How to check if a contractor is licensed in New York
Edited by John Voll. Last verified .
In New York, for general contractors, electrical contractors, plumbing contractors, HVAC contractors and roofing contractors, our survey found no state-level license, so check with the city or county where the work is done. Check the record before you sign a contract or pay a deposit, and treat the board's own record as final.
Which board covers which trade
| Trade | Who keeps the record | Official lookup |
|---|---|---|
| General contractor | City or county | New York does not license general contractors at the state level. Cities and counties set their own rules. |
| Electrical | City or county | Our survey of official New York sources found no state-level electrical contractor license. Check with the city or county where the work is done. |
| Plumbing | City or county | Our survey of official New York sources found no state-level plumbing contractor license. Check with the city or county where the work is done. |
| HVAC | City or county | Our survey of official New York sources found no state-level HVAC contractor license. Check with the city or county where the work is done. |
| Roofing | City or county | New York does not license roofing contractors at the state level. Cities and counties set their own rules. |
Local licensing offices
| 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 |
Step by step
- Ask the city or county building department where the work is done how they license general contractors.
- New York has no statewide contractor license lookup; check whether your city or county licenses home improvement contractors or trades and hire only a licensed contractor where it does. source In New York City, the DCWP Search Business tool shows whether a business holds a DCWP license, including a Home Improvement Contractor License. source NYC DCWP publishes a Wall of Shame of unlicensed home improvement contractors. source NYC Department of Buildings has a license and registration status search for skilled trades licensees (electricians, plumbers, oil burner installers) and general contractors. source Nassau County Consumer Affairs has an online search of licensed home improvement contractors. source Suffolk County Consumer Affairs verifies licenses by phone and has an online search of contractors with valid licenses. source Westchester County Consumer Protection has an online search of licensed home improvement contractors. source Westchester County requires plumbers and electricians to hold a county trade license. source NYC Department of Buildings license search lists General Contractor, Electrical Contractor, Master Plumber and Oil Burner Installer license types. source
If the contractor is not licensed, or you have a complaint
Homeowner protections in New York
- State home improvement contract rules apply when the contract price for labor, services and materials is more than $500. source
- State law requires every covered home improvement contract to be in writing and signed by all parties. source
- The homeowner may cancel a home improvement contract until midnight of the third business day after signing. source
- A home improvement contractor must deposit payments received before completion in an escrow account under the Lien Law, or post a bond, contract of indemnity or letter of credit instead. source
- The state advises against large upfront deposits and recommends paying in stages as work is completed. source
- NYC home improvement contractors must enroll in the DCWP Trust Fund or post a $20,000 surety bond. source
Questions
- How do I check if a contractor is licensed in New York?
- New York does not license general contractors at the state level. Cities and counties set their own rules. For electrical, plumbing, HVAC or roofing work, use that trade's official lookup in the table on this page where the state keeps one.
- What can I do if a contractor in New York is not licensed?
- File a home improvement complaint with your local consumer protection agency or the NYS Division of Consumer Protection. The NYS Consumer Assistance Helpline is 1-800-697-1220, weekdays 8:30am to 4:30pm.
All New York licensing rules by trade
Sources
- https://dos.ny.gov/news/consumer-alert-nys-department-states-division-consumer-protection-provides-new-yorkers-tips
- https://dos.ny.gov/node/18986
- https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/GCT/40-A
- https://www.nyc.gov/site/buildings/industry/oil-burner-equipment-installer.page
- https://www.nyc.gov/site/dca/consumers/check-license.page
- https://www.nyc.gov/site/buildings/industry/check-license-registration-status.page
- https://www.nassaucountyny.gov/1563/Licensing-Registrations
- https://suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/Consumer-Affairs/Type-of-License/Home-Improvement-Contractors
- https://consumerlicenseweb.westchestergov.com/
- https://consumer.westchestergov.com/
- https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/GBS/770
- https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/GBS/771
- https://nyc-business.nyc.gov/nycbusiness/description/home-improvement-contractor-license
- https://www.nyc.gov/site/buildings/industry/general-contractor-registration.page
- https://www.nyc.gov/site/buildings/industry/licensing-insurance-guidelines.page
- https://www.nyc.gov/site/buildings/industry/master-electricians-special-electricians.page
- https://www.nyc.gov/site/buildings/industry/master-plumbers-master-fire-suppression-piping-contractor.page
- https://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/LicenseTypeServlet?vlfirst=N
- https://a866-dcwpbp.nyc.gov/search
- https://ca.suffolkcountyny.gov/dcasearch
- https://apex5.nassaucountyny.gov/ords/f?p=288:500:::NO
- https://data.cityofnewyork.us/d/w7w3-xahh
- https://www.nyc.gov/main/terms-of-use
- 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.