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Contractor License in New York

Local / no state license

The short version

New York has no single statewide general contractor license. Licensing and registration are handled at the county or city level, so what you need depends on where the job is. The New York local licensing (e.g. NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection) is the state agency to start with, then check with the local building department.

Main agencyNew York local licensing (e.g. NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection)
Official sitehttps://www.nyc.gov/site/dca
Licensing levelLocal / no state license
Requirements, thresholds, and fees change, and local rules can be stricter than the state. Always confirm directly with the agency above and your local building department before you bid or pull a permit. This page is a starting point, not legal advice.

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Getting licensed in New York: the usual steps

  1. Confirm which classification you need (general, residential, or a specific trade).
  2. Check experience and exam requirements with the New York local licensing (e.g. NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection).
  3. Carry the required general liability and, where required, workers comp insurance.
  4. Register your business entity and secure any bond the state asks for.
  5. Apply, pass any required exam, and keep the license renewed on schedule.

Insurance and a certificate of insurance (COI) are almost always part of it. You can track your own and your subs' COI dates with the free Krewbase COI tracker.