How do you become a Construction Superintendent in NYC?
Short answer
Construction Superintendent in NYC is a DOB registration, not an exam. You need a DOB-approved 40-hour site safety course completed within the year before you apply, a valid SST Supervisor card, and one of DOB’s experience paths, most often 3 years as a full-time project supervisor on NYC buildings within the last 5 years. You apply in DOB NOW and pay a $100 fee.
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Basic requirements
- At least 18 years old, able to read and write English, fit for the work and of good moral character.
- A DOB-approved 40-hour site safety course, completed within 1 year before you apply.
- A valid SST Supervisor card (62 hours).
Experience: you need one of these
- 3 years as a full-time project supervisor with on-site responsibility for building construction or demolition in NYC, within the last 5 years.
- 5 years in that role anywhere in the US, within the last 8 years.
- A valid Site Safety Manager or Site Safety Coordinator certificate, or a Concrete Safety Manager registration.
- Registered design professional (licensed engineer or architect).
- A CSP or CHST designation from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals.
- 5 years within the last 10 as a building code enforcement official inspecting buildings under construction or demolition under the NYC Building Code.
- 5 years within the last 10 of full-time US field experience as a construction safety official, safety manager or safety engineer.
- 5 years within the last 10 of full-time US experience working with plans in a relevant construction trade, verified by employer affidavit.
For the last three paths, each year of full-time construction education at a college, technical or trade school can replace one year of experience, up to 3 years.
How to apply
- Create an NYC.ID and open DOB NOW: Licensing. DOB does not take walk-ins or paper applications for this registration.
- Upload the documents: notarized LIC4 employment history, LIC62 physical examination form (done within the last 90 days), experience verification forms from your supervisors (or clients if you are self-employed), your 40-hour course certificate, your Social Security History of Earnings for the years you claim, a valid photo ID, your Social Security card, and any certificate you use as your experience path.
- Pay the $100 registration fee in DOB NOW.
- When DOB approves, book a photo appointment in DOB NOW and receive your registration card.
Letters from HR or office managers are not accepted as experience proof. DOB wants forms from the supervisors who saw your work, with full dates, job titles and daily duties, and checks them against your Social Security earnings record.
More questions
Is there a DOB exam for Construction Superintendent?
No. The registration is based on the 40-hour course, the SST Supervisor card and documented experience.
Is the 40-hour course the same as the SST card?
No. The 40-hour site safety course is a separate DOB-approved course required for the registration. Since May 3, 2026 it also counts like OSHA 30 toward a new SST card.
Training for this
Our NYC DOB courses are taught by a Trade Progress Center instructor registered with the NYC DOB as a trainer, OSHA classes by an OSHA-authorized trainer, and FDNY courses are exam preparation. Classes in English, Russian or Spanish, in person or online.
Official sources
- NYC DOB: Obtain a Construction Superintendent Registration
- NYC DOB: FAQs, Local Law 10 of 2026
- NYC DOB: SST Information
This page explains the rules in plain words. The agencies’ own pages and rules decide, and they change: check the source links before you act.