50-State Employment Services Industry Licensing Guide
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District of Columbia Employment Agency

A businesswoman accepting her new job offer with a handshake

Licensing requirements for District of Columbia employment, staffing and talent agencies.

This page provides an overview of employment services licensing in District of Columbia for individuals and agencies. You will find state requirements, application fees, filing instructions, and more. For assistance with licensing, please contact us to learn about our software and managed license services.

Companies that provide employment services in District of Columbia must apply for a license prior to doing business. Depending on the services offered, businesses may need to apply for more than one license type, and in some cases, an individual license will be required as well.

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Company Licenses

District of Columbia Employment and Business Support Services Company Licenses

District of Columbia Basic Business License - Employment Agency

Agency:District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection - Business and Professional Licensing Administration - Business Licensing Division

Initial Registration

This section applies to firms that are applying for a license in District of Columbia for the first time.

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$99

Registration Renewal

This section applies to firms that are already licensed in District of Columbia and need to renew their license.

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$99

Due:
  • Biennially by the end of the month prior to the registration anniversary month.
  • Renewals can be filed as early as 75 days prior to the expiration date.

District of Columbia District of Columbia Nurse Staffing Agency License

Agency:District of Columbia Department of Health - Health Regulation and Licensing Administration (HRLA)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Yes

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$1,000

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$500

Due:

Licenses expire annually by the date of issuance, but renewals must be filed at least 90 days prior to the license's expiration date.

District of Columbia Professional Employer Organization License

Not required



Professional Employer Organization licensure is not required on the State level in District of Columbia.

District of Columbia Talent Agency License

Agency:District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection - Business and Professional Licensing Administration - Business Licensing Division
Notes:

The District of Columbia does not have a separate talent agency license, but an employment agency license may be required.

Registration Renewal

Form:

http://dcra.dc.gov/service/get-employment-agency-license

Agency Fee:

$1,534

Due:

Biennially

Employee Leasing Company - Enter into leasing contracts with other businesses that require labor. The leasing company loans its workers to the lessee while still providing specified responsibilities, such as workers compensation insurance, to the employees. This includes long term (6 months or more) temporary arrangements but often excludes temporary help arrangements. Unlike professional employer organizations, employee leasing companies are contracted when an employer needs to hire staff and does not want to handle human resources responsibilities.

Employment Agency - An entity that, for compensation, procures or attempts to procure employment for a person.

Professional Employer Organization - PEOs take on the human resources role for businesses and act as a co-employer in the sense that the client company's workers are administratively employees of the PEO but functionally these employees are controlled by the client company. Unlike employee leasing companies, PEOs are contracted when an employer already has staff and does not want to handle human resources responsibilities.

Staffing Agency - An entity that procures temporary or part-time employment for a person who then works under the supervision of a worksite employer.

Talent Agency - An entity that, for compensation, procures or attempts to procure employment or placement for an artist. (Certain art forms are excluded)

American Staffing Association
Staffing, recruiting, and workforce solution industry advocacy group.

National Association of Personnel Services (NAPS)
Education and training oriented association for personnel services providers.

National Association of Professional Employer Organizations (NAPEO)
Provides advocacy efforts, information, and other services to members of the employment industry.