Telemarketer Business

A Telemarketer is defined as any entity that, in connection with a "plan, program or campaign to induce a sale of goods or services by the use of one or more telephones and by more than one telephone call, either initiates, or initiates and receives telephone calls to or from a customer when the customer is in this state." Telemarketing does not include the solicitation of sales through any other media other than by telephone calls.

It is the responsibility of licensees to understand the Telemarketing Registration and Do Not Call Registry.  

Term of registration is two years.

laws, rules and regulations 

• Submit a completed application and the required fee to the Department of State.
• Must provide proof of bonding, certificate of deposit, or letter of credit in the amount of $25,000 (payable for the benefit of customer adjudged by a court to be "injured" by the actions of the telemarketer) unless the applicant is engaged in a business or occupation that is licensed, registered, chartered, certified or incorporated with or by any state or federal agency.

There are fees associated with a Telemarketer registration. You may pay these fees by check or money order made payable to the Department of State or by MasterCard or Visa using a credit card authorization form. DO NOT SEND CASH. Application fees are nonrefundable. A $20 fee will be charged for any check returned by your bank.

• $500 - Initial Application

The following applicants are exempt from the application fee:

Any person or company engaged in a business or occupation that is licensed, registered, chartered, certified, or incorporated with or by any state or federal agency.

• $500 - Renewal
• $25 - Change of Personal Name and/or Address (No fee is required if a name change is the result of a change in marital status)
• $25 - Duplicate License/Registration Request

Renew Your License

You are eligible to renew your license 90 days prior to your license expiration date. Your license expiration date is printed on the license.

Renewal forms are mailed approximately 90 days prior to the license expiration date. Complete and submit the renewal form to the address on the form.

If you are eligible to renew your license and you have not received a renewal form, email the Division of Licensing Services and request a form. Your email must include your full name, mailing address, license type, unique identification number and expiration date of your license.

Update Your License

To update your personal name, business or residence address download, complete and submit the Change Notice to the address on the form. 

To request a duplicate license certificate, complete and submit the Duplicate License/Registration Request to the address on the form.

To apply for a Telemarketer registration, submit a completed application to the NYS Department of State, Division of Licensing Services.

Searches are limited to active licenses only. 

• Search by ID Number (Unique ID or Registration Number)
• Search by Name (last name, first name and optionally city/zip code/county)
• Search by Business Name (business name and optionally city/zip code/county)

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained on this site is up to date and accurate. As the Department relies upon information provided to it, the information's completeness or accuracy cannot be guaranteed.

Please note that information pertaining to residence addresses is not included on this database. Such information is protected by privacy law.

Who is required to be a registered Telemarketer?

Registration is generally required of those entities that solicit instate customers via telephone calls. The registration is for businesses only. Employees of telemarketers are NOT required to register.

Who is exempt from the registration requirements?

• The state, municipalities of the state, or any department or division of the state or such municipalities
• The United States or any of its departments, agencies, or divisions
• Colleges, universities, and other institutions authorized by the regents of the University of NY or comparable body in any other state or jurisdiction to grant degrees, including licensed private schools and any registered business schools regulated by Article 101 of the Education Law
• Any person or company that has been operating for at least three years a retail business establishment in this state under the same name as that used in connection with telemarketing, and both of the following occur on a continuing basis:
• Either products are displayed and offered for sale or services or are offered for sale and provided at the business establishment and
• A majority of the person's business involves buyers' obtaining such products or services at the person's location.
• Any not-for-profit corporation, as defined in §102of the NYS Not-For-Profit Corporation Law, and other charitable organizations

What acts, or practices are exempt from the registration requirements?

• Telephone calls made by a telemarketer, collection agency, or attorney engaged in the practice of law for the exclusive purpose of collecting a legal debt owed, in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (15 u.s.c.s1692 et.Seq.)
• Telephone calls in which the sale, lease, or other agreement for goods or services is not completed, and payment or authorization of payment is not required, until after a face-to-face sales presentation by a telemarketer or a meeting between a telemarketer and customer
• Telephone calls received by a telemarketer that are initiated by a customer and are not the result of any solicitation by such telemarketer
• Telephone calls between a telemarketer and any for-profit business, except calls involving the retail sale of nondurable office or cleaning supplies

Do employees of registered telemarketers need to register?

Registration is NOT required of employees of registered telemarketing firms.

How can I file a complaint against a telemarketer for violating the do not call law?

File a Do Not Call Complaint.

How can I file a general complaint against a telemarketer?

File a Consumer Complaint.