DOB NOW: Licensing Frequently Asked Questions

To change your email address in NYC.ID, log in to DOB NOW and select Manage/Associate Licenses from the person icon in the top right corner. Click on the link in the text: update your NYC.ID account. Log in to NYC.ID and select the Email tab to update your email address. If an error screen appears when you log in to NYC.ID, select Profile from the top menu bar. Click on the link in the email sent from NYC.ID to confirm your new email address. Then log into DOB NOW for the change to be reflected in your filings.

To update your business information: Log in to DOB NOW, select the DOB NOW: Licensing module, and submit a Change Business Information, Change Address or Change Name request. The Licensing Unit will review and update the information. Once updated, the new address or business name will appear on filings associated with your license or registration the next time you log in.

To update your home address: Log in to DOB NOW, click on the person icon in the top right corner, and select Manage/Associate Licenses. Next, click Edit next to the Address Information field to make changes. The updated address will only reflect on filings where your role is not that of a DOB licensee or registrant.

If you have a DOB license that was issued in DOB NOW: Licensing, log in to DOB NOW, select the DOB NOW: Licensing module, and submit a Change Name request. Once the Licensing Unit has updated the new name information, it will populate in DOB NOW on filings associated with your license/registration the next time you log in.

If you don’t have a license associated with your DOB NOW profile you can change your name in NYC.ID. Log in to DOB NOW and select Manage/Associate Licenses from the person icon in the top right corner. Click on the link in the text: update your NYC.ID account. Log in to NYC.ID and select the Name tab to update your name.

Your name is populated from your NYC.ID account. Log in to your NYC.ID account, select the Name tab, and enter the correct name information. Your DOB NOW profile and all filings in DOB NOW (new and existing) will update with the new name information the next time you log in. The name change will only show on filings where your role is not a DOB licensee or registrant.

First, check the qualifications for your license type. Determine if you need to take an exam and what documents you need to provide. Once you have gathered all required documents, including proof of passing the exam, if applicable, log in to DOB NOW: Licensing and select + New License. See the DOB NOW: Licensing Resources page for the current list of license types submitted in DOB NOW: Licensing. All other license types are submitted in DOB NOW: BIS Options

For more information, visit the Exams & Qualifications section and the DOB NOW: Licensing Required Documents guide.

For information regarding licensing exams, visit the Exams & Qualifications section or contact the Department's Licensing & Exams Unit at Licenseexams@buildings.nyc.gov.

See the DOB NOW: Licensing Required Documents guide for each license type and transaction in DOB NOW: Licensing.

Some elevator work might require multiple licenses. See the Elevator License Types and the Elevator agency license restrictions for each license type.

Yes, it is a required question. If you make one entry, you will be able to proceed with your application.

Enter your supervisor’s Site Safety Manager (SSM) license number or Site Safety Training (SST) Supervisor card number. If they don’t have either, enter “NA” or “000000.”

We are enhancing the system to allow indicating a current job. For now, enter the current date to proceed with the application.

When you submit a “Renewal with Changes,” a notarized letter with a statement that describes the changes you are making to your profile is required. If no changes are being made and the application is already paid for, upload a notarized letter stating that the application type was chosen in error and no changes will be made.

Log in to DOB NOW and select the DOB NOW: Licensing module to create a New License application. Once your license application has been approved, you will receive an email notification about whether you will receive your license by mail or need to pick it up. Visit the License Types page to find further information on the application process for your license type and the DOB NOW: Licensing resource page for step-by-step guides and presentations.

To schedule an appointment, log in to DOB NOW: Licensing and navigate to the license application for which you want to schedule a pickup. Click the Appointments tab, then select +Schedule Appointment. In the New Appointment window, select an Appointment Date and Appointment Time, then click Schedule.

For more information, see the Getting the License section of the presentation for any of the DOB NOW: Licensing types (for example, slides 88 to 90 in the Site Safety Professional presentation).

To get your Business Address approved in DOB NOW: Licensing, you need to submit a Business Approval Request (BAR) after the associated License Application has been approved. Only the applicant who created the New License application can initiate the Business Approval Request for the associated License Application number. Once the New License application is approved, click +Business Approval to create and submit the request to verify your Business Address.

Required documents for the Business Approval needs to be uploaded on the Business Approval Request. Go to the Business Approval tab on your dashboard, select the BAR associated with the New License application, and open the Documents tab to upload the required documents.

Your license is not yet eligible for renewal. License renewal applications are due 30 to 90 days before the license expiration date. To avoid a late fee, renewal applications should be submitted 30 to 60 days before the expiration date indicated on your license card.

When you select +License Renewal Application, the system will display a list of outstanding OATH violations if you have any. To see any civil penalties you may owe, search the OATH/Environmental Control Board's resources at nyc.gov/citypay/oath.

For all issues about summonses, contact OATH directly at nyc.gov/oath or (212) 436-0845.

Without logging in to DOB NOW, you can check your insurance status in the DOB NOW Public Portal using the Licensee tool. Search by Last Name, Business Name, or License Number, then on the License Details page click on Additional Information to view your insurance details. You can also log in to DOB NOW: Licensing, go to Manage License, then select Update/Add Insurance and choose the license you want to review.

Only the below licensees, who file for permits, need to carry insurance:

• Elevator Agency
• Contractor
• Electrician
• Master Fire Suppression Piping Contractor
• Master Plumber
• Oil Burner Equipment Installer
• Rigger
• Sign Hanger

If the license type is applied for or managed in DOB NOW: Licensing, then insurance updates for that license type are also submitted in DOB NOW: Licensing. Log in to DOB NOW: Licensing, go to Manage License, then select Update/Add Insurance, and choose the license you want to update or add insurance.

See the Insurance FAQ or the License Insurance Updates Guide for more information about licenses issued in BIS Options.

Only the Director or Co-Director can update the Elevator Agency’s insurance. The Director or Co-Director logs in to DOB NOW: Licensing, selects Manage License, then selects Update/Add Insurance.

If any of the insurances associated with an Agency expire, then all the elevator licenses associated with that Agency will change to Inactive-Agency Insurance Expired status. If your license is in this expired status, contact your Director or Co-Director. Once the Director of Co-Director updates the Elevator Agency’s insurance then your license will revert to its original status.