Title 40, Professions and Occupations

(A) The board may impose a civil fine of up to two thousand dollars for each violation of a provision of this chapter or a regulation promulgated under this chapter; however, the total fines may not exceed ten thousand dollars. (B) A final order of the board finding that a regist…

As provided for in Section 40-1-130, the board may deny licensure to an applicant based on the same grounds for which the board may take disciplinary action against a licensee.

A license may be denied based on a person's prior criminal record only as provided in Section 40-1-140.

A licensee under investigation for a violation of this chapter or a regulation promulgated under this chapter may voluntarily surrender the license in accordance with Section 40-1-150.

A person aggrieved by a final action of the board may seek review of the decision in accordance with Section 40-1-160.

A person found in violation of this chapter or regulations promulgated under this chapter may be required to pay costs associated with the investigation and prosecution of the case in accordance with Section 40-1-170.

All costs and fines imposed pursuant to this chapter must be paid in accordance with and are subject to the collection and enforcement provisions of Section 40-1-180.

Investigations and proceedings conducted under this chapter are confidential and all communications are privileged as provided in Section 40-1-190.

(1) "Architect" means an individual who, by reason of the individual's general knowledge of the principles of architecture acquired by professional education and practical experience, is qualified to engage in the practice of architecture as attested by the individual's registrat…

A person who engages in or offers to engage in the practice of architecture in this State in violation of this chapter or who knowingly submits false information for the purpose of obtaining a license is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more th…

The Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, on behalf of the board and in accordance with Section 40-1-120, may petition an administrative law judge, in the name of the State, for injunctive relief against a person violating this chapter.

(A) The privilege of engaging in the practice of architecture is a personal privilege based upon the qualifications of the individual and evidenced by the person's registration certificate which is not transferable. (B) The board shall review the applications of all applicants fo…

(A) An application for licensure must be made on board application forms. A completed application signed and sworn to by the applicant must be filed with the board office and must be accompanied by all applicable fees. No application may be considered until the fees have been pai…

(A) An individual and firm licensed under this chapter shall satisfy license renewal requirements as established by the board in regulation, which must include continuing education requirements for individuals. An individual shall complete a minimum of twelve continuing education…

(A) The department, at the board's request, may allocate up to ten dollars of each renewal fee to the South Carolina Architecture Education and Research Fund, which must be established as a separate and distinct account and used exclusively for: (1) advancement of education and r…

An architect registered in another state, territory, or foreign country, having standards of registration equal to those in this State, may be registered upon a satisfactory showing of character and record only.

(A) A firm desiring a certificate of authorization shall file with the board an application on forms provided by the board and pay an application fee. Before a certificate of authorization may be issued to an out-of-state business or professional corporation, the corporation must…

(A) Every architect and firm practicing in this State shall have a seal containing the name, the place of business, and the words "Registered Architect, State of South Carolina" with which they shall seal all drawings, prints, and specifications for use in their profession. (B) T…

(A) Nothing in this chapter prohibits a general contractor or a home builder from the preparation and use of details and shop drawings, assembly or erection drawings, or graphic descriptions used to detail or illustrate a portion of the work required to construct the project in a…

(A) No individual may engage in the practice of architecture without a license issued in accordance with this chapter. An individual is considered to engage in the practice of or offer to engage in the practice of architecture who in any manner represents himself to be an archite…

An architect may not enter into a contract for professional services on any basis other than direct negotiation thereby precluding participation in any system requiring a comparison of compensation. However, an architect may state compensation to a prospective client in direct ne…

(A) Service of a notice provided for by law upon a nonresident architect who has been admitted to the practice of architecture or upon a resident architect who, having been admitted, subsequently becomes a nonresident or after due diligence cannot be found at his usual abode or p…

The building official or other authority charged with the responsibility of issuing building or other similar permits of any county, municipality, or other subdivision, before issuing the permit, must be in possession of a sealed set of plans and specifications for which the seal…

A licensed architect under the provisions of this chapter is immune from liability for volunteer architectural services provided during an emergency in the same manner as a licensed engineer is immune for volunteer engineering services as provided in Section 40-22-295. This secti…

If a provision of this chapter or the application of a provision to a person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of this chapter which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end th…

Unless otherwise provided in this chapter, Article 1, Chapter 1 applies to architects; however, if there is a conflict between this chapter and Article 1, Chapter 1, the provisions of this chapter control.

(A) The Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation shall provide all administrative, fiscal, investigative, inspectional, clerical, secretarial, and license renewal operations and activities of the board in accordance with Section 40-1-50. (B) Fees for examination, licensure, …

(A) The board may adopt rules governing its proceedings and shall elect a chairman, vice chairman, and secretary who shall serve a term of one year. The board may promulgate regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter and shall adopt a seal with which all of…

In addition to the powers and duties provided for in this chapter, the board has those powers and duties set forth in Section 40-1-70.

(A) If the director of the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation or the board has reason to believe that an individual or firm has become unfit to engage in the practice of architecture or has violated a provision of this chapter or a regulation promulgated under this cha…

Any hearing that is conducted as a result of an investigation must be conducted in accordance with Section 40-1-90.