Print

Obtain a: Site Safety Manager Certification

UPDATE: New License Application Requirement 
New License Application Service Notice - Starting September 7, 2021, all new license applications are required to be submitted online at www.nyc.gov/dobnow. See the New License Application User Guide for step-by-step directions.

NOTE: The Licensing & Exams Unit will not be accepting any walk-in transactions, or paper applications for this process.

Step 1: Certification Requirements

To obtain your Site Safety Manager Certification, you must meet all of the following qualifications:

  • Be at least eighteen (18) years old;
  • Be able to read, write and understand the English language;
  • Be fit to perform work authorized by the particular license;
  • Possess a Site Safety training (SST) Supervisor card
  • Have good moral character so as not to adversely impact your ability to perform the duties and responsibilities of a Site Safety Manager

You must also meet at least one (1) of the following:

  • Have four (4) years of experience serving as a NYC registered Concrete Safety Manager during the construction r demolition of major buildings in New York City, within seven (7) years prior to application
  • Hold a Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST) certification from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) and have four (4) years of experience, within the eight (8) years prior to application, either
    • Supervising workers engaged in construction or demolition at major buildings in New York City; or
    • Providing site safety oversight during the construction or demolition of major buildings in New York City, including conducting site safety risk assessments, developing or implementing the site safety hazard control measures, managing site safety operations, or performing inspections to verify compliance
  • Have five (5) years of experience within the eight (8) years prior to application supervising workers full-time in the construction or demolition of major buildings subject to a site safety plan
  • Completed an 18-month on-the-job site safety manager training program under the direct supervision of a certified site safety manager during the construction or demolition of major buildings in NYC. The supervising site safety manager must register the trainee with the Department prior to the commencement of the training program and certify the trainee’s satisfactory completion of the training program at its conclusion.
  • Have eight (8) years of experience within the ten (10) years prior to application as a NYC Department of Buildings Building Code Enforcement official. Four (4) of those years of experience should include inspections of major buildings for compliance with Chapter 33 of the Building Code.
  • Completed a NYC Apprenticeship program for Site Safety managers approved the NYC Department of Labor.

Step 2: Applying for Certification

Candidates must pass a written exam in order to become a Site Safety Manager. The candidate must complete the exam application (LIC41).

The candidate must submit the application with a $525.00 written exam fee, payable by money order only, to:

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

Step 3: Scheduling Your Exam

After submitting your exam application, you must next schedule your exam.

  • If your application is accepted, you will receive an email from the exam administrator in one (1) to two (2) weeks with instructions on how to schedule your exam. Exams are given at several different locations in the State
  • The exam is a multiple-choice question test and assesses your knowledge of the rules assuring the safety of the public and property at New York City construction sites
  • You will not be allowed to use reference materials during the exam
  • Passing score is seventy (70) percent, if you pass the written exam you will be notified at the testing location the day of the exam

Step 4: Appointments

To become a Site Safety Manager, you must also successfully pass a background investigation by submitting the below documents, as scanned PDFs via the DOB NOW Portal. Applicants that do not currently have an eFiling account will need to create an account by completing the registration form.

Please see the New License Application User Guide for step-by-step directions.

You must upload PDF scans. Pictures of documents will not be accepted. The following documentation is required:


  • You must submit your completed Background Investigation Questionnaire, all supporting documentation of qualifying work and training experience listed in the table on page four (4) along with Experience Verification Forms filled out by your immediate supervisor(s) for all your relevant work experience.
  • Examination Score Report Form
  • LIC50 or LIC51 application
    *NOTE: Applicants with a home address outside of New York City’s five (5) boroughs must complete the LIC50 Authorization for Service of Process by Agent. Applicants may also fill out the LIC51 Voluntary Authorization for Service of Process by Email even if they reside within the City of New York.*
  • Social Security History of Earnings for the years claimed as experience.
    *NOTE: There is a fee charged by the Social Security Administration for this service. You must request the report to be run by 'company name.' You may request the information by mail or in person (ordinarily you can receive this instantly in person). Visit the Social Security Administration for more information*
  • Certified Safety Professional (CSP) designation card and certificate from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) (if applicable)
  • Photo ID (driver license, learner’s permit, State ID, green card, or passport)
  • Original Social Security Card
  • Original birth certificate, current passport or green card
  • Latest paystub or W-2
  • Proof of residence with a utility bill, lease or deed, or bank statement. If the applicant does not have proof of address in his/her name, a utility bill and notarized letter from the person that they reside with indicating such can be submitted.
    *NOTE: Cell phone bills will not be accepted*
  • 18 months on-the-job training program documentation:
    • Monthly summaries specifying the nature of construction activity engaged at the location each month, completed by supervising site safety manager
  • Apprenticeship Course documentation:
    • Certificate of Completion;
    • Apprenticeship Completion card and;
    • Course Approval letter from the Department (if applicable)
  • 30-hour OSHA Course Certificate (if applicable)

You must also pay all applicable fees within the DOB NOW Portal

  • Background Investigation Fee – $500.00
    For questions pertaining to your background investigation or to find out the status, please send inquiries to lbackgrounds@buildings.nyc.gov.
  • License Issuance Fee – $300.00

If you fail to answer any questions on your background investigation questionnaire or do not submit all the required supporting documentation (including, but not limited to: social security history of earnings statement, certificate of completion of required course(s), employment verification forms from all employers being used towards qualifying experience; and copies of your driver’s license, social security card and exam report) your background will be returned, delayed or denied.

*The employment verification forms from your employers must include the full dates of employment (month/day/year), job titles held, daily duties, specific addresses and time frames for your experience working with major buildings as defined below.


    *A major building is defined as an existing or proposed building that:
  1.  
    1. Is 10 or more stories
    2. Is 125 feet or more in height
    3. Has a building footprint of 100,000 square feet or more, regardless of height
    4. Is Designated by the Commissioner

Step 5: Obtaining the License Card

Once you have passed the necessary exam and submitted all the necessary paperwork, you need to obtain your Site Safety Manager license.

  • If you successfully pass the written examination and the background investigation,  you will be able to schedule an appointment within the DOB NOW Portal to take a picture and receive the Site Safety Manager Registration Card.
  • You have one (1) year from the date of notification to begin submitting the required documents for your license. If you do not complete the process within one (1) year of notification, you will be required to retake the examination.

How To

Forms

Helpful Links