Trade business resources for New York.

Licensing board, permit offices, and trade-by-trade requirements for New York contractors. All links go to the official sources, not paid intermediaries.

State licensing board

New York does not have a single statewide general contractor license; instead, licensing requirements for most construction trades are set and enforced at the local level by cities, counties, and municipalities. Certain specialized trades such as home improvement contractors, electrical workers, and plumbers have state-level registration or licensing requirements administered by the Department of State or other agencies.

At the state level, contractors performing home improvement work must register as a Home Improvement Contractor with the New York Department of State if operating in certain counties (including Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Putnam, and Ulster). Electrical work requires licensure through local jurisdictions in most of the state, though New York City has its own Master Electrician and Special Electrician licenses. Plumbers must be licensed at the local level in most jurisdictions. There is no statewide dollar threshold that uniformly triggers a general contractor license; instead, thresholds and requirements vary by municipality. Workers' compensation and general liability insurance are required statewide before permits can be pulled.

License requirements by trade

Top New York city permit offices

Business registration