The Licensing Unit is responsible for issuing 25 different types of tradesperson's licenses and registrations. The candidate may then apply for a license in person or by mail. There are more than 27,000 license holders in the unit's database of approved licenses. The Licensing Unit is located at 280 Broadway, 6th floor in New York, New York and is open between 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM.

• List of 25 tradesperson licenses and registrations issued by the Licensing Unit
• Contact the Licensing Unit

License Information and Updates .......

• Licenses News - A list of service notices with information of what's new in Licensing.

• Aritsan Insurance No Longer Accepted
  As of February 15, 2010 the Licensing Unit will no longer accept Artisan policies for Registered General Contractor (123 Family) Commercial General Liability Insurance. This includes all certificates with a policy number containing an “ART” prefix or suffix.  Learn more.

• NYC Welder Licenses
  Beginning November 1, applicants seeking a NYC welder license must provide proof of welder certification from either the New York State Department of Transportation or the American Welding Society. The city Welder Exam, administered by the Department of Citywide Administrative Services, will no longer be offered. View our  FAQs and "How to Become a NYC Licensed Welder" fact sheet for more details.

• Concrete Manager Registration Extended
  The Department has postponed the requirement for Concrete Safety Manager registration until after November 1. Read more about the  New Requirements and the  Executive Order.

• New HMO Class C License Cards are now being issued - Existing license cards will be valid until their expiration.  Learn more about the new licenses.

• Safety Registration Numbers
  Individuals and organizations performing or supervising construction projects (some exceptions apply) must have secured a registration number by October 1, 2009.
  Note: The requirement applies even if the individual or organization already has a tracking number. View the  Safety Registration Notice,  FAQs, LIC7 Form, How to Obtain a Safety Registration Number, and the Registration Comparison Chart.

• HMO Class C Licensing Procedures
  The Department has introduced new criteria for individuals seeking Hoisting Machine Operator (HMO) Class C/Cherrypicker licenses. For more information, view the  required documentation. a step-by-step guide on  how to obtain a Class C license,  HMO FAQs, and the new procedures fact sheet.

• New License Renewal Procedures
  Effective immediately, all licensed Hoist Machine Operators, Master Riggers and Tower Crane Riggers seeking to renew their licenses must follow a two-step license renewal process and schedule an appointment in person to obtain the renewed license. This new procedure applies to all license renewals postmarked on or after July 1, 2008. View the  Fact Sheet, the Hoist Machine Operators Guide, the Master Riggers Guide, and the Tower Crane Riggers Guide.

• New Filing Representative ID Card
  The Department will no longer use the term “expeditor” to describe filing representatives. For too long there has been a misperception that filing representatives receive faster service than members of the public.  No Buildings employee is permitted to provide preferential treatment to filing representatives.  The Department registers filing representatives pursuant to the New York City Construction Code for, among other things, identification, submission of applications on behalf of owners and record retention.  Registration does not establish any special privileges or employment relationships with the Department. View the  service announcement for more information.

• How To Obtain a Department of Buildings Issued Identification Card - To obtain an Filing Representatives or Professional Identification card, applicants 18 years of age and older must apply in person at the Department of Buildings headquarters, 280 Broadway, 6th floor, New York, NY 10007.

• Site Safety Coordinator Certification
  As part of our ongoing effort to ensure qualified people are managing construction sites and upholding safety standards, on June 2, 2008 the Department will begin certifying Site Safety Coordinators, who will be responsible for supervising construction and demolition of 10- to 14-story buildings. We are in the process of developing education, training, inspection and notification requirements for Site Safety Coordinators. On May 29, the Buildings Department will hold a public hearing on the proposed Site Safety Coordinator and Site Safety Manager qualifications rule. The hearing will be held at 2pm at the Buildings Department headquarters, located at 280 Broadway in Manhattan, in the 3rd floor conference room. Please see  Chapter 33 of the New NYC Construction Codes for specific Site Safety Coordinator duties and qualifications. For more information, view the  fact sheet and our  How to Become a Site Safety Coordinator guide.

• General Contractors Registration

• Reinstatement Process Change Fact Sheet

• Renew Your Electrical License Today!

• Get your Rigging Foreman Cards Today!

• Construction Superintendent Registration
  Individuals who would like to become a Construction Superintendent must submit the LIC-3 and LIC-4 form to the Licensing Unit. For training, view the list of DOB approved schools. To learn more, view from  Rule 48 text.

• Licensing Forms - A comprehensive list of all forms used for licenses.

• How to make an information changeover on an Electrical License - Checklists of what you need to make an information changeover.

•  Insurance Requirement - Guidelines for licensees on how to keep your insurance current (49 kb).

• How To Obtain a Department of Buildings Issued Identification Card - To obtain an Filing Representatives or Professional Identification card, applicants 18 years of age and older must apply in person at the Department of Buildings headquarters, 280 Broadway, 6th floor, New York, NY 10007.

• Business Address Verification - If you are establishing a new business or changing the address of your business, the address must be approved by the Department of Buildings.

•  Fee Schedule - Information on the term of our licenses and all of the fees (original, renewals, late and re-issuance) associated with each.

• Shelve/Retire License Instructions - Complete instructions on what to do when you want to surrender (shelve, retire, etc) a Master Plumber or Master Fire Suppression Piping Contractor license.

•  Merger with the Electrical Licensing Unit (34 kb)- Service changes regarding the Electrical Licensing Unit, Electrical Firm Account Balance Statements, and Payments are detailed in this document.

• Continuing Education Requirement - Pursuant to Local Law 51/2001, plumbing and fire suppression licensees and certificate holders are not allowed to renew a license unless they have taken a one-day (7 hour) continuing education course.