Licensing

All individuals participating in horse racing at a New York State track must be licensed by the Gaming Commission.

Racing license application material may be found below as well as at Commission offices at any open track.

Carefully read and follow the below instructions:

• Complete the Racing Application and any additional required application material(s)

• Completed applications and additional required material(s) may be submitted in-person at Commission offices at any open race track or by mail to the Commission’s main office:

  NYS Gaming Commission – Racing Licensing
  PO Box 7500
  Schenectady, NY 12301-1439

Owners, Trainers, Assistant Trainers, Drivers and Veterinarians must complete the License Application Supplement in addition to the Application.

Photo

Applicants must submit two (2) current 2" X 2" passport quality photos with their name printed on the back.

Annual License Fees

License fees must be submitted with an application, payable to “NYS Gaming Commission” via money order or check drawn on the U.S. Government or a U.S. bank. A check drawn on a bank without a U.S. office is not acceptable. Credit cards are currently not accepted. 

*An Owner Original is an Owner who has never been licensed as an Owner in New York State or who has not been licensed as an Owner in New York State at any time in the five (5) years preceding the date of application.

Racing License Terms and Expiration

All first-time applicants must only apply for a one year license. License expiration dates fall on the licensee's birthday. (Note: applicants with birthdays less than six months from the date of initial application may extend their license term to their next birthday by paying an additional 50% percent license fee. This exception only applies for initial applications and cannot be used to extend the term of a racing license.)

Renewal applicants may select one- two- or three-year renewals on their application and should submit the applicable annual fee multiplied by the number of years selected. Fees are charged separately.

*Please note: stable employees and grooms can only apply for one year renewals.

Reciprocity of Disciplinary Actions

The Commission recognizes and enforces all license denials, suspensions and revocations imposed by racing and gambling authorities of other jurisdictions, including states, U.S. territories, and Canadian provinces pursuant to Section 912 of the Racing, Pari-Mutuel, Wagering and Breeding Law. A licensee may apply for a hearing and may show cause as to why the penalty should not be enforced in New York. An Application for a hearing does not create an automatic right to a hearing or stay.  The grant of such hearing or stay is based upon the discretion of the Commission. The Application for Hearing form may also be obtained at each Commission Office at any open track.   

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

License applicants who employ or plan to employ track, stable or other workers in connection with racing at New York State-based racetracks must submit a Certificate of Workers' Compensation Insurance on a NYS Workers' Compensation Board Form C-105.2 or a NYS State Insurance Fund Form U-26.3. The NYS Gaming Commission must be the certificate holder. Acord forms are not acceptable proof of NYS Workers’ Compensation Insurance coverage.   

License applicants who do not employ track, stable or other workers in connection with racing at New York State-based racetracks must submit a completed NYS Workers’ Compensation Board Form CE-200 (Certificate of Attestation of Exemption) to the Gaming Commission along with their application.   

Driver Applicants

Driver Applicants must furnish a current (within 6 months) vision certificate with their application, as required by Rule 4116.2(a)(5), which states that the applicant “has a minimum 20/40 vision to one eye, corrected, according to certification by a licensed optometrist, oculist or ophthalmologist.” A copy of a USTA membership card indicating adequate visual acuity is acceptable.

Security Applicants

Security Applicants must provide a copy of either their New York State Department of State-issued Registration Card or employer-issued Temporary Registration Card.

Owner Applicants

No horse with 35 or fewer owners will be accepted for entry unless all owners are licensed by the Commission. For horses with more than 35 owners: each person having a three percent or greater interest must be licensed by the Commission.

Criminal Charges/Convictions

All applicants must report any arrest, criminal charge or conviction for a violation or crime which occurs after the date of application. 

Fingerprinting

All first-time applicants applying for an occupational license are required to submit both State and Federal fingerprints.

Individuals who were last licensed more than five years ago must submit new fingerprints.

Processing Fee: All applicants required to submit fingerprints are charged a $88.25 processing fee. Payment for fingerprints must be made by check or money order drawn on the U.S. Government or a U.S. bank and included with the application, payable to “NYS Gaming Commission.”

• Electronic fingerprint scanning is available at Commission offices at open race tracks
• Ink Rolled Submission (card scan): The Commission accepts and scans hard copy rolled fingerprint cards. Applicants selecting this option must complete and include with their relevant application the following completed forms:
  • Two FBI fingerprint cards
  • NYS Request for Card Scan Services - Information Form
  • Proof of Identification Form and Chart 

The Horse Racing Licensing database lists all individuals licensed to compete within New York State.

Search the Horse Racing License Database