New York Contractor License Exam Guide (2026)

How New York licenses contractors

New York does not have a statewide GC license. New York City DOB issues General Contractor, Home Improvement, and specialty licenses, while counties like Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester run their own programs. Trades are licensed locally with written and practical tests.

Upstate crews battle 70-inch snow loads and freeze-thaw cycles, while coastal contractors design for high wind, floodplains, and salt corrosion. Exams focus on NYC Building Code, OSHA, scaffold safety, and DOB paperwork.

Official source: New York contractor licensing (NYC, counties, and state programs differ—verify yours)

Also see: NYC Department of Buildings (construction industry)

New York contractor license types

NYC contractors must show experience, provide audited financial statements, carry liability insurance ($1-5 million), and post bonds. Other municipalities impose similar requirements.

What's on the New York contractor exam

NYC DOB testing is administered by PSI and Prometric; other counties use local exam services or ICC.

What New York exam questions emphasize

• NYC Building Code Chapter 33 safeguards
• Flood-resistant design per Appendix G
• Site safety plans, crane/hoist rules, and scaffold tie-off requirements
• NYC Energy Conservation Code and DOB administrative procedures

Exam-day logistics

• Submit experience affidavits and notarized project lists before scheduling
• Bring two IDs and approved reference materials such as DOB code handbooks
• Expect fingerprinting and background checks after passing the exam

Trade-specific exam guides

If you're licensing in a single trade rather than the New York general contractor classification, the dedicated trade hub will get you to the right code book and exam structure faster.

• General contractor exam guide — IBC/IRC, NASCLA acceptance, and Business & Law.
• Electrical contractor exam guide — NEC (NFPA 70) calculations and grounding/bonding.
• Plumbing contractor exam guide — IPC/UPC drainage sizing, venting, and backflow.
• HVAC contractor exam guide — IMC ventilation, refrigerant management, and load calcs.

New York code books & approved references (2026)

Always confirm the exact editions and tab rules in your candidate bulletin before exam day. Editions can change between license cycles.

• NYC Building Code, Mechanical Code, and Fire Code
• NYC Energy Conservation Code
• OSHA 29 CFR 1926 and Local Law 196 safety rules
• New York Lien Law Article 3-A
• NYC Administrative Code Title 28

Fees & timeline for the New York contractor license

• $330 application fee for NYC General Contractor
• $200 NYC HIC application plus $200 renewal
• Surety bonds ($20,000 HIC) and liability insurance ($1-5 million typical)
• Exam fees ($75-$150) depending on license
• Audited financial statement costs for larger DOB classifications

Use the All States hub for budgeting; confirm requirements with the specific municipality.

New York Business & Law focus

DOB exams cover administrative code, insurance, contracts, and OSHA. HIC laws require strict consumer disclosures and escrow procedures.

• Know DOB licensing rules, permit filings, and stop-work order penalties
• Understand New York Lien Law Article 3-A trust fund requirements
• Maintain workers-comp, disability, and unemployment insurance
• Provide written contracts with cancellation rights and progress payment schedules

Practice with our national Business & Law exam hub for cross-state baseline rules.

A focused 4-week study plan for the New York exam

Because upstate crews battle 70-inch snow loads and freeze-thaw cycles, while coastal contractors design for high wind, floodplains, and salt corrosion, this four-week outline targets what New York field inspectors and your licensing board exam items actually test—not generic national prep.

1. Week 1 — Map the exam. Pull your current candidate bulletin, list every reference, and confirm the modules you have to pass. Start a one-page error log. Spend extra time on: NYC Building Code Chapter 33 safeguards.
2. Week 2 — Code book navigation. Drill open-book lookups (or memorisation drills if your module is closed-book) until you can find any answer in under 60 seconds. Anchor practice around: Flood-resistant design per Appendix G.
3. Week 3 — Business & Law. DOB exams cover administrative code, insurance, contracts, and OSHA. HIC laws require strict consumer disclosures and escrow procedures. Layer in scenario-based questions on contracts, lien notice, payroll, and insurance.
4. Week 4 — Full simulations. NYC DOB testing is administered by PSI and Prometric; other counties use local exam services or ICC. Run two full-length timed simulations. Review every miss with a one-sentence rule statement.