Sightseeing Guide License

Complete the Basic Individual License Application.

Basic Individual License Application Form

Applicant must submit Photo Identification (ID). Acceptable forms of ID include: a U.S.-issued driver’s license or non-driver’s license identification of Motor Vehicles; a license or permit issued by a government agency; a passport; an alien card/green card; a City, State, or Federal employee ID card; or a Municipal ID card.

Applicants must submit a current color passport-size photograph of themselves. Note: Applicants can be photographed at the DCWP Licensing Center at no cost or upload their photo online.

List of Fees.

• $50: License Fee for applicants who file for a new sightseeing guide license from April 1 of years that end in an even number to September 30 of years that end in an even number.
• $38: License Fee for applicants who file for a new sightseeing guide license from October 1 of years that end in an even number to March 31 of years that end in an odd number.
• $25: License Fee for applicants who file for a new sightseeing guide license from April 1 of years that end in an odd number to September 30 of years that end in an odd number.
• $13: License Fee for applicants who file for a new sightseeing guide license from October 1 of years that end in an odd number to March 31 of years that end in an even number.
• $50: Exam Fee.
• Non-Refundable Convenience Fee for paying with a credit card.

List of accepted payment methods.

• Check (Payable to NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, accepted only for in person application submissions.)
• Money Order (Payable to NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, accepted only for in person application submissions.)
• Credit card including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover Card.

You must schedule an appointment with ExamBuilder to take the Sightseeing Guide Exam.
- You can schedule the exam 24 hours after DCWP has processed your completed license application, which includes required documents and fees. You cannot schedule the exam until DCWP has received and processed required documents and payments. Once DCWP has processed your application, it takes 24 hours for your information to appear in ExamBuilder’s system. -You have 60 days to take and pass the exam from the time your information appears in ExamBuilder’s system.
- Test Centers are open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. seven days a week in multiple locations citywide. ExamBuilder can confirm available locations when you schedule your exam.
- You can schedule the exam in ONE of two ways: 1. Online at dcaschedule.exambuilder.com. Enter your Application Number, then click Continue. You can find Application Number on your License Application Confirmation Page or payment receipt. 2. By phone: (646) 974-8244. Customer service is available from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. seven days a week.

The exam consists of 150 questions. You must answer a minimum of 97 questions correctly to pass. The $50 exam fee is separate from the license fee and is nonrefundable. If you fail the exam twice, you must pay the exam fee again in order to retake the exam.

Download the Frequently Asked Questions: Exams and Study Reference to help you prepare for the exam.

Within two weeks of DCWP receiving all required materials, applicants will receive one of the following notifications by mail with the status of their license application.
- If the application is approved, DCWP will issue the applicant a license document.
- If the application requires additional information, DCWP will notify the applicant by mail with instructions on how to submit this information. If the applicant does not submit the requested materials to DCWP within 10 days of receiving this notification letter, the application will be denied.
- If the application is denied, DCWP will provide an explanation for the denial and information about the reapplication process.

Licenses are valid for up to two years and expire on March 31 of years that end in an even number.

If any of the information submitted in the approved application changes, the licensee must inform DCWP of those changes by calling 311 or by visiting the DCWP Licensing Center or NYC Small Business Support Center. DCWP recommends that licensees call 311 to confirm that they need to go to a Center for any specific change. You must schedule an appointment to visit in person. View flyer to learn how to schedule an appointment.

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All laws and rules of the City of New York, including the Consumer Protection Law and Rules, are available through the PUBLIC ACCESS PORTAL.

Review the requirements for the license and gather all materials before clicking the Apply Online button. Note: 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.

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Apply Online

After submitting an application online, print a copy of the Confirmation Page. The Confirmation Page will list the additional steps and materials required 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 the required application forms and gather all necessary documentation identified in the section above.

Schedule an appointment to file in person at the DCWP Licensing Center or NYC Small Business Support Center. View flyer to learn how to schedule an appointment.

Before the license expires, DCWP will mail a license renewal application and instructions to the licensee. If the licensee plans to continue operating, the licensee must submit their renewal application at least 15 days before the license expires.

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Renew Online

p>Before the license expires, DCWP will mail a license renewal application and instructions to the licensee. If the licensee plans to continue operating, the licensee must submit their renewal application, required documents, and fees at least 15 days before the license expires. Licensee must schedule an appointment to file in person at the DCWP Licensing Center or NYC Small Business Support Center. View flyer to learn how to schedule an appointment.

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Before the license expires, DCWP will mail a license renewal application and instructions to the licensee. If the licensee plans to continue operating, the licensee must submit their renewal application, required documents, and fees at least 15 days before the license expires. Licensee can mail materials using the orange return envelope to the DCWP Licensing Center.

contact-info

NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)

Licensing Center

42 Broadway, Lobby

New York

NY

10004

onlineappsdocs@dcwp.nyc.gov