Overview
A Health Club is any person, firm, corporation, partnership, unincorporated association, or other business enterprise offering instruction, training or assistance or the facilities for the preservation, maintenance, encouragement or development of physical fitness or well being. A Health Club shall include but shall not be limited to health spas, sports, tennis, racquet ball, platform tennis and health clubs, figure salons, health studios, gymnasiums, weight control studios, martial arts and self-defense schools or any other similar course of physical training.
A note for applicants: The Department does not license or regulate Health Clubs, however, when a particular facility meets statutory requirements, they are required to submit the appropriate financial instruments to register with the Department.
It is the responsibility of [licensees] registrants to understand the Health Club Services Law.
Requirements
Health Clubs or Spas are required to file a Certificate of Deposit, Letter of Credit or Bond with the Department of State.
The requirements are as follows:
- If contract is for a term not greater than 12 months: $50,000
- If contract is for a term more than 12 months and up to 24 months: $75,000
- If contract is for a term more than 24 months and up to 36 months: $150,000
In addition, for clubs with three or more locations or for multiple franchises of a common franchiser, the following amounts are required in addition to the above amounts:
- For three to four locations: an additional $50,000
- For five to six locations: an additional $100,000
- For seven to nine locations: an additional $150,000
- For ten or more locations: an additional $200,000
Apply
No application is required and no license is issued.
Additional Forms/Information:
FAQs
What do I do if my Health Club goes out of business?
A health club or spa must be closed for at least six months before they can request a release of their Certificate of Deposit, Letter of Credit or Bond. After having been closed for that length of time, they must submit a written request for a release. Licensing will then check with the Attorney General's Office to determine whether any complaints against the company are on file. If no claims or complaints against the company are on file and we receive a favorable response from the Attorney General, the Certificate of Deposit, Letter of Credit or Bond will be released. Licensing will send a written confirmation to that effect.
Will I receive a license after filing the appropriate documents for registering a Health Club?
No license is issued upon registering for a Health Club.
What, specifically, is needed to file for a Health Club registration?
Health Clubs or Spas are required to file a Certificate of Deposit, Letter of Credit or Bond with the Department of State.
The requirements are as follows:
- If contract is for a term not greater than 12 months: $50,000
- If contract is for a term more than 12 months and up to 24 months: $75,000
- If contract is for a term more than 24 months and up to 36 months: $150,000
In addition, for clubs with three or more locations or for multiple franchises of a common franchiser, the following amounts are required in addition to the above amounts:
- For three to four locations: an additional $50,000
- For five to six locations: an additional $100,000
- For seven to nine locations: an additional $150,000
- For ten or more locations: an additional $200,000
Contact Contact the Division of Licensing Services
Contact
Mailing Information:
NYS Department of State Division of Licensing Services
PO Box 22001
Albany NY 12201-2001
Please note: If you utilize express services or next day ground services such as UPS, Federal Express, DHL, etc. you should use the physical address of the building.
Albany Physical Address
Division of Licensing Services
1 Commerce Plaza 99 Washington Avenue, 6th Floor
Albany, NY 12231
Phone Information:
General Information (518) 474-4429
Security Guard and Armored Car Guard Information (518) 474-7569
Call Center Representatives are available from 8:45am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday except on Legal Holidays.
Deaf, hard of hearing and speech-disabled callers, please use 7-1-1
For all other inquiries, email Licensing Services
Visitor & Customer Service Center Information:
Below is a listing of Licensing Customer Service Centers and the hours of operation. Please monitor this page for updates to office hours, guidelines and or any closures.
Albany: This office is open for all services.
NYS Department of State Division of Licensing Services
1 Commerce Plaza 99 Washington Avenue, 6th Floor
Albany, NY 12231
Customer Service hours: Monday - Friday 9:00am to 4:30pm
Apostille Service hours: Monday – Friday 9:00am to 4:15pm
Albany Parking
Limited on street metered parking is available for 1 Commerce Plaza in Albany. The Office of General Services has various parking lots throughout downtown Albany which have limited visitor parking. To find out more information about the OGS lots, please visit their website.
New York City: This office is open for all services.
NYS Department of State
Division of Licensing Services
123 William St. 2nd Fl. New York, NY 10038-3804
Customer Service hours: Monday - Friday 9:00am to 4:30pm
Apostille Service hours: Monday – Friday 9:00am to 4:00pm
Binghamton: Effective July 7, 2023, Licensing Customer Service Center will be closed until further notice. Licensing examinations will continue to be held as scheduled.
NYS Department of State
Division of Licensing Services
State Office Building
44 Hawley Street, Room 1506
Binghamton, NY 13901-4455
(518) 474-4429
Buffalo: Effective November 10, 2022, Licensing Customer Service Center will be closed until further notice. Licensing examinations will continue to be held as scheduled.
NYS Department of State
Division of Licensing Services
295 Main Street, 8th Floor, Suite 821
Buffalo, NY 14203
(518) 474-4429
Hauppauge: Effective June 21, 2023, Licensing Customer Service Center will be closed until further notice. Licensing examinations will continue to be held as scheduled.
NYS Department of State
Division of Licensing Services
State Office Building
250 Veterans Memorial Highway
Hauppauge, NY 11788-5519
(518) 474-4429
Utica: This office is closed until further notice. Licensing examinations will continue to be held as scheduled.
NYS Department of State
Division of Licensing Services
State Office Building
207 Genesee Street Utica, NY 13501-2812
(518) 474-4429