About OP

Professional Regulation 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 nearly 750,000 practitioners and over 30,000 professional practice business entities in forty-eight 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 twenty-nine State Boards for the Professions. Associate Commissioner Frank Muñoz leads the Office.

Licensing, registration, and related fees are the sole means of support for professional regulation in New York State.* These fees support comprehensive services to the public and the professions. The Office of the Professions provides a number of services to the public and the professions, including the following:

Licensure and Registration

• Reviews over 3,300 programs that prepare students for professional licensure
• Designs and administers licensing examinations
• Processes applications, reviews qualifications, and issues credentials
• Evaluates educational credentials of candidates from over 100 countries
• Registers entities such as professional corporations, pharmacies, continuing education providers, providers of courses in infection control and the identification and reporting of child abuse, and others

Professional Discipline

• Investigates and prosecutes professional misconduct and unlicensed practice throughout New York State*
• Maintains a hotline for reporting professional misconduct and unlicensed practice
• Assists professionals who have substance abuse problems*

Public and Professional Education and Information

• Advises the public on professional services through the consumer brochures on the professions, the Consumer's Bill of Rights, and more
• Assists professionals in staying current with regulatory developments and emerging issues through advisories, publications, and events
• Verifies and archives licensure and professional disciplinary actions
• Maintains this website, offering information and services for licensure applicants, licensed professionals, and the general public - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

These are among the many services offered by the Office of the Professions to protect the public and the integrity of the professions. For more information, contact the Office of the Professions by phone at 518-474-3817 or by e-mail to op4info@mail.nysed.gov.