New York State Department of Labor Labor Statistics

Occupations Licensed or Certified by New York State

List of Licensed Occupations

Occupation	Licensing Authority
Acupunturist	NYS Education Department
AEM Certified Planner	NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets
Aquatic Antifouling Paint Applicator	NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
Architect	NYS Education Department
Armored Car Guard	NYS Department of State
Asbestos Handler	NYS Department of Labor
Athlete Agent	NYS Department of State
Athletic Trainer	NYS Education Department
Audiologist	NYS Education Department
Barber	NYS Department of State
Blaster	NYS Department of Labor
Boiler Inspector	NYS Department of Labor
Bus Driver	NYS Department of Motor Vehicles
Certified Examiner - Bus Driver	NYS Department of Motor Vehicles
Certified First Responder/Emergency Medical Technician/Advance Emergency Medical Technician	NYS Department of Health
Certified Milk Inspector	NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets
Certified Motor Vehicle Inspector	NYS Department of Motor Vehicles
Certified Nurse Aide	NYS Department of Health
Certified Public Accountant	NYS Education Department
Certified Shorthand Reporter	NYS Education Department
Chiropractor	NYS Education Department
Clinical Lab Technician	NYS Education Department
Commercial Pesticide Applicator/Technician	NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
Cosmetologist, Natural Hairstylist, Esthetician, Nail Specialist, Waxing	NYS Department of State
Crane Operator	NYS Department of Labor
Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor	Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services
Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Prevention Professional/Specialist	Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services
Dental Assistant	NYS Education Department
Dental Hygienist	NYS Education Department
Dentist	NYS Education Department
Dietitian-Nutritionist	NYS Education Department
Driving School Instructor	NYS Department of Motor Vehicles
Vehicle Escort Driver	NYS Department of Motor Vehicles
Racetrack Exercise Rider	NYS Racing and Wagering Board
Farrier	NYS Racing and Wagering Board
Funeral Director	NYS Department of Health
Groom	NYS Racing and Wagering Board
Hazardous Materials Transporter	NYS Department of Motor Vehicles
Hearing Aid Dispenser	NYS Department of State
Home Inspector	NYS Department of State
Horse Driver, Matinee Driver, Qualifier Driver, Provisional Driver	Racing and Wagering Board
Horse Trainer, Assistant Trainer, Private Trainer	Racing and Wagering Board
Insurance Adjuster, Independent	NYS Department of Financial Services
Insurance Adjuster, Public	NYS Department of Financial Services
Insurance Agent, Accident, Health, Life, Variable Life and Variable Annuities	NYS Department of Financial Services
Insurance Agent, Limited Motor Vehicle Rentals	NYS Department of Financial Services
Insurance Agent, Mortgage Guaranty	NYS Department of Financial Services
Insurance Agent, Property & Casualty	NYS Department of Financial Services
Insurance Agent, Service Contract Registrant	NYS Department of Financial Services
Insurance Broker, Accident, Health, Life, Variable Life and Variable Annuities	NYS Department of Financial Services
Insurance Broker, Life Settlement	NYS Department of Financial Services
Insurance Broker, Property & Casualty	NYS Department of Financial Services
Insurance Consultant, General	NYS Department of Financial Services
Insurance Consultant, Life	NYS Department of Financial Services
Interior Designer	NYS Education Department
Jockey Agent	NYS Racing and Wagering Board
Jockey (Apprentice, Amateur, Jockey)	NYS Racing and Wagering Board
Land Surveyor	NYS Education Department
Landscape Architect	NYS Education Department
Lawyer	Unified Court System
Licensed Clinical Social Worker	NYS Education Department
Licensed Creative Arts Therapist	NYS Education Department
Licensed Master Social Worker	NYS Education Department
Licensed Mental Health Counselor	NYS Education Department
Licensed Motor Vehicle Body Damage Estimator	NYS Department of Motor Vehicles
Licensed Outdoor Guide	NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
Licensed Practical Nurse	NYS Education Department
Licensed Psychoanalyst	NYS Education Department
Licensed Radiological Technologist: Radiographer; Radiation Therapist; Nuclear Medicine Technologist	NYS Department of Health
Long Term Care Ombudsman	Office for the Aging
Marriage and Family Therapist	NYS Education Department
Massage Therapist	NYS Education Department
Medical Physicist in Diagnostic Radiological Physics	NYS Education Department
Medical Physicist in Medical Health Physics	NYS Education Department
Medical Physicist in Medical Nuclear Physics	NYS Education Department
Medical Physicist in Therapeutic Radiological Physics or Radiation Oncology Physics	NYS Education Department
Midwife	NYS Education Department
Milk Gathering Plant Manager	NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets
Milk Laboratory Technician	NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets
Milk Receiver	NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets
Milk Tester	NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets
Mutuel Clerk	NYS Racing and Wagering Board
Nurse Practitioner	NYS Education Department
Nursing Home Administrator	NYS Department of Health
Occupational Therapist	NYS Education Department
Occupational Therapist Assistant	NYS Education Department
Ophthalmic Dispenser	NYS Education Department
Optometrist	NYS Education Department
Pharmacist	NYS Education Department
Physical Therapist	NYS Education Department
Physical Therapist Assistant	NYS Education Department
Physician	NYS Education Department
Physician Assistant	NYS Education Department
Podiatrist	NYS Education Department
Police Instructor	NYS Department of Criminal Justice
Private Investigator	NYS Department of State
Professional Engineer	NYS Education Department
Psychologist	NYS Education Department
Public Librarian	NYS Education Department
Public School Administrator	NYS Education Department
Public School Teacher	NYS Education Department
Race Official	NYS Racing and Wagering Board
Real Estate Appraiser	NYS Department of State
Real Estate Broker	NYS Department of State
Real Estate Salesperson	NYS Department of State
Registered Professional Nurse	NYS Education Department
Reinsurance Intermediary	NYS Department of Financial Services
Respiratory Therapist	NYS Education Department
Respiratory Therapy Technician	NYS Education Department
Security Guard	NYS Department of State
Security Guard Firearms Instructor	Division of Criminal Justice Services
Security Guard Instructor	Division of Criminal Justice Services
Security/Fire Alarm Installer	NYS Department of State
Security/Peace Officer	NYS Racing and Wagering Board
Specialist Assistant in Orthopedics	NYS Education Department
Speech - Language Pathologist, Audiologist	NYS Education Department
Truck Driver, Heavy or Tractor Trailer	NYS Department of Motor Vehicles
Ultrasonic Testing Technician	NYS Department of Transportation
Veterinarian	NYS Education Department
Veterinary Technician	NYS Education Department
Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator	NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
Water Treatment Plant Operator	NYS Department of Health
Water Well Contractor	NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
Weighmaster	NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets
Welder	NYS Department of Transportation
Workplace Safety and Loss Prevention Consultant	NYS Department of Labor

Although we attempted to include the most current information concerning every occupation licensed, certified, or registered by New York State government, some occupations may have been overlooked.

Cities, towns, villages and counties also license occupations that New York State government does not license. Also, certain occupations are licensed by federal regulatory agencies. These include airplane pilot/flight instructor, licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); maritime occupations, licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard; radio/TV broadcast operators, licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC); and securities sales representatives, licensed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Why does the government regulate occupations?

The legislators of federal, state and local governments decide which occupations to license and what the appropriate level of regulation should be to protect the public's health, safety and welfare. Licensing, certification, and registration are three methods designed to assure the public that credentialed people are qualified and/or competent to perform certain occupations.

What is the difference between licensing, certification, and registration?

The terms license and certification are frequently interchangeable. Also, the term certification is occasionally used to describe a simple registration. Nevertheless, these terms are typically defined as follows.

License

Licensing is the most restrictive method of regulation. It requires any person wishing to earn a living in a licensed occupation to obtain permission (license) from a specific government agency, designated by law to issue this license. To receive a license, the applicant usually completes the following requirements:

• Graduate from an approved training program and/or complete a certain amount of work-related experience.
• Pass a qualifying written, verbal, and/or practical examination.
• Qualify on certain personal prerequisites, such as age, citizenship, or bonding.
• Meet comparable standards set by some other state (reciprocation).
• Pay a prescribed initial and renewal license fee.

Certification

This regulatory method governs the use of certain occupational titles. In some instances, regulations do not legally restrict anyone from engaging in the occupation, but those who do not meet the requirements specified may not use the certified title. In other instances, the certification is required to do certain types of work. To obtain certification, the applicant must meet certain training, experience, and/or examination requirements that are similar to those required for a license, and apply to the appropriate public agency or private association or certification board for permission to use a given occupational title. A fee may be required.

Registration

Registration is the least restrictive method of regulation. Those wishing to engage in registered occupations must submit an application to be placed on an official roster maintained by the appropriate organization or agency. The requirements for registration are usually minimal. Individuals may be asked to produce documentation for qualification, character reference, and bonding. Registration can merely be an administrative or professional list of people who are already certified.