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Since 1891, the Board of Regents and the New York State Education Department have overseen the preparation, licensure, and practice of the professions. Currently, the Office of the Professions regulates forty-eight professions defined in Title VIII of the Education Law.


The Office of the Professions is pleased to announce that online registration renewal is now available. Phased in over the next three years, the online process will provide a timely and secure alternative to the paper registration applications used for many years. When registering online, the registration fees can be paid using a credit card, and no additional charge will be added for this convenience.
In order to register online, individuals must: More information will be sent to each licensee at the time of their registration renewal. Licensees will not be eligible to participate in online renewal until they are notified and given a PIN.

Please see Online Renewal Information for more information and, if eligible, to log in to the application.
Professional Engineering Examination - Part B
The April 2009 Examination Administration Filing Deadline for the Principles and Practice of Engineering Examination - PE (Part B) has been changed from November 1, 2008 to October 17, 2008.

Due to significant budget constraints and staff vacancies created by a state-wide hiring freeze, we are experiencing considerable delays in the processing of applications. We are processing applications as they are received and appreciate your patience during the next few months. In order to allow adequate processing time, the revised application deadline for the April licensing exam is October 17, 2008. Given this change, we will make every effort to provide a review of those applications postmarked by November 1, 2008, although reviews for submissions after October 17 cannot be guaranteed. You are strongly encouraged to submit applications at the earliest possible date. We apologize for the delays and any inconvenience.

The deadline for the Fundamentals of Engineering Examination - FE (Part A) will remain November 1, 2008.

The deadline for the Fundamentals of Surveying - FS (Part 1), Principles and Practice of Surveying - PS (Part 2) and the New York State Specific (Part 3) examinations will remain November 1, 2008. (August 26, 2008)

Physical Therapy Continuing Education
On July 7, 2008, Chapter 207 of the Laws of 2008, which requires physical therapists and physical therapist assistants to complete thirty-six hours of continuing education during each three-year re-registration period, was signed into law by Governor David A. Paterson. The law does not take effect until September 1, 2009. The law cannot be fully implemented until regulations are developed and adopted by the Board of Regents, which is expected to occur early next year. (August 5, 2008)

Clinical Laboratory Technology
On July 7, 2008, Governor David A. Paterson signed into law changes to the Clinical Laboratory Technology Practice Act that will add a new profession of certified histological technician, will provide changes and additions to the special provisions (grandparenting), and will establish new licensure types (limited licenses and restricted licenses) within the clinical laboratory technology professions. Licensure for all these professions remains within the State Education Department under the oversight of the Board of Regents.

While the law becomes effective on August 7, 2008, it cannot be fully implemented until regulations are written and approved by the Board of Regents, which is expected to occur in September 2008. Meanwhile, those applicants who have received a letter authorizing them to work until September 1, 2008 or until their application is reviewed will receive a new letter extending that date to July 1, 2009. During the coming weeks and months, all applications that have been submitted and all new ones will be reviewed based on all available pathways for licensure. Applications for all pathways will be available as soon as the regulations have been approved by the Board of Regents.

A new set of Questions and Answers about the changes to the Clinical Laboratory Technology professions has been posted. (July 16, 2008)

Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists
Changes have been made in the proposed amendments to the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education relating to education, examination, experience, and endorsement provisions for the licensure of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists. The amendments are scheduled to be acted upon by the New York State Board of Regents at its September 2008 meeting. The revised proposed amendments are available here. (June 24, 2008)

Clinical Laboratory Technology - Proposed Regulations
The Commissioner of Education is proposing amendments to the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education relating to the education and program registration requirements for the professions of clinical laboratory technology, cytotechnology, and certified clinical laboratory technician. The amendments are scheduled for action by the Board of Regents at its meeting on July 28-29, 2008. The complete proposed amendments are available here. (May 21, 2008)

Announcing OPNEWS Listserv
The Office of the Professions Strategic Communications Team announces an initiative to provide interested parties with news and updates about the Office of the Professions via email. Individuals can subscribe to OPNEWS to receive regular updates about:
  • office activities and performance
  • the license, practice and discipline of the professions
  • professional practice alerts, and
  • meetings of the State Boards
Join OPNEWS at: http://listserv.nysed.gov/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=opnews&A=1. You will be prompted to enter your email address and tailor how you wish to receive email alerts. You can access more information about the OPNEWS listserv at: listserv.nysed.gov. (October 22, 2007)
Employment Opportunities in Shortage Areas
Immediate employment opportunities are available with the New York City Department of Education in the areas of monolingual and bilingual speech services, bilingual school psychology, occupational therapy and physical therapy. License holders in psychology and speech-language pathology who do not hold school certification should review new regulatory provisions approved by the Board of Regents in July, 2005. Experience gained in non-school settings may be given to bilingual psychologists and bilingual speech-language pathologists. Additional information on opportunities or scholarship assistance can be obtained by contacting the New York City Department of Education: http://schools.nyc.gov/teachnyc/ (April 30, 2007)

Verifying Your New York License
New York licensees are reminded that up-to-the-minute license and registration status is available on this site or by calling 1-518-474-3817 (press prompt #4, then #1). Information on the Web and our telephone system is current and official. Licensees who require written proof of licensure should file the Request for Written Confirmation of NYS Licensure (PDF). This request requires the submission of a fee and will be mailed to a third party.

Regents Scholarship Opportunities
Regents Professional Opportunity Scholarships are available annually to New York State residents who are economically disadvantaged and/or members of an underrepresented minority group and who are beginning or engaged in an approved program leading to a degree in an eligible profession licensed by the Regents. Award winners receive up to $5,000 per year, for a maximum of four academic years. Information and applications can be found on the Office of Higher Education's (OHE) Website. Information and applications for the Regents Health Care Scholarship in Medicine and Dentistry and the Regents Physician Loan Forgiveness Program are also available on the OHE Web site.

For Future Reference: In the event of an emergency that impacts the licensed professions, OP will provide important information, specific to the situation, through this Web site, our automated phone system (518-474-3817), and/or our regional offices. This information will include emergency provisions for professional practice as well as updates on scheduled events and services (licensing examinations, professional discipline proceedings, examination reviews, etc.)


Applicants and licensees can now print and mail an address/name change form. Please remember that OP is to be notified within 30 days of any change in name or address.

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New York State Education Department
Office of the Professions
State Education Building - 2nd floor
89 Washington Avenue
Albany, New York 12234

Questions: op4info@mail.nysed.gov or 518-474-3817



http://www.op.nysed.gov