New York contractor license renewal rules

New York State does not issue a statewide license for this trade. Licensing, where it exists, is set by each city, county or town (for example NYC Department of Buildings, Suffolk County and Westchester County), and a license from one jurisdiction does not transfer to another. State exceptions: the NYS Department of State licenses home inspectors and security or fire alarm installers. Rules must be checked for each place where the contractor works. Suffolk County licenses electricians and plumbers under Article XI of Suffolk County Code chapter 563 (Department of Labor, Licensing and Consumer Affairs). Westchester County licenses electricians and master plumbers on a calendar-year cycle (licenses expire December 31; Trades Licensing Division 914-995-2657).

$90 per annual renewal ($60 license + $30 seal). The license term is 1 year on a birthday cycle. A DOB presentation on the DOB NOW licensing release mentions a 3-year electrician license, which conflicts with the rule and the DOB license page; track on a 1-year cycle and confirm the expiration date shown in DOB NOW. Electrician applications moved to DOB NOW in February 2026.

Required for contractors who build 1-, 2- or 3-family homes to obtain New Building permits. Renewal fee $240, late fee $50. Renewal requires the notarized LIC6 application and the Child Support Form, uploaded through DOB NOW.

Renewal fee is $250 every two years. New license fee depends on filing date: March 1 to August 31 of an odd year $200; September 1 of an odd year to February 28/29 of an even year $150; March 1 to August 31 of an even year $100; September 1 of an even year to February 28 of an odd year $50. Trust Fund enrollment is $200 (participants do not pay again at renewal if the Fund held more than $2 million the prior July); otherwise a $20,000 surety bond naming DCWP is required. Exam retake fee $50 after two attempts.

The code sets the license and renewal fee at $200 per annum (563-19B) and licenses run two years, so the 2-year fee is $400; confirm the amount due with the county. Salesman identification card is $50 per year. A Home Improvement Restitution Fund charge may also apply. Town-level licenses (for example East Hampton) are separate.

The county application form states the Home Improvement License fee is $750 for a 2-year license effective Jan 1, 2026 (up from $500). County code 863.315 sets the renewal fee equal to the license fee, but the amount is blank in the posted code text, so confirm the renewal amount with the county. Other fees: expedited processing $100, vehicle decal $10 each, duplicate certificate $50. Westchester also issues separate trade licenses for plumbing and electrical work. Phone (914) 995-2155; the application form lists (914) 995-2211.

New York State does not issue a statewide license for this trade. Licensing, where it exists, is set by each city, county or town (for example NYC Department of Buildings, Suffolk County and Westchester County), and a license from one jurisdiction does not transfer to another. State exceptions: the NYS Department of State licenses home inspectors and security or fire alarm installers. Rules must be checked for each place where the contractor works. Federal EPA Section 608 refrigerant certification applies separately.

NYC only. $150 = $75 license renewal + $75 seal renewal. The NYC Fire Department separately issues refrigeration and other certificates of fitness (not covered here). DOB Licensing Unit (212) 393-2259.

$450 for one category and $150 for each additional category, per 3-year cycle; DEC mails an invoice after approval (do not send payment with the application). Commercial technicians pay $450 per 3 years and hold a single category.

Technician fee is $450 per 3 years, invoiced after approval. Technicians hold only one category, cannot apply restricted use pesticides without supervision by a certified applicator, and cannot qualify a business for categories that require a certified applicator (7A-7D, 7F, 7G).

The $900 fee to register or renew is invoiced after application review; do not pay with the application. A separate Commercial Permit for selling restricted-use pesticides is $600. Phone 518-402-8748.

$225 = $150 license + $75 seal. Journeyman plumber registration has no expiration ($50).

New York State does not issue a statewide license for this trade. Licensing, where it exists, is set by each city, county or town (for example NYC Department of Buildings, Suffolk County and Westchester County), and a license from one jurisdiction does not transfer to another. State exceptions: the NYS Department of State licenses home inspectors and security or fire alarm installers. Rules must be checked for each place where the contractor works. The NYS Department of State issues no plumbing credential. Suffolk County (Code chapter 563, Article XI) and Westchester County license plumbers; Westchester licenses expire December 31 and master plumber renewal applications are due 60 days before expiration (received after October 31 incurs a late fee); Trades Licensing Division 914-995-2657.

New York State does not issue a statewide license for this trade. Licensing, where it exists, is set by each city, county or town (for example NYC Department of Buildings, Suffolk County and Westchester County), and a license from one jurisdiction does not transfer to another. State exceptions: the NYS Department of State licenses home inspectors and security or fire alarm installers. Rules must be checked for each place where the contractor works. No separate roofing license exists at state level or at NYC DOB; residential roofing work falls under local home improvement contractor licensing (see the general contractor entries, for example the NYC DCWP Home Improvement Contractor license).