New York Architecture License Overview
Understand the process of obtaining a New York state architecture license. Explore how Harbor Compliance simplifies licensing and compliance for firms.
All You Need To Know About New York State Architecture License
Becoming an architect in New York is a rigorous process that involves completing specific educational requirements, gaining relevant experience, and passing exams. The state doesn’t mandate firms to hold an architecture license to set up operations legally. However, individual practitioners must meet the standards set by the New York State Education Department.
In this article, we’ve discussed how to navigate the New York state architecture license registration process with ease and ensure your credentials align with the state’s legal regulations. We’ll also show you how Harbor Compliance can significantly reduce your workload and eliminate licensing gaps and lapses in your business.
New York Architecture License—Incorporation and Foreign Qualification Standards
While architectural firm licensure is not required at the state level in New York, firms must still adhere to specific procedures set by the New York State Education Department when incorporating or qualifying as a foreign entity. This ensures compliance with state regulations and allows firms to operate legally within the state.
The key requirements for architectural firms looking to incorporate or foreign qualify in New York differ based on the entity type, as outlined below:
| Entity Type | Incorporation and Foreign Qualification Requirements |
|---|---|
| Professional Corporations (PCs) | Domestic PCs—All shareholders, officers, and directors must be architects licensed in New York. Foreign PCs—At least one shareholder must be a New York–licensed architect, and all shareholders, officers, and directors must be licensed architects in any state. |
| Professional Limited Liability Companies (PLLCs) | Domestic PLLCs—All members and managers must be architects licensed in New York. Foreign PLLCs—All members and managers must be licensed in New York and in their original jurisdiction. |
| Limited Partnerships (LPs) | All partners must be New York–licensed architects. |
| Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs) | All partners must be New York–licensed architects. |
| Design Professional Corporations (domestic only) | More than 75% of the shares, directors, and officers must be design professionals. Key roles (president, chairperson, CEO) must be held by design professionals. ESOPs cannot constitute the 75% ownership. |
Prerequisites for Applying for a New York Architecture License
Although New York does not require architecture firms to hold a license, at least one shareholder, officer, or director must be a licensed architect in the state, as outlined above. Therefore, the same licensing requirements that apply to individual architects also apply to them.
To begin, you must meet strict qualifications that demonstrate your skills, knowledge, and readiness to practice professionally. There are three key types of requirements you have to meet to qualify for architect licensure in New York:
Education Requirements
Eligibility for licensure in New York requires a combination of education and experience totaling at least 12 units, where one unit equals one year. A professional degree from a NAAB-accredited program is not mandatory. Instead, units are awarded based on the highest level of education completed:
| Category | Program | Maximum Credit Granted |
|---|---|---|
| Category A | NAAB-accredited first professional degree | 9 units |
| Category B | Non-NAAB-accredited first professional degree | 8 units |
| Category C | Partial NAAB program completion or four-year pre-professional degree | 7 units |
| Category D | Degree/postsecondary coursework in a related field | 5 units |
| Category E | Master’s degree in a related study | 1 unit |
| Category G | Degree/coursework unrelated to architecture | 2 units |
| Category H | Degree/coursework in a related technical field | 2 units |
Experience Requirements
Completion of the Architectural Experience Program (AXP) is required for initial licensure. For NCARB Certificate applicants, you must complete AXP if licensed on or after September 1, 1999. All applicants must:
- Have at least one month of full-time work (35+ hours/week) under a licensed architect
- Receive prorated credit for part-time work
- Have lawful, State Board–approved experience
- Note that consultant or self-employed “design or drafting firm” work typically does not count
Examination Requirements
You’re eligible to take the Architect Registration Examination (ARE) if you meet one of these criteria:
- Completion of the third year of an NAAB-accredited Bachelor or Master of Architecture program
- Completion of the first year of an NAAB-accredited Master of Architecture after an undergraduate degree
- Graduation with a four-year pre-professional degree in architecture (Category C)
- Accumulation of seven units of combined education/experience credit
New York Architecture License Requirements
You must be registered in New York to practice architecture in the state. To qualify, you must:
- Be of good moral character with no criminal convictions or unethical conduct
- Be at least 21 years old
- Meet education, experience, and examination requirements
Applying for the New York State Architecture License
Once you’ve selected a licensing pathway and gathered all needed documents, follow these steps:
- Fill out an Application for Licensure (Form 1) and file it with the licensure fee and first registration to the Office of the Professions
- Indicate your chosen pathway to licensure
- Pay your licensure and first registration fee of $377 (or $587 for practical-examination applicants)
- Provide personal and business information
Outsourcing Architecture Licensing Workload to Professionals
Architecture licensing requirements are stringent and time-consuming. Harbor Compliance specializes in helping firms navigate licensure and registration, ensuring all regulatory requirements are met efficiently and allowing you to focus on your practice.
Simplify Licensing With Harbor Compliance’s Solutions
Our Architecture & Engineering Compliance Solutions streamline licensing, from applications to renewals. With our License Manager software, you can securely store license details, track deadlines, and stay compliant effortlessly.
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How To Order Harbor Compliance’s Architecture & Engineering Compliance Solutions
- Visit our Solutions page
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Additional Services by Harbor Compliance
| Service Category | Services |
|---|---|
| Document filing and retrieval | Initial report, Annual report, Certified copies, Certificate of good standing , Drop-off filing |
| Entity lifecycle management | LLC Formation, Incorporation, Amendment, Name reservation, Dissolution & withdrawal , Reinstatement, Foreign qualification |
| Nonprofit formation | Nonprofit incorporation, 501(c) tax exemption, Charitable registration |
| Business licensing support | General business licenses |
| Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting | BOI report filing |
| Registered agent services | Registered agent , Change of registered agent |
| Tax registration | Payroll tax registration , EIN, Sales & use tax registration |
New York Architecture Licensing FAQs
If you’re an individual architecture practitioner in New York, you must have a license from the New York State Department of Education. While firms do not need a specific license to operate in the state, at least one shareholder, officer, or director must be a state-licensed architect.
Becoming an architect in New York typically takes around 8–12 years, which includes completing about eight years of education and professional experience and passing the Architect Registration Examination (ARE).
You must be at least 21 years old to become a licensed architect in New York.
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.
| Law: | |
| Eligible Entity Types: |
|
| Ownership Requirements: | Professional Corporations:
Professional Limited Liability Companies:
Design Professional Corporations (domestic only):
Limited Liability Partnerships:
Limited Partnerships:
|
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.
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 |
| Exam Required? | Yes |
Initial Registration
This section applies to architects that are applying for a license in New York for the first time.
| Instructions: | |
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $377 |
Reciprocal Registration
This section applies to architects licensed in another state that are looking for reciprocal licensure in New York.
| Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
| Agency Fee: | $377 for most paths; $587 if applying via practical examination |
| Notes: | Who is eligible to apply for a license via the NCARB Certificate?
Who is eligible to apply for a license via endorsement for US and Canadian Architects who Passed the ARE?
Who is eligible to apply for a license via endorsement for Canadian Architects who did not Pass the ARE?
Who is eligible to apply for a license via endorsement for US Architects who Passed the Professional Examination (PE) before 1983?
Who is eligible to apply for licensure via the practical examination?
|
| How to Apply: | Applying via NCARB Certificate:
Applying via Endorsement for US and Canadian Architects who Passed the ARE:
Applying via Endorsement for Canadian Architects who did not Pass the ARE:
Applying via Endorsement for US Architects who Passed the Professional Examination (PE) before 1983:
Applying via Practical Examination:
|
Registration Renewal
This section applies to architects that are already licensed in New York and need to renew their license.
| Filing Method: | |
| 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
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $377 |
| Notarization Required?: | Not Required |
Reciprocal Registration
| Form: | Online Form 1 and Form 3 - Verification of Other Professional Licensure/Certification |
| Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $242 |
| Due: | Triennially |
New York Landscape Architect License
| Agency: | New York State Education Department - Office of the Professions - State Board for Landscape Architecture |
Initial Registration
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $294 |
| Notarization Required?: | Not Required |
Reciprocal Registration
| Form: | Online Form 1 and Form 3 - Verification of Other Licensure/Certification |
| Filing Method: | Mail or online. |
| Agency Fee: | $294 |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| 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.
