NYS Proposes Changes to Architecture Licensure Requirements

The New York State Education Department recently proposed several rule changes to update regulations governing the education, experience, examination and endorsement requirements for licensure as an architect in the state. The regulations were posted in the NYS Register on September 25th and you can find them here.

Education and Experience Changes | Under the proposal, Section 69.1 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education would be amended to accomplish the following:

a) Accept a masters’ or higher degree in architecture or a masters’ or higher degree inarchitecturally related studies in lieu of one year of work experience.

b) Allow students to earn experience through the Architectural Experience Program (AXP) which is not concurrently earned with full-time attendance at college, including, but not limited to, summer breaks.

Examination | Under the proposal, Section 69.2 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education would be amended to accomplish the following:

c) Eliminate the ability for Architect Registration Examination (ARE) candidates to review or challenge failed examination divisions.

d) Allow early access to start the ARE while a New York applicant is still in college.

Endorsement | Under the proposal, Section 69.3 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education would be amended to accomplish the following:

e) Create additional pathways to become licensed via endorsement, which include, but are not limited to (1) the submission of evidence of at least five years of acceptable experience within seven years of application for endorsement; (2) evidence of meeting the examination requirement; (3) evidence of good standing as a licensee in each jurisdiction in which the applicant is licensed to practice and (4) an attestation of good moral character.

f) Allow applicants from Canada to apply for endorsement if they meet the same requirements outlined in the above section (e).

Comments on these proposed regulations are open for 60 days and may be sent to:

Robert Lopez
New York State Education Department 89 Washington Avenue, 2M
Albany, NY 12234
(518) 473-8486 REGCOMMENTS@nysed.gov