The New York State Education Department (“SED”) Office of the Professions (“OP”) is alerting everyone to a vishing scam that has been brought to our attention. Phishing—or “vishing”—scams impersonate SED employees or websites attempting to collect licensure and personal information from the licensee. If you receive an inquiry which you believe to be suspicious do not provide any information. To verify if the inquiry was from OP, contact us directly. You may report any suspicious communication received to the Federal Trade Commission.
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How do I apply for an initial license and to take the ARE® (Foreign Degree)?

  • Submit Online Form 1 -Application for Licensure. Please indicate on your Form 1 that you are applying to take the ARE and for initial licensure in New York

  • Pay the licensure and first registration fee of $377.00

  • Send an email to archbd@nysed.gov stating that you wish to take the ARE as a New York foreign- degreed applicant. The State Board for Architecture will send you an email that you must send on to NCARB, so that NCARB will allow you to request to take the ARE as a New York applicant.

  • Request to take the ARE® as a New York applicant within your NCARB Record

  • Send Form 2 to your foreign university for them to complete and send back to the Department with all required documentation (New York does not accept an EESA evaluation). One of our Bureau of Comparative Education evaluators will assign a value for the education.

  • For those whose assigned education value is below 7 units, experience is required. The amount of experience is dependent upon the nature of the education. EITHER document experience within your NCARB Record OR send Form 4 to a supervisor(s) to verify your experience. Your supervisor MUST mail in the Form 4 directly to the Department. The form WILL NOT be accepted if mailed by you.