Board of professional licensing

The PE hour Structural exam will be the only exam offered in pencil-and-paper format, and it will be offered at select locations beginning with the April administration.

In order to receive the expedited licensure process, individuals must provide documentation of their refugee, asylee, or special immigrant visa status when submitting their application package. Please note that this does not mean a license or certification must be issued, but simply that the process will be expedited. Click here for information and documentation examples. The Spring pencil-and-paper exam will be administered on April 21 and 22, This recognizes the key role education plays in both preparing licensed professionals and in ensuring their continuous development.

The State Education Department, under Regents' direction, administers professional regulation through its Office of the Professions, assisted by the State Boards for the Professions.

The New York State Education Department NYSED or the Department discovered a recent data security incident that may have involved the personally identifiable information of certain professional licensure candidates and those who were eligible for certain professional permits.

Please note that no unauthorized access has been confirmed, nor has any unauthorized use of this data been reported to NYSED. The Department is providing this notification out of an abundance of caution.

The Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs was established in as part of the Department of State to provide administrative, logistical and legal support services to professional and occupational licensing boards and commissions.

Professional licensing protects the health and safety of the public from fraudulent and unethical practitioners. There are 29 licensing boards and commissions, each with their own statute governing their powers and functions.

The boards and commissions also promulgate regulations to further govern their respective professions. The boards and commissions each comprise between seven and 17 members, including professionals in those fields and public members who represent the public at-large. Members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. Both of these are served by the Secretary of the Commonwealth or a designee.

The Department provides these boards and commissions with legal, technical and administrative support to conduct written practical licensure examinations; review and verify education and experience of candidates for licensure; certify providers of education; receive and investigate public complaints; conduct periodic facility inspections; prosecute, adjudicate, fine and sanction violators; administer licensure programs, revise standards for licensure to keep pace with changes in the professions and advise the legislature on proposed statutory changes.

The Bureau of Enforcement and Investigation provides the boards and commissions with facility inspection and law enforcement capabilities. It maintains regional offices in Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Scranton. Occupational Licensure Requirements: Snapshots. Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs. History of the Bureau.