Monthly New York State Corporations and Licensing Statistics

ALBANY, NY (03/17/2010)(readMedia)-- Department of State reports 10,524 new corporations registered in Feb. 2010, up 3 percent over Feb. 2009

Number of newly licensed security guards more than doubles; real estate licenses also show gains

New York Secretary of State Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez today announced that the agency's Division of Corporations received a total of 10,524 applications for incorporation in Feb. 2010 – compared to the 10,222 applications it received in Feb. 2009, or an increase of three percent. Additionally, she announced that the Division of Licensing Services saw the number of licensed professionals in real estate rose nearly 14 percent from Feb. 2009 to Feb. 2010, while the number of licensed security guards more than doubled."

Just as the economy continues to show modest improvements, we've been seeing modest increases in the number of businesses registered with the state over the same period a year ago. The double-digit and triple-digit increases in newly registered real estate agents and security guards, respectively, are encouraging," Secretary of State Cortés-Vázquez said. "Yesterday, Governor Paterson announced the creation of EmpireStat, an innovative, data-driven information system that will help state agencies quantify if they are creating jobs and promoting economic development. One of the primary roles of the Department of State is to help New York businesses take that first step, by ensuring they are legally registered to do business here and, when applicable, that their employees are licensed, as well."

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 Feb. 2010 Feb. 2009 Percent change

Business corporations 5,694 5,766 -1.2%

Not-for-profit corporations 351 392 -10.5%

Limited liability companies 4,375 3,955 +10.6%

Limited partnerships 82 79 +3.8%

Limited liability partnerships 22 30 -26.7%

Total no. of newly registered corps. 10,524 10,222 +3.0%

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

Type of new business entity Mar. 2009 – Feb. 2010 Mar. 2008 – Feb. 2009 Percent change

Business corporations 70,242 71,993 -2.4%

Not-for-profit corporations 4,841 5,038 -3.9%

Limited liability companies 52,763 53,698 -1.7%

Limited partnerships 1,086 1,438 -24.5%

Limited liability partnerships 268 299 -10.4 %

Total no. of newly registered corps. 129,200 132,466 -2.5%

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 Feb. 2010 Feb. 2009 Percent change

Appearance enhancementoperators 1,089 1,184 -8.0

Real estate brokers /salespeople 925 813 +13.8

Security guards 2,489 1,185 +110.0

Total number of new licensees** 7,808 6,046 +29.1

** For a complete list of whom 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 Feb. 2010 Total as of Feb. 2009 Percent change

Appearance enhancement operators 169,911 159,559 +6.5

Real estate brokers / salespeople 113,817 126,137 -9.8

Security guards 152,850 143,851 -6.3

Total no. of licensees in NYS** 794,060 786,283 +1.0

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.

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Additional news available at http://www.dos.state.ny.us/about/new2.htm.

New York State Department of State | info@dos.state.ny.us | 518.486.9846 | 212.417.5801Follow us: http://twitter.com/NYDeptofState