New York Architect CE Requirements (2026): 36 Hours Every 3 Years
Requirements Overview
The New York State Education Department's Office of the Professions requires every registered architect to complete 36 hours of continuing education in each three-year registration period. Of those, at least 24 hours (two-thirds) must be in health, safety and welfare (HSW) subjects, and no more than 12 hours may be in other professional-practice topics.
New York does not offer a break to new architects: first-time licensees must complete the full 36 hours during their initial three-year period. When a registration period is shortened — for example, to align with a birth month — the requirement is prorated at one CE hour per month rather than waived.
The framework was substantially reshaped by Chapter 578 of the Laws of 2021, effective May 3, 2023, after which all 36 hours may be architectural educational activities. A maximum of 6 hours may be carried over from one registration period into the next.
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health, Safety & Welfare (HSW) | 24 | Every renewal | At least two-thirds of the 36 hours — 24 hours — must be in health, safety and welfare (HSW) areas each three-year registration period. No more than 12 hours may be in other professional-practice topics. |
How You Can Complete Your CE
New York CE Rules & Limits
Details specific to New York that generic CE guides tend to miss:
- Carry-over — A maximum of 6 continuing education hours completed during one three-year registration period may be carried over into the subsequent registration period.
- Unlike many states, New York grants NO first-registration exemption for architects: first-time registrants must complete the full 36 hours during their initial three-year registration period. Registration periods shorter than three years are prorated at 1 CE hour per month of the period.
- The requirement is 36 CE hours per three-year (triennial) registration period, of which at least 24 must be health, safety and welfare (HSW) and no more than 12 may be other professional-practice topics.
- Requirements were substantially modified by Chapter 578 of the Laws of 2021, effective May 3, 2023; since that date all 36 hours may be architectural educational activities.
- First-time licensees are not exempt and must complete the full 36 hours in their initial registration period. Registration periods shorter than three years are prorated at one CE hour per month.
- Up to 6 hours may be carried over from one registration period to the next. Verify approved sponsors and course acceptability with the NYS Education Department, Office of the Professions.
Tips for New York Architects
- Budget for 24 HSW hours out of the 36 — two-thirds of your total must be health, safety and welfare, so track HSW versus other professional-practice hours separately.
- Do not assume a first-cycle grace period: unlike many states, New York requires new licensees to complete the full 36 hours in their initial registration period.
- If your registration period is shorter than three years, calculate one CE hour per month rather than the flat 36 so you do not fall short.
- You can bank a little for next time — up to 6 hours carry over to the following registration period, but no more.
- Use NYSED-approved sponsors and keep your certificates; verify course acceptability with the Office of the Professions before you rely on a course.
Sources
Each figure on this page is taken directly from the New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions, State Board for Architecture's official rules and continuing-education sources and recorded with the exact source excerpt. Last verified Jul 2026. Read how we compile and verify this data.