Requirement to obtain a license to operate as a talent agency:

No person shall engage in or carry on the occupation of a talent agency without first procuring a license therefor from the Labor Commissioner. The license shall be posted in a conspicuous place in the office of the licensee.  The license number shall be referred to in any advertisement for the purpose of the solicitation of talent for the talent agency.  (Labor Code section 1700.5)

Who must obtain a license to operate as a talent agency?

Definitions:

"Person" means any individual, company, society, firm, partnership, association, corporation, limited liability company, manager, or their agents or employees. (Labor Code section 1700) "Talent agency" means a person or corporation who engages in the occupation of procuring, offering, promising, or attempting to procure employment or engagements for an artist or artists, except that the activities of procuring, offering, or promising to procure recording contracts for an artist or artists shall not of itself subject a person or corporation to regulation and licensing under this chapter. Talent agencies may, in addition, counsel or direct artists in the development of their professional careers. (Labor Code section 1700.4(a)) "Artists" means actors and actresses rendering services on the legitimate stage and in the production of motion pictures, radio artists, musical artists, musical organizations, directors of legitimate stage, motion picture and radio productions, musical directors, writers, cinematographers, composers, lyricists, arrangers, models, and other artists and persons rendering professional services in motion picture, theatrical, radio, television and other entertainment enterprises. (Labor Code section 1700.4(b)) (See Labor Code sections 1700 through 1700.3 for other relevant definitions)

How do I obtain an application package?

You can either:

1. Download the forms from the DLSE website (Adobe Acrobat Reader required):

a. Talent Agency License Application (DLSE 351 Rev.1/09))( Pdf) ( Doc) b. Important Information and Instructions for New and Renewal Applicants for Talent Agency License (Rev. 3/12) ( Pdf) ( Doc)

2. Call the Licensing & Registration Unit on Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at (415) 703-4846 and request that a package be sent to you.

3. Request a package by mail or in person at the addresses provided below.

What other documentation must be submitted with my NEW application form?

1. Bond (DLSE 306) ( Pdf) ( Doc)

2. Affidavit of Character (DLSE 301-A Rev. 9/11) ( Pdf) ( Doc)

3. Personal Record (DLSE 301-B Rev. 9/11) ( Pdf) ( Doc)

4. Premise Certification (Rev. 1/11) ( Pdf) ( Doc)

5. Sample – Nonexclusive Contract Between Artist and Talent Agency (DLSE 315A) (Rev. 09/10) ( Pdf) ( Doc)

6. Sample - Exclusive Contract Between Artist and Talent Agency (DLSE 315B) (Rev. 09/10) ( Pdf) ( Doc)

7. Sample – Fee Schedule (DLSE 315C) ( Pdf) ( Doc)

8. Request for Live Scan Service ( Pdf) ( Doc)

9. Certificate of Workers’ Compensation Insurance

10. Copy of Driver’s License/Photo ID

11. Fictitious Business Name Statement (if applicable)

12. Articles of Organization (if limited liability company)

13. Articles of Incorporation and Statement of Domestic Stock (if corporation)

14. Business Tax Registration Certificate (if business is at residence)

AN INCOMPLETE APPLICATION, INCLUDING INCOMPLETE SUBMISSION OF REQUIRED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION, WILL DELAY THE ISSUANCE OF YOUR LICENSE. 

What fees are required?

A filing fee of twenty-five dollars ($25) shall be paid to the Labor Commissioner at the time the application for issuance of a talent agency license is filed.

In addition to the filing fee required for application for issuance of a talent agency license, every talent agency shall pay to the Labor Commissioner annually at the time a license is issued or renewed:

A filing fee of twenty-five dollars ($25) shall be paid to the Labor Commissioner at the time application for consent to the transfer or assignment of a talent agency license is made, but no license fee shall be required upon the assignment or transfer of a license.

The location of a talent agency shall not be changed without the written consent of the Labor Commissioner. (Labor Code section 1700.13)

Fees may be paid by certified check, cashier’s check or money order made payable to DIVISION OF LABOR STANDARDS ENFORCEMENT. 

You may also pay fees online using your American Express, Discover or MasterCard credit card by clicking on the title of the payment you wish to make:

Once I have obtained and completed the application, how and where do I submit my application?

Mail your application form to: 

What are the requirements for RENEWAL applicants?

Requirements, including required application form, fees and documentation, are the same as for new applications with some exceptions.

Please see “Important Information and Instructions for New and Renewal Applicants for Talent Agency License” (Rev. 12/11) ( Pdf) ( Doc)

If I am a RENEWAL applicant, how do I obtain an application package?

You can either:

• Download the form from the DLSE website (Adobe Acrobat Reader required):
• Talent Agency License Application (DLSE 351 (Rev. 1/09) ( Pdf) ( Doc)
• Important Information and Instructions for New and Renewal Applicants for Talent Agency License (Rev. 12/11) ( Pdf) ( Doc)
• Call the Licensing & Registration Unit on Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at (415) 703-4846 and request that a package be sent to you.
• Request a package by mail or in person at the addresses provided below.
• Email your request with complete mailing address to DLSE.licensing@dir.ca.gov

IF YOU ARE SUBMITTING A RENEWAL APPLICATION, TO AVOID A LAPSE IN THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF YOUR LICENSE, PLEASE RETURN YOUR APPLICATION PACKAGE, WITH FEES AND DOCUMENTATION, AT LEAST 90 DAYS PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF YOUR LICENSE.