Department of State Reports 11,489 New Corporations Registered in Jan. 2010, Up Five Percent over Jan. 2009

Number of Newly Licensed Appearance Enhancement Operators, Real Estate Brokers/salespeople Also Increased

ALBANY, NY (02/16/2010)(readMedia)-- New York Secretary of State Lorraine A. Cortés-Vázquez today announced that the agency's Division of Corporations received a total of 11,489 applications for incorporation in Jan. 2010 – compared to the 10,932 applications it received in Jan. 2009, or an increase of 5.1 percent. Additionally, she announced that the Division of Licensing Services saw the number of licensed professionals in two key occupations – appearance enhancement operators and real estate brokers and salespeople – rose five and nine percent, respectively, from Jan. 2009 to Jan. 2010.

"Individuals starting new businesses in New York is key to our state's economic recovery. Governor Paterson along with the Department of State are working to create an environment that makes it easy to start businesses and also find important jobs in a number of different industries," Secretary of State Cortés-Vázquez said. "New York is at the heart of the national real estate market, and given the troubles in that market, it is no surprise that we find ourselves now with nearly 10 percent fewer licensed real estate salespeople and brokers than this time last year. At the same time, the recent growth in newly registered business entities is promising."

A month-over-month comparison of new entity filings for business corporations, not-for-profits, limited liability companies, limited partnerships and limited liability partnerships can be found below:

Type of new business entity Jan. 2010 Jan. 2009 Percent change
Business corporations 6,453 6,282 +2.7%
Not-for-profit corporations 362 367 -1.4%
Limited liability companies 4,571 4,158 +9.9%
Limited partnerships 79 91 -13.2%
Limited liability partnerships 24 34 -29.4%
Total no. of newly registered corps 11,489 10,932 +5.1%

Below is a year-over-year comparison for the same business classifications:

Type of new business entity Feb. 2009-Jan. 2010 Feb. 2008-Jan. 2009 Percent change
Business corporations 70,312 72,834 -3.5%
Not-for-profit corporations 4,882 5,061 -3.5%
Limited liability companies 52,343 54,429 -3.8%
Limited partnerships 1,083 1,528 -29.1%
Limited liability partnerships 276 290 -4.8%
Total no. of newly registered corps 128,896 134,142 -3.9%

A month-over-month comparison of new licensee filings for appearance enhancement businesses and operators, including cosmetology, esthetics, natural hair styling, nail specialty and waxing; real estate brokers and salespersons; and security guards can be found below:

Type of new licensee Jan. 2010 Jan. 2009 Percent change
Appearance enhancement operators 1,151 1,096 +5.0%
Real estate brokers / salespeople 927 850 +9.1%
Security guards 2,000 2,275 -12.1%
Total number of new licensees** 5,808 5,762 +.8%

** For a complete list of who DOS licenses, please see the end of the release.

Below is a year-over-year comparison for the total number of licensees:

Type of licensee Total as of Jan. 2010 Total as of Jan. 2009 Percent change
Appearance enhancement operators 165,287 163,514 +1.1%
Real estate brokers / salespeople 114,369 126,840 -9.8%
Security guards 151,902 144,081 +5.4%
Total no. of licensees in NYS** 795,024 792,270 +.3%

The Department of State's Division of Corporations files and maintains documents relating to business entities that are formed under the laws of New York State or authorized to do business under the laws of the state – in addition to the new entity filings listed above. The Division receives applications to register a business' name and receives certificates of amendment, such as changes in address or registered agent, as well as certificates of incorporation, merger and dissolution.

The Department of State's Division of Licensing Services plays an important role for consumers, occupational licensees and applicants and the business community in New York State. The Division is responsible for the licensure, registration and/or regulation of the following: real estate brokers and salespersons; barber shops and practitioners; appearance enhancement businesses and practitioners; private investigators; watch guard or patrol agencies; security guards; bail enforcement agents; central dispatch facilities; document destruction contractors; ticket resellers; security and fire alarm installers; hearing aid dispensers; apartment information vendors; apartment sharing agents; real estate appraisers; notaries public; bedding manufacturers and used bedding sellers; armored car carriers and guards; coin processors; home inspectors; telemarketers; athlete agents and pet cemeteries.