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OFFICE OF THE PROFESSIONS
PROGRAM: Office of the Professions
DESCRIPTION:
The Office of the Professions is responsible for oversight of the 47 health, business, and design professions defined in Title VIII of the Education Law, including the licensure and registration of more than 760,000 professionals licensed and registered to practice in New York State. The Office has responsibility for investigating and prosecuting cases of professional misconduct in 44 of those 47 professions; for investigating and prosecuting allegations of illegal practice; and for administering the Professional Assistance Program, which offers the opportunity for rehabilitation of professionals impaired by alcohol or substance abuse. The Office also evaluates proposals from all New York schools seeking initial registration of or changes to educational programs for the 47 licensed professions; conducts reviews and site visits of registered programs, reviews nursing programs as an U.S. Department of Education-approved accrediting body and individually evaluates the education credentials of licensure applicants who did not complete a New York State-approved program. The Office also includes the State Boards for the Professions, which advise the Department and the Board of Regents on matters of professional licensing, practice and conduct. In addition, the Office of the Professions regularly provides the public with information to help them “shop smart” for professional services and to help them recognize and report instances of professional misconduct and unlicensed practice. Additionally, the Office issues advisories, guidelines and other communications to help professionals stay current with regulatory developments and emerging issues. The Office is funded by a special revenue account supported by licensure and registration fees paid by professionals regulated under Title VIII of the Education Law.
The Office of the Professions also administers the out-of-state and foreign medical school evaluation program. This program is fully supported by fees and reimbursement received from the institutions requesting a program review.
REGENTS GOALS: 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6
AUTHORITY:
Federal Statute: IDEA
Federal Regulation: Title 34 CFR 300
State Statute: Education Law Title VIII
State Regulation: 8NYCRR Parts 59-79
FUNDING SOURCE(S):
State-
Federal-
Special Revenue- 100%
Total- $44.06 m
NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS SERVED: 14.1 million* (2007-08)
*This number represents licensees, individuals filing professional misconduct and illegal practice complaints, corporate entities, and customer inquiries received via telephone, e-mail and the Web.
CONTACT OFFICE: Office of the Associate Commissioner for the Professions
TELEPHONE: (518) 474-3817 Ext. 440 FAX: (518) 474-3863