New Jersey New Home Builder Registration Renewal

Last reviewed October 2026 · 6 min read

New Jersey's New Home Warranty and Builders' Registration Act requires a builder to register with the State before starting construction of any new home and before offering a warranty on any new home bought and sold in New Jersey. The Department of Community Affairs' New Home Warranty Program (Bureau of Homeowner Protection) registers builders for two years at a time, and every renewal costs a nonrefundable $200 and must meet the same requirements as a new registration. The application asks you to allow at least 20 working days for processing and says late filings won't be expedited, so file well before the expiration date on your certificate.

At a glance

Who must register: All builders of owner-occupied new homes, including single family, townhouse, duplex (two-family), cooperative, condominium, factory-built and modular residences. Under N.J.A.C. 5:25-2.1, that means anyone constructing a new home for sale, acting as prime contractor to construct a new home on behalf of oneself or another person, or advertising or holding oneself out as constructing or being available to construct new homes; it also covers selling or transferring land and then taking part in building a new home on it, and contracting with a general contractor or subcontractors to build a new home for sale to an owner
Not required: A person who builds a new home for their own personal use and occupancy, though no more often than once every five years without registering, and the licensed architect, professional engineer or attorney who provides customary professional services for that home
Which business registers: Each new home building business registers separately. The company transferring title to the new home is the one that must register and warrant it. The application names a builder designee on Schedule A: an individual who is a primary partner, principal, officer, member or director
Renews every: 2 years. A registration is valid for two years from the approval date, until the expiration date on the certificate of registration, and may be renewed for additional two-year periods
Who must renew: A builder who has provided warranty coverage on a home that is still in its first two years of warranty coverage must renew the registration
Renewal fee: $200, nonrefundable, the same as a new registration. An amendment that needs a new builder's registration card before the expiration date costs $25
Renewal requirements: The same as for a new registration. DCA's Bureau of Homeowner Protection page sends builders to the DCA Services Portal to apply for a registration renewal; the Home Builder Registration Application (New/Renewal) form is posted on the builder registration page
Renewal documents: The completed application, with Schedule A for the builder designee (and Schedules B and C if the designee holds at least a 10% interest), Schedules B and C for each principal or officer with at least a 10% interest, and Schedule C signed by each individual with 10% or more interest; a Business Entity Status Report, Annual Report or Long Form Standing (from the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services) showing the current principals or officers and the company's status; documentation of any changes in principals, members, directors, partners or officers since the previous renewal; and, if you use a private warranty plan, proof of current membership enrollment
Processing time: Allow at least 20 working days, and late application filings will not be expedited. The date of filing is the day the Bureau of Homeowner Protection receives a completed application with all required documentation: incomplete applications will not be processed. An application can be closed if you don't correct a deficiency within 30 days after being notified, and restarting then takes a new application and a new $200 fee
Warranty plan: A registered builder must enroll in a warranty plan: the State Plan or an approved private plan. A registration becomes invalid if the builder fails to continue or lets lapse that participation, and also expires if the builder designee's relationship with the business ends and no other designee is substituted
Building permits: Show your registration card to the local construction official when you get construction permits for a new home. No certificate of occupancy is issued unless you show the construction official that the new home is covered by a warranty
Changes: File an amended application within 30 days of any material change in the information in your most recent application or amendment
Working unregistered: Failing to register, to file a required amended application, or to maintain a current registration carries a penalty of up to $2,000 for each offense, and each new home sold while unregistered is a separate offense
Continuing education: None listed: DCA's builder registration page and the rules name no continuing education requirement
Questions: Bureau of Homeowner Protection, New Home Warranty Program, PO Box 805, Trenton, NJ 08625-0805: (609) 984-7905, BHP_BR@dca.nj.gov

If a home you warranted is still in its first two years of warranty coverage, you must renew.

A registration doesn't only end on its expiration date: it becomes invalid if your warranty plan participation lapses, and expires if your builder designee leaves without a substitute.

How to renew

Find the expiration date on your certificate of registration: a registration is valid for two years from its approval date.
About two months ahead, get a current Business Entity Status Report, Annual Report or Long Form Standing from the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services, and gather documentation of any changes in your principals or officers.
Have your builder designee complete Schedule A, and each principal or officer with at least a 10% interest Schedules B and C. Using a private warranty plan? Get proof of current membership enrollment.
Apply for the renewal through the DCA Services Portal (or on the New/Renewal application form) with the $200 fee, at least 20 working days before your registration expires: late filings won't be expedited.
Answer any deficiency notice within 30 days, or the application can be closed and you start again with a new $200 fee.

Still tracking this in a spreadsheet? On a paid plan, get emailed 90, 60, 30, 7 and 1 days before it expires, by default.

Start free

Deadline checklist

90 days outCheck the expiration date on your certificate of registration and that your warranty plan participation is current.
60 days outGet a current Business Entity Status Report, Annual Report or Long Form Standing, and have the schedules completed by your designee and every principal with at least a 10% interest.
45 days outApply for the renewal with the $200 fee, leaving at least 20 working days for processing.
After you fileAnswer any deficiency notice within 30 days, and make sure you receive your renewed registration before the old one expires.

Put this renewal in your calendar

Know your expiration date? Download a free calendar file with reminders before it, no sign-up needed. It's made in your browser: nothing you type is sent to us (your browser keeps it only if you follow the sign-up link, for your new ledger). A Google Calendar button sends just that one event to Google.

The file covers one date: once you renew, make a new one. How to add it to your calendar

The license isn't the only thing expiring

Most lapses that cost contractors work aren't the license itself. They're one of these, renewing on a different date:

Your private new home warranty plan membership, if you use one
Your New Jersey home improvement contractor registration, if you also do home improvement work (it renews on its own schedule)
General liability insurance policy
Workers' compensation policy (or exemption)
Certificates of insurance (COIs) you've given to clients and GCs
Commercial auto insurance

LicenseLedger keeps every one of those dates in one place and emails you before each one expires, with reminders far enough ahead to finish CE and paperwork.

Track your renewal dates free

Frequently asked questions

How often do New Jersey new home builders renew their registration?

Every 2 years. A registration is valid for two years from the approval date, until the expiration date on the certificate of registration, and may be renewed for additional two-year periods.

How much does it cost to renew a New Jersey new home builder registration?

$200, nonrefundable, the same as a new registration.

How long does a New Jersey builder registration renewal take?

Allow at least 20 working days, and late application filings will not be expedited. The date of filing is the day the Bureau of Homeowner Protection receives a completed application with all required documentation.

What happens if a New Jersey builder isn't registered?

Failing to register, to file a required amended application, or to maintain a current registration carries a penalty of up to $2,000 for each offense, and each new home sold while unregistered is a separate offense.

Official sources

Rules, fees and CE requirements change. Confirm the current requirements with the official source before you renew:

New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Builder Registration and New Home Warranty for Builders

This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Other New Jersey guides

All New Jersey guides on one page

General contractor guides for other states

Get a reminder before this renewal is due

Add this license, your insurance policies and the COIs you collect from subs to LicenseLedger, and get an email before each one expires. Free for up to 3 records, no credit card required.

Start free

How LicenseLedger works for general contractors

Not ready to sign up? Get the free tracking spreadsheet

New Jersey New Home Builder Registration Renewal

Last reviewed October 2026 · 6 min read

At a glance

Who must register: All builders of owner-occupied new homes, including single family, townhouse, duplex (two-family), cooperative, condominium, factory-built and modular residences. Under N.J.A.C. 5:25-2.1, that means anyone constructing a new home for sale, acting as prime contractor to construct a new home on behalf of oneself or another person, or advertising or holding oneself out as constructing or being available to construct new homes; it also covers selling or transferring land and then taking part in building a new home on it, and contracting with a general contractor or subcontractors to build a new home for sale to an owner
Not required: A person who builds a new home for their own personal use and occupancy, though no more often than once every five years without registering, and the licensed architect, professional engineer or attorney who provides customary professional services for that home
Which business registers: Each new home building business registers separately. The company transferring title to the new home is the one that must register and warrant it. The application names a builder designee on Schedule A: an individual who is a primary partner, principal, officer, member or director
Renews every: 2 years. A registration is valid for two years from the approval date, until the expiration date on the certificate of registration, and may be renewed for additional two-year periods
Who must renew: A builder who has provided warranty coverage on a home that is still in its first two years of warranty coverage must renew the registration
Renewal fee: $200, nonrefundable, the same as a new registration. An amendment that needs a new builder's registration card before the expiration date costs $25
Renewal requirements: The same as for a new registration. DCA's Bureau of Homeowner Protection page sends builders to the DCA Services Portal to apply for a registration renewal; the Home Builder Registration Application (New/Renewal) form is posted on the builder registration page
Renewal documents: The completed application, with Schedule A for the builder designee (and Schedules B and C if the designee holds at least a 10% interest), Schedules B and C for each principal or officer with at least a 10% interest, and Schedule C signed by each individual with 10% or more interest; a Business Entity Status Report, Annual Report or Long Form Standing (from the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services) showing the current principals or officers and the company's status; documentation of any changes in principals, members, directors, partners or officers since the previous renewal; and, if you use a private warranty plan, proof of current membership enrollment
Processing time: Allow at least 20 working days, and late application filings will not be expedited. The date of filing is the day the Bureau of Homeowner Protection receives a completed application with all required documentation: incomplete applications will not be processed. An application can be closed if you don't correct a deficiency within 30 days after being notified, and restarting then takes a new application and a new $200 fee
Warranty plan: A registered builder must enroll in a warranty plan: the State Plan or an approved private plan. A registration becomes invalid if the builder fails to continue or lets lapse that participation, and also expires if the builder designee's relationship with the business ends and no other designee is substituted
Building permits: Show your registration card to the local construction official when you get construction permits for a new home. No certificate of occupancy is issued unless you show the construction official that the new home is covered by a warranty
Changes: File an amended application within 30 days of any material change in the information in your most recent application or amendment
Working unregistered: Failing to register, to file a required amended application, or to maintain a current registration carries a penalty of up to $2,000 for each offense, and each new home sold while unregistered is a separate offense
Continuing education: None listed: DCA's builder registration page and the rules name no continuing education requirement
Questions: Bureau of Homeowner Protection, New Home Warranty Program, PO Box 805, Trenton, NJ 08625-0805: (609) 984-7905, BHP_BR@dca.nj.gov

If a home you warranted is still in its first two years of warranty coverage, you must renew.

A registration doesn't only end on its expiration date: it becomes invalid if your warranty plan participation lapses, and expires if your builder designee leaves without a substitute.

How to renew

Find the expiration date on your certificate of registration: a registration is valid for two years from its approval date.
About two months ahead, get a current Business Entity Status Report, Annual Report or Long Form Standing from the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services, and gather documentation of any changes in your principals or officers.
Have your builder designee complete Schedule A, and each principal or officer with at least a 10% interest Schedules B and C. Using a private warranty plan? Get proof of current membership enrollment.
Apply for the renewal through the DCA Services Portal (or on the New/Renewal application form) with the $200 fee, at least 20 working days before your registration expires: late filings won't be expedited.
Answer any deficiency notice within 30 days, or the application can be closed and you start again with a new $200 fee.

Still tracking this in a spreadsheet? On a paid plan, get emailed 90, 60, 30, 7 and 1 days before it expires, by default.

Start free

Deadline checklist

90 days outCheck the expiration date on your certificate of registration and that your warranty plan participation is current.
60 days outGet a current Business Entity Status Report, Annual Report or Long Form Standing, and have the schedules completed by your designee and every principal with at least a 10% interest.
45 days outApply for the renewal with the $200 fee, leaving at least 20 working days for processing.
After you fileAnswer any deficiency notice within 30 days, and make sure you receive your renewed registration before the old one expires.

Put this renewal in your calendar

The file covers one date: once you renew, make a new one. How to add it to your calendar

The license isn't the only thing expiring

Most lapses that cost contractors work aren't the license itself. They're one of these, renewing on a different date:

Your private new home warranty plan membership, if you use one
Your New Jersey home improvement contractor registration, if you also do home improvement work (it renews on its own schedule)
General liability insurance policy
Workers' compensation policy (or exemption)
Certificates of insurance (COIs) you've given to clients and GCs
Commercial auto insurance

LicenseLedger keeps every one of those dates in one place and emails you before each one expires, with reminders far enough ahead to finish CE and paperwork.

Track your renewal dates free

Frequently asked questions

How often do New Jersey new home builders renew their registration?

Every 2 years. A registration is valid for two years from the approval date, until the expiration date on the certificate of registration, and may be renewed for additional two-year periods.

How much does it cost to renew a New Jersey new home builder registration?

$200, nonrefundable, the same as a new registration.

How long does a New Jersey builder registration renewal take?

What happens if a New Jersey builder isn't registered?

Official sources

Rules, fees and CE requirements change. Confirm the current requirements with the official source before you renew:

New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Builder Registration and New Home Warranty for Builders

This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Other New Jersey guides

All New Jersey guides on one page

General contractor guides for other states

Get a reminder before this renewal is due

Add this license, your insurance policies and the COIs you collect from subs to LicenseLedger, and get an email before each one expires. Free for up to 3 records, no credit card required.

Start free

How LicenseLedger works for general contractors

Not ready to sign up? Get the free tracking spreadsheet