OP banner showing some of the 48 professions regulated by the Office of the Professions.

The Licensed Professions in New York State

In 1891, medicine became the first profession licensed by the New York State Board of Regents. New York's unique system of professional regulation, recognized as a model for public protection, has grown to encompass 800,000 practitioners and over 30,000 professional practice business entities in more than 50 professions.

Guided by the Regents, a citizen body, the professions are within New York State's unified system of education - The University of the State of New York. This recognizes the key role education plays in both preparing licensed professionals and in ensuring their continuous development.

The State Education Department, under Regents' direction, administers professional regulation through its Office of the Professions, assisted by the State Boards for the Professions.

The Office of the Professions’ telephone system has just been updated to better assist our customers. Your calls are very important to us, and we appreciate your patience during this transition.


Advisory Notices:

Limited Exemption from Professional Misconduct

On June 22, 2016, Part A of Chapter 70 of the Laws of 2016 was enacted to amend the Education Law by adding a new section 6509-d, which provides a limited exemption from professional misconduct to any person who is licensed under Title VIII of the Education Law and who would otherwise be prohibited from prescribing or administering drugs, to administer an opioid antagonist, such as Naloxone (Narcan), in the event of an emergency.

Attention Pharmacists and Prescribers

  • Mandatory Electronic Prescribing. Effective March 27, 2016, a new law will require nurse practitioners, midwives, dentists, podiatrists, physicians, physician assistants and optometrists in New York State (“prescribers”) to issue prescriptions electronically directly to a pharmacy, with limited exceptions...more
  • Changes have been made to the controlled substance schedules in Section 3306 of the New York State Public Health Law...more

Limited Licenses in Clinical Laboratory Technology and Certified Histological Technician

U.S. Court of Appeals Decision on Litigation Involving 13 Professions that Require U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Lawful Residence for Licensure

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Licensees and applicants should be wary if asked for personal and/or financial information that does not appear to be associated with a legitimate licensing or registration transaction, even if the person making the request suggests that he or she is working for the Office of the Professions. To verify the identity of a person who purports to represent the Office of the Professions, please call 518-474-3817, ext. 570.

Last Updated: November 18, 2016