New York licensing
Licensing in New York — Sources checked
Who and what this applies to
New York City home-improvement contractor licensing administered by DCWP.
Thresholds and scope
This is the NYC local home-improvement license described in DCWP’s application checklist.
The rules
- DCWP requires a Home Improvement Contractor license for covered construction, repair, remodeling and other home-improvement work on NYC residential land/buildings. Source
- Applicants provide workers’ compensation coverage evidence or a Workers’ Compensation Board exemption attestation, as applicable. Source
- Applicants enroll in the Home Improvement Business Trust Fund or provide a properly signed $20,000 surety/third-party bond. The checklist also requires a qualifying business principal to pass the home-improvement exam. Source
Primary sources
- NYC DCWP Home Improvement Contractor application checklist
- NYC DCWP licensing checklist — workers’ compensation
- NYC DCWP licensing checklist — trust fund/bond and examination
Sources reviewed 2026-09-30. This guide covers the projects and rules stated above.
Not legal advice. This is general legal information. Laws and project facts differ; confirm the applicable requirements for your project.
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