Process · For: homeowners, co-op owners, and businesses hiring a contractor
Which license your contractor needs depends on the work. Here is how to check DCWP home improvement licenses and DOB trade licenses before you sign.
Quick answer
Check the license that matches the work. For home improvement work over $200 on a residence, check the contractor’s DCWP Home Improvement Contractor license. For electrical or plumbing work, check the DOB license of the master electrician or master plumber. DOB’s License Search and Know Your Construction Professional directory show license status and disciplinary records.
Key takeaways
- Residential home improvement work over $200 needs a DCWP Home Improvement Contractor license.
- That license does not cover electrical, plumbing, painting, or floor sanding.
- Electrical and plumbing work need DOB-licensed master electricians and master plumbers.
- DOB says the written contract should list the company name, an NYC-based address, and license numbers.
- DOB also says property owners are responsible for any work performed on their buildings.
Which license should your contractor have?
| Type of work | License or registration | Issued by | How to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home improvement on a residence, over $200 | Home Improvement Contractor license | NYC DCWP | DCWP license check |
| Electrical work | Master Electrician (licensed electrical contractor) | NYC DOB | DOB License Search |
| Plumbing work | Master Plumber | NYC DOB | DOB License Search |
| Building new one-, two-, or three-family homes | General Contractor registration | NYC DOB | GC registration status |
| Plans and permit filings | Professional Engineer or Registered Architect | New York State; DOB tracks discipline | DOB disciplinary lookups |
Checking a DCWP home improvement license
NYC requires a Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Home Improvement Contractor license for work costing more than $200 on residential land or buildings in the city. NYC 311 lists work that requires the license, including:
- Kitchen cabinet installation
- Window replacements
- Roof installation
- Central air or heating installation
- Solar panel installation
The license does not cover electrical work, plumbing, painting, floor sanding, or new home construction. In buildings with more than four apartments, the license is generally not required, except for work an owner or tenant contracts for in their own apartment.
To get licensed, one owner or principal must pass DCWP’s Home Improvement exam, and the business must enroll in DCWP’s Trust Fund or post a $20,000 surety bond. Licenses last up to two years and expire on February 28 of odd-numbered years. Check any contractor on the DCWP license check page.
Checking DOB licenses: electricians, plumbers, and more
The Department of Buildings issues more than 30 license, registration, and certification types, including Master Electrician and Master Plumber. DOB offers three ways to check:
- License Search confirms license, registration, or certification status and any disciplinary actions.
- Know Your Construction Professional shows disciplinary and voluntary license surrender records from 1998 to the present.
- Published lists of NYC-licensed Master Electricians and Master Plumbers.
DOB encourages checking both current license status and disciplinary records before you hire.
Want a contractor who files it right?
We scope your project on a free site walk and tell you which licensed trades and filings it needs.
What your contract should include
DOB says a tradesperson’s written contract should list the person or company name, a New York City-based company address, and license numbers. For home improvement work, DCWP rules require the contractor’s DCWP license number on the contract (6 RCNY §2-221) and in its advertising (6 RCNY §2-222).
Why it matters
- The New York City Bar notes that an unlicensed home improvement contractor generally cannot enforce the contract against the owner.
- DOB states that property owners are responsible for any work performed on their buildings.
- DOB charges $600 (one- or two-family homes) or $6,000 (other buildings) to legalize unpermitted work.
What about commercial build-outs?
The DCWP license covers residential work. DOB’s general contractor registration applies to contractors who build one-, two-, and three-family homes. For a commercial interior, check the DOB licenses of the trades doing regulated work, such as electrical and plumbing, and ask for the contractor’s insurance certificates.
Contractor license FAQ
Does a contractor need a license in NYC?
For home improvement work over $200 on a residence, yes: a DCWP Home Improvement Contractor license. Electrical and plumbing work need DOB licenses.
How do I check a home improvement contractor’s license in NYC?
Use the DCWP license check page on nyc.gov and match the license number to the name on your contract.
Does a painter need a DCWP license?
No. NYC 311 lists painting among the work that does not require a DCWP license.
How do I check an electrician’s license in NYC?
Use DOB’s License Search, which confirms license status and disciplinary actions for Master Electricians and other licensees.
What happens if I hire an unlicensed contractor?
The New York City Bar notes that an unlicensed home improvement contractor generally cannot enforce the contract against the owner, and DOB holds owners responsible for work on their buildings.
How we put this article together
Every rule here comes from NYC 311, NYC DCWP, and NYC Department of Buildings pages, checked October 28, 2026, and listed below. The draft was prepared with AI assistance, and every fact was checked against the cited sources. Sanjay D. reviews each article before publication. This is general information, not legal advice.
Sources
- NYC 311 — Home Improvement Contractor License — $200 threshold, covered and excluded work, building size
- NYC Business — Home Improvement Contractor License — exam, Trust Fund or $20,000 bond, license term
- NYC DCWP — Check a license — license lookup
- NYC DOB — Know Your Construction Professional — license types, lookups, contract details, owner responsibility
- NYC DOB — General Contractor Registration — who must register
- NYC DCWP — Home Improvement inspection checklist — license number on contracts and ads
- New York City Bar — Why home improvement contractors need to be licensed — enforceability
- NYC DOB — L2 instructions (Rev. 03/26) — unpermitted work penalties
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