New York Roofing License Requirements

Official classification: Home Improvement Contractor License · Issued by the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (NYC only; other jurisdictions vary).

🏠 RooferNY ✔ Verified 2026-09-28

In New York, roofers must hold the Home Improvement Contractor License, issued by the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (NYC only; other jurisdictions vary), and a $20,000 surety bond is required. Full requirements — experience, exams, fees, insurance, renewal and reciprocity — are detailed below.

How to become a licensed roofer in New York

Follow these steps to earn your Home Improvement Contractor License. Every figure is verified against the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (NYC only; other jurisdictions vary); full detail for each step is further down the page.

Build the required experience. No experience requirement for the NYC HIC license.
Pass the Home Improvement Contractor Exam exam. Providers, passing scores and fees are in the Exams section below.
Secure your surety bond. New York requires $20,000 surety bond OR $200 Trust Fund enrollment.
Check the insurance rules. Liability: Not listed on DCWP's license checklist, which asks only for workers' compensation and disability coverage (or an exemption). Workers' compensation: Mandatory if employees; separate disability benefits insurance also required.
Clear the background check. Fingerprinting required for owners, officers, principals, directors, and members/shareholders owning 10% or more
Submit your application and fees. Apply through the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (NYC only; other jurisdictions vary) — Set by filing date, and every license expires February 28 of an odd year: $200 (filed Mar 1 to Aug 31 of an odd year, up to 24 months); $150 (Sep 1 of an odd year to Feb 28/29 of an even year, up to 18 months); $100 (Mar 1 to Aug 31 of an even year, up to 12 months); $50 for up to 6 months or $250 for up to 30 months (Sep 1 of an even year to Feb 28 of an odd year). application fee, plus a Included in application fee license fee. Processing time: Typically 2 weeks for application review.
Keep the license active. Renewal: Every 2 years (expires February 28 of odd years).

New York roofer license lookup

To confirm a roofer is properly licensed in New York — or to check the status of your own license — search the issuing agency's official license database. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Verify a license now: Search the official nyc.gov database →

License types

Home Improvement Contractor — Authorized to perform roofing, construction, repair, remodeling, and other home improvement work to residential buildings and land in New York City and certain local jurisdictions

Requirements at a glance

Experience required	No experience requirement for the NYC HIC license.
Application fee	Set by filing date, and every license expires February 28 of an odd year: $200 (filed Mar 1 to Aug 31 of an odd year, up to 24 months); $150 (Sep 1 of an odd year to Feb 28/29 of an even year, up to 18 months); $100 (Mar 1 to Aug 31 of an even year, up to 12 months); $50 for up to 6 months or $250 for up to 30 months (Sep 1 of an even year to Feb 28 of an odd year).
License fee	Included in application fee
Renewal fee	Due by February 28 of each odd year. DCWP's checklist prices licenses by filing date (a full 24-month term is $200) and does not list a separate renewal amount.
Renewal period	Every 2 years (expires February 28 of odd years)
Continuing education	None required
Bond required	$20,000 surety bond OR $200 Trust Fund enrollment
Liability insurance	Not listed on DCWP's license checklist, which asks only for workers' compensation and disability coverage (or an exemption)
Property damage	—
Workers' comp	Mandatory if employees; separate disability benefits insurance also required
Background check	Fingerprinting required for owners, officers, principals, directors, and members/shareholders owning 10% or more
Credit requirement	—
Reciprocity	None · other states' agreements
Processing time	Typically 2 weeks for application review

What a New York roofer license costs

Application fee	Set by filing date, and every license expires February 28 of an odd year: $200 (filed Mar 1 to Aug 31 of an odd year, up to 24 months); $150 (Sep 1 of an odd year to Feb 28/29 of an even year, up to 18 months); $100 (Mar 1 to Aug 31 of an even year, up to 12 months); $50 for up to 6 months or $250 for up to 30 months (Sep 1 of an even year to Feb 28 of an odd year).
License fee	Included in application fee.
Home Improvement Contractor Exam	Included in the license fee for the first two attempts; $50 buys two more attempts after two failures.
Surety bond	$20,000 surety bond OR $200 Trust Fund enrollment. A bond's premium is a percentage of the bond amount, set by the surety.
Renewal fee	Due by February 28 of each odd year. DCWP's checklist prices licenses by filing date (a full 24-month term is $200) and does not list a separate renewal amount.
Renewal period	Every 2 years (expires February 28 of odd years).

Exams

Home Improvement Contractor Exam	Provider: ExamBuilder · Passing: 21 out of 30 questions (70%) · Fee: Included in the license fee for the first two attempts; $50 buys two more attempts after two failures

Renewing a New York roofer license

The Home Improvement Contractor License renews on a fixed cycle set by the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (NYC only; other jurisdictions vary). Late and lapsed renewals are handled differently by every board, so check the renewal page linked below before the deadline passes.

Renewal period	Every 2 years (expires February 28 of odd years)
Renewal fee	Due by February 28 of each odd year. DCWP's checklist prices licenses by filing date (a full 24-month term is $200) and does not list a separate renewal amount.
Continuing education	None required
Where to renew	New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (NYC only; other jurisdictions vary)

Local / municipal notes

New York State has NO statewide roofer license. This data reflects NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection requirements. Other NY jurisdictions with HIC requirements include Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, and Buffalo counties—each with potentially different fee structures and requirements. Most other NY municipalities have no HIC license but may require building permits. Contact your specific city or county building department for local requirements.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a New York roofer license cost?

Application: Set by filing date, and every license expires February 28 of an odd year: $200 (filed Mar 1 to Aug 31 of an odd year, up to 24 months); $150 (Sep 1 of an odd year to Feb 28/29 of an even year, up to 18 months); $100 (Mar 1 to Aug 31 of an even year, up to 12 months); $50 for up to 6 months or $250 for up to 30 months (Sep 1 of an even year to Feb 28 of an odd year). License: Included in application fee. Renewal: Due by February 28 of each odd year. DCWP's checklist prices licenses by filing date (a full 24-month term is $200) and does not list a separate renewal amount.

How do I look up a roofer license in New York?

Search the official license database at nyc.gov. The record shows whether the license is active and in good standing.

Do roofers in New York need a surety bond?

$20,000 surety bond OR $200 Trust Fund enrollment

What experience is required for a New York roofer license?

No experience requirement for the NYC HIC license.

Is insurance required for roofers in New York?

Liability: Not listed on DCWP's license checklist, which asks only for workers' compensation and disability coverage (or an exemption). Workers' compensation: Mandatory if employees; separate disability benefits insurance also required.

How long does it take to get a New York roofer license?

Processing time: Typically 2 weeks for application review.

Is a background check required for roofers in New York?

Background check: Fingerprinting required for owners, officers, principals, directors, and members/shareholders owning 10% or more.

How often must a New York roofer license be renewed?

Every 2 years (expires February 28 of odd years). Continuing education: None required.

Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-09-28 — always confirm current requirements directly with the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (NYC only; other jurisdictions vary) before applying. This is not legal advice.