New York City General Contractor Registration Renewal

At a glance

Who needs it

Anyone who conducts business as a general contractor in New York City (NYC Administrative Code §28-418.1): an individual, corporation, partnership or other business that applies for a permit to construct a new residential structure with no more than three dwelling units. A licensee contracting only for work within its own license's scope, someone building such a home for their own occupancy, and the general contractor's subcontractors are not general contractors (§28-401.3). DOB's Contractors page says new one-, two- and three-family homes need the registration, and that for some other work it is one of the registrations that qualify

Renews every

3 years: DOB lists a 3-year registration term, and §28-418.1.1 has a registration expire on its third anniversary or on another date DOB sets by rule

Expires

On the expiration date indicated on your registration card: go by that date

When to renew

30 to 90 days before the expiration date indicated on your card, to avoid a late fee. The Administrative Code asks for renewals at least 30 days but not more than 90 days before expiration, and a renewal submitted within 30 days before the expiration date counts as late (§28-401.12)

Renew

Online: upload the documents as PDFs in DOB NOW (nyc.gov/dobnow), in the BIS Options section, logged in with an eFiling account specific to your registration (help with accounts is at nyc.gov/dobnowtips). DOB's renewal user guide has you pay through CityPay by eCheck or credit card, then select Submit: DOB doesn't review the renewal until you do

Documents

DOB's renewal page lists an original typewritten, notarized LIC6 General Contractor Registration Form (marked as a renewal) and the Child Support Form. If anything about the company changed, such as its address, add a notarized statement on company letterhead saying what changed, with proof: a telephone bill for a new business number (for a VOIP number, a utility bill, bank statement, lease or deed in the business name instead), or a utility bill, bank statement, lease or deed in the business name for a new address. A new business name with the same EIN needs a certified copy of the Certificate of Amendment. The LIC6 instructions (Rev 8/17) also list three bank statements showing a $25,000 ending balance and original documents (Social Security card, photo ID, proofs of address, insurance certificates, the IRS EIN letter) for all applicants: ask DOB whether your renewal needs them

Renewal fee

$240, paid in the online portal (the same $240 every three years in the Administrative Code's fee schedule, §28-401.15)

Late renewal fee

$290 in total: the $240 renewal fee plus a $50 late fee, paid when you renew in the online portal

Safety Registration endorsements

If Safety Registration (LIC7) endorsements were added to your registration, each one renews for $80, or $130 when late ($80 plus the $50 late fee). The Construction Safety Registration endorsement is included in the standard renewal fee

Not renewed?

A registration that isn't renewed is cancelled when it expires (§28-401.12; the Administrative Code's "license" includes a registration, §28-401.3). You can apply for a late renewal within one year of the expiration date, paying the late fee (§28-401.13). After a year, DOB says you have to reapply for the registration

Unpaid penalties

DOB won't renew while penalties OATH ordered you to pay are unpaid: DOB NOW lists your unpaid OATH summonses when you start a renewal. DOB's FAQ says only summonses where OATH found you guilty and ordered a penalty stop a renewal, and an active Department of Finance payment plan doesn't. The LIC6 also asks whether you owe any penalties to the City of New York

Insurance

File proof of a commercial general liability policy of $1,000,000 (or another amount DOB requires) and of compliance with the workers' compensation and disability benefits laws, and keep it for the whole registration term (§28-401.9). DOB's insurance guidelines ask for at least $1,000,000 per occurrence, with an original signed and notarized Certification by Broker, a certificate holder box reading NYC Department of Buildings, Attn: Licensing & Exams Unit, 280 Broadway, New York, NY 10007, and updates filed in DOB NOW: BIS Options (+License Insurance Updates). General contractors can't submit an affidavit of exemption from workers' compensation and disability insurance

Financial solvency

A renewal, like a new registration, includes a verified statement that the business is financially solvent, meaning its operating capital exceeds $25,000, and a corporation's proof that it is in good standing under New York law (§28-418.3 and §28-418.3.1). The LIC6 asks whether your operating capital is at least $25,000

After you renew

DOB's renewal page says the registration card comes by mail within 30 days of approval. If it hasn't come in 30 days, email licensingdob@buildings.nyc.gov

DOB's Contractors page says alteration work in a one- to four-family home or a condo or co-op needs a Home Improvement Contractor license from the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), a separate license with its own renewal.

A change of business name, address or phone number during the term isn't made in DOB NOW: DOB's FAQ says changes are currently submitted by mail or drop-off to the Licensing & Exams Unit, 280 Broadway, 1st Floor, New York, NY 10007, and a name or address change costs $50 (DOB's Changes page asks for a name change in person). A company with a new EIN has to apply for a new registration.

A registered general contractor that defaulted, or was found liable before the Environmental Control Board or in criminal court, three times within any 24-month period, for violating code provisions on stop work orders, public health or safety, structural integrity, building to approved construction documents or fire safety, faces immediate suspension of the registration pending an OATH hearing (§28-401.19.3.2).

Vehicles and tools used for unregistered activity at a work site can be seized and forfeited (§28-419.1).

How to renew

1. Find the expiration date on your registration card. Your renewal window opens 90 days before it.
2. Check that your $1,000,000 general liability, workers' compensation and disability insurance is current with DOB, and pay any penalty OATH ordered you to pay: DOB won't renew while one is unpaid.
3. Fill in the LIC6 form as a renewal, typewritten, and have it notarized. Get the Child Support Form ready, plus a notarized statement and proof for anything about the company that changed.
4. Log in to DOB NOW with your eFiling account, open BIS Options, start a License Renewal, upload the documents as PDFs, pay the $240 fee (plus $80 for each Safety Registration endorsement) and select Submit, at least 30 days before the expiration date.
5. Watch for the new registration card by mail within 30 days of approval.

Deadline checklist

• 90 days outYour renewal window opens: find the expiration date on your registration card and start the LIC6 form.
• 60 days outConfirm your insurance on file with DOB is current, pay any penalty OATH ordered you to pay, and get the LIC6 notarized.
• 45 days outRenew in DOB NOW: BIS Options. Upload the LIC6 and the Child Support Form, pay and select Submit.
• 30 days outFrom here a renewal counts as late and pays the $50 late fee on top of the $240 renewal fee.
• 1 year lateThe window for a late renewal closes: after a year, DOB says you have to reapply for the registration.

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

Frequently asked questions