Since 2022, New York State has licensed elevator businesses and the people who work on elevators, on top of New York City’s own licenses. In Jun 2026 the state raised the maximum penalty for unlicensed work tenfold and added a temporary mechanic license.
Last checked Sep 30, 2026 against the NYS Department of Labor’s elevator licensing page, NY Senate bill records and DOB’s licensing pages. General information, not legal advice.
Under Labor Law Article 33, every business and person doing elevator work in New York State has needed a license from the state Department of Labor (DOL) since Jan 1, 2022. The business license, the Elevator Contractor License, costs $600 every two years, and each mechanic needs a $100 individual license. In New York City, licenses from the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) are needed as well. Since Jun 10, 2026, unlicensed work can cost up to $10,000 per violation, and the penalty also reaches contractors who employ unlicensed mechanics.
The official source is the DOL elevator licensing page.
The law is Article 33 of the New York State Labor Law, the New York State Elevator Safety Act. Since Jan 1, 2022 it has required a DOL license for work on elevators and other conveyances, including:
DOL says only licensed elevator mechanics, working under the direct supervision of a licensed elevator contractor, may install, alter, maintain or remove a conveyance.
DOL lists these exemptions:
DOL’s exemption list also names dismantling and removing elevators, but the same page lists removing and dismantling as licensed work. Confirm with DOL before doing it unlicensed.
| License | Needed to | Fee and term |
|---|---|---|
| Elevator Contractor | Run a business doing elevator and conveyance work or accessibility lift work | $600, every 2 years |
| Elevator Inspection Contractor | Run a business doing elevator and conveyance inspections | $600, every 2 years |
Both need proof of:
| License | Covers | Fee and term |
|---|---|---|
| Elevator Mechanic | Elevator and conveyance work | $100, every 2 years |
| Accessibility Lift Technician | Accessibility lift work | $100, every 2 years |
| Elevator Accessibility Technician | Accessibility platform lifts only | $100, every 2 years |
| Elevator Inspector | Inspection and testing of elevators and conveyances | $100, every 2 years |
| Temporary Elevator Mechanics | An apprentice, during a verified shortage | $20, every 90 days |
Mechanics qualify through one of these routes:
Four years’ supervised work experience before Jan 1, 2022, without a civil service appointment, no longer qualifies. Mechanics licensed that way must renew through one of the routes above.
Inspectors qualify through one of these:
From Jun 10, 2026, a licensed contractor that can’t find enough licensed mechanics can ask DOL to verify the shortage. DOL may then issue a Temporary Elevator Mechanics License to an apprentice working for that contractor who:
The license costs $20 and is renewed every 90 days. It is valid only while the apprentice works for the contractor that requested it.
Since Jun 10, 2026, the maximum civil penalty for unlicensed work under Labor Law §955 is $10,000 per violation, or $20,000 for a repeat within three years. It also applies to “a contractor or any party that employs or otherwise utilizes unlicensed mechanics”. NYC’s penalties for missed inspection filings are separate; see NYC elevator fines.
In New York City, DOB says individuals and businesses need both the New York State license and the New York City license for elevator contracting and inspection work. DOB’s elevator licenses, under Articles 421 and 422 of Title 28 of the NYC Administrative Code, are:
| DOB fee | Director | Inspector |
|---|---|---|
| Exam | $525 (see below) | $525 (see below) |
| License | $100, 3-year term | $50 |
| Renewal | $150 | $75 |
DOB’s director and inspector licensing page lists a $525 exam fee for either license, and also a new $585 written-exam fee. Confirm the amount with DOB before you pay.
Since Jun 27, 2022, new DOB license applications go through DOB NOW: Licensing. A permit for a new elevator or major upgrade is filed in DOB NOW: Build by a NYC-licensed Elevator Director or a registered design professional.
Yes. Since Jan 1, 2022, Labor Law Article 33 has required a DOL license for any business or person doing elevator work, from design and installation to inspection and repair. A few kinds of work, such as interior finishes, are exempt.
$600, renewed every two years. The business also needs insurance and a DOL-licensed elevator mechanic as owner or employee. Individual mechanic licenses are $100 every two years.
Since Jun 10, 2026, up to $10,000 per violation, or up to $20,000 for a repeat within three years. It also applies to a contractor or any party that employs unlicensed mechanics.
In New York City, yes. DOB says individuals and businesses need the state license and the city license.
From Jun 10, 2026, during a DOL-verified shortage of mechanics, a licensed contractor’s apprentice with at least 4,000 hours of industry experience can get one. It costs $20, lasts 90 days and is valid only while they work for that contractor.
LiftAuth does not track licenses or insurance. Each Maintenance Contract plans its visits and turns each one into a Job as it comes due. Your Technicians see today’s Jobs in the technician app, which works offline, and fill in each form with photos for the Building Manager to sign. Your office sees each NYC elevator’s next test due date in Annual Inspections.
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