NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)—formerly the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA)—licenses more than 45,000 businesses in more than 40 different industries.
Use our online service Search Business to see if an individual or business holds a DCWP license*. Note: You will be redirected to a new web page. You do NOT need to log in or create an account to search business.
*Note: Not all businesses/individuals require a DCWP license to operate in NYC. However, all businesses must comply with laws enforced by DCWP. Know your consumer rights.
Avoid hiring businesses on DCWP's Wall of Shame: Unlicensed Home Improvement Contractors.
If you submitted a license application to DCWP, check the status of the application online. For additional business licensing services, visit our Licenses page.
A list of active Sightseeing Guide licenses is posted to NYC Open Data on a weekly basis. View dataset.