Home Improvement Contractor License Application Checklist

Sidewalk work requires a permit from the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT). Contact 311 or visit www.nyc.gov/dot.

Many home improvements require a permit from the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB). Work to raise, lift, elevate, or move a house or building requires a special inspection by DOB. Contact 311 or visit www.nyc.gov/buildings. 

If you plan to haul or transport waste resulting from your business operations, you must obtain a Class One Self Hauler Registration from the New York City Business Integrity Commission. For an application and more information, contact 311 or visit www.nyc.gov/bic.

Corporations, Limited Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies, or Limited Liability Partnerships must register and remain active with the New York State Division of Corporations. You can check your status at www.dos.ny.gov/corps.

Requirements

DCA will deny your application if you do not submit these required documents and information:

• Sales Tax Identification Number OR Application Confirmation Number.
  To apply for a Certificate of Authority in order to collect sales tax, visit www.businessexpress.ny.gov.

• Proof of Business Address
  Submit a copy of ONE of the following documents in the name of either the business or an individual listed on the license application:
  • Utility bill, dated within the last 90 days (e.g., telephone, gas, electric, cable, or water) OR
  • Current lease or deed OR
  • Current rent or mortgage bill OR
  • Current (active) license or permit issued by New York State or another New York City government agency that shows your business address

• Workers’ Compensation Insurance Information
  Provide a copy of ONE of the following documents as proof of workers’ compensation insurance information:
  • An Insurance Certificate for workers’ compensation insurance from a private insurance carrier or the New York State Insurance Fund Office. The Insurance Certificate must name the Department of Consumer Affairs as the certificate holder and include the Department’s address: 42 Broadway, New York, NY 10004. OR
  • A Certificate of Attestation of Exemption from the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board (if you claimed exemption from the requirement to hold workers’ compensation insurance). For more information, visit New York State Workers’ Compensation Board at www.wcb.ny.gov

  Important:

  • You must provide DCA with proof of Workers’ Compensation Insurance if your business no longer qualifies for Workers’ Compensation Exemption.
  • ACORD Forms are not acceptable proof of New York State workers’ compensation coverage.

• Proof of EPA Certification AND/OR Signed Affirmation.
  You must submit the requirements in 1 OR 2 OR 3 depending on the type of work your business performs:
  1. Copies of EPA Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) certification AND EPA Lead-Based Paint Activities certification (also known as Lead Abatement certification). Certifications must include name, EPA certificate number, and EPA certificate expiration date.
     OR
  2. Copy of either EPA RRP certification or EPA Lead Abatement certification AND signed Home Improvement Contractor Affirmation indicating that the other EPA certification is not required for any home improvement work performed by the applicant.

     OR

  3. Signed Home Improvement Contractor Affirmation indicating that both EPA certifications (RRP; Lead Abatement) are not required for any home improvement work performed by the applicant.

  For more information about the EPA certificates, visit epa.gov/lead.

• DCA Trust Fund Enrollment OR Copy of $20,000 Surety Bond (or Third Party Bond), properly signed.
  • If you want to enroll your business in the Trust Fund, complete the Trust Fund Enrollment Form. The fee for joining the Trust Fund is $200.
    OR
  • If you do not enroll your business in the Trust Fund, you must submit a copy of a $20,000 Surety Bond (or Third Party Bond), properly signed. The copy of the bond must name the Department of Consumer Affairs as the Certificate Holder. Your corporate name, Doing-Business-As (DBA) name (if any), and premises address must be exactly the same on all documents. You must also submit a copy of the bond receipt showing that the bond has been paid in full and does not expire before the end of the licensing period.

    Download a list of bonding companies. The list is not exhaustive, and DCA does not endorse or recommend any particular bonding company.

• Home Improvement Exam and $50 Exam Fee
  A sole proprietor, general partner, corporate officer, principal, director, member, or shareholder owning 10% or more of company stock must visit the DCA Licensing Center or NYC Small Business Support Center (addresses below) between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday to take the Home Improvement Exam.

  The exam consists of 30 questions. You must answer a minimum of 21 questions correctly to pass. The fee is $50. The 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 Home Improvement Examination Guide to help prepare for the exam.

  Guide is available in other languages, including:

  IMPORTANT:

  • You must pass the exam within 30 days from the date you submit your application or your application will be denied.
  • Only one of the following persons needs to pass the Home Improvement Exam: sole proprietor, general partner, corporate officer, principal, director, member, or shareholder owning 10% or more of company stock.

• Fingerprints and $75 Processing Fee
  All sole proprietors, general partners, corporate officers, principals, directors, members, and all shareholders owning 10% or more of company stock must be fingerprinted at the DCA Licensing Center or NYC Small Business Support Center (addresses below). Bring one of the following forms of ID:
  • U.S.-issued driver’s license or non-driver’s license identification
  • License or permit issued by a government agency 
  • Passport 
  • Alien card/green card 
  • City, State, or Federal employee ID card
  • Municipal ID card


See payment information in License Fee section.

• Granting Authority to Act Affirmation (download)
  Required if someone other than the license applicant will prepare and submit this application.
  Note: The applicant must sign the license application and all related forms

License Period: 2 years; Expiration Date: February 28 (Odd Years). See table for License Fee options.

If You File Your Application Between These Dates:	License Fee Option 1	License Fee Option 2
From March 1 in an odd year to August 31 in an odd year	Pay $100 for a license expiring February 28 of the next odd year. (Valid for at most 24 months.)	N/A
From September 1 in an odd year to February 28 or 29 in an even year	Pay $75 for a license expiring February 28 of the soonest odd year. (Valid for at most 18 months.)	N/A
From March 1 in an even year to August 31 in an even year	Pay $50 for a license expiring February 28 of the soonest odd year. (Valid for at most 12 months.)	N/A
From September 1 in an even year to February 28 in an odd year	Pay $25 for a license expiring February 28 of the soonest odd year. (Valid for at most 6 months.)	Pay $125 for a license expiring February 28 of the next odd year. (Valid for at most 30 months.)

Pay by:

• Credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover Card only). You will be charged a nonrefundable Convenience Fee. (Online only)

Application Filing Process

File in person

OR

File Online

1. Review requirements for the license and gather all materials before clicking the button below to submit your application online using a laptop or desktop computer.
2. If you haven’t registered an account with the City of New York, you will need to register an account before you can proceed to the online application.
3. After you submit the online application, follow the instructions on the confirmation page. DCA cannot process incomplete applications.
4. Important: If you need to file another license application, return to the Apply for a DCA License page to read requirements and proceed to the online application.

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Additional Resources for Home Improvement Contractors

• For the laws and rules that may affect your business, visit our Laws page.

• For resources to help your business open, operate, and grow, visit nyc.gov/Business.

• Learn Ways to Make Seniors’ Homes “Age-Friendly”
  Created by DCA and the Department for the Aging, this flyer offers contractors tips on working with seniors, making homes senior-friendly, and helping seniors go “green.”

• Important Update about Home Improvement Salespersons
  Local Law 31 of 2020 repeals the licensing requirement for Home Improvement Salespersons. Beginning August 9, 2020, DCA will no longer license Home Improvement Salespersons and will no longer accept new or renewal applications. This repeal does not impact the licensing requirement for Home Improvement Contractors.

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Page updated 05/2020.