Rockland County Home Improvement License — How It Works
Rockland County requires a county license for home improvement work — one of the few counties in New York with its own licensing system. Here's how to verify a contractor's license before you hire, and how contractors get licensed.
For Homeowners: Verify Before You Hire
Every contractor doing home improvement work in Rockland County must be licensed by the Rockland County Department of Consumer Protection under Chapter 286 of the Laws of Rockland County. A county license means the contractor proved years of trade experience (or technical education), carries workers' compensation coverage, and answers to a county enforcement office if something goes wrong.
Three ways to check a license:
- Browse this site — every contractor in our directory is verified against county licensing records, license number included, and we re-verify regularly. 2,803 active licensed contractors across 48 trades.
- County lookup — the official Licensed Businesses search on the county site.
- Call Consumer Protection — (845) 364-3901.
If a licensed contractor doesn't deliver, you can file a consumer complaint with the county — leverage you simply don't have with an unlicensed one.
For Contractors: How to Get Licensed
Licenses are issued by the county Department of Consumer Protection. The essentials:
- Application — notarized application and experience record, with verification in the form of transcripts and/or reference letters. You may apply for up to three license categories.
- Home improvement license paths — three application types: experience-based, out-of-jurisdiction (reciprocity for contractors licensed elsewhere), and surety bond.
- General contractor exam — since August 2023, general contractor applicants (A6/B6) must pass the county's General Contractor Examination.
- Separate electrical & mechanical licenses — Master Electrician, Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning, Sheet Metal, and Refrigeration each have their own license track and exams.
- Insurance — proof of workers' compensation compliance is required.
- Renewal — renewals are online-only (since April 2025) through the county licensing portal; notices go to your registered email.
Fees and current forms change — get the latest application and fee schedule from the county's applications page.
Experience Required by Trade
Rockland County sets qualifying experience/education requirements per license category. From county licensing rules:
| Trade | Requirement | Licensed contractors |
|---|---|---|
| Lawn Care | 1 year of experience or graduation from a technical school | 68 |
| Landscaping | 3 years of experience or graduation from a technical school plus 2 years of experience | 433 |
| Painters | 3 years of experience or graduation from a technical school plus 2 years of experience | 200 |
| Air Duct Cleaning | 3 years of experience or graduation from a technical school plus 2 years of experience | 5 |
| Attic Fans and Ventilation | 3 years of experience or graduation from a technical school plus 1 year of experience | 2 |
| Cabinets | 3 years of experience or graduation from a technical school plus 2 years of experience | 24 |
| Carpenters (Finish) | 5 years of experience or graduation from a technical school plus 3 years of experience | 157 |
| Carpenters (Rough) | 5 years of experience or graduation from a technical school plus 3 years of experience | 243 |
| Closet Systems | 1 year of experience or graduation from a technical school | 9 |
| Countertops | 3 years of experience or graduation from a technical school plus 2 years of experience | 14 |
| Deck Builders | 4 years of experience or graduation from a technical school plus 3 years of experience | 18 |
| Demolition | 3 years of experience or graduation from a technical school plus 2 years of experience | 33 |
| Dry Wall | 3 years of experience or graduation from a technical school plus 2 years of experience | 44 |
| Excavating | 3 years of experience or graduation from a technical school plus 2 year of experience | 82 |
| Fences | 2 years of experience or graduation from a technical school plus 1 year of experience | 46 |
| Flooring | 4 years of experience or graduation from a technical school plus 2 years of experience | 102 |
| Insulation | 1 year of experience or graduation from a technical school | 24 |
| Lawn Sprinklers & Irrigation | 3 years of experience or graduation from a technical school plus 2 years of experience | 21 |
| Gutters & Leaders | 1 year of experience or graduation from a technical school | 34 |
| Locksmiths | 4 years of experience or graduation from a technical school plus 3 years of experience | 9 |
| Masons | 5 years of experience or graduation from a technical school plus 3 years of experience | 190 |
| Glass & Mirror | 2 years of experience or graduation from a technical school plus 1 year of experience | 8 |
| Paving & Driveways | 3 years of experience or graduation from a technical school plus 2 years of experience | 96 |
| Resurfacers | 2 years of experience or graduation from a technical school plus 1 year of experience | 5 |
| Retaining Walls | 3 years of experience or graduation from a technical school plus 2 years of experience | 28 |
| Roofers and Siders | 3 years of experience or graduation from a technical school plus 2 years of experience | 118 |
| Sealers | 3 years of experience or graduation from a technical school plus 2 years of experience | 10 |
| Siding | 3 years of experience or graduation from a technical school plus 2 years of experience | 24 |
| Solar Panel Installer | 3 years of experience or graduation from a technical school plus 3 years of experience | 27 |
| Swimming Pool Installation | 4 years experience and successful completion of the APSP Certified Maintenance Specialist (CMS) (or higher) or equivalent certification or training as determined by the Director; or 2 years experience and the successful completion of the APSP Certified Building Professional or equivalent certifications or training as determined by the Director. In addition, proof of current applicable APSP certification is required at time of license renewal | 43 |
| Vacuum Cleaner Systems | 2 years of experience or graduation from a technical school plus 1 year of experience | 1 |
| Waterproofing | 3 years of experience or graduation from a technical school plus 1 year of experience | 19 |
| Well Drillers | 5 years of experience or graduation from a technical school plus 3 years of experience | 3 |
| Window Treatments | 1 year of experience or graduation from a technical school | 9 |
| Wood Stoves | 3 years of experience or graduation from a technical school plus 2 years of experience | 8 |
Requirements from Rockland County licensing records as of June 10, 2026. Trades not listed here have requirements set case-by-case — check with Consumer Protection.
Common questions
How do I verify a contractor's license in Rockland County?
Use the county's Licensed Businesses lookup, call Consumer Protection at (845) 364-3901, or browse our directory — every listing shows the license number from county records.
Who needs a home improvement license in Rockland County?
Anyone performing home improvement work for hire in the county, under Chapter 286 of the Laws of Rockland County. Electrical and mechanical trades (plumbing, heating, AC, sheet metal, refrigeration) have separate license tracks.
How long does it take to get licensed?
It depends on your documentation and whether your category requires an exam. The county publishes step-by-step instructions and accepts applications through its licensing portal.
Is it illegal to hire an unlicensed contractor?
The requirement applies to the contractor, not you — but unlicensed work means no county accountability and often no insurance. The county prosecutes unlicensed contracting.