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This guide will help you navigate the ins and outs of New York contractor licensing laws and regulations then you can stay to a higher place lath. You'll learn well-nigh who needs a license, where they tin can get it, and some of the local municipalities that have additional requirements. Keep reading to learn more almost what goes into starting your contracting business in The Empire State.

Working in another state? For more information on licensing, cheque out The Ultimate Guide to Contractors License Requirements in Every State.

Who needs a contractor license in New York?

Land-level licensing for contractors in New York is exceptionally straightforward. There are only two types of contractors that even need to carry a state license: asbestos contractors and crane operators. Plus, both of those licenses fall under the New York Department of Labor.

Other than that, all other contractors are scot-free from carrying a license issued by New York State. But, that doesn't make contracting inside the entire country a complimentary-for-all.

Many counties and municipalities in the country have their own contractor licensing requirements that construction businesses must meet to work legally. Here, we'll go over a few in detail.

Practise you demand a license to file a mechanics lien in New York?

New York's requirements for mechanics liens and licensing are crystal clear: If the piece of work you're doing requires a license, just you practice non hold that license, you practise not have a right to a mechanics lien.

For that reason, it'due south all-time non to examination the mechanics lien and licensing laws in New York. Instead, make sure you encounter all of the licensing requirements wherever you're working to ensure you tin protect your payments.

Larn everything else you demand to know about filing a mechanics lien in New York with New York Mechanics Liens: Everything Y'all Need to Know + Gratis Forms.

How to get a contractors license in New York

If yous're ane of the lucky ii types of contractors that require a state-issued license, here'southward how you can go near getting them.

Asbestos removal

Whatever contractor engaged in the removal of asbestos is required to have a license to practise so. This is less of a merchandise license and more of a universal license for whatsoever trade dealing in removal.

A lot goes into licensing for asbestos, and you lot tin find the full general guidelines hither.

Crane operator

If you plan to run a crane operating business within New York State, everyone who operates a crane independently must carry a license issued by the Section of Labor.

Before a prospective operator can utilise for the test, they must have iii years of practical experience. So, they'll have a choice between vi (technically v) licenses:

  • Course A – Unrestricted
  • Course B – Hydraulic
  • Class C – Boom Truck
  • Class D – Restricted Boom Truck
  • Course E – (Reserved)
  • Class F – Line Truck

Y'all can notice more about these guidelines, as well as the awarding links, here on the Department of Labor website.

New York contractor licensing by county

Several counties within New York have their ain requirements for contractor licensing. The following is a breakdown of those counties and the licenses they require contractors to comport.

As a annotation: New York Country and its municipalities typically refer to contractors and trades equally "home comeback contractors." In general, this includes general contractors and any subcontractor outside of plumbers or electricians.

Learn more – New York Habitation Improvement Contracts: What Residential Contractors Need to Include

Suffolk

Contractors starting businesses in Nassau County demand to check with the Function of Consumer Diplomacy in order to stay to a higher place board with licensing. And it'due south worth noting that almost all contractors need to carry a dwelling improvement contractor license, including but not limited to:

  • General Contractors
  • HVAC contractors
  • Carpentry contractors
  • Tile and marble installers
  • Drywall contractors
  • Masonry contractors
  • Siding installers, and many more

These contractors will take to fill out this awarding. The general requirements are as follows:

  1. Consummate application
  2. Supply passport photo
  3. Choose between concern type
  4. Supply a copy of your drivers license
  5. Pay a $200 application fee
  6. Submit proof of insurance and workers comp
  7. Laissez passer criminal background bank check

Electrical, plumbing, domicile appliance, and electronics contractors will accept to fill out this application with the Suffolk Canton Section of Labor and Consumer Affairs.

To run an electrical business, you must take a master electrician on staff. While there are several other criteria to run across, yous must have vii of the last ten years of employment in the field. The same applies for plumbing contractors.

Nassau

Similar to Suffolk Canton, Nassau requires licenses from only about every home improvement contractor. Licensing goes through the Department of Consumer affairs.

These contractors are only a few of the trades that require a home comeback license in Nassau County:

  • General contractors
  • Carpentry contractors
  • Drywall contractors
  • Garage Builders
  • Masonry contracts
  • Roofing contractors

All of these trades have similar requirements they must encounter, and they're pretty stringent:

  1. Notarized application
  2. Notarized disclosure from each of the company owners, partners, and even salespeople
  3. Ii professional passport photographs for each of the owners
  4. Proof of residence in the class of a DMV-issued license
  5. A utility bill from the place of residence
  6. A copy of the business organisation phone nib
  7. State all criminal convictions
  8. Provide all merchandise names, partnerships, and corporations
  9. Document of Insurance and worker'southward comp insurance
  10. A Federal Employer Identification number
  11. For contractors that sub work, provide a list of all your subs along with their insurance.

In addition to all those hoops y'all'll have to spring through, the application fee for new applicants is $600.

Westchester

Westchester'due south contracting licensing police requires that all home improvement contractors carry a license issued by the Section of Consumer Protection. While the county website is far from exhaustive, yous can expect to have to meet similar requirements as Nassau and Suffolk counties.

Home improvement contractors will take to submit this application and meet some specific criteria in order to apply:

  1. Complete application
  2. Submit a $500 check
  3. Provide proof of business name
  4. Detailed self-written work history of the bidder
  5. Notarized child back up form from every partner
  6. Proof of insurance, too equally workers comp
  7. Professional person passport photos
  8. Copy of driver's license
  9. Current vehicle registrations for each decal requested (they are required)

Plumbing and electric contractors too need to seek licensing through Consumer Protection. To become a contractor, either you or someone y'all apply must carry a master-level license for either of these trades. Plumbers can apply here, while electricians will apply here.

Putnam

Compared to some of the other counties in New York, Putnam Cunty'south licensing is relatively lax. Instead of exams and licensing, Putnam County simply requires most home comeback contractors to apply for registration through the Office of Consumer Affairs.

The application, on the other manus, is only every bit involved as it is the other counties:

  1. Fill out application
  2. Supply proof of insurance
  3. Provide proof of bail
  4. Complete child support course
  5. Provide current registrations for each vehicle you're requesting a decal for
  6. Include a $300 registration fee
  7. Provide a photograph of the visitor owner.

Electrical contractors must hold a main electricians license or employ someone who does. These licenses are under the Section of Consumer Affairs Electrical Board'southward scout. The applicant must have 7.5 years of continuous total-time working experience in the electrical field and laissez passer a written examination.

Plumbing contractors must also take a licensed chief plumber on staff, and this license falls nether the Section of Consumer Affairs Plumbing Board. To authorize, the applicant must be 21 years or older and have at least ix years' experience in the trade.

Rockland

The office that controls contractor licensing in Rockland County is the Department of Consumer Protection. Similar to the other counties that handle licensing, Rockland requires all home improvement contractors to bear licenses.

To apply, home improvement contractors must fill out this awarding and meet the following criteria:

  1. Complete the awarding
  2. Provide notarized proof of feel
  3. Supply child back up certification
  4. Supply a photo of the owner (DMV-issued license volition do)
  5. A business organisation license
  6. Proof of insurance and workers compensation
  7. Insurance documents
  8. Letters of reference from two or more people
  9. Current DMV registration for each vehicle used in business
  10. $325 application fee

To operate an electrical contractor in Rockland, you lot'll need to concur or rent someone who holds a chief electrician license. The bidder must have at least 7.five years' experience and complete this application.

Contact the Section of Consumer Protection for more information on obtaining a chief plumber'southward license.

New York contractor licensing by city

There are a few municipalities that have their ain requirements for contractor licensing.

The following is a rundown of a couple of those cities' regulations. Be certain to check with your municipality, as this list is far from exhaustive.

New York Metropolis

For a city of over 8 million people, home improvement contractor licensing isn't terrible to navigate. Essentially, all home improvement contractors will take to contact the city'due south Section of Consumer Diplomacy, fill out the application, and take an exam. Here'due south what's required:

  1. Complete the basic license application
  2. Create a login and employ for licensing
  3. Provide sales tax ID number
  4. Provide proof of residency
  5. Provide proof of business address
  6. Provide proof of workers compensation insurance
  7. Provide proof of EPA certification (for businesses that utilise)
  8. Provide a copy of a surety bond
  9. Contract compliance agreement
  10. Include a $50 exam fee and pass the Home Improvement Contractor Examination
  11. Have fingerprints taken and pay associated fees
  12. Pay licensing fee

The licensing fees piece of work on a sliding calibration, depending on what time of year you apply. They're more often than not between $25 and $100, with an extended choice costing $125.

Plumbing contractors must have a licensed master plumber on their payroll to operate within the city. Licensing for principal plumbers is a function of the NYC Department of Buildings. Aside from the application and exam, the requirements are:

  • Must be 18 or older
  • Read and write in English language
  • Be of good moral grapheme

Applicants must besides come across ane of the following requirements:

  • Take 7 years of total feel in planning, design, and installation of plumbing systems
  • Hold a bachelor'due south degree in mechanical engineering or appropriate engineering technology and v years of experience
  • Hold a land-issued professional license every bit an engineer or architect and three years of experience
  • Take vii years of experience with a authorities agency inspecting plumbing work

Electric contractors must also accept a chief-level license holder nether their employment to contract within NYC. The Department of Buildings also controls electrical licensing. Aside from the application and exam, the requirements are:

  • Must be 21 years or older
  • Read and write in English
  • Be of good moral character
  • Take at least vii.5 years of experience in the field

Applicants must too meet one of the following requirements:

  • Hold a journeyman electrician license
  • Concur a masters of science or bachelors of science in electrical engineering and:
    • 2.5 years of experience for masters applicants
    • iii.5 years of experience for bachelors applicants
  • Graduate from a merchandise schoolhouse and take five.5 years of experience
  • An appropriate combination of teaching and feel (somewhat subjective, and so exist able to back up this claim)
  • Have 7.5 of experience with a government bureau inspecting electrical work

Buffalo

Buffalo home improvement contractors must carry urban center-issued licenses. These licenses autumn under the Department of Permit and Inspection Services. In improver to filling out this application, the steps to utilise are:

  • Must be 21 years onetime or older
  • Provide proof of proper name and residence of the business
  • Provide proof of years the applicant has been engaged in the field
  • Number of employees
  • Proof of workers compensation
  • Proof of general liability insurance
  • A argument of credit references of suppliers
  • A sample of a contract template
  • Copies of liens, judgments, or complaints outstanding

Plumbing contractors must have a master-level license to operate within the city of Buffalo. While experience requirements aren't explicitly listed on the department's website, you can obtain more information from the Department of Let and Inspection Services. Prospective contractors volition have to fill out this application for licensing.

There aren't whatever detailed requirements listed on the city's website for electrical contractors, simply you can reach out to the Principal Electrical Inspector for description on requirements.

Penalties for contracting without a license in New York

Not simply can y'all lose the rights to your payments if you work without a state-required license, but there can besides be severe penalties, including criminal charges.

For case, operating a crane while unlicensed is a misdemeanor, and it varies between Grade A and B, depending on circumstances.

On summit of state-issued licensing penalties, individual counties and municipalities can hit yous with their ain fees, civil penalties, and criminal charges. It's all-time to stay above board.

Protecting your payments in New York

Sure, information technology'south important to make sure you meet all of the licensing requirements in every municipality you work in for legal reasons. But it's besides essential for protecting your payments. If you're supposed to carry a license but don't, say goodbye to your lien rights.

On superlative of that, New York contractors have some deadlines and requirements to meet to protect their payments. While preliminary notices aren't a requirement, GCs, subs, and suppliers must file their mechanics liens within eight months of last furnishing.

On a residential project, that window shrinks to four months — not a lot of time to be casual with your payments. After filing, contractors must enforce those mechanics lien inside a year, though there are extensions for which you can file.

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