Home Improvement Contractor License

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You must have a Home Improvement Contractor License to do construction, repair, remodeling, or other home improvement work costing more than $200 to any residential land or building in New York City.

Fee

The fee for the full two-year license term is $100.

Expiration Date

The license expires February 28 in odd-numbered years.

Important Update about New Local Law

Beginning August 9, 2020, new and renewing Home Improvement Contractor license applicants must submit proof that they are certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) relating to safe lead practices and/or affirm that certification is not required based on the type of work the business performs.

Applicants must submit:

  • Copies of EPA Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) certification AND EPA Lead-Based Paint Activities certification (also known as Lead Abatement certification),
    OR
  • Copy of either EPA RRP certification or Lead Abatement certification AND a signed Affirmation indicating that the other EPA certification is not required,
    OR
  • Signed Affirmation that both EPA certifications are not required for any home improvement work performed by the applicant.

Learn about EPA certifications.

The law also repeals the licensing requirement for Home Improvement Salespersons as of August 9, 2020.

  • Additions
  • Central air or heating installation
  • Construction of walls or ceilings
  • Driveways
  • Finished basements
  • Garages
  • Greenhouses
  • Iron Work
  • Kitchen cabinet installation
  • Landscaping
  • Patios
  • Remodeling
  • Renovations
  • Repairs costing more than $250
  • Roof installation
  • Sandblasting
  • Sidewalks
  • Siding
  • Storm windows
  • Swimming pool installation
  • Terraces
  • Waterproofing
  • Window replacements
  • Work done in condos or co-ops
  • Work done in residential buildings with four or fewer units

  • Architectural plans
  • Burglar alarm systems
  • Carpet or linoleum installation
  • Claims for loss of time or money not related to the contract
  • Electrical work
  • Floor sanding
  • Furniture refinishing
  • Handyman work costing less than $250
  • Interior design work
  • New home construction
  • Painting
  • Plumbing
  • Purchase of kitchen cabinets
  • Upholstery
  • Venetian blinds
  • Wallpapering
  • Work in buildings with more than four units
  • Work not done on prime residence

Call 311 or 212-NEW-YORK (212-639-9675) to request a copy.

Online

To apply online, you need a Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) account.

Log in or register for a DCWP account.

In Person

To apply in person, you have to bring your completed application to the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Licensing Center or the NYC Small Business Support Center. Appointments are required.

  • DCWP Licensing Center
    42 Broadway
    New York, NY 10004
    Mon - Thu: 8 AM - 4 PM; last appointment at 3:30 PM
     
  • NYC Small Business Support Center
    90-27 Sutphin Boulevard, 4th Floor
    Jamaica, NY 11435
    Mon - Thu: 8 AM - 4 PM; last appointment at 3:30 PM

Email or call DCWP to schedule an appointment.

By Email

Email LicensingAppointments@dcwp.nyc.gov.

By Phone

  • Agency: Department of Consumer and Worker Protection
  • Division: Licensing Appointment Line
  • Phone Number: (212) 436-0441
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 8 AM - 4 PM

About three months before your license expires, the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) will mail you a renewal package.

You can complete and submit the application DCWP sent you by mail or in person, or you can renew online. Once your license expires, you are considered unlicensed and you may get penalties if you continue to operate. If you don’t renew your license within 59 days of expiration, you will have to reapply for a new license.

Online

To renew online you need to have a DCWP online account and a Personal Identification Number (PIN). The PIN is required to link information about your DCWP records to your online account.

Log in or register for a DCWP account.

If you don’t have a PIN already, you can request it by phone.

By Mail

Mail your application and required documents to:

DCWP Licensing Center
42 Broadway
New York, NY 10004

In Person

To renew in person, you have to bring your completed application to the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Licensing Center or the NYC Small Business Support Center. Appointments are required.

  • DCWP Licensing Center
    42 Broadway
    New York, NY 10004
    Mon - Thu: 8 AM - 4 PM; last appointment at 3:30 PM
     
  • NYC Small Business Support Center
    90-27 Sutphin Boulevard, 4th Floor
    Jamaica, NY 11435
    Mon - Thu: 8 AM - 4 PM; last appointment at 3:30 PM

Email or call DCWP to schedule an appointment.

By Email

Email LicensingAppointments@dcwp.nyc.gov.

By Phone

  • Agency: Department of Consumer and Worker Protection
  • Division: Licensing Appointment Line
  • Phone Number: (212) 436-0441
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 8 AM - 4 PM

Online

You can check the status of your application through your DCWP account.

Log in or register for a DCWP account.

By Email

Email onlineappsdocs@dcwp.nyc.gov for assistance.

By Phone

  • Agency: Department of Consumer and Worker Protection
  • Division: Licensing Center
  • Phone Number: (212) 487-4104
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 8 AM - 4 PM

Online

On the DCWP website, you can:

  • Live chat with a DCWP representative
  • Learn about laws you need to know and obey
  • Learn about other licenses you might need
  • Download valuable publications, tips, and FAQs
  • Request an inspection
  • Read checklists to learn what DCWP inspectors look for in your industry and avoid violations
  • Learn how to handle consumer complaints
  • Pay fines by credit card
  • Resolve a DCWP violation
  • Update important business information, including your contact information, your name or business name, or corporate officer information
  • Request the replacement of a lost, stolen, or damaged DCWP license document
  • Download DCWP's model contracts and model receipts, required signs, and other templates

Go to the DCWP Business Toolbox.

With a DCWP online account, you can:

  • Access your DCWP records
  • Renew a license
  • Change address
  • Change name
  • Change officer information
  • Request license replacement
  • Follow the status of applications
  • Submit additional documents as part of your license application (if you submitted your application at the DCWP Licensing Center)

Log in or register for a DCWP account.

By Phone

  • Agency: Department of Consumer and Worker Protection
  • Division: Licensing Center
  • Phone Number: (212) 487-4104
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 8 AM - 4 PM

In Person

In-person assistance at the DCWP Licensing Center and NYC Small Business Support Center is by appointment only.

  • DCWP Licensing Center
    42 Broadway
    New York, NY 10004
    Mon - Thu: 8 AM - 4 PM; last appointment at 3:30 PM
     
  • NYC Small Business Support Center
    90-27 Sutphin Boulevard, 4th Floor
    Jamaica, NY 11435
    Mon - Thu: 8 AM - 4 PM; last appointment at 3:30 PM

Email or call DCWP to schedule an appointment.

By Email

Email LicensingAppointments@dcwp.nyc.gov.

By Phone

  • Agency: Department of Consumer and Worker Protection
  • Division: Licensing Appointment Line
  • Phone Number: (212) 436-0441
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 8 AM - 4 PM

If you’re using the online services portal to submit applications and other requests to the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), you can get help with technical problems, including:

  • Log-in problems
  • Resetting user names or passwords
  • Document upload issues
  • Error messages
  • Web page not loading
  • Button not responding

Email ELP@dcwp.nyc.gov for help.

You can get answers to license-specific questions and information about application requirements.

By Email

Email onlineappsdocs@dcwp.nyc.gov for assistance.

By Phone

  • Agency: Department of Consumer and Worker Protection
  • Division: Licensing Center
  • Phone Number: (212) 487-4104
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 8 AM - 4 PM

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