New York City requires a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) License for anyone who performs construction, repair, remodeling, or other home improvement work on residential properties. This includes interior work, exterior work, driveways, fences, patios, decks, pools, and more.

The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) will deny your application if any required document, fee, or insurance item is missing. This guide walks you through the process in the correct legal order, so you don’t get delayed.

1. Form Your Business

Before applying for a license, you must form a legal business entity.

Acceptable Business Structures

• LLC

• Corporation

• Sole Proprietorship

• Partnership

Required Filings

• LLC / Corporation: Register with the NY Department of State

• Sole Proprietorship: File a Business / Assumed Name Certificate with the County Clerk

• DBA: File an Assumed Name Certificate

Learn More
See our Forming Your Business guide.

2. Get Your EIN

Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS.

You’ll need this to:

• Open your business bank account

• Purchase insurance

• Complete the DCWP license application

3. Apply for Your Certificate of Authority (Sales Tax ID)

New York State requires contractors to collect sales tax for taxable repair work.

Apply for a Certificate of Authority through the NYS Business Portal.

4. Obtain General Liability Insurance

Requirements:

• Policy must be active

• Must list your exact legal business name

• Must list your business address

• Certificate Holder must be:

NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection
42 Broadway
New York, NY 10004

Learn More
See our Insurance Requirements guide.

5. Obtain Workers’ Compensation Insurance or CE-200 Exemption

Provide ONE of the following:

• Certificate of Workers’ Compensation Insurance (naming DCWP as certificate holder)

• CE-200 Certificate of Attestation of Exemption

Learn More
See our Insurance Requirements guide.

6. Obtain Disability Benefits (DBL) Insurance or Exemption

Provide ONE of the following:

• A Disability Benefits (DBL) Insurance Certificate

• A CE-200 Certificate of Attestation of Exemption, if you qualify as having no employees (the same CE-200 used for Workers’ Compensation exemption)

7. Enroll in the Trust Fund or Obtain a Surety Bond

Choose one:

Option A: DCWP Trust Fund (Recommended)

• Pay a one-time $200 enrollment fee

  • $200 again every renewal cycle (HIC licenses renew every 2 years — always on Feb 28 of odd-numbered years)

• Covers consumer restitution

• Easiest option for new businesses

• Enrollment is submitted with your application

  • If applying online: Trust Fund enrollment is completed directly within the online DCWP application (no separate form required)

  • If applying by hardcopy: You must submit the DCWP Trust Fund Enrollment Form with your paper application

    Important: The Trust Fund is NOT insurance. If the Trust Fund pays restitution to a homeowner because of your actions, you must reimburse the Trust Fund in full. DCWP will not renew your HIC license until the amount is repaid.

    Learn More about the DCWP Trust Fund
    See the definition for Home Improvement Contractor Trust Fund to learn more about it.

Option B: $20,000 Surety Bond

You must provide:

• A $20,000 bond naming DCWP as certificate holder

• Proof of full payment

• A bond expiration date that covers your entire license period

Learn more about Surety Bonds
See the definition for Surety Bond to learn more about it.

8. Provide Required Proof of Addresses

Business Address (one document)

• Utility bill (last 90 days)

• Lease, deed, or mortgage

• Insurance document

• Government correspondence

• Bank/credit card statement (redacted; last 90 days)

Home Address (for each principal)

• Utility bill

• Government mail

• Lease or deed

• Insurance document

• Driver’s license / IDNYC

• Rent or mortgage bill

• Bank/credit card statement

If you live at someone else’s address:
Include a signed letter from the homeowner/leaseholder confirming residency.

Note: Your business address and home address can be the same.  If they are, you may submit the same document as proof for both.

Using a Virtual Business Address: If you prefer not to use your home address publicly, you can use a virtual business address as long as it meets DCWP requirements (must be a real, mailable street address). See our Business Essentials guide for recommendations, including services like Stable that provide DCWP-compliant virtual business addresses.

9. Provide EPA Certification or Affirmation

As part of your DCWP license application (online or hardcopy), you must submit ONE of the following:

Option A: If your business performs work that disturbs lead paint

Submit both:

• EPA Lead Renovation, Repair & Painting (RRP) Certification

• EPA Lead Abatement Certification

Option B: If only one certification applies

Submit:

• One EPA certification (RRP or Abatement)

• and A signed DCWP EPA Affirmation stating the other certification is not required

Option C: If neither certification applies

Submit:

• A signed DCWP EPA Affirmation stating neither certification applies

Need help choosing the right option? Most contractors aren’t sure whether they need RRP certification, Abatement certification, both, or neither. See our EPA Requirements guide for a clear, step-by-step explanation of which option applies to your business.

10. Complete Your DCWP License Application

This is the trigger step for everything that comes next.

We strongly recommend completing the application online — it’s faster, easier, and allows you to schedule your exam and fingerprinting immediately.

Once you complete your application online:

• DCWP assigns you an Application Number

  • You use this number to schedule the exam and fingerprinting

• If you applied online, the license fee is paid at submission

• If applying in person (rare/hardship cases), you’ll pay the fee at the appointment

11. Pass the Home Improvement Contractor Exam

A principal of the business must pass the exam.

Eligible Individuals

Only ONE of the following needs to pass:

• Sole proprietor

• General partner

• Corporate officer

• LLC member

• Director

• Shareholder with 10%+ interest

Exam Details

• 30 questions

• 21 correct answers required

• $50 fee (nonrefundable)

• Available 7 days a week, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

• Scheduled through ExamBuilder using the Application Number issued after you complete your license application (see Step 10)

• Must be taken within 60 days of DCWP processing the application

Need help preparing for the exam? See our Home Improvement Contractor Exam Guide for a full breakdown of topics, sample questions, test-taking tips, and what to expect on exam day.

12. Complete Fingerprinting & Background Check

All principals and named individuals must be fingerprinted.

How to Schedule Fingerprinting

• Visit uenroll.identogo.com

• Service Code: 1585BH

• Agency ID: Your Application Number (numbers only), issued after you complete your HIC license application (see Step 10)

Important Notes

• Fingerprints are sent directly to DCWP

• You do not upload anything yourself

• Your application will not be approved until prints clear

• Schedule as soon as possible to avoid delays

13. Submit the Contractual Compliance Agreement

Submit the signed DCWP Contractual Compliance Agreement affirming you will use contracts that comply with RCNY §2-221.

A model contract and compliance checklist are available on the DCWP website.

14. Pay the License Fee (If Not Already Paid)

Online Applicants

If you applied online, your license fee was already paid at submission.

In-Person Applicants

Pay during your appointment, using:

• Credit card (2% fee)

• eCheck

• Check or money order to “DCWP”

License Cycle

The HIC license expires February 28 of odd-numbered years, regardless of when you apply.

Fee Schedule

15. DCWP Review & License Issuance

DCWP will review:

• Your submitted documents

• Exam results

• Fingerprint background checks

• Insurance coverage

• Trust Fund or bond documents

• Required affirmations and agreements

If everything is valid and complete, DCWP approves and issues your New York City Home Improvement Contractor License.