Does New York require a general contractor license?
Edited by John Voll. Last verified .
New York does not license general contractors at the state level. Cities and counties set their own rules. The DOB License Info, NYC Department of Buildings lists 9,720 active general contractor business records as of October 6, 2026. The main local licensing offices are listed below.
Who licenses general contractor work in New York
| Credential | No state license: cities and counties |
|---|---|
| Board | None at state level (local: NYC Department of Buildings, NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, county consumer affairs offices) official statement |
| Official lookup | No state lookup: check with the city or county. |
Where licensing happens locally
These local offices license trades in New York. Check the credential list for general contractor work, and ask the building department where the work is done if your city is not listed.
| Jurisdiction | Agency | Credentials | Lookup |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York City | NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection source | Home Improvement Contractor License | Search New York City licenses |
| New York City | NYC Department of Buildings source | General Contractor Registration, Master Electrician, Special Electrician, Master Plumber, Master Fire Suppression Piping Contractor, Oil Burner Equipment Installer | Search New York City licenses |
| Suffolk County | Suffolk County Department of Consumer Affairs source | Home Improvement, Master Electrician, Restricted Electrical, Master Plumbers, Restricted Plumbers | Search Suffolk County licenses |
| Nassau County | Nassau County Department of Consumer Affairs source | Home Improvement | Search Nassau County licenses |
Hiring a general contractor?
See every official lookup in New York, which board covers which trade, and what to check before you hire.
Questions
- Do you need a general contractor license in New York?
- New York does not license general contractors at the state level. Cities and counties set their own rules.
Other trades in New York
- Electrical license in New York
- Plumbing license in New York
- HVAC license in New York
- Roofing license in New York
- All New York trades
General contractor license in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
- https://dos.ny.gov/news/consumer-alert-nys-department-states-division-consumer-protection-provides-new-yorkers-tips
- https://nyc-business.nyc.gov/nycbusiness/description/home-improvement-contractor-license
- https://a866-dcwpbp.nyc.gov/search
- https://www.nyc.gov/site/buildings/industry/master-electricians-special-electricians.page
- https://www.nyc.gov/site/buildings/industry/check-license-registration-status.page
- https://suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/Consumer-Affairs/Type-of-License/Home-Improvement-Contractors
- https://ca.suffolkcountyny.gov/dcasearch
- https://www.nassaucountyny.gov/1563/Licensing-Registrations
- https://apex5.nassaucountyny.gov/ords/f?p=288:500:::NO
- https://data.cityofnewyork.us/d/t8hj-ruu2
This is not a government site. The licensing board's own record governs; always confirm on the official lookup. Information as of October 6, 2026.