General Information & Policies

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Please read this general licensing information before proceeding to the detailed instructions for your profession.

Introduction

A professional license is the authorization to practice and use a professional title in New York State. Your license is valid for life unless it is revoked, annulled, or suspended by the Board of Regents.

Licensure and Registration

Once received, your application and all required supporting material will be reviewed. If you meet all the licensure requirements, we will issue you a license number. You will be entitled to practice in New York State as of the effective date of licensure. Written confirmation of licensure - your license parchment and registration certificate - is mailed within two working days following the licensure date.

Before you receive written confirmation of your licensure, you may find out if your license has been issued (including your license number and effective date of licensure) by checking your name on our online license verification service.

To practice in New York under the authority of your license, you must reregister every three years (two years for medicine). You are automatically registered for your first registration period when your license is issued. Thereafter, we will send renewal information to the name and address we have on file for you (see Address or Name Changes, below) at least four months before your registration expires.

Verifying Your Credentials

To ensure authenticity of credentials, the New York State Education Department's Office of the Professions requires evidence of your compliance with each licensure requirement be sent directly to us from the organization where you met the requirement (e.g., school, testing agency, licensing authority, certifying board, hospital, employer, etc.) or, an acceptable, officially-designated third party.

Hardcopy documents must bear an original (not photocopied) signature of the official who maintains the records and stamp or seal of the institution where the credentials are maintained. Forms and transcripts sent from the originating institution to the Department must be enclosed in a sealed official school envelope bearing the institution’s name and address.

In cases of electronic submissions or third-party transcript services providers, the Department must be able to independently verify that the document was received from the expected source via a secure delivery system. We will only accept third-party submissions after we have determined that the arrangement between the original organization and the third party is consistent with our security and verification standards. Additional information and criteria is outlined below for submissions of Electronic Education Documents, Electronic Verification of Licensure, Certification and/or Examination and Electronic Verification of Experience.

Please note that the Office of the Professions regularly verifies credentials directly from the issuing entity to assure authenticity. While this may delay licensure in some cases, it is a necessary step to ensure protection of the public.

You are responsible for asking organizations to complete and directly submit to us the documentation we need. We recommend keeping a record of your verification requests for your reference. The Office of the Professions cannot officially evaluate your credentials until we receive the required documentation, so please consider this time factor in deciding when to submit your application for licensure.

Qualified Translations

Translations and qualifications of translators are reviewed on an individual basis. The translation must be done by a properly qualified translator, submitted in the original, and be accompanied by a notarized Affidavit of Accuracy (see below).

Examples of such translators, with limitations and requirements:

• An officer or employee of an official translation bureau or agency which is satisfactory to the Department. Translation bureaus are usually listed in the classified telephone directories.
• A professor or instructor who is actually teaching the language to be translated in an accredited college or university in the United States. (The type of course being taught must be included in the Affidavit of Accuracy, the Affidavit must be on official school stationery, and it must be notarized.)
• An American Consul in the country where the document being translated was issued. (If the translation has been completed by a private translator, the American official must actually verify the contents of the translation, and not just confirm the identity of the translator.)
• A Consul General or diplomatic representative duly accredited in the United States. (The Consul General or diplomatic representative must actually verify the contents of the translation.)
• A representative of a foreign government agency such as a Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (The representative must actually verify the contents of the translation.)

Each translation must be accompanied by a copy of the document in the original language and an Affidavit of Accuracy, in which the translator who performed or verified the translations affirms, having read the completed translation, that the entire document has been translated, that nothing has been omitted or added, and that the translation is true and correct. An original translation can be returned to the applicant if a photocopy of the entire translation, including the Affidavit of Accuracy, is also submitted.

Electronic Education Documentation

The Office of the Professions (OP) will accept official electronic transcripts and forms from educational institutions (i.e. colleges/universities) or designated third-party* transcript entities located in the United States, Canada, Brazil and the Philippines provided that:

• The transcript is the certified true and official academic record and the document does NOT have an expiration date**.
• OP can independently verify that the documentation is received directly from the educational institution’s registrar or officially designated third-party.
• If a third-party transcript provider is involved, it is clear that the educational institution has designated the third party as the official sole provider of its transcripts.
• The applicant had no opportunity to directly access or alter the transcript before it is sent or transmitted.
• Any educational institution education documentation submissions should be made electronically to DPLSEduc@nysed.gov***.

*OP will only accept third-party submissions after we have determined that the arrangement between the educational institution and the third party is consistent with our security and verification standards.

**Transcript documents with expiration dates cannot be accepted. Expirations on links to the document are acceptable.

***Do NOT use this email to submit a question, as we will be unable to provide a response. Submit a Contact Us Form for questions regarding specific applications or to check the status of a licensure application.

Electronic Verification of Licensure, Certification and/or Examination

The Office of the Professions (OP) will accept electronic verifications of licensure, certification and examination completion from other licensing authorities located in the United States or Canada provided that:

• OP can independently authenticate that the verification is received directly from the licensing authority.
• The applicant had no opportunity to directly access or alter the verification before it is sent or transmitted.
• Any licensing authority verification submissions should be made electronically to DPLSVerif@nysed.gov.*

*DO NOT use this email to submit a question, as we will be unable to provide a response. Submit a Contact Us Form for questions regarding specific applications or to check the status of a licensure application.

Electronic Verification of Experience

The Office of the Professions (OP) will accept experience forms directly from supervisors provided that:

• OP can independently verify that the documentation is received directly from the supervisor
• The applicant had no opportunity to directly alter the experience form before it is sent or transmitted.
• Any experience documentation submissions should be made electronically to DPLSExperience@nysed.gov*.

*Do NOT use this email to submit a question, as we will be unable to provide a response. Submit a Contact Us Form for questions regarding specific applications or to check the status of a licensure application.

Address or Name Changes

To file a change address:

• Please submit an Address Change Form or Chat to change or confirm your mailing address on file with the Department.
• Once you are licensed, Education Law requires that you notify the Department of any change in your mailing address within 30 days of the change. Failure to do so may be considered professional misconduct. It may also delay renewal and result in late fees to renew the registration of a professional license.

To file a change of name:

• Please complete our online Name Change Form and attach supporting documentation.
• Once you are licensed, Education Law requires that you notify the Department of any change in your name within 30 days of the change. Failure to do so may be considered professional misconduct. It may also delay renewal and result in late fees to renew the registration of a professional license

Professional Conduct

All licensed practitioners are required to adhere to rules of professional conduct. The Education Law includes definitions of professional misconduct, and the Board of Regents has adopted rules defining unprofessional conduct for all professions. Every licensee is also governed by a set of laws, rules, and regulations for the practice of that specific profession. Copies of the relevant section of the NYS Education Law and the Commissioner's Regulations are available upon request by calling 518-474-3817 ext. 320.

The NYS Education Law for the professions is also available on this site.

You will receive more information on professional practice when you receive your license and first registration.

Records Retention and Disposition Statement

Applications are considered active while an applicant is providing documentation to meet the requirements for a professional license or post-licensure certificate (i.e, examination grades, educational credentials and professional work experience).

If you withdraw your application or your application is inactive for five (5) consecutive years, any documents submitted as part of your application will be destroyed in accordance with the Records Retention and Disposition Schedule on file with the State Archives and Records Administration.

Disclosure of Social Security Numbers

In accordance with Federal and State Laws, the New York State Education Department requires that all applicants for professional licensure provide their Federal Social Security Number (SSN). Individuals without a SSN will be assigned a random, computer generated nine-digit identifier. The agency will use the SSN or assigned identifier to maintain accurate license and registration records. This information may be shared with other State or Federal agencies, consistent with applicable laws and Departmental policy, but will otherwise be kept confidential.

The specific statutory authority for requiring Federal Social Security Numbers is in the following: Federal Law-Privacy Act of 1974 (Section 7 of P.L., 93-579); Welfare Reform Act of 1996 (42 USCA 666(a)), New York State Law-Title 8, Section 6507, paragraph 4(e) Education Law; Section 5 of the NYS Tax Law.

U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Lawful Residence Requirements for Licensure

In accordance with the decision of the United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit, in Dandamudi v Tisch, No. 10-4397- CV, 2012 WL 2763281 (July 10, 2012), we will consider applications for licenses from individuals who would otherwise be barred from licensure by statutory requirements of citizenship or permanent residency, in one the following professions:

• Certified Shorthand Reporting - Education Law §7504
• Chiropractic - Education Law §6554
• Dentistry - Education Law §6604
• Dental Hygiene - Education Law §6609
• Landscape Architecture Education Law §7324
• Land Surveying - Education Law §7206-a
• Massage Therapy - Education Law §7804
• Medicine - Education Law §6524
• Midwifery - Education Law §6955
• Pharmacy - Education Law §6805
• Professional Engineering - Education Law §7206
• Veterinary Medicine - Education Law §6704
• Veterinary Technology - Education Law §6711

Additionally, in accordance with 8 NYCRR 59.4, we will consider applications for licensure in all professions from individuals regardless of citizenship or immigration status, unless an applicant is otherwise ineligible for a professional licensure under 8 USC 1621, or any other applicable federal law. Provided that, pursuant to 8 USC 1621(d), we will consider applications for licensure where an applicant is not unlawfully present in the United States, including those granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals relief or similar relief from deportation.

If you believe you meet these requirements, please submit an application for licensure to the Department and we will process your application accordingly.

Reasonable Testing Accommodations

If you have a disability and may require reasonable testing accommodations for the examination, please see the specific requirements for your profession. For more information regarding reasonable accommodations, see the Office of the Professions Request for Reasonable Testing Accommodations form (23 KB) or call 518-474-3817. For an e-mail response contact us or you may fax a message 24 hours a day to 518-474-1449.