New York City (5 Boros) Contractor's License

Yes! New York City requires most contractors to provide proof of completion for the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) RRP Course (Renovators, Remodelers, and Painters). Proof of this is only required for the Home Improvement Contractor's license, not the General Contractor's Registration. NYC Construction Superintendents must complete a 42-hour Site Safety Supervisor course.

Yes! To obtain a New York City Home Improvement Contractor's license you must pass a 30 question exam related to contract rules and regulations. Special Trade Services will provide you with a Study Guide, and Schedule Your Exam for you. There is no exam requirement for the General Contractor's Registration or the Non-Registered Contractor's Insurance Tracking Number.

Yes, upon request we can schedule your exam to be taken in another language. If your language is not available, we will make special arrangements for you to take the exam with an interpreter of your choice. 

The New York City Home Improvement Contractor's license does not require proof of General Liability insurance. If you have employees or employee subcontractors at the time of your application, then you must show proof of Worker's Comp insurance. If you do not have any employees or subcontractors at the time of your application for the Home Improvement Contractor's license you may qualify for an exemption. The General Contractor's Registration does require proof of General Liability, Workers' Comp, and Disability with no exceptions allowed.

The New York City Home Improvement Contractor's license requires a bond in the amount of $20,000. Special Trade Services will issue this bond for you. You may also purchase this bond by itself if you do not wish to hire us for any licensing services. The General Contractor's Registration does not require a bond, although certain permits may require bonds. Contact us for more information about the different types of bonds and their costs.

 In most cases, having criminal history does not disqualify you. If you've been convicted of a crime or offense and are concerned about your past don't sweat it. Just give us a call and we'll consult with you.

No, New York State does not have a license that covers the entire state. Each county has it's own license with their own set of rules and regulations. In some counties, there are certain towns or cities that have a separate license altogether. 

• Home Improvement Contractor's License - 1-3 Weeks on Average
• General Contractor's Registration - 4-6 Months on Average
• Non-Registered Contractor Tracking Number - 1-4 Weeks on Average
• Permits - 1-2 Business Days 

These are the average timeframes at this time. Timeframes may vary depending on the time of year and your particular circumstances.

• Home Improvement Contractor's License - starting at $1,775 
• General Contractor's Registration - starting at $3,130
• Non-Registered Contractor Tracking Number -starting at $750
• Permits - 1-2 Business Days - starting at $750 each

These are the average timeframes at this time. Timeframes may vary depending on the time of year and your particular circumstances.

Any person who owns or operates a home improvement business without a license or after a license is suspended or revoked may be guilty of a misdemeanor and may be prosecuted criminally and subject to up to six (6) months imprisonment and/or $1,000 in fines. Each violation is a separate offense.

In addition, a person may be prosecuted civilly and face fines of up to $100 per day for engaging in unlicensed activity or aiding and abetting the operation of an unlicensed person.

Finally, authorities can padlock (closed down) and confiscate (take) the tolls and vehicles used in connection with unlicensed home improvement work.

You must have at least an insurance tracking number from NYC Department of Buildings to be able to pull a permit. Depending on the type of permit, you may need the insurance tracking number and a NYC home improvement contractor's license, or you'll need a NYC General Contractor's registration. 

 A NYC Insurance Tracking Number is like a unique code that shows you have the insurance New York City asks for before you are eligible to apply for building permit. Think of it as the city's way of making sure you're covered if something goes wrong, without having to dig through piles of paperwork every time.

Say you need to get a permit for something in the city. Along with all the other stuff you have to show, the city will ask for this tracking number to quickly check that your insurance is up to date—like having the right coverage and making sure it's active while you're doing your thing. 

It's a handy system for everyone involved. You don't get bogged down with tons of forms every time you need to prove you're insured, and the city can easily keep tabs on who's covered and who's not, making things safer and smoother for everybody.