Electronic Cigarette Retail Dealer License

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You must have an Electronic Cigarette Retail Dealer license to sell electronic cigarettes directly to consumers.

An electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) is a battery-operated device that delivers vapor for inhaling by heating a:

  • Liquid
  • Gel
  • Herb
  • Other substance

An e-cigarette may or may not contain nicotine.

If you plan to own an e-cigarette shop, you must also register with the Health Department.

Fee

The fee for the full two-year license term is $200.

Expiration Date

The license expires on November 30 of odd-numbered years.

You can submit a license application only if:

  1. You applied for the lottery and received an offer to apply for an Electronic Cigarette Retail Dealer license.
  2. A business with an Electronic Cigarette Retail Dealer License is sold, someone acquires more than 10% of the shares of the corporation, or there is a change in partnership. You (the new business) may apply for a new license at the same location if there is a current, active license in good standing at the address, and you apply for a new license within 30 days of the sale or change.
  3. Your business is located in certain airports or parks not subject to the community district caps.

If you meet exception 2 or 3 to the cap, you must submit the Electronic Cigarette Retail Dealer Cap Exception Certification and supporting documents with your license application. 

Pharmacies

You can't apply if your business is or contains a pharmacy. New York City law prohibits pharmacies and businesses that contain pharmacies from obtaining licenses to sell tobacco products and electronic cigarettes in the city.

Exempt Locations

These airports and parks are not subject to the community district caps:

  • Bronx Park
  • Central Park
  • Flushing Meadows Park
  • Forest Park
  • Gateway National Recreation Area
  • JFK Airport
  • LaGuardia Airport
  • Pelham Bay Park
  • Prospect Park
  • Van Cortlandt Park

By law, DCWP can only issue new Electronic Cigarette Retail Dealer Licenses when the number of licenses falls below the cap in a community district. When this happens, DCWP will open a lottery.

The Electronic Cigarette Retail Dealer License Lottery application period ended May 31, 2024.

DCWP assigned each accepted lottery application a “Priority Number” using a computer-generated random number selection program. DCWP will make offers to issue licenses to applicants in order of Priority Number.

If you applied for the lottery, DCWP will email you a letter stating one of the following:

  • You are receiving an offer to apply for an Electronic Cigarette Retail Dealer license and confirming next steps.
  • You were not randomly selected to apply for an Electronic Cigarette Retail Dealer license.

If you receive an offer, you must comply with all licensing requirements within 65 days of the date you receive it. If you don't, the offer will become void.

Apply Online

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

Log in or register for a DCWP account.

Apply in Person

You can submit your application in person. An appointment is required.

Download the application on the DCWP license page.

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

You can schedule an appointment at:

  • 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

Schedule by Email

LicensingAppointments@dcwp.nyc.gov

Schedule 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.

Once your license expires, you are considered unlicensed. You may get penalties if you continue to operate. If you don’t renew within 59 days of expiration, you will have to reapply.

Renew 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.

Renew by Mail

Mail your application and required documents to:

DCWP Licensing Center
42 Broadway
New York, NY 10004

Renew in Person

You can submit your application in person. An appointment is required.

You can schedule an appointment at:

  • 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

Schedule by Email

LicensingAppointments@dcwp.nyc.gov

Schedule 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

You can check the status of your application online or by contacting DCWP.

Online

Check application status.

By Email

Onlineappsdocs@dcwp.nyc.gov

By Phone

  • Agency: Department of Consumer and Worker Protection
  • Division: Tobacco Retail Dealer and Electronic Cigarette Retail Dealer Special Application
  • Phone Number: (212) 436-0406
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 8 AM - 4 PM

Online

Business Toolbox

With the DCWP Business Toolbox, you can learn about:

  • Laws you need to know and obey
  • Other licenses you might need
  • What DCWP inspectors look for in your industry and avoid violations
  • How to handle consumer complaints

You can also download:

  • Required signs
  • Checklists
  • Publications, tips, and FAQs
  • Model contracts and receipts
  • Other templates

Go to the DCWP Business Toolbox.

DCWP Account

With a DCWP online account, you can:

  • Apply for or renew a license
  • Submit more documents for your license application (if you applied in person)
  • Track your application
  • Pay fines and fees
  • Resolve DCWP violations
  • Access your DCWP records
  • Update your business information, such as:
    • Your name or business name
    • Contact information
    • Corporate officer
  • Request license replacements
  • Request an inspection
  • Ask a question about workplace law

Log in or register for a DCWP account.

In Person

You can get help at the DCWP Licensing Center and NYC Small Business Support Center. An appointment is required.

You can schedule an appointment at:

  • 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

Schedule by Email

LicensingAppointments@dcwp.nyc.gov

Schedule 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

Visit the following pages for help with:

If you have license-specific questions or concerns, you can contact or visit DCWP.

By Email

Onlineappsdocs@dcwp.nyc.gov

By Phone

  • Agency: Department of Consumer and Worker Protection
  • Division: Tobacco Retail Dealer and Electronic Cigarette Retail Dealer Special Application
  • Phone Number: (212) 436-0406
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 8 AM - 4 PM

In Person

You can get help at the DCWP Licensing Center and NYC Small Business Support Center. An appointment is required.

You can schedule an appointment at:

  • 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

Schedule by Email

LicensingAppointments@dcwp.nyc.gov

Schedule 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

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