Home Improvement Contractor License: NYC, Long Island, Westchester
New York has no statewide home improvement license, so NYC and most nearby counties license contractors themselves. Who licenses, and the insurance and bonds.
By Seayora Editorial Team · Published · Facts checked · 3 min read
Short answer: New York State does not license home improvement contractors, so licensing is local. In New York City the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection issues a Home Improvement Contractor license, which requires a trust fund payment or a $20,000 surety bond. Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester and Rockland counties license contractors, and Putnam County requires registration with a $25,000 bond. Westchester added HVAC and power washing licenses in July 2025. Each county sets its own insurance, fee and renewal rules.
Key takeaways
- NYC: a DCWP Home Improvement Contractor license, a $200 trust fund payment or a $20,000 bond, and fingerprints; it runs two years.
- Nassau requires $250,000/$500,000 bodily injury and $100,000 property damage coverage for a home improvement license.
- Putnam requires a $25,000 license and permit bond for registration.
- Plumbing and electrical work need their own trade licenses in every one of these places.
Does New York State license home improvement contractors?
No. New York has no statewide home improvement contractor license, so the license, if there is one, comes from the city or county where the work is done. A contractor working across the region often needs several. Electricians and plumbers are separate again; see electrician and plumber licenses around New York City.
| Where the work is | Who licenses | Notable requirements |
|---|---|---|
| New York City | Department of Consumer and Worker Protection | Trust fund enrollment ($200) or a $20,000 surety bond; fingerprints for owners and principals; two-year license expiring February 28 of odd years |
| Nassau County | Office of Consumer Affairs | Insurance of $250,000/$500,000 bodily injury and $100,000 property damage; workers’ compensation or a waiver |
| Suffolk County | Department of Labor, Licensing and Consumer Affairs | County home improvement license; check the county for current fees and requirements |
| Westchester County | Department of Consumer Protection | License under Article XVI of the County law; HVAC and power washing licenses required since July 2025; Yonkers licenses separately |
| Rockland County | Office of Consumer Protection | License under Chapter 286; experience, out-of-jurisdiction and surety bond application routes |
| Putnam County | Consumer Affairs | Registration with a $25,000 license and permit bond for a two-year period |
What does New York City require?
A person or business must have a Home Improvement Contractor license to do construction, repair, remodeling or other home improvement work to any residential land or building in New York City. The application requires either enrollment in the Home Improvement Business Trust Fund, for $200, or a copy of a $20,000 surety bond naming the department; fingerprinting of sole proprietors, partners, officers, principals and shareholders owning more than 10%; and the department’s other listed documents. The license runs two years and expires February 28 in odd years (DCWP).
What do Nassau and Suffolk require?
Nassau County’s home improvement license requires a certificate of insurance with bodily injury coverage of at least $250,000 per person and $500,000 per occurrence and property damage of $100,000, a specific description of the covered work (the county will not accept “general contracting” or “home improvement”), and the department named as certificate holder (Nassau County). The county’s FAQ says work only on commercial buildings does not need the license, and that employees of contractors, plumbers and electricians working in their licensed field are not required to hold it (Nassau County FAQ). Suffolk County licenses home improvement contractors through its Department of Labor, Licensing and Consumer Affairs and publishes a searchable list of licensees (Suffolk County).
What do Westchester, Rockland and Putnam require?
Westchester requires home improvement contractors to be licensed under Article XVI of the County law, and licensed contractors must display a green sticker on the rear bumper of their vehicles showing the license expiration (Westchester County). Since the first week of July 2025, HVAC professionals and power washing operators must also be licensed by the county (Westchester County). Rockland County licenses home improvement contractors under Chapter 286 of its code (Rockland County). Putnam County requires registration with a certificate of liability insurance naming the county, workers’ compensation or an exemption, and a $25,000 license and permit bond for a two-year period (Putnam County).
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a license to do home improvement in New York State?
Not from the state. You need the license of the city or county where the work is, such as NYC’s DCWP license or the Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester or Rockland county license, or Putnam’s registration.
Does an NYC home improvement license cover Long Island?
No. Nassau and Suffolk each issue their own license, and Westchester, Rockland and Putnam have their own rules too.
Does Westchester require HVAC contractors to be licensed?
Yes. Since the first week of July 2025, HVAC professionals and power washing operators must be licensed by the Westchester County Department of Consumer Protection.
Sources
- Home Improvement Contractor license application checklist, NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection
- Home improvement license: insurance requirements, Nassau County Office of Consumer Affairs
- Frequently asked questions on obtaining a home improvement license, Nassau County Office of Consumer Affairs
- Licensing, Suffolk County Department of Labor, Licensing and Consumer Affairs
- Consumer Protection Department reminds residents to verify licenses (press release), Westchester County
- Westchester County issues reminder on new HVAC and power washer licensing rules (July 28, 2025), Westchester County
- Licenses and permits for contractors, Rockland County Office of Consumer Protection
- New home improvement contractor registration instructions (January 2025), Putnam County Consumer Affairs
How Seayora helps
Contractor compliance: Store each license, bond and insurance certificate with its renewal date.
This article is general information, not legal or safety advice. Rules for contractors are set by federal and state agencies and by counties and towns, and they change by regulation, so confirm the current requirement with the agency named in the article before you rely on it.
How we write and check these guides: editorial standards.
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