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Employment Agency License

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Before you submit your application

  • 1

    You must have the applicable Business Certificate based on your business’s legal structure. More info

  • 2

    Obtain Commercial Space. More info

       

      You cannot operate your business in a residential building. If you plan to operate in a building that is both commercial and residential, your agency must be placed in the commercial part of the building. DCWP will verify your premises with DOB to ensure you are operating in a commercial space. Although DCWP does not require submission of DOB documents in order to process your application, DCWP reserves the right to request and examine the documents under section 20-104 of the New York City Administrative Code.

  • 3

    Complete the Basic License Application. More info

       

      The Basic License Application requires business information, including applicable identification numbers (such as EIN, SSN, or ITIN); contact information for the business location and business owner, history of criminal and / or civil charges for the business owners, partners, shareholders, and officers; and any DCWP license history for individuals named on the application and their relatives.

  • 4

    If the agency will place or attempt to place job applicants in theatrical engagements (e.g., actors, singers, models, directors, writers, musicians), complete the Theatrical Employment Agency Self-Certification.

      Download Theatrical Employment Agency Self-Certification (PDF )

    • 5

      If the agency will place or attempt to place job applicants in employment other than theatrical engagements, complete the Employment Agency Self-Certification.

        Download Employment Agency Self-Certification (PDF )

      • 6

        Submit a copy of the business' surety or third party bond, properly signed, and its bond receipt. More info

          Applicants that will engage in the recruitment of domestic or household employees from outside the United States, or will operate a modeling or theatrical agency must submit a $10,000 surety or third party bond. All other employment agency applicants must submit a $5,000 surety or third party bond. The bond must name the City of New York as the Certificate Holder. The corporate name, Doing-Business-As (DBA) name (if any), and premises address must be exactly the same on all documents. Also, the bond receipt must show that the bond has been paid in full and does not expire before the end of the licensing period.

        DOWNLOAD LIST OF BONDING COMPANIES (PDF )

      • 7

        Submit a copy of contracts. More info


          You must submit a sample of all contracts that you require applicants for employment to execute, including for each class of employment your agency offers to secure jobs. Classes of employment include:

          • Class A (domestic household workers, unskilled or untrained manual workers and laborers)
          • Class A1 (non-professional trained or skilled industrial workers or mechanics)
          • Class B (commercial, clerical, executive, administrative, and professional employment; all employment outside the continental United States; and all other employment not included in classes A, A1, C, and D)
          • Class C (theatrical engagements)
          • Class D (nursing engagements)

      • 8

        If the employment agency will never charge clients a fee within a specific class of employment, agency must submit a "fee paid" letter for each class. More info

           The letter must be signed by a principal of the agency and state: "None of our [insert class name] applicants will ever be charged a fee. All fees will be paid to this agency by their employer."

      • 9

        All Employment Agency Managers, Sole Proprietors, General Partners, Corporate Officers, Principals, Directors, Members, and Shareholders owning 10% or more of company stock must be fingerprinted and submit fingerprints for a state and national criminal history record check by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. More info

           Anyone required to submit fingerprints must follow these steps: Contact DCWP’s Fitness Review Unit right away; call (212) 487-4089 or email FRUUnit@dcwp.nyc.gov. DCWP will give you “Non-Criminal Justice Applicant’s Privacy Rights.” You must acknowledge receipt. After you acknowledge receipt, DCWP will give you instructions on how to schedule a fingerprint appointment online with IdentoGO which performs all fingerprint services for DCWP.

      • 10

        If the license application will be filed by someone other than the applicant, complete the Granting Authority to Act Affirmation.

          Download Granting Authority to Act Affirmation (PDF )

        • 11

          List of Fees. More info

            • $700: License Fee for applicants that will hire five or more placement employees and files for a new Employment Agency License from May 2 of years that end in an even number to April 30 of years that end in an odd number.
            • $500: License Fee for applicants that will hire one to four placement employees and files for a new Employment Agency License from May 2 of years that end in an even number to April 30 of years that end in an odd number.
            • $350: License Fee for applicants that will hire five or more placement employees and files for a new Employment Agency License from May 1 of years that end in an odd number to October 31 of years that end in an odd number.
            • $250: License Fee for applicants that will hire one to four placement employees and files for a new Employment Agency License from May 1 of years that end in an odd number to October 31 of years that end in an odd number.
            • $175: License Fee for applicants that will hire five or more placement employees and files for a new Employment Agency License from November 1 of years that end in an odd number to May 1 of years that end in an even number.
            • $125: License Fee for applicants that will hire one to four placement employees and files for a new Employment Agency License from November 1 of years that end in an odd number to May 1 of years that end in an even number.
            • Fingerprint Processing Fee per person. 
            • Non-Refundable Convenience Fee for paying with a credit card.
            • $700: License Renewal Fee for licensees with five or more placement employees.
            • $500: License Renewal Fee for licensees with one to four placement employees.

        • 12

          List of accepted payment methods. More info

            • Check (Payable to NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, accepted only for in person application submissions.)
            • Money Order (Payable to NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, accepted only for in person application submissions.)
            • Credit card including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover Card.

          • Ready to Apply?

          Apply Online Apply in Person

          Steps to apply online:

        • 2

          After submitting an application online, print a copy of the Confirmation Page. The Confirmation Page will list the additional steps and materials required to complete the application. These materials are also listed above and must be submitted within five business days of filing the application online if they were not uploaded as part of the online application submission.

          • 1

            Review the requirements for the license and gather all materials before clicking the Apply Online button. Note: You will be redirected to a new web page where you will need a registered account with the City of New York to submit an online application.

              • Apply Online
              Apply Online open_in_new

              Steps to apply in person:

            • 1

              Complete the required application forms and gather all necessary documentation identified in the section above.

              • 2

                Schedule an appointment to file in person at the DCWP Licensing Center or NYC Small Business Support Center. View flyer to learn how to schedule an appointment.

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