50-State Architecture Licensing Compliance Guide
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New York Architecture Industry Licensing

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Licensing requirements for architecture industry firms and individuals in New York.

This page provides an overview of architecture industry licensing in New York for individuals and firms. 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.

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Company Licenses

New York Architecture Company Licenses

New York Architecture Firm License

Not required



Architecture Firm licensure is not required on the State level in New York.

  • New York does currently license architectural firms, however, firms must follow procedures established by the Education Department when incorporating or foreign qualifying.
More information: New York State Education Department - Office of the Professions - State Board for Architecture
Law:

NY EDN Law § 7307

Eligible Entity Types:
  • Professional Corporations
  • Professional Limited Liability Companies
  • Design Professional Corporations
  • Limited Liability Partnerships
  • Limited Partnerships
  • Partnerships
Ownership Requirements:

Professional Corporations:

  • For domestic PCs, all of the shareholders, officers, and directors must be architects licensed in New York.
  • For foreign PCs, at least one of the shareholders must be a New York licensed architect and all of the shareholders, officers, and directors must be architects licensed in any state.

Professional Limited Liability Companies:

  • For domestic PLLCs, all of the members and managers must be architects licensed in New York.
  • For foreign PLLCs, at least one of the members or managers must be a New York licensed architect and all of the members and managers must be architects licensed in any state.

Design Professional Corporations:

  • Greater than 75% of the outstanding shares of stock of the DPC must be owned by design professionals
  • Greater than 75% of the directors must be design professionals
  • Greater than 75% of the of the officers must be design professionals
  • The president, the chairperson of the board of directors and the chief executive officer or officers must be design professionals
  • An ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan), either in part or in its entirety, may not constitute part of the greater than 75% owned by design professionals

Limited Liability Partnerships:

  • All of the partners must be architects licensed in New York.

Limited Partnerships:

  • All of the partners must be architects licensed in New York.

New York Interior Design Firm License

Not required



Interior Design Firm licensure is not required on the State level in New York.

New York does not currently license or register interior design businesses.

New York Landscape Architecture Firm License

Not required



Landscape Architecture Firm licensure is not required on the State level in New York.

  • New York does currently license landscape architectural firms, however, firms must follow procedures established by the Education Department when incorporating or foreign qualifying.
More information: New York State Education Department - Office of the Professions - State Board for Landscape Architecture

Individual Licenses

New York Individual Architecture Licenses

New York Architect License

Agency:New York State Education Department - Office of the Professions - State Board for Architecture
NCARB Certificate:Not required
Completion of CE/PDH:Required
Interview:Not required
NAAB-accredited degree:Not required
NCARB IDP:Required
Additional Experience:Required
State-specific exam:Not required

Initial Registration

This section applies to architects that are applying for a license in New York for the first time.

Form:

Form 1 - Application for Licensure

Agency Fee:

$377

Reciprocal Registration

This section applies to architects licensed in another state that are looking for reciprocal licensure in New York.

Agency Fee:

$377

Registration Renewal

This section applies to architects that are already licensed in New York and need to renew their license.

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$287

Due:

Triennially by the last day of the month prior to the architect's birth month.

New York Interior Designer Certification

Agency:New York State Education Department - Office of the Professions - Interior Design Unit

Initial Registration

Form:

Form 1 - Application for Licensure

Agency Fee:

$377

Notarize:Required

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$210

Due:

Triennially

New York Landscape Architect License

Agency:New York State Education Department - Office of the Professions - State Board for Landscape Architecture

Initial Registration

Form:

Form 1: Application for Licensure & First Registration

Agency Fee:

$294

Notarize:Required

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$224

Due:

Triennially by the end of the month prior to the licensee's month of birth.

Learn about architecture licensing in other states:

ARE (Architect Registration Examination) - Assesses candidates for their knowledge, skills, and ability to provide the various services required to be a practicing architect.

AXP (Architectural Experience Program) - NCARB program for architectural internship, a requirement for licensure that occurs after filling the educational requirements.

BEFA (Broadly Experienced Foreign Architect) - An alternative NCARB certification that allows foreign architects to independently practice architecture.

COA (Certificate of Authorization) - The most common name of the registration required for firms to practice architecture in a given state.

Design Firm - Architectural firm registration is sometimes grouped with engineering and land surveying on a single “design firm” application form.

NCARB Certification - Licensed architects have the option to become Certificate holders to signify that they have met national standards established by U.S. licensing boards for protecting public health, safety, and welfare. Certification also facilitates reciprocal registration in all 54 jurisdictions, 11 Canadian jurisdictions, and can be used to support an application for licensure in other countries.

Reciprocity - This is when a licensed architect in one state can provide documentation (often a NCARB certificate) to more easily apply for licensure in another jurisdiction.

State Board - Often referred to as the State Architects Licensure Board or Board of Architects, an individual state’s board serves as the regulatory authority for architects. The board qualifies and licenses individuals seeking architectural licensure. The board is responsible for preserving the public health, safety, and welfare of individuals who occupy built environments.

National Architecture Accrediting Board
NAAB establishes criteria for and accredits professional architecture degree programs in the United States.

The American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS)
AIAS is an independent, student-run group that promotes excellence in architecture education, training, and practice.

The American Institute of Architects (AIA)
AIA is a voluntary professional organization for architects providing advocacy, information, and community.

The Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA)
ACSA represents architectural education programs across the globe.

The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)
NCARB is the national organization representing the state registration boards.

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