Home Improvement Contractor License

You need 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. This includes work such as building, replacing or fixing of basements, driveways, fences, garages, landscaping, patios, porches, sidewalks, swimming pools and terraces or any other improvements to structures or land next to a home or apartment building.

The New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) gives out this license.

• Business certificate: You need the right Business Certificate for your business type. You do not need to submit this document with your application, but DCWP may ask for it.

  • Sole proprietors using a name other than your own must have a Business/Assumed Name Certificate.
  • Partnerships must have a Partnership Certificate and, if needed, an Assumed Name Certificate.
  • Corporations, limited partnerships, limited liability companies or limited liability partnerships must register and stay active with the New York State Division of Corporations. Check your status at www.dos.ny.gov/corps.

• Basic license application: You must complete the Basic License Application. This application needs:

  • Business information, including identification numbers, such as Employer Identification number (EIN), Social Security number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification number (ITIN)

  • Contact information for the business location and owner

  • History of criminal and/or civil charges for business owners, partners, shareholders and officers

  • Any DCWP license history for individuals named on the application and their relatives

• Sales tax identification number: Provide your New York State Sales Tax Identification Number or Certificate of Authority Application Confirmation Number on the Basic License Application. Learn more about sales tax vendor registration.

• Proof of business address: Provide proof of your business address. Submit a copy of one of the following documents in the name of either the business or an individual listed on the license application:

  • Utility bill, dated within the last 90 days (for example, telephone, gas, electric, cable or water)
  • Current lease or deed
  • Current rent or mortgage bill
  • Current (active) license or permit issued by New York State or another New York City government agency

• Proof of home address: Provide proof of home address for each individual listed on the license application. Submit a copy of one of the following documents in the individual's name:

  • Utility bill, dated within the last 90 days (for example, telephone, gas, electric, cable or water)
  • Current lease or deed
  • Current rent or mortgage bill
  • Driver's license
  • If living at another person's address, a letter signed by the leaseholder and one document (noted above) with the home address and leaseholder's name

• Workers' compensation insurance: Provide proof of workers' compensation insurance. Submit a copy of one of the following documents:

  • Insurance certificate from a private insurance carrier or the New York State Insurance Fund Office, naming the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) as the certificate holder and including DCWP's address
  • Certificate of Attestation of Exemption from the New York State Workers' Compensation Board (WCB), if claiming exemption
    Visit the WCB website to see if you can claim exemption

• EPA certification and/or signed affirmation: Provide proof of EPA Certification and/or a Signed Affirmation. Submit a copy of one of the following documents:

  • Copies of EPA Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) certification and EPA Lead-Based Paint Activities certification, which must include the name, EPA certificate number and EPA certificate expiration date.
  • Copy of either EPA RRP certification or EPA Lead Abatement certification and signed Home Improvement Contractor Affirmation indicating that the other EPA certification is not required or signed Home Improvement Contractor Affirmation indicating that both EPA certifications are not required.
    For more information about the EPA certificates, visit epa.gov/lead.

• Trust fund enrollment or surety bond: Complete the Trust Fund Enrollment form and pay the fee. If you are not enrolling, submit a $20,000 surety bond (or third-party bond). The bond must:

  • Name the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection as the Certificate Holder
  • Match the business name and address on the license application
  • Include a copy of the bond receipt showing full payment and the expiration date

• Contractual compliance agreement: Complete the Contractual Compliance Agreement (PDF).

• Granting authority to act affirmation: If someone else will file the application for you, complete the Granting Authority to Act Affirmation.

• Fingerprinting: All sole proprietors, general partners, corporate officers, principals, directors, members and shareholders owning 10 percent or more of company stock must schedule an appointment with IdentoGO to be fingerprinted.
  
  Visit uenroll.identogo.com. Enter Service Code 1585BH. The Application Number is on your receipt or confirmation letter when you apply online. Example: For Application Number 1234567-2023-AHIC, enter only 12345672023 as the Agency ID. Follow the instructions and pay the required fees. Schedule an appointment as soon as possible.

• List of fees:

  • $100: License fee for new applications from March 1 of odd-numbered years to August 31 of odd-numbered years
  • $75: License fee for new applications from September 1 of odd-numbered years to February 28/29 of even-numbered years)
  • $50: License fee for new applications from March 1 of even-numbered years to August 31 of even-numbered years
  • $25: License fee for new applications from September 1 of even-numbered years to February 28 of odd-numbered years
  • $200: Trust Fund Enrollment fee
  • $50: Home Improvement Contractor Exam fee
  • Fingerprint processing fee per person
  • Nonrefundable 2% convenience fee for paying with a credit card
  • $100: License renewal fee

• Accepted payment methods:

  • Check (payable to NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, accepted only for in-person submissions)
  • Money order (payable to NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, accepted only for in-person submissions)
  • Credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover)

• Schedule your exam: After you send your application and materials to the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), you need to set up a time with ExamBuilder to take the Home Improvement Exam. This is for the main person in charge (owner, general partner, corporate officer, principal, director, member or shareholder owning 10 percent or more of company stock).

  • Only one person needs to pass the Home Improvement Exam. This can be the owner, general partner, corporate officer, principal, director, member or shareholder owning 10 percent or more of company stock). You must confirm with DCWP who will take the exam.

  • You can set up the exam 24 hours after DCWP processes your application, including required documents and fees. You cannot set up the exam until DCWP has all required documents and payments. Once the application is processed, it takes 24 hours for your information to show up in ExamBuilder's system.

  • You have 60 days to take and pass the exam from the time your information shows up in ExamBuilder's system.

  • Test centers are open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in many places in the City. ExamBuilder will tell you available locations when you schedule the exam.

  • You can set up the exam in two ways:

    • Online at dcaschedule.exambuilder.com. Enter your Application Number, then click continue. You can find your Application Number on your License Application Confirmation Page or payment receipt.
    • By phone at 1-646-974-8244. Customer service is available from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day.
      
      Download study guide

• Notification of application status: Within two weeks of DCWP getting all your papers, you will get a letter about your application:

  • If your application is approved, DCWP will send you a license.
  • If your application needs more information, DCWP will send you a letter with instructions. If you do not send the needed information within 10 days, your application will be denied.
  • If your application is denied, DCWP will explain why and tell you how to apply again.

• License validity: Licenses last for up to two years. They expire on February 28 of odd-numbered years.

• Information changes: If your information changes, you must tell the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP). You can do this by:

  • Calling 311

  • Visiting the DCWP Licensing Center
    
    It is a good idea to call 311 to check if you need to visit a center for any specific change. You can only visit the Licensing Center if you have a disability and need to make an in-person visit. You can read this flyer to learn how to make an appointment.

• Compliance: You must follow all New York City laws and rules. This includes the Consumer Protection Law and Rules. You can find them on the Public Access Portal.

• Review requirements: Review the requirements for the license and gather all materials before clicking the Apply online button. You will be redirected to a new web page where you will need a registered account with the City of New York to submit an online application.

• Print the confirmation page: After submitting an application online, print a copy of the confirmation page. This page lists the additional steps and materials needed to complete the application. These materials are also listed above and must be submitted within five business days of filing the application online if they were not uploaded as part of the online application submission.

• Complete forms: Complete the required application forms and gather all necessary documentation identified in the section above.

• Schedule an appointment: You can only visit the Licensing Center if you have a disability and need to make an in-person visit. You can read this flyer to learn how to make an appointment.

• Before your license expires: DCWP will mail you a license renewal application and instructions.
• If you plan to keep operating: You must send your renewal application at least 15 days before your license expires.

• Before your license expires: DCWP will mail you a license renewal application and instructions.

• If you plan to keep operating: You must send your renewal application, required documents and fees at least 15 days before your license expires.

• You must make an appointment: You can only visit the Licensing Center if you have a disability and need to make an in-person visit. You can read this flyer to learn how to make an appointment.

• Before your license expires: DCWP will mail you a license renewal application and instructions.
• If you plan to keep operating: You must send your renewal application, required documents and fees at least 15 days before your license expires.
• Mail these materials: You can mail these materials using the orange return envelope to the DCWP Licensing Center.
  
  NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)
  Licensing Center
  42 Broadway
  New York, NY 10004
  Email: onlineappsdocs@dcwp.nyc.gov