When does a New York employment agency licence expire?

On May 1 of every second year (GBL §174(3)). The NYS Department of Labor and DCWP both describe the period as ending on May 1 of an even year, so current licences run to May 1, 2028.

Who issues the licence?

The NYS Commissioner of Labor, except for agencies conducted in New York City, which are licensed by the City's Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (GBL §172).

Does each branch need its own licence?

Yes. A separate licence is required for each branch of any agency (GBL §174(3)).

Can I apply shortly before the May 1 expiry?

DCWP says that if you apply within six months of the licence expiration date, you can pay the prorated fee for the remaining term plus the full fee for the next term, and then do not need to renew until the end of the next licence period.

US · Expiry & renewal tracking

Keep your New York employment agency licence current

No one may operate an employment agency in New York State without a licence from the Commissioner of Labor or, in New York City, from DCWP (GBL §172). Licences run to May 1 of every second year and each branch needs its own (GBL §174(3)); the current period ends May 1, 2028.

No one may open, keep, maintain, own, operate or carry on an employment agency in New York State without first getting a licence under Article 11 of the General Business Law. Outside New York City the licence is issued by the New York State Commissioner of Labor; for an agency conducted in New York City it is issued by the City's Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP). The licence must be posted in a conspicuous place in the agency (GBL §172 and §173).

Licences run to May 1 of every second year, and a separate licence is required for each branch of an agency (GBL §174(3)). The NYS Department of Labor describes the licence period as running from May 1 of an even year to May 1 two years later, when the agency may renew. The current period therefore ends on May 1, 2028. DCWP lists the licence period as 2 years with an expiration date of May 1 in even years.

Before a licence is issued the agency must pay the licence fee and deposit a surety bond with the commissioner (GBL §177). If the person directing the placement activities is not the applicant, an agency manager permit application is also needed (GBL §173(2)(a)).

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At a glance

Law	New York General Business Law, Article 11 (§172, §174, §177, §189)
Issued by	NYS Commissioner of Labor; in New York City, DCWP (GBL §172)
Licence runs to	May 1 of every second year (GBL §174(3))
Current period	May 1, 2026 to May 1, 2028
Branches	A separate licence for each branch (GBL §174(3))
Also required	Surety bond deposited before the licence is issued (GBL §177)
Display	Posted in a conspicuous place in the agency (GBL §172)

DCWP: if you apply within six months of the licence expiration date, you can pay the prorated fee for the remaining licence term plus the full fee to renew the licence for the next term, so you will not need to renew until the end of the next licence period.

Who is responsible?

The licensee: the individual owner, all partners, or for a corporation all officers (and stockholders holding ten percent or more of a publicly traded corporation's stock) apply for the licence (GBL §173(1)). Applications go to the NYS Commissioner of Labor, or for New York City agencies to DCWP.

If the deadline passes

Operating an employment agency without a licence is prohibited (GBL §172). On a finding that a licensee violated Article 11, the commissioner may suspend or revoke the licence, and an agency that violates the article is subject to civil penalties per violation (GBL §189).

Tracking it with ExpirySuite

Add each licensed office (main agency and every branch) and record May 1 of the next even year as the licence expiry date.
Reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before expiry and on the expiry day.
Add the surety bond as a separate document with its own expiry date; DCWP asks for a bond that does not expire before the end of the licensing period.
Assign a responsible person (for example your agency manager) so the right person gets the reminder.
If a licence passes its expiry date, managers get overdue reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.
After renewal, upload the new licence and set the next expiry two years later.

Frequently asked questions

When does a New York employment agency licence expire?: On May 1 of every second year (GBL §174(3)). The NYS Department of Labor and DCWP both describe the period as ending on May 1 of an even year, so current licences run to May 1, 2028.
Who issues the licence?: The NYS Commissioner of Labor, except for agencies conducted in New York City, which are licensed by the City's Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (GBL §172).
Does each branch need its own licence?: Yes. A separate licence is required for each branch of any agency (GBL §174(3)).
Can I apply shortly before the May 1 expiry?: DCWP says that if you apply within six months of the licence expiration date, you can pay the prorated fee for the remaining term plus the full fee for the next term, and then do not need to renew until the end of the next licence period.

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.

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Reminders on time

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

Assign an owner

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