With enforcement becoming proactive in January 2026 and the first fines issued, demand for LL144 compliance work is real — and so is the range of providers. Here is what to check before you buy.
| Check | Why it matters | Red flags |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Methodology | The audit must follow DCWP Final Rules: selection rates, impact ratios, four-fifths assessment (and score-based metrics for scoring tools). | No mention of impact ratios or four-fifths; "we use AI to check fairness" without a defined statistical method. |
| 2. Independence | The auditor must have no financial interest in the tool, its vendor, or your company. | The provider also sells the tool being audited, or consulting to the same client. |
| 3. Turnaround | Your audit must be current (within 12 months) and you need it before any NYC hiring campaign. | Weeks-long queues; no committed timeline. |
| 4. Deliverables | Detailed report + public summary (post on careers site) + candidate notice (10 business days). | Only a score or a one-page letter; no summary/notice templates. |
| 5. Price transparency | Flat pricing exists in the market ($299 automated toolkits to $2,500+ full audits). | Quote-only with no range; surprise add-ons. |
Start with the statistical analysis — it is the common core of every obligation — then coordinate independent sign-off. That path gets you from zero to compliant in days, not weeks, at a fraction of the cost of a full law-firm audit.