N.Y. Business Corporation Law § 1507
(b) A design professional service corporation may issue shares to individuals who are authorized by law to practice in this state a profession which such corporation is authorized to practice and who are or have been engaged in the practice of such profession in such corporation or a predecessor entity, or who will engage in the practice of such profession in such corporation within thirty days of the date such shares are issued. A design professional service corporation may also issue shares to employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) and employees of the corporation not licensed as design professionals, provided that: