New York contractor license requirements
What you need before your first paid job in New York, one page for each trade. The license, the least insurance you must carry, whether the state asks for a bond, when you charge sales tax, and the deadlines that protect your right to be paid.
Plumbing in New York
- License you need
- Licensed Master Plumber (New York City)Renews every three years
- Insurance you must carry
- $1,000,000liability, at least
- Workers' comp
- Required
- New York State issues no plumbing license. Licensing is left to cities and counties, and New York City runs the biggest scheme. Your city or county licenses you, and the rules change when you cross the county line.
- In New York City the license belongs to a person, not to a company. A plumbing business must be at least 51 percent owned by licensed master plumbers, and every job must be done by one or under their direct supervision.
HVAC in New York
- License you need
- No HVAC contractor license
- Insurance you must carry
- $1,000,000liability, at least
- Workers' comp
- Required
- There is no HVAC license in New York. The state does not issue one and neither does New York City. What you need depends on the fuel and the equipment, not on the trade name.
- Gas heating work in the five boroughs needs a master plumber license or a Gas Work Qualification. Oil heating needs a separate Oil Burner Equipment Installer license from the Department of Buildings.
Electrical in New York
- License you need
- Licensed Master Electrician (New York City)Renews every year
- Insurance you must carry
- $1,000,000liability, at least
- Workers' comp
- Required
- New York State issues no electrician license. Licensing is left to cities and counties, so the rules change when you cross a county line and New York City runs the biggest scheme of all.
- New York City has two licenses, and the difference is where you may work. A Master Electrician may take electrical work anywhere in the city. A Special Electrician may only work on the specific buildings named on the license.
Across states
Can you charge sales tax on labor? The rule in 25 states. Which states tax the work itself, which tax only the parts, and how a repair differs from a new install.