1. Labor Commissioner's Office

How to Obtain a Talent Agency License

Requirements to Obtain a License to Operate 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)

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.

Resources

March 2018