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Mandatory Education for New York State Architects

To renew your registration as an architect, New York State Education Law requires completion of 36 contact hours in each three year registration period.  The hours must be logged in approved subject hours and sponsored by an approved provider.

From the New York State Education Department website:www.op.nysed.gov/architecture

What is the difference between licensure and registration?

In New York State, upon satisfaction of the eligibility requirements, a “license” is awarded. Licensure is for life, unless suspended, revoked or annulled for reasons of misconduct. To practice the profession in New York State, a licensee must be currently “registered”.  Registration is for a three year period.

Course of learning are acceptable if:
-they are offered by an approved New York State sponsor
-in an approved subject area
-in an approved format

For complete information on acceptable subject areas and sponsors, please click on
www.op.nysed.gov/prof/arch

Mandatory Continuing Education (MCE) Requirements for Members of the American Institute of Architects

For complete information on continuing education system (CES) requirements at the AIA please go to http://www.aia.org/education/ces/AIAB093368

Members of the Institute must complete 18 Learning Units (LUs), 12 must be Health Safety and Welfare (HSW) Learning Units.  The remaining six do not require HSW credit.

The average AIA member has four or more state licenses, a licensed architect must meet the continuing education requirements for all the states in which you intend to practice. Most states which require mandatory continuing education will accept AIA CES transcripts as documentation for completion of valid continuing education credit. For AIA members, as a benefit, this means a single record-keeping system is the documentation needed for reporting your state MCE requirements when requested.

In order to access this valuable member service from the AIA go to MY CES and enter your email address and password.  All programs completed by an AIA CE Provider will appear on your transcript.  If you have questions about the transcript please contact AIA CES Member care at 800-242-3837 or cessupport@aia.org.

You will find that many of the programs you complete for AIA membership will also comply with New York State continuing education requirements for registration renewal.

Please check with the sponsor of the program you are enrolling in or check the website of the New York State Education Department for clarification.  

AIA Members may also use their local chapters as a resource.

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