New York City Home Improvement Contractor License Guide

Table of Content

• New York City (5 Borough) Contractor Get Your Home/General Contractor License Today
• Application Filing Process
• Do I need a home improvement contractor license in New York?
• New York DMV
• How do I get a home improvement contractor surety bond in New York City?
• Home Improvement Contractor Registration and Renewal

If you don’t renew your license within 59 days of expiration, you will have to reapply for a new license. A Home Improvement Contractor License is required for a business engaged in the construction, repair, remodeling, or addition to any land or building used as a residence. The New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection issues this license. A person or business must have a Home Improvement Contractor license to do construction, repair, remodeling, or other home improvement work to any residential land or building in New York City.

Environmental Protection Agency relating to safe lead practices and/or affirm that certification is not required based on the type of work the business performs. A sole proprietor, general partner, corporate officer, principal, director, member, or shareholder owning 10% or more of company stock must schedule an appointment with Exam Builder to take the Home Improvement Exam. If you file your application between September 1 and February 28 , you will pay $25 for a license expiring February 28 of the soonest odd year OR you will pay $125 for a license expiring February 28 of the next odd year . If you file your application between March 1 and August 31 , you will pay $50 for a license expiring February 28 of the soonest odd year .

New York City (5 Borough) Contractor Get Your Home/General Contractor License Today

About three months before your license expires, the Department of Consumer Affairs will mail you a renewal package. You must have a Home Improvement Contractor License to do construction, repair, remodeling, or other home improvement work costing more than $200 to any residential land or building in New York City. Use the enclosed return envelope to mail in your completed renewal application. Login and scroll to the blue Businesses - DCA box to select Access My Account to submit your renewal application online.

In Section 6 of the PW2, the contractor must respond to the HIC License question (Does the Work Permit applied for require an HIC license?). If the answer is Yes, the contractor must provide the HIC license number in the space provided and present the license or a copy to the permit clerk for validation. If applicable, you may present an HIC Affidavit to have the requirement waived. For health and safety reasons, the DCA Licensing Center and NYC Small Business Support Center cannot serve walk-ins, but you can schedule an appointment. Due to COVID-19 crisis, please monitor nyc.gov/DCWPAlerts for information about limited in-person assistance. The City has tried to provide you with correct information on this website.

Application Filing Process

The City intends to use the data collected from this survey to generally add and improve City services. Participants in this survey will not receive further communication from the City with regards to this survey. You can check the status of your application through your DCA account.

The exam consists of 30 questions, with a score of 21/30 being required to pass. If you fail the exam twice, you must pay the fee again to retake it. SuretyBonds.com has developed this comprehensive licensing guide to explain how to get licensed as a home improvement contractor in New York City.

Do I need a home improvement contractor license in New York?

Follow this New York City Home Improvement Contractor License Guide to understand NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection registration requirements. The MCTD fee is $1.00 for every 6 months the permit or driver license will be in effect. You may first change your address online and then renew.

If your Temporary Visitor status has been extended, you must go to a DMV office with your updated paperwork from the United States Department of Homeland Security . We will update our records to show that your Temporary Visitor status has been extended so you can renew your license. Your new license will have your new temporary visitor expiration date. You can drop off your completed application and any required documents at the Department of Consumer Affairs Licensing Center or the NYC Small Business Support Center. Approximately three months before your license expires, DCWP will mail you a license renewal package. You must renew your license before it expires in order to continue operating your business and avoid fines.

Environmental Protection Agency in regards to safe lead practices and/or confirm that certification is not required based on the business’s type of work. If your business ceases to qualify for a workers’ compensation exemption, you must provide DCWP with proof of workers’ compensation insurance. ACORD forms are not acceptable proof of New York State workers’ compensation coverage. As of August 9, 2020, the Department of Consumer Affairs no longer licenses Home Improvement Salespersons and will no longer accept new or renewal applications. License Renewal Applications Service Notice - applications to renew a license/registration are required to be submitted online at /dobnow.

This will help ensure that we send your license to the correct address. Download and print a temporary license in PDF format to use until your new license arrives. Due to a greater than normal volume of renewals, there may be a delay in receipt of your permanent document. Renewing your license anytime within this period will not affect the expiration date of your new driver license or the fees. There are currently road test cancellations or DMV offices closed for in-person services. See our “Cancellations, Closings and Delays” page for more information.

If you file your application between September 1 and February , you will pay $75 for a license expiring February 28 of the soonest odd year . If you file your application between March 31 and August 31 , you will pay $100 for a license expiring February 28 of the next odd year . Submit proof of workers’ compensation insurance coverage.

View business types licensed by DCWP and their expiration dates. Many home improvements require a permit from the New York City Department of Buildings . Work to raise, lift, elevate, or move a house or building requires a special inspection by DOB. Make sure you provide all requirements; otherwise, your application is incomplete. DCWP can only consider complete applications for license issuance.

NYC will mail you a renewal application and instructions about two to three months prior to your license expiration date. We can assist and help you prepare the license renewal application. If you are not enrolled in the DCWP Trust Fund, you are required to submit a copy of a properly signed surety bond in the amount of $20,000, as well as a copy of the bond receipt. Posting this surety bond is an important step to becoming licensed that is required in order to protect both clients and contractors. As of August 2020, home improvement contractor license applicants must submit proof that they are certified by the U.S.