Licensing Frequently Asked Questions

For information regarding licensing exams, please visit our the Exams & Qualifications section or contact the Department's Licensing & Exams Unit at (212) 393-2259.

You can check the status of your insurance in our Buildings Information System's License Search section and follow the instructions provided.

All renewal applications are due between thirty (30) and sixty (60) days prior to the license expiration date.

Yes. You can fill out an on-line version of the application on our Web site, in the Licensing Forms section. If you do not have access to a computer, there are public terminals available on the 1st Floor in the Licensing Unit of the Buildings Department at 280 Broadway, New York, NY 10007.

The Licensing & Exams Unit's customer service counter is open Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Ticket kiosks stop issuing service tickets at 3:45 pm.

Appointments may be necessary depending on your license type. Please refer to the section regarding your respective trade before visiting the Licensing Unit.

You may contact the Licensing & Exams Unit at (212) 393-2259 or at licensingdob@buildings.nyc.gov from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

Applicants may file for reconsideration within sixty (60) days of the date of their denial letter. The applicant must provide a letter requesting reconsideration and submit any additional information relative to the background investigation.

You must first obtain a Police Report for the lost License/ID. You must then fill out the corresponding LIC application. You will drop off the original police report, application, and notarized affidavit at:

Department of Buildings
Licensing & Exams Unit
280 Broadway, 1st Floor
New York, NY 10007

Instructions for how to complete the process can be found on the Replacement License/ID Guidelines https://www1.nyc.gov/site/buildings/industry/replacement-license-ID.page

Contact the Buildings Special Investigations Unit (BSIU) in writing at 83 Maiden Lane, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10038. BSIU can also be reached at (212) 825-3330.

The Department of Buildings does not have any jurisdiction over the fee charged to consumers. Refer inquiries about pricing to the Department of Consumer Affairs or by calling 311.

All General Contractors that pull New Building (NB) permits for 1, 2, and 3 family homes must register at the Licensing unit.

All contractors completing the full registration process must have proof of Worker's Compensation, Disability, and General Liability insurances. Liability is not required if you are simply updating or obtaining a tracking number unless it is necessary for a particular permit. If liability is required, you must submit it to the Licensing Unit under your tracking number. Please read our Insurance Guidelines for detailed information on insurance requirements.

You can check the status of a licensee's insurance on the Buildings Information System's License Search page and follow the instructions provided.

The Department of Housing Preservation and Development offers training courses for people interested in becoming building superintendents. Call 311 for more information.

You can check whether an individual is licensed and the status of a licensee's insurance on the Buildings Information System's License Search and search the licensee by license #, last name, or business name. If the individual is licensed with the Department, name, business information, and insurance information will be displayed.

Contact the Buildings Special Investigations Unit (BSIU) in writing at 83 Maiden Lane, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10038. BSIU can also be reached at (212) 825-3330.

Please see the Filing Representative Registration Guidelines.

Submit complaints to the Buildings Special Investigations Unit (BSIU) in writing at 83 Maiden Lane, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10038. BSIU can also be reached at (212) 825-3330.

You must request a batch report through the Buildings' Licensing Unit by mail, fax or e-mail. Please send requests to:

NYC Department of Buildings
Attention: LMP/FS Batch Requests
280 Broadway, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10007
Fax: (212) 393-6247
Email: BatchRequest@buildings.nyc.gov

Yes. A Hoisting Machine Operator License is required for the operation of a crane, derrick, boom truck, or cherry picker. The licensee must be available for inspection at the work site. License classifications vary depending on the machine's capacity, height, and boom length. For more information visit the Hoisting Machine Operator section or contact the Department of Buildings Licensing & Exams Unit.

A Master Rigger or Special Rigger can be contracted for the work. For more information, contact the Licensing & Exams Unit or the Cranes & Derricks Division.

Visit our Rigger's section for information on how to add a Designated Rigging Foreman to your Rigger License.

Only Site Safety Managers can work on New Buildings (NB) or Demolitions (DM) Certification of buildings that are 15 stories or more. Site Safety Coordinators may work on sites doing demolition or new construction of 10-14 stories, while Construction Superintendents may supervise sites of 1-9 stories (including 1, 2, and 3 family homes/garages).

Please read the renewal guides for Hoisting Machine Operators Class A & B, Hoisting Machine Operator Class C, Master Rigger, and Tower Crane Rigger.

To have your Business Address verified for office and/or shop use for your license, please fill out the LIC33 form and submit it to the Licensing Unit via fax (212) 393-6247, mail, or in person at:

NYC Department of Buildings
Licensing & Exams Unit
Attn: Address Verification
280 Broadway, 1st Floor
New York, NY 10007

Please allow 2 weeks upon submitting your application to be notified.

Please visit the Site Safety Course Provider section of our Website for a list of approved providers

NEW Elevator License Requirements Frequently Asked Questions

When you select +License Renewal Application, the system will display a list of outstanding OATH violations, if you have any.

Contact the Licensing Unit at nyc.gov/dobhelp. For all other issues about summonses, contact OATH directly at nyc.gov/oath or (212) 436-0845.

Search www.nyc.gov/citypay/oath for any civil penalties that you may owe.

No, only summonses adjudicated by OATH are reviewed prior to license renewal.

If you have a pending hearing date, you can still renew your license/registration. Only summonses where you have been found guilty by OATH and have been ordered to pay a penalty will prevent renewal.

If a payment plan is active with DOF, this will not stop license renewal.

Once a payment is made to DOF, it can take 1-2 business days to be reflected in DOB NOW.