Free tool — official NYC DOB search

New York Contractor License Lookup

New York State does not license general contractors — licensing is local. In New York City, the Department of Buildings licenses the construction trades and registers general contractors, and its online search tool shows a licensee's current standing. Outside NYC, several counties license home-improvement contractors through their consumer protection offices.

Good to know: There is no New York State contractor license to look up. Inside New York City, verify the contractor's DOB registration or trade license. Elsewhere in the state, check with the county where the work is performed — counties such as Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland, and Putnam license home-improvement contractors locally.

The official lookup: NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) — Licensing & Exams Unit

Search by last name, business name, or license number in the DOB licensee search. This is the board's live database — the same record building departments and insurers check.

Open the official NYC DOB license search →

https://www.nyc.gov/site/buildings/industry/license-types.page

What the NYC DOB licenses

  • ✓ NYC general contractor registration (DOB)
  • ✓ NYC trade licenses — master plumbers, master electricians, riggers, sign hangers, and more
  • ✓ Registrations for construction superintendents, filing representatives, and safety professionals

How to verify a New York contractor in 3 steps

  1. 1

    Get the license number

    Ask the contractor for it — in most states it must appear on their contracts, bids, and advertising. No number? The search also works by business or owner name.

  2. 2

    Search the NYC DOB database

    Open the official search above and look up the record by last name, business name, or license number in the DOB licensee search.

  3. 3

    Read the record like an inspector

    Status must be active, the name must match your contract, the classification must cover your project, and the expiration date must be in the future. Check disciplinary actions before you sign.

New York license lookup FAQs

Does New York State license general contractors?

No. New York has no state-level general contractor license. New York City registers general contractors and licenses skilled trades through the Department of Buildings, and many counties license home-improvement contractors. Always verify with the authority where the project is located.

How do I check a New York City contractor's DOB standing?

Start from the DOB Licensing page linked above and open the license search tool ("Check Your License Status"). You can search DOB NOW and Buildings Information System (BIS) records by last name, business name, or license number to see whether the license or registration is active and whether disciplinary actions exist.

What if the contractor isn't in the board's database?

Either the license isn't active, the details were entered differently (try the owner's name, not just the business name), or the contractor isn't licensed. Ask the contractor for their license number and search by number — if it still doesn't appear, do not hire them for work that requires a license.

How often should I re-check a license?

Verify before you sign, and again before final payment on long projects. Licenses can be suspended mid-project, and a lapsed license can void insurance coverage and leave you outside the board's complaint process.

Working in New York? You'll also need the permit office.

A license lets a contractor work — a permit lets the project start. Browse New York permit portals for the official building department links, or look up a contractor in another state.

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Managing licenses for a whole crew or sub roster?

Permit Warden keeps every license, permit, and renewal date in one place and reminds you before anything expires — across every state you work in.

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