New York public work contractor certification (PW55) guide

Contractors and subcontractors who perform public and certain private construction work in New York need to be aware of a new law requiring registration with the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL). Contractors must obtain a Public Work Contractor Certificate (PW55) before bidding on or starting work on any public construction project on or after December 30, 2024.

Since then, any contractor who knowingly bids on a project or starts work on a covered construction project without a NYSDOL contractor registration will be subject to a civil penalty of up to $1,000. Any bids received without it will be disqualified and any work started by either a contractor or their subcontractor could be issued a stop work order.

Follow this guide to get your construction business registered to avoid any fines and delays.

Check your eligibility

Registration is required for contractors and subcontractors doing public construction work and on private construction projects covered under Article 8 of the Labor Law. That includes projects receiving public subsidy funding, renewable energy projects, broadband projects, certain risk-related projects, energy transition projects, and excavation projects.

Under Article 8, a contractor is any entity that enters into a contract to perform construction, demolition, reconstruction, excavation, rehabilitation, repair, installation, renovation, alteration, or custom fabrication.

There are a couple of instances where a contractor or subcontractor will not be able to register with the NYSDOL.

If a contractor or subcontractor is currently debarred their application will be declined. The same goes for contractors and subcontractors who are deemed ineligible under Section 220-b(3) of the Labor Law or Section 141-b of the Workers’ Compensation Law. Applications can be made once the debarment or ineligibility period has ended.

Contractors and subcontractors that are currently subject to a court or final administrative order for violating state or federal prevailing wage laws are also ineligible to apply until they have been fully satisfied and proof of satisfaction has been submitted to the Commissioner of Labor.

Prepare required information

The following information and supporting documents are required when applying for a Certificate of Registration.

• Business name and principal address
• Contact phone number
• Status as a person, partnership, association, joint stock company, trust, corporation, or other form of business entity
• The name, address, and percentage interest of each person with an ownership interest
• The names and addresses of the corporation's officers (if a publicly traded corporation)
• Tax identification number (TIN)
• Unemployment Insurance Registration Number
• Workers’ Compensation Board Employer Number
• Outstanding wage assessments
• Federal or state debarment history over the last eight years
• Final determinations of violations of any labor laws or employment tax laws
• Final determinations of violations of any workplace safety laws or standards, including federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) standards
• Participation in a New York State Apprenticeship Program, if applicable
• Status as a New York State certified Minority or Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE), if applicable
• Proof of Workers’ Compensation Insurance Coverage or Certificate of Exemption

Create a NY.gov ID

A NY.gov ID is a username and password that lets you securely access online services from New York State agencies. If you’re filing a business application for a license, permit, or certification, you need a personal NY.gov account as your business’s representative.

If you already have a NY.gov ID, skip to step 4.

1. Go to NY.gov ID registration, select personal account, and click “Sign up for a personal NY.gov ID”
2. Enter account information and click “Continue”
3. Enter personal information and click “Continue”
4. Review your information and click “Create account”
5. Activate your account by clicking link sent to your email
6. Set your password, select your secret questions and answers, and click  “Continue” to complete

Your NY.gov account is now active.

Submit your application

Once you’ve gathered the required documentation and set up your NY.gov account, complete and submit your registration application through NYSDOL’s Contractor Registry portal on their Management System for Protecting Worker Rights (MPWR).

The registration fee is $200 for both contractors and subcontractors. Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs) pay a reduced fee of $100.

1. Sign in to NYSDOL’s MPWR with your NY.gov ID
2. Click “New request” to start an application
3. Select “Public Work Contractor Certificate (PW55)” from a dropdown and click “Next”
4. Select whether you are applying for an initial license or renewal and click “Continue”
5. Enter your business information and click “Continue”
6. Enter ownership interest information and click “Continue”
7. Enter your company registration status and click “Continue”
8. Answer the compliance verification questions and click “Continue”
9. Enter apprenticeship program participation information and click “Continue”
10. Answer the workers' compensation insurance question and click “Continue”
11. Upload supporting documents in .pdf, .doc, or .jpeg file format, and click “Continue”
12. Review and confirm your information, then click “Continue”
13. Read and sign the disclaimer and click “Continue”
14. Pay the nonrefundable $100-200 registration and 2.99% service fee and submit your application

Receive approval

NYSDOL takes up to four weeks to review your application and issue your Certificate of Registration. Incorrect or incomplete information delays the process, so review every document before you submit. You can check your application status through the Contractor Registry portal.

Once NYSDOL approves your application, it issues your Certificate of Registration and registration number electronically through the portal, where you can download or print it.

Certificates are valid for two calendar years from the date of issue. Renew your registration at least 90 days before it expires.

Work safe.