New York Painting Contractor License Requirements (2026)

New York does not license painting contractors at the state level, but residential painting is regulated through local Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) programs in New York City and in Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, and Orange counties. The New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP, formerly DCA) licenses Home Improvement Contractors under NYC Administrative Code §20-386 for any residential work over $200. Long Island and Lower Hudson Valley counties operate analogous HIC programs. Upstate, most counties and cities have no HIC program but painters still register locally and comply with federal EPA RRP. New York's General Business Law §770-776 governs home improvement contracts statewide with mandatory escrow or bond on progress payments.

Federal requirement: EPA Lead RRP Rule

The federal EPA Lead RRP Rule applies in every state — including New York — to renovation, repair, or painting that disturbs paint in housing built before 1978. See our complete EPA RRP Lead Certification guide for who needs firm and renovator certification, what it costs, and how renewal works.

Governing Authority

Under New York City Administrative Code Title 28 (Construction Codes); Rules of the City of New York Title 1 Chapters 11, 26 (electrical), 27 (plumbing); New York State Education Law Article 145 does NOT apply to construction trades., New York City Department of Buildings (Licensing Unit) (NYC DOB) is the body that issues this license and enforces compliance with it. NYC DOB issues and administers construction trade licenses for the five boroughs, including General Contractor, Master Plumber, Master Electrician, Master Fire Suppression Piping Contractor, and Class A and B Oil Burner Equipment Installers. DOB enforces violations through its Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH).

Official portal: https://www.nyc.gov/site/buildings/business/licenses.page
Address: 280 Broadway, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10007
Phone: (212) 393-2259

Eligibility Requirements

An applicant qualifies only after meeting the age floor of 18 and producing a valid Social Security Number. No state residency requirement; NYC DCWP requires a business address and registered agent.

Good moral character

NYC DCWP and county HIC programs review consumer complaint history and criminal disclosures.

Background investigation

NYC DCWP fingerprint-based background check for HIC applicants.

Experience & Education Matrix

There is no published year count for this credential in the cited sources. What actually controls eligibility is no experience prerequisite for NYC or county HIC; NYC requires a passing score on the DCWP Home Improvement Contractor exam.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

NYC DCWP HIC application with fingerprints
Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, or Orange county HIC application
EPA RRP Renovator certificate

Examination Structure

The licensing examination is delivered by NYC DCWP administers its own Home Improvement Contractor exam (in-person at the Licensing Center). Counties do not require an exam.. All of the following parts must be cleared prior to issuance:

NYC DCWP Home Improvement Contractor Examination — 30 questions, 90 minutes, passing score 70%

Examination fee: $50 NYC DCWP exam fee; $100 NYC HIC application fee; county HIC fees range $200 – $400.

Retake policy: NYC DCWP exam retakes require a new fee and appointment.

Insurance & Financial Security

This credential carries no state-level surety bond requirement under the cited sources. Individual jobs may still trigger a permit or public-works bond, which should be verified before bidding.

General liability

NYC DCWP requires proof of general liability for HIC; market standard $1,000,000 / $2,000,000. Counties require similar coverage.

Workers' compensation

Workers' compensation mandatory under NY Workers\' Compensation Law §10 for any employer with one or more employees; NYC and state Insurance Fund enforcement is aggressive.

Additional financial requirements

No financial statement required, but NYC DCWP HIC requires contribution to the Home Improvement Trust Fund (formerly the Guaranty Fund) up to $200.

Application and License Fees

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$100
Examination	$50
Initial license	No separate state fee
Renewal (every 2 years)	$100

Maintenance & Renewal

Expect to renew the New York — No State License, County/City Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Required every 2 years. Renewal currently costs $100. NYC DCWP HIC renews biennially. Counties vary — most are annual.

Continuing education: No CE for NYC or county HIC.

Downloadable Asset

2026 New York Painting License Roadmap (PDF) — a printable step-by-step checklist for the application process.

Download the PDF roadmap →

Reciprocity and Endorsement

New York does not accept the NASCLA Accredited Examination for this classification.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
No formal bilateral reciprocity agreements identified.

New York does not reciprocate local HIC licensing. Painters working across NYC, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley need separate HIC credentials in each jurisdiction.

Weighing more than one jurisdiction? The national hub compares Painting license requirements in every state — exam, bond, fee, and experience thresholds side by side.

Step-by-Step Application Roadmap

Form business entity with NY Department of State. Register LLC/corporation and publish per §206 if LLC. Obtain EIN and NYS tax ID.
Identify the jurisdictions where you work. NYC, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, and Orange each have separate HIC programs.
Apply for NYC DCWP HIC and/or county HIC. NYC requires fingerprints, the DCWP exam, $100 fee, and Home Improvement Trust Fund contribution. County HICs require an application, insurance, and fees.
Procure general liability and workers compensation. $1M/$2M GL standard; WC mandatory from the first employee.
Complete EPA Lead-Safe Firm Certification. Required for pre-1978 housing; NYC has extensive pre-1978 stock.
Use a GBL §770-compliant residential contract. New York General Business Law §771 requires specific disclosures, payment schedule, and escrow or bond for progress payments over $1,000.
Display HIC number in advertising. NYC and county rules require the license number on trucks, business cards, and all advertising.
Renew HIC biennially (NYC) or annually (counties). NYC DCWP HIC is a two-year cycle; counties vary.

Common Filing Mistakes

Working from the cited board instructions, here are the snags most likely to trip up a New York Painting filing.

Working in NYC without DCWP HIC

NYC DCWP enforces aggressively with undercover stings and $1,000+ fines. Unlicensed contracts are unenforceable.

Missing GBL §771 contract disclosures

Missing escrow or bond for progress payments over $1,000 is a deceptive business practice; contracts are unenforceable.

Assuming NYC HIC covers Long Island

NYC DCWP HIC covers only the five boroughs. Nassau and Suffolk require separate county HICs.

Ignoring NYC Local Law 1 lead requirements

NYC HPD lead rules stack on top of federal EPA RRP; HPD tags rental units built before 1960 for additional remediation duties.

No workers comp from day one

NYS Workers Comp Board enforces aggressively with stop-work orders and personal liability.

Study and Reference Materials

What follows are the regulator-cited and commonly used preparation references for this trade. They appear here for convenience only; CLR takes no compensation for them.

NYC Administrative Code §20-386 et seq. (Home Improvement Business) — City of New York. NYC HIC governing law.
New York General Business Law §770-776 (Home Improvement Contracts) — NYS Legislature. Statewide residential contract law.
EPA Lead-Safe Work Practices Student Manual — US EPA. Required for RRP Renovator course.

Pre-Submission Checklist

The most critical documents or confirmations the applicant should have in hand before filing with NYC DOB:

☐ NY Department of State entity registration
☐ NYC DCWP HIC license (if working in NYC)
☐ Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Orange county HIC (where applicable)
☐ General liability insurance ($1M/$2M typical)
☐ Workers compensation policy
☐ EPA Lead-Safe Firm Certification
☐ GBL §770-compliant residential contract template
☐ Home Improvement Trust Fund contribution (NYC)

Other New York Trade Licenses

Should the Painting path not apply, these other New York trade guides from CLR may help:

Frequently Asked Questions

Does New York regulate residential painting?

Yes — through local HIC programs. NYC DCWP, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, and Orange counties each require Home Improvement Contractor licensing for residential painting.

Does NYC DCWP have an exam?

Yes. NYC DCWP administers a 30-question Home Improvement Contractor exam covering NYC Consumer Protection Law, contract requirements, and basic business law. 70% passing.

What is GBL §770-776?

New York General Business Law §770-776 is the Home Improvement Business Act. Residential contracts over $500 must include specific disclosures, a payment schedule, and either an escrow account or bond for progress payments over $1,000.

Do I need licenses in both NYC and Long Island?

Yes. NYC DCWP HIC covers the five boroughs only. Nassau and Suffolk require separate Long Island county HIC licenses. A painter working across the metro needs all applicable HICs.

Is EPA Lead RRP required?

Yes. NYC has extensive pre-1978 housing; EPA enforcement is aggressive and stacks on top of NYC Local Law 1 and NYC HPD lead rules.

Primary Sources

Regulatory requirements on this page are drawn from the official board, statute, and exam-provider materials listed below.

Verified 2026-06-13 · Next scheduled review 2026-09-11