What happens if my surety becomes insolvent?

On notice from the commissioner you must file a new bond. If you do not file it within ten days, the commissioner may treat this as a revocation of the licence (GBL §177(3)).

Do I need another bond for an additional location?

Yes. GBL §176 requires an additional bond to be furnished to the commissioner issuing the additional licence.

US · Expiry & renewal tracking

Keep your New York employment agency bond in force

A New York employment agency must deposit a surety bond with the commissioner before its licence is issued, conditioned on compliance with Article 11 of the General Business Law (GBL §177). The bond must cover the licensing period, which runs to May 1 of every second year (GBL §174(3)), or a new bond is required.

Before an employment agency licence is issued under Article 11 of the New York General Business Law, the applicant must deposit with the commissioner a bond in the penal sum of $5,000, with two or more sureties or a duly authorized surety company approved by the commissioner. The penal sum is $10,000 if the applicant will recruit domestic or household employees from outside the continental United States, or will conduct a modeling agency (GBL §177(1)).

The bond is payable to the people of the State of New York or of the City of New York, as the case may be. It is conditioned on the licensee complying with Article 11, paying all damages caused by any misstatement, misrepresentation, fraud or deceit, or any unlawful act or omission in the licensed business, and paying the commissioner all fines imposed under §189 (GBL §177(2)). Claims and suits on the bond are governed by GBL §178.

For New York City agencies, DCWP asks for a copy of the bond naming the City of New York as certificate holder, and a bond receipt showing that the bond has been paid in full and does not expire before the end of the licensing period. Licences run to May 1 of every second year (GBL §174(3)).

Start free

At a glance

Law	New York General Business Law §177 (Article 11)
Amount	$5,000; $10,000 for recruiting domestic or household employees from outside the continental US, or for a modeling agency
Deposited	With the commissioner, before the licence is issued
Payable to	The people of the State of New York or of the City of New York
Must cover	The licensing period; DCWP asks that it not expire before the period ends
Licence period ends	May 1 of every second year; currently May 1, 2028
Additional licence	An additional bond (GBL §176)

Who is responsible?

The licensed employment agency. It deposits the bond with the commissioner who issues its licence: the NYS Commissioner of Labor, or DCWP for agencies in New York City (GBL §172 and §177(1)).

If the deadline passes

If the surety or sureties become financially irresponsible in the commissioner's judgment, or insolvent, the licensee must file a new bond on notice from the commissioner. Failure to file a new bond within ten days after the notice may, in the commissioner's discretion, operate as a revocation of the licence (GBL §177(3)).

Tracking it with ExpirySuite

Add the bond for each licence and record the bond's own end date, as shown on the bond or the surety's receipt.
Reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before the bond ends and on the end date itself.
Add the employment agency licence as a separate document with its May 1 expiry, so you can see whether the bond covers the whole licence period.
Assign a responsible person (for example your agency manager or insurance broker contact) so the right person gets the reminder.
Ask the surety or broker for the new bond or continuation certificate through a secure upload link, valid for 14 days; no account is needed.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the New York employment agency bond?: $5,000, or $10,000 if the agency will recruit domestic or household employees from outside the continental United States or will conduct a modeling agency (GBL §177(1)).
How long must the bond run?: DCWP asks for a bond receipt showing that the bond has been paid in full and does not expire before the end of the licensing period. Licences run to May 1 of every second year (GBL §174(3)).
What happens if my surety becomes insolvent?: On notice from the commissioner you must file a new bond. If you do not file it within ten days, the commissioner may treat this as a revocation of the licence (GBL §177(3)).
Do I need another bond for an additional location?: Yes. GBL §176 requires an additional bond to be furnished to the commissioner issuing the additional licence.

Sources

Last checked: Oct 1, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.

Made for new York employment agency surety bond (US)

A ready template for new York employment agency surety bond (US) with sensible validity defaults, so you enter less and track more.

Reminders on time

Email alerts at 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before each new York employment agency surety bond (US) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.

Assign an owner

Give each new York employment agency surety bond (US) an owner and let employees update their own via a secure link — no login needed.