New York Employment Agency
Licensing requirements for New York employment, staffing and talent agencies.
This page provides an overview of employment services licensing in New York for individuals and agencies. You will find state requirements, application fees, filing instructions, and more. For assistance with licensing, please contact us to learn about our software and managed license services.
Companies that provide employment services in New York must apply for a license prior to doing business. Depending on the services offered, businesses may need to apply for more than one license type, and in some cases, an individual license will be required as well.
Company Licenses
New York Employment and Business Support Services Company Licenses
New York Employment Agency License
Agency: | New York State Department of Labor |
Initial Registration
This section applies to firms that are applying for a license in New York for the first time.
Form: | https://labor.ny.gov/formsdocs/wp/ellsformsandpublications.shtm#Employment_Agency |
Agency Fee: | $250-$700 depending on multiple factors. |
Registration Renewal
This section applies to firms that are already licensed in New York and need to renew their license.
Form: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $250-$700 depending on multiple factors. |
Due: | Biennially |
New York Professional Employer Organization Registration
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Instructions: | Mail to: |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Required Attachments: |
|
Registration Renewal
Form: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Due: | Annually within 180 days after the end of the PEO’s fiscal year. |
Required Attachments: |
|
Financial Reporting
Quarterly Certification
Instructions: | Mail to: |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Due: | Within 60 days of the end of each calendar quarter. |
Notes: | PEOs must submit a statement, signed by an independent CPA, certifying that there is reasonable assurance that the firm has timely paid all applicable federal and state payroll taxes on all New York employees for that quarter and explaining the basis for this certification. |
Supplemental Reporting
Quarterly Client List Report
Instructions: | Mail to: |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Due: | Within 60 days of the end of each calendar quarter. |
Notes: | PEOs must submit a client list showing all changes since the last list submitted. Include the name and address, FEIN, type of business, and name of New York State Workers’ Compensation and Disability Insurance policyholders for each new client. The list should be signed by an officer, partner, owner or member, certifying the list is complete, current and accurate. |
New York Professional Employer Organization Registration - Exempt
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Instructions: | Mail the completed request with all attachments to: |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Notes: | Authorized Signers
|
Required Attachments: |
|
Registration Renewal
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Due: | Annually within 180 days after the end of the PEO’s fiscal year. |
Required Attachments: |
|
New York Professional Employer Organization Registration - Group
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $1,000 |
Required Attachments: |
|
Registration Renewal
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $500 |
Due: | Annually within 180 days after the end of the PEO’s fiscal year. |
Required Attachments: |
|
Financial Reporting
Quarterly Certification
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Due: | Within 60 days of the end of each calendar quarter. |
Notes: | PEOs must submit a statement, signed by an independent CPA, certifying that there is reasonable assurance that the firm has timely paid all applicable federal and state payroll taxes on all New York employees for that quarter and explaining the basis for this certification. |
Supplemental Reporting
Quarterly Client List Report
Agency Fee: | $0 |
Due: | Within 60 days of the end of each calendar quarter. |
Notes: | PEOs must submit a client list showing all changes since the last list submitted. Include the name and address, FEIN, type of business, and name of New York State Workers’ Compensation and Disability Insurance policyholders for each new client. The list should be signed by an officer, partner, owner or member, certifying the list is complete, current and accurate. |
New York Talent Agency License
Agency: | New York State Department of Labor |
Notes: | New York does not have a separate talent agency license, but an employment agency license may be required. |
Initial Registration
Form: | https://labor.ny.gov/formsdocs/wp/ellsformsandpublications.shtm#Employment_Agency |
Agency Fee: | $250-$700 depending on multiple factors. |
Registration Renewal
Form: | https://labor.ny.gov/formsdocs/wp/ellsformsandpublications.shtm#Employment_Agency |
Agency Fee: | $250-$700 depending on multiple factors. |
Due: | Biennially |
New York Temporary Health Care Service Agency Registration
Agency: | New York Department of Health - Temporary Health Care Services Agencies Program |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $1,000 |
Registration Renewal
Form: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $1,000 |
Due: | Annually by August 1. |
Employee Leasing Company - Enter into leasing contracts with other businesses that require labor. The leasing company loans its workers to the lessee while still providing specified responsibilities, such as workers compensation insurance, to the employees. This includes long term (6 months or more) temporary arrangements but often excludes temporary help arrangements. Unlike professional employer organizations, employee leasing companies are contracted when an employer needs to hire staff and does not want to handle human resources responsibilities.
Employment Agency - An entity that, for compensation, procures or attempts to procure employment for a person.
Professional Employer Organization - PEOs take on the human resources role for businesses and act as a co-employer in the sense that the client company's workers are administratively employees of the PEO but functionally these employees are controlled by the client company. Unlike employee leasing companies, PEOs are contracted when an employer already has staff and does not want to handle human resources responsibilities.
Staffing Agency - An entity that procures temporary or part-time employment for a person who then works under the supervision of a worksite employer.
Talent Agency - An entity that, for compensation, procures or attempts to procure employment or placement for an artist. (Certain art forms are excluded)
American Staffing Association
Staffing, recruiting, and workforce solution industry advocacy group.
National Association of Personnel Services (NAPS)
Education and training oriented association for personnel services providers.
National Association of Professional Employer Organizations
(NAPEO)
Provides advocacy efforts, information, and other services to members of the employment
industry.