What is a New York Contractor License Bond?

Contractors seeking a license in New York are required to acquire a New York Contractor License Bond, which is a vital component of the contractor license application procedure. This bond assures that contractors will fulfill their construction obligations and comply with state regulations within New York. The bond is a financial protection for the state of New York and the general public against contractor malpractice.

How Much is a New York Contractor License Bond?

In New York, contractor license bonds are required on the county level. Generally speaking, you should purchase the bond that corresponds to the county that you practice in. Below is a list of various New York Contractor License bonds, along with their respective bond amounts and starting prices:

• New York City Home Improvement Contractor Bond: $20,000, starting at $90
• Putnam County Electrical or Plumbing Contractor Bond: $25,000, starting at $113
• Putnam County Home Improvement Contractor Bond: $25,000, starting at $198
• Schenectady County Contractor Bond: $5,000, starting at $90
• Westchester County Plumbing Contractor Bond: $10,000, starting at $90
• City of Albany Water and Sewer Permit Performance Bond: $10,000, starting at $90
• City of Buffalo Heating Contractor Bond: $10,000, starting at $90
• Town of Binghamton Contractor Bond: $5,000, starting at $90
• Town of Clarkstown Sewer Contractor Excavation Bond: $10,000, starting at $90
• Town of North Hempstead Road Opening Permit Bond: $10,000, starting at $90
• Town of Hempstead Sewer Contractor Bond: $2,000, starting at $90
• City of Kingston Contractor Bond: $10,000, starting at $90
• Town of Newburgh Building Permit Bond: $10,000, starting at $90
• Town of Ramapo Sewer Contractor Bond: $10,000, starting at $90
• Village of Roslyn Contractor Bond: $2,000, starting at $90
• Village of Sleepy Hollow Contractor Bond: $1,000, starting at $90

What Type of Contractors are Required to be Licensed in New York?

Within the state of New York, state-issued licenses are a requirement exclusively for three categories of contracting work:

• Asbestos Contractors: An individual or entity specializing in safely and adequately removing asbestos-containing materials from buildings and structures. ‍
• Crane Operators: An individual tasked with safely and efficiently lifting and relocating materials within a construction site.
• ‍Elevator Contractors: Individuals or firms specialized in the installation, maintenance, repair, and modernization of elevators, escalators, and other vertical transportation systems.

Who Regulates Licensing for Contractors in New York?

Contractor licensing for asbestos, crane and elevator contractors is managed by the New York Department of Labor. Licensing requirements for general contractors (those involved in various construction projects) are regulated by the local authorities in New York. Each local jurisdiction has its requirements, application procedures, and criteria for issuing licenses to general contractors in New York.

Contact Information for Department of Labor

‍NYS Department of Labor

Building 12

W.A. Harriman Campus

Albany, NY 12226 

(518) 457-9000

How can I Obtain an Asbestos Contractor License in New York?

To obtain an Asbestos Contractor License in New York, individuals must:

• Have completed a New York State-approved Training Course for Asbestos 
• Have you completed a Department of Health Equivalency Course if you attended a Non-New York State Training
• Fill out and submit a [New York Asbestos Contractor certificate](http://environmentaleducation.com/wp-content/uploads/docs/NYS Instructions for Asbestos Handlers Cert.pdf), alongside an application fee of $50

All the required documents must be mailed to the following address: 

New York State Department of Labor 

Division Safety and Health License and Certificate 

Unit Building 12 Room 161A 

State Office Campus 

Albany, NY 12240

How can I Obtain a Crane Operator License in New York?

To obtain a crane operator license in New York, individuals must have:

• Three years of practical experience in the industry before applying for the license. (Practical experience means gaining experience under the guidance and supervision of a certified crane operator in New York.)
• Completed a Crane Operator Certificate of Competence New York Exam, which must be commissioned to the New York Department of Labor and pay the application fee of $150

The certificate of competence exam is mandatory for individuals interested in obtaining a crane operator license in New York because the exam aims to verify that crane operators in New York State possess the essential skills required. Moreover, it provides coverage for:

• A safeguard for the safety of the public and co-workers.
• Mitigating risks like crane tip-overs.
• Dropped loads.
• Other accidents that may arise when an untrained individual operates a crane.

Note that there are five types of crane operator licenses that individuals can apply for alongside the certificate of competence exam:

• Class A - Unrestricted: 

This type of crane has been called by different names like conventional, cable, lattice boom, and friction. This category covers cranes with fixed lattice booms, whether they have free-fall capability or not. It also includes traditional tower cranes, derricks, and cranes with free-fall capability. A Class A license lets you operate any crane.

• Class B - Hydraulic

This category covers hydraulic cranes with a telescopic boom and a moving cab. There's no limit on their weight capacity. It also includes smaller tower cranes that can be set up on trailers or trucks and boom trucks with a capacity of over 28 tons. You can operate cranes in Classes B, C, and D with a Class B license.

• Class C - Boom Truck

This covers cranes with telescopic booms often mounted on trucks and can lift to 28 tons. A Class C license lets you operate both Class C and D cranes.

• Class D - Restricted Boom Truck

These cranes are sometimes known as sign hangers, but they can also be used in other industries. They have telescopic booms and are usually mounted on trucks. They can lift to 3 tons and have a maximum boom length of 125 feet. With a Class D license, you can operate only Class D cranes.

• Class F - Line Truck 

These cranes are sometimes called digger derricks. They have a maximum weight capacity of up to 15 tons and a maximum boom length of 65 feet, and they use a non-conductive tip with nylon rope. They're specifically used for electrical work. A Class F license permits the operation of only Class F cranes.

How can I obtain an Elevator Contractor License in New York?

Elevator or accessibility lift contractors in New York must possess an Elevator Contractor License. The application fee is $600, and the license remains valid for two years.

Applicants interested in obtaining an Elevator Contractor license in New York must be able to provide:

• Documentation demonstrating general liability, personal injury, and property damage incident insurance with a minimum coverage of $1,000,000.
• Proof of existing workers' compensation insurance.
• Proof of existing Disability Insurance

You can access the New York Elevator Contractor license applications online via the MPWR homepage. To enter MPWR, establish an ID on NY.gov.

What if I’m an out-of-state applicant interested in becoming a Contractor in New York?

If you don't have a New York State Driver's License or Non-Driver ID, bring form ID-5DOL to an NYS DMV office to have your photo taken. Take the ID-5 form and original or certified documents from the issuing agency to prove your name, date of birth, and signature. Photocopies aren't allowed. Check DMV form ID-44 for a list of valid documents for proof of identity and date of birth.

Once your proofs have been reviewed, a DMV staff member will capture your photo and provide you with a receipt. This receipt will feature a 9-digit ID number designated by the DMV, which you can use for your DOL application. To locate the ID-5DOL form, visit the [Safety & Health Forms and Publications page] (https://dol.ny.gov/safety-health-forms-and-publications) and input "ID 5" in the search field.

What if I don’t get the required contractor license in New York?

Working without the necessary state-mandated contractor license in New York puts you at risk and can lead to significant consequences, including potential criminal charges. For example, an unlicensed crane operation in New York is considered a misdemeanor, with the classification ranging from Class A to B based on the specific situation. In addition to the penalties associated with state-issued licenses in New York, local counties and municipalities can impose additional fines, civil penalties, and criminal charges.