Online Registration Renewal &
Professional Photo ID Card Requests

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Introduction

Welcome to the Office of the Professions' Online Registration Renewal service. This is available for licensees in all professions who are in the final 5 months of their current registration period or no more than 4 months past the expiration of their last valid registration period. Each month a new group of licensees will be mailed their registration renewal documents and be eligible to renew online. With this service you may:

• Complete your registration renewal application, request an optional Professional Photo ID Card, and pay for both with a credit card
• Choose to become inactive in your new registration period, and/or
• Change your address

Please read each section for details on using Online Registration Renewal and to determine if this will be useful to you.

Your New York State professional license is good for life, however, you are required to:

• register with us periodically if you wish to practice your profession or use your professional title in New York State (If you do not plan to practice in your new registration period, you may choose to inactivate your registration) and
• notify us of any change in your address within 30 days

It is our goal that your experience using online transaction be positive and that the service be easy to use. However, should you have technical problems, please email OPONLINE@mail.nysed.gov or call 518-473-6986 business days between 8:30 AM and 4:45 PM ET.

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How to Renew Online

To apply online for renewal of your registration to practice in New York, you must be able to answer "YES" to all of the following three (3) statements:

1. There are no more than five (5) months left in my current registration period OR my last valid registration period ended less than four (4) months ago;
2. I will use a valid credit card (Visa or MasterCard) for this transaction; and
3. I have my seven (7) character PIN which appears on the registration renewal document sent to me recently.

Please Note! If you are completing the registration application online:

• Depending upon answers you provide on the application, you may be required to provide additional information or your application may need to be reviewed before your registration is issued for the new period. Department staff will contact you regarding these matters.
• If the application cannot be processed for any reason, we will notify you.
• Your actual registration certificate will NOT be available online.
• Once your complete online application for renewal is submitted, it may take up to 2 business days for processing.
  • The Office of the Professions Online License Verification will show your new registration period as soon as the information is official.
  • Your registration certificate for the new registration period will be mailed to you at the address on record.
• An online transaction cannot be deleted once it is completed.
• If you end a session before all steps are completed, no changes will be made to your records. If you do not complete the transaction (example: if all of registration process steps are not completed), you will not be registered for the new period.
• You will be given the option to request a Professional Photo ID Card for an additional $30. Photo IDs are mailed separately and the processing time is approximately 6 weeks.
• If you are currently under a conditional registration, you must provide the appropriate Board office with proof of your compliance with the continuing education requirement to complete your renewal application. In addition, if you are required to submit documentation related to child abuse identification or infection control training, you may fax it to 518-474-3004 to complete your renewal application.
• Complete professional surveys online! Go to the following web links to conveniently complete professional surveys online saving postage and handling. If you have any questions regarding these surveys, please contact the Center for Health Workforce Studies at the University at Albany School of Public Health by calling 518-402-0250 or e-mailing chws@health.state.ny.us.
  • Physician
  • Dentist
  • Dental Hygienist
  • Registered Professional Nurse

Start Online Renewal

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How to Request Inactive Status Online

Your New York State license is good for life, however, you MUST register with us periodically if you wish to practice your profession in New York State. Upon licensure, you received a registration certificate valid for a period of three years (two years for physicians). We will mail you an application to renew your registration to practice approximately four months before your registration expires. It is your responsibility to notify this office of any change of address.

If you are not practicing your profession or using your title in New York, you may place your registration in inactive status free of charge. To do so, you must advise us of your decision to register inactive. You can do this online following the steps below or by answering "no" to question 1 on your paper renewal registration form, signing and returning the form with no fee. If you do not inform us of such a decision, you are subject to the customary registration fee for your profession. In the event that you decide to resume practice after an inactive period, you must reregister your license and meet any post-licensure requirements imposed on your profession.

If you wish to inactivate your registration online for the next registration period, you must be able to answer "YES" to the following statements:

1. There are no more than five (5) months left in my current registration period OR my last valid registration period ended less than four (4) months ago, and
2. I have my seven (7) character PIN which appears on the registration renewal document sent to me recently.

Please Note! If you are requesting inactive status online:

• If the application cannot be processed for any reason, we will notify you.
• There is no charge to change your registration status to "inactive" for the new period.
• Your registration will not show as 'inactive' until the beginning of the new registration period. Please disregard any additional renewal notices you may receive for this registration period after you have inactivated online.
  • The Office of the Professions Online License Verification service will show your current registration as "registered" until the current registration period ends, then be converted to "inactive" at the beginning of the new period.
• An online transaction cannot be deleted once it is completed. However, if you end a session before all steps are completed, no changes will be made to your records. If you do not complete the transaction, your registration status will not be changed to "inactive" for the new period.
• Once you are inactive, if you would like to reactivate your registration status in the future, please contact the OP Registration Unit at OPREGFEE@mail.nysed.gov or at 518-474-3817 extension 410. Until you contact us, you will not receive automatic renewal notices in the future.

If you wish to renew a registration that is inactive or has lapsed, you need a replacement re-registration application, or you have any questions, please call our automated phone attendant at (518) 474-3817 (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week). If you need to speak to an operator, please call (518) 474-3817 Ext. 410, Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., ET.

Start Online Renewal

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Address and Name Changes

To change your address online, you must be able to answer "YES" to the following statements:

1. There are no more than five (5) months left in my current registration period OR my last valid registration period ended less than four (4) months ago, and
2. I have my seven (7) character PIN which appears on the registration renewal document sent to me recently.

Please Note! If you are requesting an address change online:

• Once your online request is submitted, it may take 2 business days for processing.
  • The Office of the Professions Online License Verification will, if applicable, indicate your new city and state as soon as the information is official.
  • A registration certificate for the current registration period will be mailed to you at the new address.
• If you complete an address change at the same time that you complete your registration renewal, your new registration certificate will be mailed to the new address.
• An online transaction cannot be deleted once it is completed. However, if you end a session before all steps are completed, no changes will be made to your records. If you do not complete the transaction, your address will not be changed.

Name changes cannot be submitted online. You must provide written notification of any name change. You may download our form for this purpose and mail it to the address provided on the form.

Start Online Renewal

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Questions & Answers Regarding Online Registration Renewal

General Questions and Answers:

• 1. What is OP Online Registration Renewal and who can use it?
  
  Online Registration Renewal is for New York State licensed professionals who are currently registered and in the final 5 months of their registration period. Online Registration Renewal allows licensees the convenience of paying with a Visa or MasterCard, answering registration renewal questions, changing their address, or choosing to inactive their registration for the upcoming registration period.
  
  
• 2. How do I access OP Online Registration Renewal?
  
  You can access OP Online Registration Renewal by using any of the Start Online Renewal Links available on this page.
  
  
• 3. How do I register additional offices online?
  
  You are required to register the main registration address. If you have 9 or fewer offices you can register them all online. You will receive a separate paper application for each additional office including for offices 10 and over. Please be certain that separate payments by check have not already been made as those transactions will not be reflected online and refunds will not be made. To add additional office addresses, contact OPREGFEE@mail.nysed.gov or 518-474-3817, extension 410.
  
  
• 4. Is this system secure?
  
  Yes! Our Website is secured by Verisign's SSL (secure sockets layer) encryption technology for all personal data input. Encryption is a way of coding the information in a file so that if it is intercepted by a third party as it travels over the Internet, it cannot be read. Only we can read your encrypted information.
  
  The application will time out after 30 minutes of inactivity.
  
  If you are using a public or shared computer, we also recommend that you clear the browser cache and history at the end of your session.
  
  
• 5. Which internet browsers are compatible with OP Online Registration Renewal?
  
  Internet Explorer, version 6 and above
  Firefox, version 2 and above
  Netscape, version 6 and above
  Opera, version 9 and above
  
  
• 6. Are there any special browser requirements?
  
  Javascript is required for this online application. If you are unable or unwilling to enable Javascript in your browser, you will have to file the paper renewal document and pay by check or money order.
  
  
• 7. Who do I contact if I have technical difficulties when using OP Online Registration Renewal?
  
  Should you have technical problems, please email OPONLINE@mail.nysed.gov or call 518-473-6986 business days between 8:30 AM and 4:45 PM ET.
  
  
• 8. When will my new registration period show on the OP Online License Verification?
  
  Once your online application renewal is submitted, you will be contacted by OP if more information is required to process your application and it may take 2 business days for processing applications that do not require any additional follow-up.
  
  
• 9. I still show as Pending Renewal on the OP Online Renewal but I have a Registration Certificate for the registration period indicated. Why?
  
  The information on OP Online Renewal is static and does not change when your record on the OP Licensing Computer System is updated. Your current registration status will always be available on our Online License Verification at http://www.op.nysed.gov/opsearches.htm.
  

Information about Address Changes:

• 10. Can I change my address using OP Online Registration Renewal?
  
  Yes. You can change your main address using the Online Registration Renewal.
  
  
• 11. Will I get a new registration certificate for my current registration period when I change my address?
  
  Yes. Your address will be updated in two (2) business days. At that time a new registration certificate for the current period will be sent to the new address and all future correspondence from this office will be directed to the new address.
  
  
• 12. Can I change my address and then send in the registration application and fee in the regular mail?
  
  Yes. This is possible; however, please consider completing your registration renewal online at the same time.
  

Information about Payment:

• 13. What are my options for paying to renew my registration?
  
  You may pay by either Visa or MasterCard.
  
  
• 14. How do I pay when using OP Online Registration Renewal?
  
  You will be automatically directed to a payment page as part of the online registration renewal process.
  
  
• 15. How will the charge appear on my credit card statement?
  
  Renewal and/or photo identification card charges will appear as OFFICE OF PROFESSIONS ALBANY NY on your credit card statement.
  
  
• 16. Can I use OP Online Registration Renewal to complete the registration application and then send in a check for payment?
  
  No. Only credit card payments can be accepted for online registrations.
  
  

Registration Certificates:

• 17. When will I receive my new registration certificate?
  
  Once your complete online application for renewal is submitted, it may take up to 2 business days for processing.
  • Some applications may required OP review before an application is approved. Your transaction summary will indicate if further review is required.
  • The Office of the Professions Online License Verification will show your new registration period as soon as the information is official.
  • Your registration certificate for the new registration period will be mailed to you at the address on record.
  
  
• 18. Will I get an updated registration certificate for my current registration period when I change my address?
  
  Yes.
  
  

Information about Inactivating your Registration:

• 19. If I choose to inactivate my registration, when does it become effective?
  
  If you "inactivate" your registration, this will become effective at the beginning of your new registration period.
  
  
• 20. What if I want to practice in New York State after I inactivate my registration?
  
  Once inactivated, you will need to contact us to reactivate your registration. Contact the OP Registration and Fee Unit at OPREGFEE@mail.nysed.gov or at 518-474-3817 extension 410. When contacting us, please include your name, profession, license number, social security number, and date of birth.
  
  
• 21. You indicate that I can use OP Online Renewal to inactivate my registration but when I log on the only option available is change address. Why?
  
  Your registration is valid for the full registration period and can not be placed in an inactive status during that period. You may inactivate your registration when you receive your Registration Renewal Document for the next period. Your registration will then be inactivated after your current registration expires.

Start Online Renewal

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Questions & Answers Regarding Photo IDs

• 1. What is a Professional Photo ID Card?
  
  This is a wallet size card that has your photo and signature as they appear on your NYS driver license, your name, profession, license number, DMV identification number and expiration date (this date coincides with the expiration date of your of your professional license registration).
  
  
• 2. Why would a licensed and registered professional need or want a Professional Photo ID card when we already have a license document and a registration certificate?
  
  Professional Photo ID Cards are offered to ease proper identification of professional licensees in day-to-day professional activities as well as in times of critical need. With increased emphasis on disaster preparedness has come the acute awareness that New York State’s vast resource of licensed professionals are key to any plan to address critical needs when they arise and Professional Photo ID cards will greatly facilitate the provision of needed services in an emergency.
  
  
• 3. How can I apply for a Professional Photo ID Card?
  
  When renewing online, you will be given the option on the payment page to apply for a Photo ID for an additional $30. This option may be chosen at the time of renewal or at a later time during your registration period.
  
  
• 4. What if I want a Photo ID Card before my next registration renewal?
  
  You are eligible to apply for a Professional Photo ID Card as long as you have more than 4 months remaining on your registration period. The Professional Photo ID Card expires at the end of your current registration period no matter when you apply for it.
  
  
• 5. Who can get a Professional Photo Identification Card?
  
  All currently registered licensed professionals can apply for a card. (Please Note: You must have 4 or more months remaining on your registration period to apply.)
  
  
• 6. Does the Professional Photo ID Card replace my license parchment or registration certificate?
  
  No. The Professional Photo Identification Card is in addition to the license and registration documents. The Photo ID may be useful in emergency situations, when a licensed professional works in a setting other than an office, etc.
  
  
• 7. What is the cost of the Professional Photo ID Card?
  
  The cost is $30.
  
  
• 8. How long is the Professional Photo ID Card valid?
  
  Professional Photo ID Cards expire on the same date that your registration period expires. You will be given the opportunity to reapply for a Professional Photo ID Card each time you renew your registration.
  
  
• 9. I am licensed in more than one profession, can I get one Professional Photo ID Card that has all the information for both professions?
  
  No. Each Professional Photo ID Card can contain the information for one profession. If you are licensed in more than one profession and you want a Professional Photo ID for each, you will need to apply and pay separately for each profession.
  
  
• 10. Will the Professional Photo ID Card show privileges?
  
  No. Professional Photo ID Cards will not contain privilege information.
  
  
• 11. What if I live outside New York State or do not have a New York State Driver License?
  
  Licensed and registered professionals who live outside New York State who want a Professional Photo ID will need to have a photo taken at a NYS DMV office. This photo is taken at no charge. Before going to a DMV office, licensed professionals need to call the NYS Professional Photo ID Program at: 1-800-567-7704 and they will issue a form explaining the process. This is not only useful to the licensed professional but also serves as a reminder to the DMV office staff who may not yet had occasion to provide this free service.
• 12. I practice my profession with a different name than appears on my New York State Driver License.  Will I be able to obtain a Photo ID?
• No. The name on your professional license issued by the New York State Education Department must match your name on your NYS driver license, non-driver ID card or the name you provide on the form to have your photo taken at a NYS DMV office as discussed above.
  
  
• 13. Who do I contact if I have additional questions about obtaining a Professional Photo ID Card?
  
  Call the Photo ID Program Team at 1-800-567-7704.