Effective January 1, 2012, Section 1503 of the Business Corporation Law was amended to permit the incorporation of design professional service corporations (D.P.C.) (engineering, architecture, landscape architecture, land surveying, or any combination thereof), in which non-professionals may own less than 25 percent of the shares and may constitute less than 25 percent of director and officer positions.
Further, effective January 1, 2013, Section 1503 of the Business Corporation Law was amended to allow an existing professional service corporation (P.C.), in good standing, to convert to a design professional service corporation (D.P.C.). A Professional Service Corporation (P.C.), practicing professional engineering, architecture, landscape architecture or land surveying or practicing any combination of such professions can submit a certificate of amendment of its certificate of incorporation to the Education Department, and if all requirements are met, obtain approval to convert to a Design Profession Corporation.
