Title BPC — California Bus. & Prof. Code

(a) The board may select and contract with necessary architect consultants who are licensed architects to assist it in its enforcement program on an intermittent basis. The architect consultants shall perform only those services that are necessary to carry out and enforce this ch…

As used in this chapter, the word “person” includes any individual, firm, partnership, general corporation, professional corporation, or limited liability partnership, as authorized by the Corporations Code.

The phrase “responsible control” means that amount of control over the content of all architectural instruments of service during their preparation that is ordinarily exercised by architects applying the required professional standard of care.

(a) This chapter does not prevent an architect from forming a business entity or collaborating with persons who are not architects, provided that any architects’ professional services that are provided through that entity or collaboration are offered and provided under the respon…

As used in this chapter, the terms “business entity” and “collaboration” include employer and employee relationships, joint ventures, partnerships, general corporations, and consulting relationships formed by written agreement in which the architect provides immediate and respons…

This chapter does not prevent a corporation from furnishing or supplying by contract architectural services, as long as any architects’ professional services are offered and provided under the responsible control of a licensed architect or architects.

(a) It is a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than five thousand dollars ($5,000), or by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, or by both that fine and imprisonment, for any person who is not licensed to practic…

(a) All persons preparing or being in responsible control of plans, specifications, and instruments of service for others shall sign those plans, specifications, and instruments of service and all contracts therefor, and, if licensed under this chapter, shall affix a stamp, which…

Each county or city which requires the issuance of any permit as a condition precedent to the construction, alteration, improvement, or repair of any building or structure shall also require as a condition precedent to the issuance of the permit a signed statement that the person…

(a) An architect shall use a written contract when contracting to provide professional services to a client pursuant to this chapter. That written contract shall be executed by the architect and the client, or the client’s representative, prior to the architect commencing work, u…

(a) A licensed architect who signs and stamps plans, specifications, reports, or documents shall not be responsible for damage caused by subsequent changes to or uses of those plans, specifications, reports, or documents, where the subsequent changes or uses, including changes or…

The use of the words “certify” or “certification” by a licensed architect in the practice of architecture constitutes an expression of professional opinion regarding those facts or findings that are the subject of the certification, and does not constitute a warranty or guarantee…

(a) An architect who voluntarily, without compensation or expectation of compensation, provides structural inspection services at the scene of a declared national, state, or local emergency caused by a major earthquake, flood, riot, or fire at the request of a public official, pu…

(a) In the event of damage to residential real property caused by a natural disaster declared by the Governor, if the damage may be covered by one or more policies of insurance, any architect or other person who has prepared plans used for the construction or remodeling of the re…

(a) No person may use an architect’s instruments of service, as those professional services are described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 5500.1, without the consent of the architect in a written contract, written agreement, or written license specifically authoriz…

Any person who violates subdivision (a) of Section 5536 in connection with the offer or performance of architectural services for the repair of damage to a residential or nonresidential structure caused by a natural disaster for which a state of emergency is proclaimed by the Gov…

(a) This chapter does not prohibit any person from preparing plans, drawings, or specifications for any of the following: (1) Single-family dwellings of woodframe construction not more than two stories and basement in height. (2) Multiple dwellings containing no more than four dw…

A structural engineer, defined as a registered civil engineer who has been authorized to use the title structural engineer under the provisions of Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 6700), insofar as he or she practices the profession for which he or she is registered, is exempt …

This chapter shall not be construed as authorizing a licensed contractor to perform design services beyond those described in Section 5537 or in Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 7000), unless those services are performed by or under the direct supervision of a person licensed t…

A professional engineer registered to practice engineering under the provisions of Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 6700), insofar as he or she practices the profession for which he or she is registered, is exempt from the provisions of this chapter, except that a professional …

A civil engineer authorized to use that title under the provisions of Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 6700), insofar as he or she practices the profession for which he or she is registered, is exempt from the provisions of this chapter, except that a civil engineer may not use…

A landscape architect registered under the provisions of Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 5615), insofar as he or she practices the profession for which he or she is registered, is exempt from the provisions of this chapter, except that a landscape architect may not use the t…

A land surveyor licensed under the provisions of Chapter 15 (commencing with Section 8700) of Division 3, insofar as he or she practices the profession for which he or she is licensed under Chapter 15 of Division 3, is exempt from the provisions of this chapter, except that a lan…

This chapter does not prohibit any person from furnishing either alone or with contractors, if required by Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 7000) of Division 3, labor and materials, with or without plans, drawings, specifications, instruments of service, or other data covering …

Subject to the rules and regulations governing examinations, any person who meets the qualifications set forth in this article shall be entitled to an examination for a license to practice architecture. Before taking the examination, the person shall file their application for ex…

(a) An applicant for a license to practice architecture shall be required, as part of the examination for licensure, to demonstrate to the board’s satisfaction their knowledge and understanding of and proficiency in exterior and interior barrier free design. (b) The board shall i…

Notwithstanding subdivision (b) of Section 5552, the board may grant eligibility to take the licensure examination to a candidate enrolled in a degree program accepted by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards that integrates the licensure degree experience and…

(a) Notwithstanding Section 111, the board may adopt guidelines for the delegation of its authority to grade the examinations of applicants for licensure to any vendor under contract to the board for provision of an architect’s registration examination. The guidelines shall be wi…

Notwithstanding Section 30 of this code or Section 17520 of the Family Code, the board may accept for processing an application from an individual for an original or renewed license to practice architecture containing an individual tax identification number, or other appropriate …

If the applicant’s examination is satisfactory, and if no charges of having resorted to deception in obtaining the license, or any other violation of the provisions of this chapter have been filed with the board, upon the payment of the license fee fixed by this chapter, the boar…

The applicant for a license to practice architecture shall: (a) Not have committed acts or crimes constituting grounds for denial of a license under Section 480. (b) Furnish evidence of having completed eight years of training and educational experience in architectural work. A f…

(a) Pursuant to Section 144, beginning January 1, 2021, the board has the authority to obtain and receive criminal history information. The information obtained as a result of the fingerprinting shall be used in accordance with Section 11105 of the Penal Code and to determine whe…

(a) The board may request that a licensee identify their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, or gender identity. The data may be requested when an initial license is issued or at the time of license renewal. (b) The board shall maintain the confidentiality of the informa…

The board may, by regulation, implement an architectural education and training experience or internship program.

(a) The board may extend a candidate’s application or examination process beyond the five-year period described in Section 109 of Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations if a state of emergency is proclaimed by the Governor pursuant to Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 85…

Issuance of a license may be denied if evidence is received by the board of the commission or doing by the applicant of any act which, if committed or done by the holder of a license, would be grounds for the suspension or revocation of that license. The proceedings under this se…

The certificate shall contain the name of the person to whom issued. Proper index and record of each certificate shall be kept by the board.

Licenses to practice architecture remain in full force until revoked or suspended for cause, or until they expire, as provided in this chapter.

A duplicate license to practice architecture, replacing one which has been lost, destroyed, or mutilated, may be issued subject to the rules and regulations of the board. The duplicate license fee fixed by this chapter shall be charged for that issuance.

(a) Each person holding a license to practice architecture under this chapter shall file with the board their current mailing address, email address, and the proper and current name and address of the entity or entities through which they provide architectural services. For purpo…

(a) Each applicant for examination or licensure who has a valid email address shall report to the board that email address at the time of application. (b) A licensee who has a valid email address shall report that email address to the board at the time of renewal. (c) Each applic…

The board may upon its own motion, and shall upon the verified complaint in writing of any person, investigate the actions of any architect and may temporarily suspend or permanently revoke, the license of any architect who is guilty of, or commits one or more of, the acts or omi…

All accusations against licensees charging the holder of a license issued under this chapter with the commission of any act constituting a cause for disciplinary action shall be filed with the board within five years after the board discovers, or through the use of reasonable dil…

The proceedings for the suspension or revocation of licenses under this article shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, and the board shall have all the powers gra…

The board’s decision may do the following: (a) Provide for the immediate complete suspension by the holder of the license of all operations as an architect during the period fixed by the decision. (b) Permit the holder of the license to complete any or all contracts for the perfo…

In any proceeding for review by a court, the court may permit, in its discretion, upon the filing of a proper bond by the holder of the license in an amount to be fixed by the court, guaranteeing the compliance by the holder of the license with specific conditions imposed upon th…

A judgment of suspension or cancellation of a certificate by the superior court shall be subject to appeal or review in accordance with the provisions of law as to appeal from or review of judgments of superior courts. There shall be no stay of execution or enforcement of the jud…

After suspension of a license upon any of the grounds set forth in this chapter, the board may reinstate the license upon proof of compliance by the architect with all provisions of the decision as to reinstatement or, in the absence of that decision or any provisions therein as …

The conviction of a crime substantially related to the qualifications, functions, and duties of an architect by the holder of a license constitutes a ground for disciplinary action. The record of conviction, or a certified copy thereof certified by the clerk of the court or by th…

The fact that the holder of a license is practicing in violation of the provisions of this chapter constitutes a ground for disciplinary action.