Not yet re-checked against the New York City Dept of Buildings (NYC only); verify before relying on it.
New York subcontractor insurance & compliance requirements
If you're a general contractor hiring subcontractors in New York, here are the certificates and documents you should collect and keep current, and how TradeGuard tracks them automatically.
Documents to collect from subcontractors in New York
The core compliance documents a GC should require and keep current for each sub.
State or local business license.
Certificate of Insurance for General Liability coverage.
Certificate showing workers' comp for the sub's employees. Who must carry it depends on the state and the number of employees.
Used to report what you pay the sub on Form 1099-NEC. For payments made in 2026 or later the IRS reporting threshold is $2,000 (it was $600).
Some owners and contracts require it, and some states require it on public projects.
Some owners and contracts require it for site supervisors.
Required for work in New York City, verify with NYC DOB.
Public owners require one on larger public contracts; the threshold depends on the owner and the state.
Public owners usually require it alongside the performance bond.
Often required with a bid on public work; it backs the bidder's promise to sign the contract at the bid price.
New York State does not have a statewide GC license. New York City has its own licensing (General Contractor license, Home Improvement Contractor license). Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties have separate requirements.
New York operates an approved state OSHA plan. NY has a state OSHA plan for public sector employees only; private sector covered by federal OSHA
No statewide contractor bond requirement, though projects or public work may still require bonds.
- NYSDOL: New York State Dept of Labor
- WCB: New York Workers Compensation Board
- NYC DOB: New York City Dept of Buildings (NYC only)
Summary for New York
No state GC license, but NYC and major counties require local licensing. Public sector covered by state plan. Workers comp required for all employers.
Track all of this automatically in New York
TradeGuard asks each sub for these documents through an upload link and shows what's missing for New York, with alerts before anything expires.
No credit card required · Cancel anytime · See how COI tracking works
New York compliance FAQ
Do subcontractors need a contractor license in New York?+
New York does not issue a statewide general contractor license, though local jurisdictions or specialty trades may still require one. New York State does not have a statewide GC license. New York City has its own licensing (General Contractor license, Home Improvement Contractor license). Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties have separate requirements.
Does New York follow federal OSHA or a state OSHA plan?+
New York runs its own OSHA-approved state plan. NY has a state OSHA plan for public sector employees only; private sector covered by federal OSHA
Is a surety bond required for contractors in New York?+
New York does not impose a statewide contractor bond requirement, though individual projects, owners, or public work may still require performance and payment bonds.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Requirements change; confirm current rules with the relevant New York agencies before relying on them.