New York
Universal License Recognition (2026)
New York does not license general contractors at the state level; licensing is handled by individual cities and counties (e.g., NYC Department of Buildings). Trade licenses (electrical, plumbing) are also frequently local rather than statewide.
Updated August 5, 2026Official source ↗
License Transfers Into New York
New York Licensing FAQs
Is there a statewide contractor license in New York?+
No. New York leaves general contractor licensing to individual municipalities, so an out-of-state contractor may need separate approval in each city or county where they plan to work.
Did New York recently adopt Universal License Recognition?+
Yes. As of 2026, New York recognizes qualifying out-of-state occupational licenses for a growing list of professions, subject to board-by-board review — confirm your specific profession is covered before relying on it.