New York licensing boards
What New York's own boards ask for before you can work in a licensed job: the requirement, the exam, the fee where the board publishes it, and renewal. National exams are written by national bodies, but the license comes from the state.
Professional licenses
Each card links the national license page on this site (education, national exams and other states).
LPN / LVN
NYSED Office of the Professions
At least 17, high school graduate, an acceptable nursing program, infection control coursework and the NCLEX-PN. The license is for life; registration is renewed every 3 years. Licensure and first registration fee $143.
Source: NYSED
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Social Work
NYSED Office of the Professions
LMSW: at least 21, an MSW and the ASWB Masters exam. LCSW: an MSW with 12 semester hours of clinical coursework, 3 years of supervised post-MSW experience in diagnosis and psychotherapy, and the ASWB Clinical exam. Both need child-abuse reporting training. Licensure fee $294.
Source: NYSED
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Counseling
NYSED Office of the Professions
Licensed Mental Health Counselor: at least 21, a master's or doctorate in counseling (60 semester hours of clinical mental health counseling, or equivalent), at least 3,000 clock hours of supervised experience after the master's, the licensing exam and child-abuse reporting training.
Source: NYSED
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EMT / Paramedic
Department of Health, Bureau of EMS and Trauma Systems
After an approved course, students take the New York State written certification exam by computer through PSI (EMT students may use live remote proctoring). Reciprocity is possible with a current certification from another state, the military or the NREMT.
Source: NYS DOH
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Real Estate
Department of State, Division of Licensing Services
18 or older, 77 hours of approved qualifying education, the NYS Real Estate Salesperson exam, sponsorship by a NYS-licensed broker and a current NYS photo driver's license or non-driver ID.
Source: dos.ny.gov answers automated reads with 403; read from the Internet Archive capture of 12 Jul 2026.NY DOS
Insurance Agent
Department of Financial Services (DFS)
A DFS-approved prelicensing course: 40 hours for life, accident and health (20 for life only or accident and health only), 40 for personal lines, 90 for property/casualty. Holders of CPCU, CLU, ChFC and some other designations are exempt. Exams are given by PSI.
Source: dfs.ny.gov answers automated reads with 403; read from the Internet Archive capture of 10 Mar 2026.NY DFS
Mortgage Loan Originator
New York state agency (NMLS state page)
20 hours, with 3 of the 12 elective hours on New York law.
Source: NMLS
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Teaching
NYSED Office of Teaching Initiatives
A New York State certificate is required to teach in public schools; it confirms degree, coursework, test and experience requirements. Pathways include an approved New York preparation program, an alternative program, individual evaluation and applicants from other states. Tests usually include the EAS and the Content Specialty Test(s).
Source: NYSED
View sourceNYSED
View sourceNYSED
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Architecture
NYSED Office of the Professions
At least 21, good moral character, and education plus experience totalling at least 12 units (a NAAB degree counts up to 9; a NAAB degree is not required). Initial applicants document the AXP and pass the ARE. Licensure fee $377 (Form 1).
Source: NYSED OP
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Veterinary
NYSED Office of the Professions
At least 21 and of good moral character; a DVM from an AVMA-accredited (or Department-approved) program; the NAVLE (no New York approval needed to take it). Licensure fee $372; a limited permit ($105) lets you work under a New York veterinarian before passing the exam.
Source: NYSED
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Cosmetology & barber
Department of State, Division of Licensing Services
Cosmetology: at least 17, a 1,000-hour approved course, a health certification by a physician, PA or nurse practitioner, and both the written (2 hours 30 minutes) and practical exams. Fees: $40 application, $15 per exam.
Source: dos.ny.gov returns 403 to our browser; read through the Internet Archive copy of 12 July 2026.NY DOS
Trade licenses
Each card links the trade's page on this site (training route, apprenticeship and pay).
State and city government jobs
Government jobs are filled through each government's own hiring system; some need a civil service exam.
NYS Department of Civil Service
New York State Department of Civil Service
- Find non-competitive roles that do not need an exam, or compete in civil service examinations.
- The type of test is set by the job and listed on the examination announcement under 'Subject of Examination'.
- Under NY HELPS, testing was waived for most open-competitive positions from May 2024 to June 2026, as the page states.
Exam: Yes for competitive positions; some roles are non-competitive.
Source: NYS Civil Service
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New York City
NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS)
Exam applications are accepted only during the filing period in the Notice of Examination: apply online in OASys or at a Computer-based Testing & Applications Center (CTAC), open Monday to Friday. The NYC Exam Regulations set the rules and timeframes. NYC DCAS
View source
Licensed somewhere else?
Licenses do not move automatically between states. Each national license page shows interstate compacts (nursing, EMS and others) and what other states' boards publish.
Where these facts come from
Official and primary sources only, each checked on the date shown. Rules on testing, aid, licensing and immigration change, so confirm a detail with its source before you rely on it.
- License requirements for licensed practical nurses · New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions checked 2026-10-20
- License requirements for licensed master social worker · New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions checked 2026-10-20
- License requirements for licensed clinical social worker · New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions checked 2026-10-20
- License requirements for mental health counselors · New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions checked 2026-10-20
- NYS EMS examination information · New York State Department of Health, Bureau of EMS and Trauma Systems checked 2026-10-20
- EMS reciprocity information · New York State Department of Health, Bureau of EMS and Trauma Systems checked 2026-10-20
- Become a Real Estate Salesperson · New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services checked 2026-10-20
- Agent and Broker Prelicensing Education · New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) checked 2026-10-20
- State-Specific Education Requirements: New York · Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS) checked 2026-10-20
- Certification from Start to Finish · New York State Education Department, Office of Teaching Initiatives checked 2026-10-20
- Pathways to Certification · New York State Education Department, Office of Teaching Initiatives checked 2026-10-20
- Certification Test Requirements · New York State Education Department, Office of Teaching Initiatives checked 2026-10-20
- General Requirements for Architecture · New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions checked 2026-10-21
- License Requirements for Veterinarian · New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions checked 2026-10-21
- Become a Cosmetologist · New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services checked 2026-10-21
- Job Seekers — New York State Department of Civil Service · New York State Department of Civil Service checked 2026-10-20
- Applying for an Exam · NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services checked 2026-10-21