See important information about Business Certificate below.

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 the NYC Department of Buildings (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.

Download Basic License Application

Apply Online! Review requirements and click the link at the bottom of the page to submit your application.

To apply for a Certificate of Authority in order to collect sales tax, visit www.businessexpress.ny.gov.

See important message about Business Certificate below.

The owner (e.g., sole proprietor, general partner, director, corporate officer, member, or shareholder owning 10% or more of company stock) must complete the appropriate Self-Certification for your agency:

• If you place or attempt to place job applicants in employment other than theatrical engagements, you must complete the Employment Agency Self-Certification.
• If you place or attempt to place job applicants in theatrical engagements (e.g., actors, singers, models, directors, writers, musicians), you must complete the Theatrical Employment Agency Self-Certification.
  

Note: If the owner is also not the Employment Agency Manager, then the Employment Agency Manager must complete and certify PART II of the appropriate Self-Certification. The Employment Agency Manager is responsible for directing and operating the placement activities of the employment agency.

The bond amount is:

• $10,000 for applicants that will engage in the recruitment of domestic or household employees from outside the United States or conduct a modeling agency
• $5,000 for all other employment agency applicants
  

The copy of the bond must name the City of New York as the Certificate Holder. Your corporate name, Doing-Business-As (DBA) name (if any), and premises address must be exactly the same on all documents. You must also submit a copy of the bond receipt showing that the bond has been paid in full and does not expire before the end of the licensing period.

Download a list of bonding companies. Note: The list on the DCWP website is not exhaustive, and DCWP does not endorse or recommend any particular bonding company.

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)

If you will never charge applicants a fee within a class of employment, for each such class a signed “fee paid” letter from a principal of the agency is required stating:

“None of our [insert class name] applicants will ever be charged a fee. All fees will be paid to this agency or by their employer.”

All employment agency managers, sole proprietors, general partners, corporate officers, principals, directors, members, and all 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.

1. 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.


2. Schedule fingerprint appointment with IdentoGO.
   Follow the instructions and pay the required fee(s).

Required if someone other than the license applicant will prepare and submit this application. The applicant must sign the license application and all related forms. Download Granting Authority to Act Affirmation.

License Period: 2 years

Expiration Date: May 1 in even years

License Fee: Determined by Number of Placement Employees

If You File Your Application Between These Dates:

• From May 2 in an even year to April 30 in an odd year:
  
  • Fee for 1-4 Placement Employees: $500
  • Fee for 5 or More Placement Employees: $700
• From May 1 in an odd year to October 31 in an odd year:
  • Fee for 1-4 Placement Employees: $250
  • Fee for 5 or More Placement Employees: $350
    
• From November 1 in an odd year to May 1 in an even year:
  • Fee for 1-4 Placement Employees: $125 or $625* for a license expiring May 1 of the following even year. (Valid for at most 30 months.)
  • Fee for 5 or More Placement Employees: $175 or $875* for a license expiring May 1 of the following even year. (Valid for at most 30 months.)

*If you are applying within six months of the license expiration date, you can pay the prorated fee for the remaining license term plus the full fee to renew the license for the next term. If you pay both fees, you will not need to renew the license until the end of the next license period.

Pay by:

• Credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover Card only) (Online or in person)
  You will be charged a nonrefundable 2% Convenience Fee.
• eCheck (Online)
• Check or money order payable to DCWP (In person or by mail)