What is a DCWP Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) license, and why does NYC require it per borough?
Answered by AskBaily Editorial · Updated
Short answer
The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection issues HIC licenses for 1-3 family residential work. Enforcement is per borough — a Brooklyn-HIC contractor is not automatically licensed in Manhattan. DCWP also holds the $20K trust fund and consumer complaint docket. Always verify active HIC status plus the specific borough before any contract is signed.
In detail
The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection issues HIC licenses for 1-3 family residential work. Enforcement is per borough — a Brooklyn-HIC contractor is not automatically licensed in Manhattan. DCWP also holds the $20K trust fund and consumer complaint docket. Always verify active HIC status plus the specific borough before any contract is signed.
This answer is part of AskBaily's nyc regulatory knowledge base. For deeper context — including current code-section references, agency contact details, and recent policy changes — see the [nyc city hub](/nyc) or [the /ask hub](/ask) for related questions.
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