The Licensing Unit is responsible for issuing 21 different types of tradesperson's licenses and registrations. After a candidate passes an examination and clears a background check, the Licensing Unit is notified that the individual is qualified for a license. The candidate may then apply for a license in person or by mail. There are more than 24,000 license holders in the unit's database of approved licenses. The Licensing Unit is located at 280 Broadway, 6th floor in New York, New York and is open between 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM.

• List of 21 tradesperson licenses and registrations issued by the Licensing Unit
•  Detailed table of all Buildings Department issued licenses (29 kb)
• Contact the Licensing Unit

License Information and Updates .......

• Site Safety Coordinator Certification
  As part of our ongoing effort to ensure qualified people are managing construction sites and upholding safety standards, on June 2, 2008 the Department will begin certifying Site Safety Coordinators, who will be responsible for supervising construction and demolition of 10- to 14-story buildings. We are in the process of developing education, training, inspection and notification requirements for Site Safety Coordinators. On May 29, the Buildings Department will hold a public hearing on the proposed Site Safety Coordinator and Site Safety Manager qualifications rule. The hearing will be held at 2pm at the Buildings Department headquarters, located at 280 Broadway in Manhattan, in the 3rd floor conference room. Please see  Chapter 33 of the New NYC Construction Codes for specific Site Safety Coordinator duties and qualifications. For more information, view the  service announcement and our  How to Become a Site Safety Coordinator guide.

• General Contractors Registration

• Reinstatement Process Change Fact Sheet

• Renew Your Electrical License Today!

• Get your Rigging Foreman Cards Today!

• Construction Superintendent Registration
  Starting July 5, 2007, registration to become a Construction Superintendent begun! Individuals who would like to become a Construction Superintendent must submit the LIC-3 and LIC-4 form to the Licensing Unit. For training, view the list of DOB approved schools. To learn more, view from  Rule 48 text.

• Licenses News - A list of service notices with information of what's new in Licensing.

• Licensing Forms - A comprehensive list of all forms used for licenses.

• How to Apply for an Electrician’s License - Checklists of what you need to apply for an electrical license.

• How to make an information changeover on an Electrical License - Checklists of what you need to make an information changeover.

•  Insurance Requirement - Guidelines for licensees on how to keep your insurance current (49 kb).

• Exam Candidate Information Bulletin - Beginning April 18, 2006, license exams for Site Safety Managers, Private Agency Elevator Directors and Private Agency Elevator Inspectors will be offered on a continuous basis at computer testing centers throughout New York City. For more information about the new exam format, read  exam notice (28 kb). Download application and instructions.

• How To Obtain a Department of Buildings Issued Identification Card - To obtain an Filing Representatives or Professional Identification card, applicants 18 years of age and older must apply in person at the Department of Buildings headquarters, 280 Broadway, 6th floor, New York, NY 10007.

•  New Digital Badging system (31 kb) - The Department of Buildings will be launching a new Digital Badging system to improve the professionalism of its trades licenses.

• Business Address Verification - If you are establishing a new business or changing the address of your business, the address must be approved by the Department of Buildings.

•  Insurance requirements (2,332 kb) - Since, January 12, 2004, in order to comply with New York State regulations, the Department of Buildings has not accepted the ACORD form as proof of Workers' Compensation insurance. The ACORD form will be accepted only as proof of General Liability insurance.

• Fee Schedule - Information on the term of our licenses and all of the fees (original, renewals, late and re-issuance) associated with each.

• Shelve/Retire License Instructions - Complete instructions on what to do when you want to surrender (shelve, retire, etc) a Master Plumber or Master Fire Suppression Piping Contractor license.

•  Merger with the Electrical Licensing Unit (34 kb)- Service changes regarding the Electrical Licensing Unit, Electrical Firm Account Balance Statements, and Payments are detailed in this document.

• Continuing Education Requirement - Pursuant to Local Law 51/2001, plumbing and fire suppression licensees and certificate holders are not allowed to renew a license unless they have taken a one-day (7 hour) continuing education course.