How to Check a Contractor's License in New York City

New York City has one of the most layered contractor licensing systems in the country. There is no statewide general contractor license in New York, but the city runs two separate systems — one for home improvement work and one for permits and buildings — and knowing the difference is critical before you hire anyone.

This guide explains both the DCWP Home Improvement Contractor system and the DOB permit system, and walks you through what to verify before signing a contract.

Does New York State have a statewide contractor license I can check?

No. New York does not issue a statewide general contractor license. Unlike California or Florida, there is no state database of licensed general contractors. Contractor licensing in New York is handled at the local level — which in practice means NYC has built its own robust system that is separate from anything at the state level.

New York does have state-level licensing for some trades:

• Electricians — licensed locally in NYC through the DOB
• Plumbers — licensed locally in NYC through the DOB
• Home improvement contractors — licensed through NYC DCWP for city work
• Outside NYC, local municipalities set their own requirements

What is the NYC Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) license and who needs one?

Any contractor performing home improvement work in New York City valued at more than $200 in combined labor and materials must hold a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) license issued by the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP). This includes general renovations, kitchen remodels, bathrooms, flooring, painting, and most common home improvement projects.

• Required for any home improvement work over $200 in NYC
• Issued by NYC DCWP — search at nyc.gov/dcwp
• HIC numbers follow the format: HIC-XXXXXXX (seven digits)
• Unlicensed home improvement work in NYC is a Class A misdemeanor
• Homeowners who pay unlicensed contractors have limited recourse under NYC law

How do I search for a contractor's HIC license on the NYC DCWP portal?

Go to nyc.gov/dcwp and use the “Business License Lookup” tool. Search by business name or HIC license number. The results show license status (Active, Inactive, Suspended), expiration date, and the licensee's name and address. Only an Active status confirms the contractor is currently authorized for home improvement work in NYC.

• Go to nyc.gov/dcwp and navigate to “Check a License” or “Business License Lookup”
• Search by business name — try partial names if nothing comes up
• Ask the contractor directly for their HIC number before the search
• Verify status is Active, not Inactive or Suspended
• Check the expiration date — HIC licenses must be renewed periodically

What is the NYC DOB system and how is it different from the HIC license?

The NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) at buildings.nyc.gov handles permits, inspections, and contractor registration for work requiring permits — structural changes, electrical, plumbing, and anything touching the building's systems. A contractor can have a HIC license but still need to be registered with the DOB to pull permits. Both registrations may be needed for significant renovation work.

• HIC license (DCWP) — required to legally contract for home improvement work in NYC
• DOB registration — required to pull building permits for structural or systems work
• You can search DOB registrations at buildings.nyc.gov
• A contractor with only a HIC license cannot pull permits — they need DOB registration too
• Check both systems for any renovation involving structural, electrical, or plumbing work

How do I search the NYC DOB portal for a contractor?

Go to buildings.nyc.gov and use the “BIS” (Building Information System) or the newer “DOB NOW” portal to look up contractor registrations and permit history. You can search by contractor name, registration number, or property address. A contractor doing significant work in NYC should have active permits on file and a current DOB registration.

• Go to buildings.nyc.gov to access DOB records
• Search permits by address to see what work was permitted at a job site
• Look up contractor registrations by name or registration number
• Confirm the contractor is registered as an “Active” contractor with DOB
• Check for any violations or complaints filed against the contractor through DOB

Are there borough-specific differences in NYC contractor licensing?

No — both the HIC license (DCWP) and DOB registration are citywide. A contractor licensed in Manhattan is licensed in Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. The permit process runs through DOB regardless of borough. What does differ is that each borough has its own DOB office processing permits, which can affect timelines but not the licensing requirements themselves.

• HIC licenses and DOB registrations are valid in all five boroughs
• Each borough has a DOB office that processes local permits
• Landmark or historic district properties may have additional approval requirements
• Condo and co-op buildings often have their own board approval requirements on top of city permits

What should I do if a contractor has an HIC license but no DOB permit?

A contractor who has a valid HIC license but has not pulled a DOB permit for work that requires one is operating outside of code. In NYC, unpermitted work that requires a permit can result in stop-work orders, fines, and requirements to open walls for inspection. If you're doing work that requires a permit, insist that the contractor pull it before work begins — not afterward.

• Ask before work starts: “Will this job require a permit?”
• Any structural work, electrical, or plumbing almost certainly does
• Insist the permit is pulled before work begins, not after
• Unpermitted work in NYC can trigger stop-work orders and expensive remediation
• A contractor who says “we don't need a permit for this” should be questioned carefully

Is there a faster way to check a New York City contractor's credentials?

Navigating both the DCWP portal and the DOB system, understanding the difference between licensed and registered, and knowing which permits are required is a real burden for homeowners doing this for the first time. CheckLicensed.com provides instant license verification from official sources, making it easy to confirm a contractor's status before you commit to a contract.