IMPORTANT NOTICE
Starting March 25, 2025, DCWP’s online services will be unavailable every Tuesday and Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Licenses

DCWP licenses more than 45,000 businesses in more than 40 industries. Learn how to:

Apply for a license
Renew your license
Request for Approval of Proposed Change of Owner or Partner or Officer
Update your license information (e.g., change of name, address, etc.)
Link Business to My Account Note: You will need a PIN.
Learn about the Tobacco Retail Dealer and Electronic Cigarette Retail Dealer License Lottery
Learn about the Pedicab Registration Plate Lottery

NEW! Local Law 104 of 2024 requiring hotel operators to obtain a DCWP license takes effect on May 3, 2025, but there will be a stay of enforcement until May 17, 2025.

Read Hotel License Application Checklist and Apply Online NOW.
Read Hotel Licensing Law FAQ.

IMPORTANT: Credit Card Surcharge Guidance

Under a New York State law, businesses charging additional fees for credit card purchases must display the highest total price for each purchase (excluding sales tax).

This means that if a purchase with a credit card would be higher than a cash purchase, the credit card purchase price must be displayed to customers.

Business CANNOT:

Put a sign on the wall or at the register that notifies a fee is applied to all credit card sales.
Advertise a cash discount without including the higher credit card price.
Charge separate line items to credit card users on a customer receipt without clearly posting the total price prior to purchase.
Include a credit card surcharge warning on the item price tag.

For more information and examples, visit https://dos.ny.gov/business-resources.

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In-Person Licensing and Collections Services Available By Appointment Only

Prefer to visit us in person? As of June 30, 2025, in-person Licensing services are no longer available in Queens. Licensing and Collections services are by appointment only in the Licensing Center at 42 Broadway in Manhattan only. View flyer to learn how to schedule an appointment.

Important Information for Certain Business Types

Car Washes
Debt Collection Agencies: Read FAQs: New Rules for Debt Collectors
Employment Agencies
General Vendors: Request to Use a Helper | Waiting List Applicants
Horse Drawn Cabs and Drivers
Micromobility Device & Lithium-Ion Battery Dealers:
- Uncertified devices can be dangerous. Learn more about the certifications and labels that businesses are required to post.
Mobile Food Vendors: Read FAQs: Specialized Vending Licenses for Mobile Food Vendors
Online Third-Party Food Delivery Services Industry: NYC law regulates online third-party food delivery services and third-party courier services in NYC ("restaurant delivery apps" or “apps") and provides pay and workplace protections for delivery workers.
- Read requirements for delivery apps.
- Does your restaurant use an app to take customer orders for delivery or pickup? Know your rights and responsibilities.
Pedicab Businesses and Drivers
Pregnancy Services Centers
Process Server Industry
Secondhand Dealers for Catalytic Converters
Temporary Street Fair Vendor Permit:
- Effective August 30, 2024, street fair vendors are no longer required to obtain a temporary vendor permit from DCWP. Sponsors of street fairs must still comply with all requirements of the Mayor’s Office of Citywide Event Coordination and Management Street Activity Permit Office (SAPO), including providing SAPO with a list of all vendors who are approved to be at the fair. For more information, visit SAPO’s website
Tobacco and/or Electronic Cigarette Retail Dealers

Security Breaches

In the event of a security breach, DCWP licensees must promptly email DCWP a copy of the notification to affected persons required by NY General Business Law § 899-aa(2) or (3). Email DCWP at SecurityNotifications@dcwp.nyc.gov

Additional Quick Links for Businesses

Pay fines and fees

Received a settlement offer from DCWP? Read Frequently Asked Questions – Settlements.

Received a settlement offer from DCWP's Office of Labor Policy & Standards (OLPS)? Read Frequently Asked Questions – Settlement Offers from DCWP Office of Labor Policy & Standards.

Need to have your scales inspected? Submit a request for a scale inspection online or call 311.

If your business received a violation for selling cigarettes, tobacco, electronic cigarettes, or other prohibited products to a person under 21, your business will receive:

2 points on your New York State retail dealer’s record OR
1 point on your New York State retail dealer’s record if the employee who made the illegal sale held a valid certificate of completion of a New York State Certified Tobacco Sales Training course.

Please complete and submit the Tobacco Sales Training Program Affirmation Form, which will be reviewed by DCWP.

New York City businesses must comply with all relevant federal, State, and City laws and rules. Visit our Laws webpage.

Find more information about opening or operating a business in New York City at nyc.gov/business.