Contractor Licensing in New York: Which Trades Need a License
No, New York does not require a statewide contractor license for any of the 5 trades covered here. Licensing is handled by cities and counties.
New York does NOT have statewide licensing for general contractors, electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, or roofing contractors. Instead, licensing is handled at the city and county level — creating one of the most fragmented regulatory landscapes in the country. New York City has the most comprehensive system through the Department of Buildings (DOB) and Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP). Other cities like Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Albany each have their own requirements. IMPORTANT: As of December 30, 2024, New York State requires all contractors and subcontractors on public work and certain private projects to register with the NYS Department of Labor (a new statewide registration, not a license). The NYC DOB transitioned all license applications to DOB NOW: Licensing as of February 23, 2026.
General Contractor
RegistrationOversees and manages construction projects, coordinating subcontractors, materials, and timelines for residential and commercial builds.
View full requirements →Electrician
Not requiredInstalls, maintains, and repairs electrical wiring, systems, and fixtures in residential, commercial, and industrial settings.
View full requirements →Plumber
Not requiredInstalls and repairs water supply lines, drainage systems, fixtures, and appliances in buildings and other structures.
View full requirements →HVAC Technician
Not requiredInstalls, services, and repairs heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems.
View full requirements →Roofing Contractor
Not requiredInstalls, repairs, and replaces roofing systems on residential and commercial structures.
View full requirements →New York Licensing Overview
New York requires statewide licensing for 0 of 5 contractor trades. General Contractor requiresa statewide registration rather than a license — mandatory, with its own fees and bond, but no trade exam. Electrician and Plumber and HVAC Technician and Roofing Contractor licensing is handled at the city and county level rather than statewide.
New York Contractor License Cost Summary
| Trade | Application | Exam | License | Bond | Est. Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Contractor | $300 | — | — | $20,000 | $300 |
| Electrician | Local — no statewide fees | ||||
| Plumber | Local — no statewide fees | ||||
| HVAC Technician | Local — no statewide fees | ||||
| Roofing Contractor | Local — no statewide fees | ||||
Estimated totals include application, exam, license, and fingerprinting fees, plus any other fees the state requires to obtain the license. Bond amounts are separate and typically paid as an annual premium.
Set up the business before you apply in New York
Most states license the company as well as the person, so the application usually asks for an LLC or corporation and a registered agent in New York. Northwest forms the entity and acts as your registered agent — a flat fee, no upsell funnel.
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Form an LLC with Northwest→Recommended exam prep
Formal prep pays for itself against a $100+ retake. Many states examine contractors on two separate papers — the trade exam and a business and law exam — so we list the course covering both first, with trade-specific depth after.
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Mometrix · SponsoredContractor License Online Study CourseFull online prep course covering the trade and business-and-law exams — video lessons, practice questions, and a study plan built for a first-try pass.See the course →
Mometrix · SponsoredContractor's Exam FlashcardsPortable flashcards for the high-frequency exam topics — a cheaper add-on for drilling terms and code references on the go.See the flashcards →Key Facts About New York Contractor Licensing
- NYC requires $1,000,000 minimum general liability insurance per occurrence. Workers' compensation and disability insurance are mandatory for all businesses with employees — New York has NO exemptions for contractors (unlike some states). Insurance certificates must name DCWP as certificate holder for HIC license. Workers' comp assessment rate dropped from 9.2% to 7.1% in 2025.
- New York requires statewide registration, not a license, for general contractors — no trade exam.
- New York does not require a statewide license for electrician or plumber or hvac technician or roofing contractors. Local permits may still apply.
- New York has NO statewide general contractor license — this is handled entirely at the local level
- NYC requires TWO separate credentials: (1) GC Registration from DOB for building 1-3 family homes, and (2) Home Improvement Contractor License from DCWP for residential renovation work
- As of December 30, 2024, NYS requires all contractors on public work and certain private projects (renewable energy, broadband, climate-related) to register with the NYS Department of Labor — $200 fee, valid 2 years, penalties up to $1,000 for non-compliance
You're registered in New York — the next 30 days
Most of the steps below are required before your first paid job; the order is the order the state and its counties will ask for them.
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Form the business and get an EIN.
The No statewide licensing authority. NYC: Department of Buildings (DOB) + Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP). Statewide contractor registry: NYS Department of Labor. issues the No statewide license — NYC requires General Contractor Registration (DOB) and Home Improvement Contractor License (DCWP); the business that invoices New York customers is a separate decision. A sole proprietorship is the default, an LLC keeps business liability off your personal assets, and either needs an EIN before the first payroll. Settle it before the registration number goes on an estimate.
Post the bond.
New York requires a $20,000 surety bond. NYC Home Improvement Contractor License requires either a $20,000 surety bond or enrollment in the DCWP Trust Fund ($200 fee). The bond must name the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection as the certificate holder at 42 Broadway, New York, NY 10004. No bond required for GC Registration with DOB. How contractor bonds work→
Carry the insurance the registration requires.
New York requires general liability insurance for this registration. NYC requires $1,000,000 minimum general liability insurance per occurrence. Workers' compensation and disability insurance are mandatory for all businesses with employees — New York has NO exemptions for contractors (unlike some states). Insurance certificates must name DCWP as certificate holder for HIC license. Workers' comp assessment rate dropped from 9.2% to 7.1% in 2025. Contractor insurance requirements→
Set up quoting, scheduling and invoicing before the first call.
Your first customers will ask for a written estimate and expect to pay by card on site. Most one-truck home-service businesses run that on field-service software; Housecall Pro is the one we link because it is built for this size of company and this link carries 20% off your first 12 months. Start a free trial of Housecall Pro→
Cities in New York
Frequently Asked Questions
Does New York require a contractor license?
New York does not require statewide licensing for the major trades. Licensing is typically handled at the city or county level. Check with your local building department for specific requirements.
Does New York have license reciprocity with other states?
New York does not currently have reciprocity agreements with other states. Contractors from other states must apply and meet the full requirements.
Do I need workers compensation insurance in New York?
NYC requires $1,000,000 minimum general liability insurance per occurrence. Workers' compensation and disability insurance are mandatory for all businesses with employees — New York has NO exemptions for contractors (unlike some states). Insurance certificates must name DCWP as certificate holder for HIC license. Workers' comp assessment rate dropped from 9.2% to 7.1% in 2025.