New York contractor licensing

Suffolk

Contractors starting businesses in Nassau County need to check with the Office of Consumer Affairs in order to stay above board with licensing. And it’s worth noting that almost all contractors need to carry a home improvement contractor license, including but not limited to:

• General Contractors
• HVAC contractors
• Carpentry contractors
• Tile and marble installers
• Drywall contractors
• Masonry contractors
• Siding installers, and many more

These contractors will have to request an application. The general requirements are as follows:

1. Complete application
2. Supply passport photo
3. Choose between business type
4. Supply a copy of your drivers license
5. Pay a $200 application fee
6. Submit proof of insurance and workers comp
7. Pass criminal background check

Electrical, plumbing, home appliance, and electronics contractors will have to request an application with the Suffolk County Department of Labor and Consumer Affairs.

To run an electrical business, you must have a master electrician on staff. While there are several other criteria to meet, you must have seven of the last 10 years of employment in the field. The same applies for plumbing contractors.

Nassau

Similar to Suffolk County, Nassau requires licenses from just about every home improvement contractor. Licensing goes through the Department of Consumer affairs.

These contractors are just a few of the trades that require a home improvement license in Nassau County:

• General contractors
• Carpentry contractors
• Drywall contractors
• Garage Builders
• Masonry contracts
• Roofing contractors

All of these trades have similar requirements they must meet, and they’re pretty stringent:

1. Notarized application
2. Notarized disclosure from each of the company owners, partners, and even salespeople
3. Two professional passport photographs for each of the owners
4. Proof of residence in the form of a DMV-issued license
5. A utility bill from the place of residence
6. A copy of the business phone bill
7. State all criminal convictions
8. Provide all trade names, partnerships, and corporations
9. Certificate of Insurance and worker’s comp insurance
10. A Federal Employer Identification number
11. For contractors that sub work, provide a list of all your subs along with their insurance.

In addition to all those hoops you’ll have to jump through, the application fee for new applicants is $600.