Overview
Effective January 1, 2022, new legislation requires businesses and occupations that engage in design, construction, installation, inspection, testing, maintenance, alteration, service, and repair of elevators and other conveyances to be licensed by the New York State Department of Labor.
As of this effective date:
- An Elevator Contractor License is required to engage in the business of elevator and conveyance work or accessibility lift work, or to represent yourself as an elevator contractor.
- An Elevator Inspection Contractor License is required to engage in the business of elevator and conveyance inspections, or to represent yourself as an elevator inspection contractor.
- An Elevator Mechanic License is required to engage in elevator and conveyance work, or to represent yourself as an elevator mechanic for design, construction, installation, maintenance, alteration, service, and repair of elevators and other conveyances.
- An Accessibility Lift Technician License is required to engage in accessibility lift work, or to represent yourself as an accessibility lift technician for design, construction, installation, maintenance, alteration, service, and repair of accessibility lifts.
- An Elevator Inspector License is required to engage in elevator and conveyance inspections, or to represent yourself as an elevator inspector for inspection or testing of elevators and other conveyances.
- An Elevator Accessibility Technician License may be substituted for the Accessibility Lift Technician license for the limited use of engaging in elevator and conveyance work that is restricted to accessibility platform lifts that are covered by the provisions of American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) codes and standards A18.1 2017 Safety Standard for Platform Lifts and Stairway Chairlifts.
MPWR Is Now Live and Accepting All Elevator License Applications
The Management System for Protecting Workers’ Rights (MPWR) has expanded to include Elevator Applications. To access MPWR, create an ID at NY.gov and log in to the MPWR homepage.
To verify if a Business is licensed in NY, you can search for them here: https://data.ny.gov/d/yhhc-99ih
To verify if an Individual is licensed in NY you can search for them here: https://data.ny.gov/d/8542-7e9y
If you suspect work is being performed by unlicensed businesses or individuals you may report incidents by email to: [email protected]
Elevator Contractor License
An Elevator Contractor License is required to engage in the business of elevator and conveyance work, or accessibility lift work, or to represent oneself as an elevator contractor.
License fee: $600
Renewal requirement: Every two (2) years
The requirements for this license are:
Elevator Inspection Contractor License
An Elevator Inspection Contractor License is required to engage in the business of elevator and conveyance inspections, or to represent oneself as an elevator inspection contractor.
License fee: $600
Renewal requirement: Every two (2) years
The requirements for this license are:
- Proof of general liability, personal injury, and property damage occurrence insurance with one million dollar minimum
- Proof of current Workers’ Compensation Insurance
- Proof of current Disability Insurance
- Business must be owned by or employ a NYS DOL-licensed elevator inspector
Elevator Mechanic License
An Elevator Mechanic License is required to engage in elevator and conveyance work, or to represent oneself as an elevator mechanic for design, construction, installation, maintenance, alteration, service, and repair of elevators and other conveyances.
License fee: $100
Renewal requirement: Every two (2) years
To qualify for this category of license, you must:
- Possess a current industry certification issued by the National Association of Elevator Contractors (NAEC) as a Certified Elevator Technician (CET).
OR
- Provide proof of work on elevator construction, maintenance, or repair with direct and immediate supervision in this state for a period of not less than four years immediately prior to January 1, 2022.*
OR
- Provide a certificate of successful completion of the state or federally registered apprenticeship programs for the trade of Elevator Servicer Repairer.*
OR
- Provide a certificate of successful completion and successfully passing the mechanic examination of a nationally recognized training program for the elevator industry.*
OR
- Provide proof of licensure through an equivalent Municipal program that has been approved by NYSDOL.
*These methods of qualification require completion of 16 hours of NYS DOL-approved continuing education courses to renew.
Accessibility Lift Technician License
An Accessibility Lift Technician License is required to engage in accessibility lift work, or to represent oneself as an accessibility lift technicians for design, construction, installation, maintenance, alteration, service, and repair of accessibility lifts.
License fee: $100
Renewal requirement: Every two (2) years
To qualify for this category of license, you must:
- Possess a current industry certification issued by the National Association of Elevator Contractors (NAEC) as a Certified Accessibility and Private Residence Lift Technician (CAT).
OR
- Provide proof of work on elevator construction, maintenance, or repair with direct and immediate supervision in this state for a period of not less than four years immediately prior to January 1, 2022.*
OR
- Provide a certificate of successful completion of the state or federally registered apprenticeship programs for the trade of Elevator Servicer Repairer.*
OR
- Provide a certificate of successful completion and successfully passing the mechanic examination of a nationally recognized training program for the elevator industry.*
OR
- Provide proof of licensure through an equivalent Municipal program that has been approved by NYSDOL.*
*These methods of qualification require completion of 16 hours of NYS DOL-approved continuing education courses to renew.
Elevator Inspector License
An Elevator Inspector License is required to engage in elevator and conveyance inspections, or to represent oneself as an elevator inspector for inspection or testing of elevators and other conveyances.
License fee: $100
Renewal requirement: Every two (2) years
To qualify for this category of license, you must:
- Possess a current industry certification issued by the Qualified Elevator Inspector Training Fund (QEITF).
OR
- Possess a current industry certification issued by the National Association of Elevator Safety Authorities (NAESA) as a Qualified Elevator Inspector (QEI).
OR
- Provide proof of licensure through an equivalent Municipal program that has been approved by NYSDOL.* ^
*This method of qualification requires completion of 16 hours of NYS DOL-approved continuing education courses to renew.
^Licensure by NYC DOB as a Private Elevator Inspection Agency Director or a Private Elevator Inspection Agency Inspector has been determined to be an equivalent municipal program.
Elevator Accessibility Technician License
An Elevator Accessibility Technician License may be substituted for the Accessibility Lift Technician license for the limited use of engaging in elevator and conveyance work that is restricted to accessibility platform lifts that are covered by the provisions of American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) codes and standards A18.1 2017 Safety Standard for Platform Lifts and Stairway Chairlifts.
License fee: $100
Renewal requirement: Every two (2) years
To qualify for this category of license, you must:
- Possess a current industry certification issued by the National Association of Elevator Contractors (NAEC) as a Certified Accessibility and Private Residence Lift Technician (CAT)
AND
- Provide proof of at least three (3) years verified work experience in constructing, maintaining, and repairing accessibility platform lifts.
Municipal Programs
Municipal elevator licensing programs that wish to be determined equivalent to NYS DOL requirements can submit information about their elevator licensing program to [email protected].
Continuing Education
All licensees who obtained their initial licensure prior to August 1, 2023 will not be required to complete continuing education courses on their first renewal.
Training providers who would like to apply to have their Elevator Continuing Education Courses approved by the NYSDOL can do so by completing application SH115. Training providers who wish to conduct online elevator courses must also meet the requirements found at SH116.
Course requirements can be found at SH118.
For Licenses Expiring after August 1, 2025:
- Everyone who initially qualified for the Elevator Mechanic License and/or Accessibility Lift Technician License by any method other than active certification by the NAEC will be required to attend 8 contact hours (0.8 CEU) of NYS DOL-approved Elevator Mechanic or Accessibility Lift Technician courses annually for all future renewals.
- Everyone who initially qualified for the Elevator Inspector License by an equivalent municipal program will be required to attend 8 contact hours (0.8 CEU) of NYS DOL-approved Elevator Inspector courses annually for all future renewals
For further questions regarding elevator training, please contact:
NYS Department of Labor
Engineering Services Unit
Building 12, Room 154
State Office Campus, Albany NY 12226
P: (518) 457-1536
Exemptions
Note the following exemptions to the requirements for licensure.
- Elevator licensing requirements shall not apply to the practice, conduct, activities, or services by a person licensed to practice architecture within New York State or licensed to practice engineering within New York State.
- Work that involved the following is also exempt from elevator licensing requirements:
- Outfitting, removal, refinishing, or replacement of interior finishes, including wall panels, drop ceilings, handrails and flooring;
- Removal or replacement of interior lighting;
- Recladding of doors, transoms and front return panels;
- Finishing or ornamental work on car operating panels; and
- Dismantling and removal of elevators/conveyances.
- Elevator licensing requirements shall not apply to the operation of an elevator by any person employed as an operator of such elevator, including elevators operating under a temporary certificate of occupancy as issued by the appropriate issuing agency.
FAQs
Q: I am a designer who works on elevator designs. The owner of my firm has an Elevator Contractor License for the business. Do I need a license? If so, which license do I need?
A: Yes, in this case, you would need a license as an Elevator Mechanic. When engaging in the design, construction, installation, maintenance, alteration, service, and repair of elevators and other conveyances, the individual who does the work is required to have an Elevator Mechanic License and the firm they are employed by must have an Elevator Contractor License.
Q: I am an employer whose employees inspect elevators. My employees are licensed Elevator Inspectors. Do I need a license? If so, which license do I need?
A: Yes, in this case, you would need a license as an Elevator Inspection Contractor. When engaging in the business of inspection and testing of elevators and other conveyances, the individual who does the work is required to have an Elevator Inspector License and the firm he is employed by must have an Elevator Inspection Contractor License.
Q: I am a NYS DOL-licensed Elevator Contractor who employs NYSDOL-licensed Elevator Mechanics. Do I need an Elevator Mechanic License to work on elevators alongside my licensed employees?
A: Yes, in this case, you would also need to be licensed as an Elevator Mechanic. All individuals who perform work on an elevator or conveyance must be licensed as an Elevator Mechanic, except as permitted by licensing as an Accessibility Lift Technician or as an Elevator Accessibility Technician.
Q: Does an individual with an Elevator Mechanic License need an Accessibility Technician License to work on accessibility lifts?
A: No, work covered under an Elevator Mechanic License includes work on accessibility lifts.
Q: What is the difference between the Accessibility Lift Technician License and the Elevator Accessibility Technician License?
A: The Elevator Accessibility Technician License is a restricted version of the Accessibility Lift Technician License. An Elevator Accessibility Technician License may be substituted for the Accessibility Lift Technician License for the limited use of engaging in elevator and conveyance work that is restricted to accessibility platform lifts that are covered by the provisions of American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) codes and standards A18.1 2017 Safety Standard for Platform Lifts and Stairway Chairlifts. However, an Accessibility Lift Technician License allows for work on all elevators or conveyances that are intended for transportation of persons with disabilities, such as platform lifts and stairway chairlifts. As noted above an Elevator Mechanic License also includes work on accessibility lifts
Q. I received my approval and license number for my individual license in an email. Do I need to wait for my hard card certificate to arrive in the mail before I can begin practicing in my licensed elevator occupation?
A. No, your approval email acts as a temporary license for up to 45 days, pending receipt of your hard card license in the mail.
Q. I received an email that my Elevator Contractor License or Elevator Inspector Contractor License was approved. How do I get my license?
A. If you have opted into electronic communications through the MPWR system. You may log into your account at https://dol.ny.gov/mpwr at any time to print a copy of your Elevator Contractor License or Elevator Inspector Contractor License. If you did not opt-in to electronic communications you will receive your license in the mail.
Q. I own an elevator contracting business but no longer work in the field as an elevator mechanic. How can I obtain an Elevator Contractor License for my business without an individual Elevator Mechanic License?
A. The Elevator Contractor License is issued to the business entity (sole proprietor, LLC, corporation etc.) The entity must employ or be owned by a licensed mechanic. You may list up to five licensed individuals on your application.
Q. Do I need to wait until my (or my employee’s) individual Elevator Mechanic License or Elevator Inspector License is approved before I apply for my Elevator Contractor License or Elevator Inspector Contractor License?
A. No, you may apply for your business license while approval is still pending on your (or your employee’s) individual Elevator Mechanic License or Elevator Inspector License. You will be asked for the individual’s application number during the application process for the Elevator Business License. If applying after the individual is approved, you will be asked to provide their license number on the business application.
Q: I created a NY.gov account to apply for my Elevator Contractor License and my individual Elevator Mechanic License through MPWR. Can I also use this account to submit applications for my employees for their individual Elevator Mechanic Licenses?
A: You should not do this. Each individual should create their own account with MPWR and submit their own application.
Q: I live out of state and do not have a New York State Driver License or non-Driver ID. Can I apply for an individual elevator license?
A: Yes, however, there is an additional step for workers who do not have a valid New York State Driver License or non-Driver ID. You must first go to a NYS DMV office and have your picture taken. As part of this process, you will be asked to provide proof your identity and date of birth. You will be issued a DMV ID number to put on your elevator application. This document explains the process for getting a NYS non-Driver ID: https://dol.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2021/03/id-5dol.pdf