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Guidelines for Preparing and Submitting SIA Supporting Documents

Gather the supporting documents listed below. Be sure all supporting documents comply with the guidance provided below. Incomplete, incorrect and missing documents will delay the processing of your application.

Government-issued photo ID for Primary Director

Acceptable identification includes:

  • State ID
  • Driver’s License
  • Passport

Service of Process Guidelines (Address Requirements)

1 RCNY 101-06 requires all special inspection agencies have (1) an agent for the acceptance of service or (2) maintain a New York City address.

  • Agent for the acceptance of service (required for agencies without a NYC address)
    • LIC 50 (instructions), or
    • NYS Department of State, Corporation or Business Entity proof of filing. A printout from the NYS Department of State Corporation and Business Entity Database ( link ) will be accepted as proof of filing.  “Entity Name” on the printout must match the name used with the SIA registration.

      OR
  • New York City address
    • Acceptable forms for proof of address include (1) utility bill (as, electric, water, with address matching name used with the SIA registration), or (2) business lease, (signed by both parties, including business name, address and phone number that matches Department records).

Worker’s Compensation Insurance

Accepted Forms

  • U26.3 – Certificate of Worker's Compensation Ins (NYS Insurance Fund only)
  • C105.2 (09/17) – Certificate of Worker's Compensation Insurance
  • GSI 105.2 (02/02) – Certificate of Participation in Worker's Compensation

Exemption from Worker's Compensation Insurance

You may submit an Affidavit of Exemption from Worker's Compensation Insurance if there are no employees in your company.

  • You must submit the original Affidavit (not a copy).
  • Your Affidavit must have an original signature and date.

Accepted Forms

Exception

Worker’s Compensation Insurance is not required of agencies whose director is not a registered design professional, and limited to performing inspections of:

Fuel-oil Storage and Piping
 Emergency power systems
Fire Alarm Tests
 Site storm drainage disposal and detention system installation
Sprinkler Systems
 Structure
Standpipe Systems
 Small Projects

Licensing Insurance Guidelines

  • All insurance certificates must include the following:
    • Your registration/tracking number.
    • Your business name, address and phone number that matches Department records.
    • A Certificate Holder box that reads:

      NYC Department of Buildings
      Attn: Licensing & Exams Unit
      280 Broadway
      New York, NY  10007

    • Typed information; handwritten corrections will not be accepted.
    • A contact name and phone number/email address.
  • Workers’ Compensation insurance cannot be included on the Professional Liability ACORD 25 form.
  • Artisan insurance certificates is not acceptable

Professional Liability Insurance

  • Policy must be a minimum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), claims-based, for the term of the registration.
  • Your insurance producer/broker must provide an original signed and notarized Certification by Broker

Accepted Forms

  • Acord 25 (2013/04) – Certificate of Liability Insurance
  • Acord 25 (2014/01) – Certificate of Liability Insurance
  • Acord 25 (2016/03) – Certificate of Liability Insurance

Exception

Professional liability insurance is not required of agencies whose director is not a registered design professional, and limited to performing inspections of:

Fuel-oil Storage & Piping
 Emergency Power Systems
Fire Alarm Systems Site Storm Drainage Disposal &Detention System Installation
Sprinkler Systems Structure
Standpipe Systems Small Projects

Licensing Insurance Guidelines

All insurance certificates must include the following:

  • Your registration/tracking number.
  • Your business name, address and phone number that matches Department records.
  • A Certificate Holder box that reads:

    NYC Department of Buildings
    Attn: Licensing & Exams Unit
    280 Broadway
    New York, NY  10007

  • Typed information; handwritten corrections will not be accepted.
  • A contact name and phone number/email address.

  • Workers’ Compensation insurance cannot be included on the Professional Liability ACORD 25 form.
  • Artisan insurance certificates is not acceptable.

Accreditation Certificate

Special inspection agencies performing Class 1 inspections must be accredited by an accreditation agency accrediting to ASTM E329-07. Please view the List of Recognized Accrediting Agencies. 

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