How to look up a license in New York

Official license searches in New York

7 official searches from 6 boards cover the New York licenses on this site. None of them links a complaint page from the pages we cite.

What each search covers

A board's search lists only its own licenses:

• New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services: the Cosmetology (appearance enhancement operator license).
• State Board for Nursing: the Registered Professional Nurse (RN).
• New York State Department of Financial Services: the 3 credentials it issues for insurance agents, including Excess lines broker license, Life, Accident and Health broker license (Insurance Law 2104(b)(1)(A)) and Property and Casualty broker license (Insurance Law 2104(b)(1)(B); includes personal lines broker).
• Plumbers: the license.
• New York State Nurse Aide Registry: the Certified Nurse Aide (CNA), listed on the New York State Nurse Aide Registry (nursing home / RHCF nurse aide).
• New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services: the 4 credentials it issues for security guards, including Security Guard Registration, Armed Security Guard Registration, Proprietary Security Guard Employer and Watch, Guard or Patrol Agency License.
• State Board for Massage Therapy: the 2 credentials it issues for massage therapists, including Licensed Massage Therapist (license as a massage therapist, masseur or masseuse) and Limited Permit (massage therapy).

Occupations without a state search here

• Notaries: the New York Department of State (DOS) pages we cite do not link a public search; ask the board to confirm a license.

How to check a license

Search the board for the work you are hiring for, then check the status, the license type and the expiration date (what to check in the result).

The occupation pages explain what each license level allows: cosmetologists, registered nurses, insurance agents, plumbers, nursing assistants, security guards, massage therapists.