How to Search New York Professional Licenses (Start Here)
Professional and occupational licenses in New York are issued by state licensing boards — each profession has its own board with its own search tool. There is no single database of all licenses in New York.
What this page covers: New York professional license verification databases — medical, legal, real estate, contractor, financial, and other regulated professions. What it does not cover: Business entity filings (those are with the Secretary of State) or association memberships (those are private organizations).
Where to start: Identify the profession, then go to the specific licensing board for New York. For attorneys, go to the state bar. For doctors, the medical board. For contractors, the contractor licensing authority. The databases below are organized by profession.
Common mistake: A professional license and a business registration are different. A license authorizes a person to practice a profession. A business registration authorizes a company to operate. They are filed with different agencies.
Central licensing portal
Medical board (MD)
Bar / attorney
Contractor licensing
Population
19,867,248
Households
7,517,800
Median Income
$81,386
Median Home Value
$384,100
SearchSystems Editorial
Edited by Sam Rokni — Editor & Owner, SearchSystems.net. Public records professional since 1999. NAPBS founding member. Full bio & credentials.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: New York professional & occupational licenses URL verified against the official state publisher at www.dos.ny.gov on the review date. 4 primary .gov sources cited below.
New York Professional & Occupational Licenses — Key Facts (2026)
Doctors, lawyers, contractors, nurses, real estate agents in New York — who's licensed and how to verify in 2026.
State-only
License jurisdiction
Not federal
~22%
U.S. workforce licensed
Up from 5% in 1950
1,100+
Licensed occupations
NCSL national database
Free
Official verification
Never pay 3rd parties
Compacts
Cross-state reciprocity
Nursing/medical/PT
Active license
100%
Continuing-ed current
70%
No disciplinary actions
30%
No complaint history
20%
Criminal background
10%
Unit: % verified by 'active license' alone.
What Changed in 2026 — New York Professional & Occupational Licenses
2026
New York professional & occupational licenses portal active
The official New York portal at www.dos.ny.gov continues to serve as the canonical entry point for professional & occupational licenses in 2026.
2026
Latest federal complement for professional & occupational licenses
The NCSL National Occupational Licensing Database at www.ncsl.org provides federal-level context that complements New York state records.
2026
New York access in 2026
For 2026, New York continues to publish professional & occupational licenses information through state-authorized portals; check www.dos.ny.gov for current fees and processing times.
2026
Federal records framework refresh
Federal record types (federal liens, federal land, federal vital statistics) continue to live OUTSIDE New York's state portal — see the Primary Sources below for additional official portals.
The 4-Step New York License Verification
1
Step 1 — Identify the profession
Each occupation has its own New York board (medical, bar, contractor, real-estate, cosmetology, etc.).
2
Step 2 — Confirm the state
Licenses are state-issued. A New York license is NOT automatically valid in other states (unless via compact).
3
Step 3 — Use the official board lookup
Every New York board has a free verification tool. Never pay a third party for verification.
4
Step 4 — Check disciplinary history
Active license ≠ clean record. Always check the New York board's disciplinary actions search.
Five Things People Get Wrong About New York Professional & Occupational Licenses
MYTH"Inactive means revoked."
FACTInactive usually means not currently practicing — retired, lapsed, or paused. Revoked is a discipline status, and boards label the difference.
MYTH"A license only works in the state that issued it."
FACTCompacts changed that: nursing (NLC), medicine (IMLC), and others let one license or an expedited pathway cover many states. Check the compact map.
MYTH"Expired licenses vanish from the record."
FACTMost boards keep showing the history — expired, lapsed, surrendered — because the history is the point of the lookup.
MYTH"There's one national license database."
FACTLicensing is state-by-state, board-by-board. A nurse, a contractor, and a barber in New York are verified in three different systems.
MYTH"License numbers are private."
FACTThey're the opposite — public identifiers designed for verification. A professional refusing to give one is the red flag.
Primary Sources and Official Record Portals
- www.dos.ny.gov — Official New York Professional & Occupational Licenses — State portal for New York professional & occupational licenses
- NCSL National Occupational Licensing Database — All-state licensing database
- USA.gov — Licenses & Permits — Federal licensing portal
- DOL Occupational Licensing — Dept of Labor licensing resources
- FTC Licensing Reports — FTC licensing economic analysis
- Minneapolis Fed — Licensure Data — Workforce licensure trends
- CLEAR Licensing Dashboard — Licensure regulation dashboard
Related Licenses Resources
📍 Other New York records:
- New York Court Records →
- New York Criminal Records →
- New York Property Records →
- New York Vital Records →
- New York Voter Records →
- New York Wants & Warrants →
- New York Recorded Documents →
🇺🇸 Licenses in other states:
- Alaska
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Iowa
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Massachusetts
- Maryland
- Maine
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Mississippi
- Montana
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- Nevada
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Vermont
- Washington
- Wisconsin
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
National: U.S. Licenses hub →
Related Public Records
More New York records: Court records · Criminal records · Wants & warrants · Property records · Vital records · Voter records · Recorded docs
National view of this topic: All states: Licenses
Licenses Databases
23 official New York licenses sources.
Licenses
NYSED Office of the Professions - Certified Public Accountant - Prerequisites
Official Free
What are you applying for · To renew your existing Certified Public Accountant license registration, visit https://www.op.nysed.gov/registration-renewal/online-registration-renewal and follow the instructions for registration renewal
LICENSING STATUS PAGE - NY.Gov
Official Free
Security Guard employers are cautioned that this Web site does not circumvent or supercede the requirements of due diligence set forth in the Department of State rules, 19NYCRR§174.6 Please note that information pertaining to residence addresses is not included on this database.
New York Business Express - Appearance Enhancement - Business License (DOS-0035-a)
Official Free
License and permit records for New York — issued credentials and active-status checks. Confirm details with the official license and permit office before relying on them.
Individual Appraiser | ASC gov
Official Free
Assessment and tax records covering New York are published through this system. It sits outside government; official offices remain the record of authority.
🌐 asc.gov
Attorney Registration: FAQ
Official Free
Every attorney admitted to practice in New York State, whether resident or non-resident, whether or not in good standing, active or retired, or practicing law in New York or anywhere else must file a biennial registration, even if they are not required to pay the registration fee.
Who We Supervise - Guest Applications - DFS Portal
Official Free
Who We Supervise · Institutions That We Supervise · The Department of Financial Services supervises many different types of institutions. Supervision by DFS may entail chartering, licensing, registration requirements, examination, and more · Learn More · Need technical help with this Portal?
NMLS Consumer Access website
Official Free
Contains licensing/registration information on mortgage, consumer finance, debt, and money services companies, branches, and individuals licensed by state regulatory agencies participating in NMLS. It also contains information regarding federal agency-regulated institutions and their mortgage loan originators who are registered with NMLS.
Charities & Nonprofits | New York State Attorney General
Official Free
The Office of the New York State Attorney General (OAG) provides the public with information about nonprofit organizations and fundraisers. We protect donors and beneficiaries from unscrupulous practices involving charitable assets. We also supervise the activity of foundations and other charities ...
Enforcement Actions | Office of the Professions
Official Free
Summary information of disciplinary actions taken against licensees, professional practice business entities, and pharmacy establishments by the Board of Regents in New York State since January 1, 1994, can be searched below by year, month, and profession. You may also search for an individual’s, ...
Insurance Disciplinary Actions - November 10, 2022 - NY DFS
Official Free
Brokerage, in conducting business as an insurance producer in the State of New York. Respondents Starling Brokerage LLC and Kamalpreet S. Puri violated Regulation 29 (11 · NYCRR § 20.3) by failing to appropriately identify their premium bank account, and · Respondents Starling Brokerage LLC and Kamalpreet S. Puri issued an insurance premium
Insurance Company Search - Guest Applications - DFS Portal
Official Free
Who We Supervise · Institutions That We Supervise · The Department of Financial Services supervises many different types of institutions. Supervision by DFS may entail chartering, licensing, registration requirements, examination, and more · Learn More · Need technical help with this Portal?
New York State Liquor Authority Highlights 2025 Reforms To Modernize Alcoholic Beverage Control Laws and Support New…
Official Free
The new license removed that obstacle, encouraging more brands to produce in New York and expanding economic opportunities for manufacturers and distributors. The bill was signed into law by Governor Hochul on December 19, 2025 and took effect immediately. Expanded Liquor Licensing Eligibility for Adult Recreational Businesses
Lobbyists | New York State Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government
Official Free
Any Lobbyist, Public Corporation, or Client who violates this prohibition may be subject to civil penalties of up $25,000 or three times the value of the gift and/or shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor for a first violation, and a class ...
New York State Professional Process Servers Association - Home
Official Free
New York State Professional Process Server Association - Working together to unify, promote, protect and educate process servers in New York State.
New York State Psychiatric Association
Official Free
Licensing activity for New York is tracked through this source. It is independently run, so verify anything critical against the official license and permit office.
Horse Racing Licensing | State of New York - Open Data NY
Official Free
Official professional licenses source (data.ny.gov).
Public License Search - Select Search Type - NY.Gov
Official Free
Applicants are required to submit an e-mail address that will be used by the Department to communicate with you regarding your account or any licensing issues. Failure to respond to an email notice from the Department may prevent you from conducting business and/or result in disciplinary action.
Nydoctorprofile
Official Free
Can't find your doctor · Search again using only the doctor's last name. Do not fill in any of the other criteria
About NYSAR | The New York State Association of REALTORS®
Official Free
The Albany, NY-based New York State Association of REALTORS® (NYSAR) is a not-for-profit trade organization representing more than 60,000 of New York State’s real estate professionals.
Section I: General Information About Nursing Homes - Selecting a Nursing Home in New York State
Official Free
Pick up information on nursing homes from social service agencies or local aging and health departments. Contact community groups and advocacy groups. This Guide presents a number of State and voluntary agencies that may be able to help. Visit the New York State Nursing Home Profile to obtain information on nursing homes in New York State and the quality of care they provide.
New York Counties
62 New York counties are indexed on SearchSystems.net — top 28 counties shown below. Browse the full directory or click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I verify a New York professional license?▼
Most New York professional and occupational licenses (medical, legal, contracting, real estate, cosmetology, etc.) can be verified through the Official New York Professional & Occupational Licenses at www.dos.ny.gov. Look for the 'License Lookup' or 'Verify a Licensee' tool — searches are typically by name or license number and return active/inactive status.
How do I apply for a New York business license?▼
New York business licensing combines state, county, and city permits depending on activity. The Official New York Professional & Occupational Licenses at www.dos.ny.gov is the primary state portal; local business-tax certificates are issued by the city or county where you operate. The federal usa.gov permits guide is a helpful starting overview.
Is a New York license required to work in my profession?▼
That depends on the profession. New York, like most states, licenses regulated occupations such as healthcare, legal, construction, real estate, cosmetology, security, and many trades. The Official New York Professional & Occupational Licenses publishes the full list and exemption criteria at www.dos.ny.gov.
How do I report a complaint against a New York licensee?▼
Complaints against licensed professionals in New York are filed with the issuing board or division under the Official New York Professional & Occupational Licenses. Most boards accept online complaint submissions at www.dos.ny.gov, plus mail-in forms. Each board reviews complaints under the standards in New York's occupational code.
Does New York recognize licenses from other states?▼
Many New York boards offer license-by-reciprocity, license-by-endorsement, or expedited pathways for applicants already licensed in another U.S. jurisdiction. The Official New York Professional & Occupational Licenses at www.dos.ny.gov publishes the reciprocity rules per profession; some require additional New York-specific exams or jurisprudence tests.