NYSDOL Reminds Fashion Industry of Fashion Workers Act Registration

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Published December 19th, 2025

Detected March 17th, 2026

Summary

The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) is reminding model management companies and groups that registration with the state is required under the Fashion Workers Act, effective December 21. The NYSDOL has opened an online portal for these entities to register and obtain a certificate of registration.

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What changed

The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) has announced that the registration portal for model management companies and groups is now open, with registration required starting December 21. This action serves as a reminder and operationalizes the requirements of the Fashion Workers Act, which aims to protect models by ensuring fair compensation, safe working conditions, and prohibiting certain exploitative practices. Companies must register online to receive a registration number and certificate.

Model management companies and groups operating in New York must register with the NYSDOL via the provided online portal by December 21 to comply with the Fashion Workers Act. Failure to register may result in penalties, though specific penalties for non-registration are not detailed in this announcement. The Act itself outlines requirements for acting in models' best interests, ensuring safe environments, providing written agreements, establishing complaint processes, and prohibiting certain fees and contract terms. Companies are encouraged to review the full requirements on the NYSDOL website.

What to do next

Register model management companies and groups with NYSDOL via the online portal by December 21.
Review the requirements of the Fashion Workers Act regarding model representation, compensation, and working conditions.
Ensure company policies address abuse, harassment, and other inappropriate behavior towards models.

Source document (simplified)

December 19, 2025

THE NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR REMINDS FASHION INDUSTRY TO COMPLY WITH THE FASHION WORKERS ACT

Model Management Companies and Model Management Groups Must Register with NYSDOL Starting December 21

Companies can Register Here

The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) today announced that the registration portal is now open for model management companies and groups to register their agency with the state, as required by the New York State Fashion Workers Act. Once registered via the online portal, companies will receive a registration number and a Certificate of Registration.

New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, “In New York State, we believe in protecting all workers regardless of industry. The Fashion Workers Act is designed to fight exploitation and protect models, giving them fair compensation and safe working conditions so they can continue to play an important role in New York State’s multibillion-dollar fashion industry. I encourage model management companies and groups to stay in compliance with the law by registering today.”

The law, which went into effect in June, outlines the requirements for companies, including:

Acting in the best interest of the models they represent;
Ensuring a safe work environment;
Providing models with a written agreement detailing their total compensation before work begins and clearly communicating itemized deductions and disclosing any financial relationships with clients;
Establishing company policies and complaint processes that addresses abuse, harassment, and any other inappropriate behavior towards models; and
Outline penalties for violations of company policies. The law also prohibits these groups from imposing certain fees, requiring models to sign contracts for longer than three years, and using models’ digital replicas without permission.

To learn more about the Fashion Workers Act, visit this resource page.