of up to three units, including roofing, HVAC, masonry and landscaping (County Code 863.312-863.313).

• Good to know: Two-year license.

Rockland County Home Improvement License (Office of Consumer Protection)

Home improvement businesses in Rockland County, licensed by classification (Chapter 286 of the Laws of Rockland County).

• Good to know: One-year license. All classifications appear on one license per business.

What you need to qualify

• Exams: NYC: one owner or officer (sole proprietor, general partner, corporate officer, principal, director, member or 10%+ shareholder) must pass a 30-question exam with at least 21 correct. Nassau, Westchester and Rockland application pages reviewed do not mention a general exam.
• Insurance: NYC: workers' compensation certificate (or a Certificate of Attestation of Exemption) naming DCWP. Nassau: certificates of liability, property damage and workers' compensation. Westchester: liability and property damage insurance in an amount set by the Director, plus workers' compensation and disability certificates (or CE-200 exemption). Rockland: general liability of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence for B6 General Contractors and at least $500,000 per occurrence for all other classifications, plus workers' compensation and disability (or CE-200).
• Bond: NYC: either a $200 Trust Fund enrollment fee or a $20,000 surety bond. Nassau: a bond may be required under certain circumstances. Westchester: the Director may require a bond or cash security not to exceed $50,000.
• Business registration: NYC: sales tax Certificate of Authority number (or application confirmation), and an assumed name certificate, partnership certificate, or active NYS Division of Corporations registration as applicable.
• Also required: NYC: fingerprinting/background check for owners and officers, EPA RRP or lead-based paint certification (or a signed affirmation) depending on the work, and a Contractual Compliance Agreement.

Fees, renewal and continuing education

• Fees: NYC DCWP: license fee depends on when you apply in the two-year cycle ($200 for up to 24 months, $150 for up to 18 months, $100 for up to 12 months, or $50 for up to 6 months / $250 for up to 30 months), plus $200 Trust Fund enrollment if not using the bond; $50 exam retake fee after two failures. Nassau: $650 for a 2-year license plus a one-time mandatory $50 Home Improvement Restitution Fund contribution. Westchester: $750 for a two-year license (non-refundable). Rockland: $325 application for up to 3 classifications; $225 renewal for every 3 classifications.
• Renewal: NYC: every two years (expires February 28 of odd years). Nassau and Westchester: two years. Rockland: one year.

Contracts and homeowner protections

Statewide (General Business Law 770-776): a home improvement contract is one over $500. The contract must be in writing, signed by all parties, in plain English, and the owner must get a signed copy before work starts. It must include the contractor's name, address, phone and license number; approximate start and completion dates; a description of work and materials (including make and model) and price; a mechanic's lien notice; a notice that payments received before substantial completion will be deposited per Lien Law 71-a (or that a bond, indemnity contract or letter of credit is posted instead); a progress payment schedule if used; insurance disclosure; and the owner's right to cancel until midnight of the third business day after signing. The Attorney General says escrowed funds must go into a New York bank within five business days. NYC: DCWP's Home Improvement Contractor Trust Fund can pay consumers up to $20,000 through its claim process (raised from $10,000 as of July 18, 2025). Nassau: Home Improvement Restitution Fund pays up to $10,000.

Electrical, plumbing and HVAC work

No statewide electrical or plumbing license was found. New York's Department of State notes master electricians are licensed by municipalities. In NYC, the Department of Buildings licenses master electricians, master plumbers, master fire suppression piping contractors and oil burning equipment installers.

City and county rules

Home improvement licensing is local. The Attorney General lists New York City, Suffolk, Nassau, Westchester, Putnam and Rockland counties as places where home improvement contractors must be licensed, and contractors must also follow any other local licensing laws. NYC's license is issued by the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), not the Department of Buildings. NYC jobs may also need DOB permits, DOT sidewalk permits, and a BIC registration to haul your own waste.

Working without a license

State: customers can sue for actual damages plus a $500 penalty and attorney fees when a contractor used fraudulent written statements; $100 civil fines for violating the Home Improvement Contract Law and $250 to $2,500 fines for violating the payment-protection provisions. Nassau: working without a license can bring a fine of up to $5,000 and/or up to 1 year in jail, plus seizure of vehicles and tools. Suffolk: unlicensed contractors are subject to arrest and prosecution.

What to confirm with the state

We couldn't confirm these on an official page when we checked. Ask the licensing office before you rely on them:

• Whether NYC's home improvement license has any dollar threshold (DCWP page states none).
• NYC home improvement salesperson license requirements and fee.
• Suffolk County license fee, term, insurance minimums and exam.
• Putnam County home improvement license details (listed by the Attorney General but no county page was checked).
• Licensing rules in other cities and towns (for example Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Yonkers).
• NYC penalties for unlicensed home improvement work.
• An official statewide statement that New York has no state plumbing or HVAC license.

Sources

1. Home Improvement Fact Sheet - NY Attorney General
2. NY General Business Law 770 - Definitions
3. NY General Business Law 771 - Contract provisions
4. Home Improvement Contractor License Application Checklist - DCWP
5. Home Improvement Contractor Trust Fund - DCWP
6. Know Your Construction Professional - NYC Buildings
7. FAQs - Obtaining a Home Improvement License - Nassau County
8. Type of License - Suffolk County Consumer Affairs
9. Westchester County Home Improvement License Application (01/01/2026)
10. Rockland County Home Improvement License application and classifications
11. Master Electrician Waiver - NYS Department of State