Source: http://regulations.delaware.gov/register/may2006/final/9%20DE%20Reg%201764%2005-01-06.htm
Timestamp: 2017-12-17 04:18:10
Document Index: 15270922

Matched Legal Cases: ['§306', '§301', '§306', '§307', '§309', '§313', '§313']

9 DE Reg 1764 05-01-06
Statutory Authority: 24 Delaware Code, Section 205 (24 Del.C. §306)
24 DE Admin Code 300
After due notice in the Register of Regulations and two Delaware newspapers, a public hearing was held on April 5, 2006 at a scheduled meeting of the Delaware Board of Architecture to receive comments regarding proposed amendments to Regulation 6.5. The proposal amends regulation 6.5 Late Renewal to clarify the late renewal process for continuing education requirements. The regulation does not change the total number of required continuing education credit hours. The proposed regulation was published in the Register of Regulations, Vol. 9, Issue 8, February 1, 2006.
There was no public comment received at the public hearing concerning the proposed amendments to the regulation. The Board finds that the amendments to the regulation are necessary to clarify the process by which a licensee may request an extension of time to complete the continuing education requirement necessary for renewal. The previous regulation did not permit renewal if the licensee did not complete the continuing education during the biennial period subject to renewal.
The Board finds that the regulation as proposed satisfies the requirement that licensees complete continuing education in furtherance of professional competency; however, the regulation removes the harsh result of denying renewal to a licensee who has failed to meet the continuing education by the renewal deadline. The regulation requires the licensee to request an extension of time and to complete the deficient continuing education within six (6) months of the renewal date. The amendments to Regulation 6.5 also provide licensees with a fair opportunity to make up continuing education during periods of audit. The regulation also makes clear that no continuing education completed during the late period may be used to satisfy future requirements. The regulation does not change the total number of required continuing education credit hours.
The “primary objective of the Board of Architects, to which all other objectives and purposes are secondary, is to protect the general public (including those persons who are direct recipients of services regulated by this chapter) from unsafe practices, and from occupational practices which tend to reduce competition or fix the price of services rendered. The secondary objectives of the Board are to maintain minimum standards of architect competency, and to maintain certain standards in the delivery of services to the public. In meeting its objectives, the Board shall develop standards assuring professional competence; shall monitor complaints brought against architects regulated by the Board; shall adjudicate at formal hearings; shall promulgate rules and regulations; and shall impose sanctions where necessary against architects.” 24 Del.C. §301.
In summary, the Board finds that adopting the amendments to regulation 6.5 meets both objectives and is in the best interest of the citizens of the State of Delaware and those individuals regulated by the Board. The changes are consistent with requiring licensees to maintain minimum standards of competency with regard to continuing education.
The Board’s rulemaking authority is provided by 24 Del.C. §306 (a)(1).
The Board hereby adopts the changes to Regulation 6.5 to be effective 10 days following publication of this order in the Register of Regulations.
The text of the revised regulation remains as published in Register of Regulations, Vol. 9, Issue 8, February 1, 2006, without any changes.
SO ORDERED this 5th day of April, 2006.
Arden Bardol, Registered Architect, President
Jean N. McCool, Registered Architect, Secretary
Alvin French, Registered Architect
Julia C. Hopkins, Public Member
Peter Jennings, Registered Architect
Charles Weymouth, Registered Architect
1.0 Scope: Definitions
Administration of Construction Contracts Shall comprise at least the following services: (i) visiting the construction site on a regular basis as is necessary to determine that the work is proceeding generally in accordance with the technical submissions submitted to the building official at the time the building permit was issued; (ii) processing shop drawings, samples, and other submittals required of the contractor by the terms of the construction contract documents; and (iii) notifying an owner and the appropriate building official of any code violations, changes that affect code compliance, the use of any materials, assemblies, components, or equipment prohibited by a code, major or substantial changes between such technical submissions and the work in progress, or any deviation from the technical submissions that he or she identifies as constituting a hazard to the public, that he or she observes in the course of performing his or her duties.
Applicant An individual who has submitted an application for registration to the Board.
Architect Any person who is authorized to practice architecture as defined in Title 24, Chapter 3 and who holds a current Certificate of Registration.
A.R.E The current Architect Registration Examination, prepared by NCARB.
Board Delaware Board of Architects, 861 Silver Lake Blvd. Cannon Building, Suite 203, Dover, DE 19903.
CACB Canadian Architectural Certification Board.
Direct Supervision That degree of supervision by a person overseeing the work of another, whereby the supervisor has both control over and detailed professional knowledge of the work prepared under the person's supervision. Direct supervision shall mean that the supervisor and the individual being supervised perform their work in the same office where personal contact is routine.
Division Division of Professional Regulation, 861 Silver Lake Boulevard, Cannon Building, Suite 203, Dover, Delaware 19904.
EESA Educational Evaluation Services for Architects. A provider of architectural education evaluation services administered by NAAB.
Examination The current Architect Registration Examination (A.R.E.), as accepted by the Board.
IDP Applicant An individual who has completed the IDP training requirements set forth herein and has submitted an application for registration to the Board.
Initial Registration Receiving for the first time a certificate of registration as an architect in any United States jurisdiction or Canadian province.
Intern Any individual in the process of satisfying the Board's training requirements. This includes graduates from recognized architectural programs, architectural students who acquire acceptable training prior to graduation and other qualified individuals identified by the Board.
NAAB The National Architectural Accrediting Board.
NCARB The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards.
Principal An individual who is a registered architect and in charge of an organization's architectural practice, either alone or with other registered architects.
Safety Design characteristics of a building or its surrounding site relating to, but not limited to, compliance with occupancy classification requirements; compliance with construction classification requirements; means of egress; fire-rated construction assemblies; compliance with interior finish requirements; fire detection, alarm and suppression systems; and compliance with environmental health regulations and smoke control systems, compliance with the minimum requirements for heating and cooling; natural and artificial illumination; natural and artificial ventilation; physical hygiene; and accessibility from environmental barriers.
TU Training unit, used to calculate the hours of training earned by IDP applicants
2.1 NCARB:
2.1.1 The Board shall maintain membership in NCARB and pay the necessary costs thereof.
2.1.2 The Board shall keep up-to-date information on the recommended policies adopted from time to time by NCARB.
2.1.3 The Board shall cooperate with NCARB in establishing uniform standards of architectural registration throughout the United States.
2.2 Practice of Architecture:
2.2.1 Only architects shall engage in the practice of architecture as defined in 24 Del.C. Ch. 3. The practice of architecture means the rendering or offering to render those services, hereinafter described, in connection with the design and construction, enlargement or alteration of a structure or group of structures which have as their principal purpose human habitation or use, and the utilization of space within and surrounding structures; the services referred to include planning, preparing studies, designs, drawings, specifications and other technical submissions and furnishing administration of construction contracts.
2.2.2 Services offered in connection with the "utilization of space within" such structures include space planning and programming, and interior design. Services offered in connection with the "space surrounding such structures" include site analysis and site design. These provisions shall not be construed to prevent or affect the practice of landscape architecture by a landscape architect or the practice of engineering by an engineer.
2.2.3 The seal of an architect shall not be required for:
2.2.3.1 activities associated with detached, single and two-family dwellings, and any sheds, storage buildings and garages incidental to such dwellings or
2.2.3.2 farm buildings, including barns, silos, sheds or housing for farm equipment and livestock, provided such structures are designed to be occupied by no more than ten (10) persons; or
2.2.3.3 alteration, renovation or remodeling of a structure which does not affect structural or other safety features of the structure, regardless of whether local authorities require a building permit for such work and when the work contemplated by the design does not require the issuance of a permit under applicable building codes.
3.0 Application for Registration:
3.1 Submission of Application fee: Every individual seeking registration shall submit an application to the Board, accompanied by the filing fee established above. Such filing fee shall be determined in accordance with statutory criteria.
3.1.1 References from employers listed on an application for registration must be provided to substantiate the minimum experience required in support of education and training standards. It is the applicant's responsibility to see that fees references are submitted to the Board. Such reference information shall be submitted on forms furnished by the Board.
3.1.2 Proof of self-employment must be substantiated with the following:
3.1.2.1 a copy of business license(s) for those duration's claimed as part of the application or a letter from your accountant or local building official substantiating experience, or similar objective proof of self-employment.
3.2 Applicants; General:
3.2.1 Applicants needing additional practical experience reference forms may use photostatic copies.
3.2.2 The Board will take no action to review an application until all references, transcripts and fees are received.
3.2.3 An applicant is not registered until so notified in writing by the Board.
3.2.4 Filing of an application, fees, etc., shall not be construed as completing the registration process; the board will register applicants at regular Board meetings only.
3.2.5 A license issued by the Division of Professional Regulation certifies that the individual named has met the qualifications of the Board to engage in practice.
3.3 Requirements of All Applicants. Applicants Must:
3.3.1 submit the required fees
3.3.2 answer all questions on the application form completely and legibly.
3.3.3 obtain the notarization of the application in the space provided. Applications shall contain a current affidavit that has been signed and notarized within the twelve (12) months immediately preceding presentation of the application to the Board.
3.4 Applicants for Registration by Examination (A.R.E.)
3.4.1 Must have filed a completed application with the Board, including the NCARB record showing completion of IDP training requirements.
4.0 Registration Standards:
4.1 Registration Standards: To be granted registration an applicant must:
4.1.1 Hold a professional degree in architecture from a degree program that is accredited by NAAB at the time of graduation or not later than two years after termination of enrollment. Receipt of a professional degree in architecture from a degree program accredited by CACB will be accepted as equivalent to a NAAB accredited professional degree in architecture.
4.1.2 Applicants who received their education outside of the United States shall obtain and provide to the Board an educational evaluation by EESA as directed through NAAB, and must provide evidence of training and degree equivalent to accredited programs. For purposes of 24 Del.C. §307(a)(1), an evaluation by EESA of training and degree equivalent to accredited programs constitutes such other education as the Board deems equivalent.
4.1.3 Applicants for admittance to the A.R.E. must submit proof of completion of IDP requirements through NCARB.
4.1.4 Have passed the examination. The examinee is permitted unlimited retakes of each part of the A.R.E. All parts of the exam must be successfully completed within a six year (6) duration from the date of his/her first sitting. If all sections are not passed in the six (6) year period, the entire examination must be taken and passed again.
4.1.5 Have complied with all regulations of the Board and 24 Del.C. Ch. 3.
5.0 IDP Training Requirements
5.1 The IDP is a requirement for all applicants for initial registration in the State of Delaware. Applicants holding a current registration in good standing in another United States jurisdiction or Canadian province and documenting five (5) or more years of practicing architecture immediately preceding the date of the application that is acceptable to the Board may obtain a waiver of the IDP requirement. A request for waiver shall be made on a form prescribed by the Board
5.2 The IDP, which is administered by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), will be initiated by completing an application for NCARB/IDP Council Record and submitting required application fees. This application may be obtained from NCARB, 1801 K Street NW, Suite 1100, Washington, D.C. 20006-1310 or www.ncarb.org. Preparation of all components of the IDP record for references, transcripts, training, etc., will be done in accordance with current NCARB standards. The NCARB Council Record will be accepted as verification of education and training requirements for initial registration.
5.3.1 Registration through reciprocity applications shall be governed by 24 Del.C. §309.
6.1 Duration- Each certificate of registration issued by the Board shall be valid for two years, or the expiration of the current licensing period.
9 DE Reg. 1764 (05/01/06)
7.0 Rules of Professional Conduct - All architects shall abide by these Rules of Professional Conduct.
7.1 Competence
7.1.1 When practicing architecture, an architect shall act with reasonable care and competence, and shall apply the technical knowledge and skill which are ordinarily applied by architects of good standing, practicing in the same locality.
7.1.2 In designing a project, an architect shall take into account applicable building laws and regulations. While a registered architect may rely on the advice of other professionals (e.g., attorneys, engineers and other qualified persons) as to the intent and meaning of such regulations, once having obtained such advice, an architect shall not knowingly design a project in violation of such laws and regulation.
7.1.3 An architect shall undertake to perform professional services only when he or she, together with those whom the architect may engage as consultants, is qualified by education, training and experience in the specific technical areas involved.
7.1.4 No individual shall be permitted to engage in the practice of architecture if, in the Board's judgment, such individual's professional competence is substantially impaired by physical or mental disabilities.
7.2.1 An architect shall not accept compensation for his/her services from more than one party on a project unless the circumstances are fully disclosed to and agreed to by (such disclosure and agreement to be in writing) all interested parties.
7.2.2 If an architect has any business association or direct or indirect financial interest which is substantial enough to influence his/her judgment in connection with the performance of professional services, the architect shall fully disclose in writing to his/her client or employee the nature of the business association or financial interest. If the client or employee objects to such association or financial interest, the architect will either terminate such association or interest or offer to give up the commission or employment.
7.2.3 An architect shall not solicit or accept compensation from material or equipment suppliers in return for specifying or endorsing their products.
7.2.4 When acting as the interpreter of building contract documents and the judge of contract performance, an architect shall render decisions impartially, favoring neither party to the contract.
7.3 Full Disclosure
7.3.1 An architect, making public statements on architectural questions, shall disclose when he/she is being compensated for making such statements.
7.3.2 An architect shall accurately represent to prospective or existing client or employee his/her responsibility in connection with work for which he/she is claiming credit.
7.3.3 If, in the course of his/her work on a project, an architect becomes aware of a decision taken by his/her employer or client, against such registered architect's advice, which violates applicable state or-municipal building laws and regulations which will, in the registered architect's judgment, materially and adversely affect the safety to the public of the finished project, the architect shall:
7.3.3.1 report the decision to the local building inspector or other public official charged with the enforcement of the applicable state or municipal building laws and regulations; and
7.3.3.2 refuse to consent to the decision; and
7.3.3.3 in circumstances where the architect reasonably believes that other such decisions will be taken, notwithstanding his/her objection, terminate his/her services with respect to the project. In the case of a termination in accordance with clause 3, the architect shall
have no liability to his/her client or employer on account of such termination.
7.3.4 An architect shall not deliberately make a materially false statement or fail deliberately to disclose a material fact requested in connection with his/her application for a registration or renewal thereof.
7.3.5 An architect possessing knowledge of a violation of the provisions set forth in 7.0 by another architect shall report such knowledge to the Board.
7.4 Compliance with Laws
7.4.1 An architect shall not, in the conduct of his or her practice, knowingly violate any state, federal or local law, rule or regulation.
7.4.2 An architect shall neither offer nor make any payment or gift to a government official (whether elected or appointed) with the intent of influencing the official's judgment in connection with a prospective or existing project in which the architect is interested.
7.4.3 An architect shall comply with the registration laws and regulations governing his/her professional practice in any United States jurisdiction.
7.5 Professional Conduct
7.5.1 Each office in Delaware offering architectural services shall have an architect resident and regularly employed in that office having direct supervision of such work.
7.5.2 An architect may sign and seal technical submissions only if the technical submissions were: (i) prepared by the architect; (ii) prepared by persons under the architect's responsible control; or (iii) prepared by another architect registered in this State if the signing and sealing architect has reviewed the other architect's work and either has coordinated the preparation of the work or has integrated the work into his or her own technical submissions. "Responsible control" shall be that amount of control over and detailed professional knowledge of the content of technical submissions during their preparation as is ordinarily exercised by architects applying the required professional standard of care. Reviewing, or reviewing and correcting, technical submissions after they have been prepared by others does not constitute the exercise of responsible control because the reviewer has neither control over nor detailed knowledge of the content of such submissions throughout their preparation. Any registered architect signing or sealing technical submissions not prepared by that architect but prepared under the architect's responsible control by persons not regularly employed in the office where the architect is resident, shall maintain and make available to the Board upon request for at least five (5) years following such signing and sealing, adequate and complete records demonstrating the nature and extent of the architect's control over and detailed knowledge of such technical submissions throughout their preparation. "Technical submissions" are designs, drawings, specifications, studies, and other technical reports prepared in the course of practicing architecture."
7.5.3 An architect shall neither offer nor make any gifts, other than gifts of nominal value (including, for example, reasonable entertainment and hospitality), with the intent of influencing the judgment of an existing or prospective client in connection with a project in which the architect is interested.
7.6 Design and Use of Architect's Seal
7.6.1 Pursuant to 24 Del.C. §313, and subject to 6.7 and 7.5, each architect shall procure a seal, which shall contain the name of the architect; his/her registration number and the phrase REGISTERED ARCHITECT--STATE OF DELAWARE. This seal shall comply in all respects, including size and format, with the specimen shown below. The architect shall use his/her legal name on the Certificate of Registration, the seal and the license.
7.6.2 As required by 24 Del.C. §313, the seal shall be imprinted on all technical submissions, as follows: On each design and each drawing; on the cover or each set of specifications and on the cover page of all other technical submissions. The original signature of the individual named on the seal shall appear across the face of each original seal imprint.
7.6.3 The seal appearing on any technical submission shall be prima facie evidence that said technical submission was prepared by or under the direct supervision of the individual named on said submission.
7.6.4 All technical submissions prepared by an architect shall contain the following legend wherever the architect's seal appears: "The professional services of the architect are undertaken for and are performed in the interest of [name of person employing architect]. No contractual obligation is assumed by the architect for the benefit of any other person involved in the project."
9 DE Reg. 1764 (05/01/06) (Final)