2023 Colorado Revised Statutes › Title 12 - PROFESSIONS AND OCCUPATIONS (§§ 12-1-101 — 12-315-310) › BUSINESS PROFESSIONS AND OCCUPATIONS (§§ 12-100-101 — 12-165-113) › Article 120 - ENGINEERS, SURVEYORS, AND ARCHITECTS (§§ 12-120-101 — 12-120-417) › Part 4 - ARCHITECTS (§§ 12-120-401 — 12-120-417) › Section 12-120-406 - [Effective 8/7/2024] Disciplinary actions - grounds for discipline

(1)
The board may take disciplinary or other action as authorized by section
12-20-404
against, or limit the scope of practice of, a licensee for the following:
(a)
Fraud, misrepresentation, deceit, or material misstatement of fact in procuring or attempting to procure a license;
(b)
Any act or omission that fails to meet the generally accepted standards of the practice of architecture, as evidenced by conduct that endangers life, health, property, or the public welfare;
(c)
Conviction of, or pleading guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony in Colorado concerning the practice of architecture or an equivalent crime outside Colorado. A certified copy of the judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction of the conviction or plea shall be presumptive evidence of the conviction or plea in any hearing under this part 4. The board shall be governed by sections
12-20-202 (5)
and
24-5-101
in considering the conviction or plea.
(d)
Affixing a seal or allowing a seal to be affixed to any document of which the architect was neither the author nor in responsible control of preparation;
(e)
Violation of, or aiding or abetting in the violation of, this part 4, an applicable provision of article
20
of this title 12, any rule promulgated by the board in conformance with part 1 of this article 120 or this part 4, or any order of the board issued in conformance with this part 4;
(f)
Use of false, deceptive, or misleading advertising;
(g)
Performing services beyond one's competency, training, or education;
(h)
Failure to render adequate professional control of persons practicing architecture under the responsible control of a licensed architect;
(i)
Habitual or excessive use or abuse of alcohol, controlled substances, or any habit-forming drug;
(j)
Any use of a schedule I controlled substance, as defined in section
18-18-203
;
(k)
Violation of the notification requirements in section
12-120-411
;
(l)
Failure to pay a fine assessed under this part 4;
(m)
Failure to report to the board any architect known to have violated any provision of this article 120 or any board order or rule;
(n)
Fraud or deceit in the practice of architecture;
(o)
Making or offering to make any gift (other than a gift of nominal value such as reasonable entertainment or hospitality), donation, payment, or other valuable consideration to influence a prospective or existing client or employer regarding the employment of the architect; except that nothing in this subsection (1)(o) shall restrict an employer's ability to reward an employee for work obtained or performed;
(p)
Selling or fraudulently obtaining or furnishing a license or renewal of a license to practice architecture;
(q)
Engaging in conduct that is intended or reasonably might be expected to mislead the public into believing that the person is an architect;
(r)
Engaging in the practice of an architect as a corporation or partnership or group of persons, unless the entity meets the requirements of section
12-120-404
; or
(s)
Failing to respond to allegations in a complaint within the length of time specified in the letter issued by the board in accordance with subsection (2) of this section.
(2)
The board may issue and send a letter of admonition by first-class mail to a licensee at the licensee's last-known address under the circumstances specified in and in accordance with section
12-20-404 (4)
.
(3)
The board may send a confidential letter of concern to a licensee under the circumstances specified in section
12-20-404 (5)
.
(4)
Any disciplinary action in another state or jurisdiction on grounds substantially similar to those that would constitute a violation under this part 4 shall be prima facie evidence of grounds for disciplinary action, including denial of licensure, under this section.
(5)
In addition to the penalties provided for in this section, any person violating any provision of this part 4 or any standards or rules promulgated pursuant to this part 4 may be punished by a fine of not less than fifty dollars and not more than five thousand dollars upon a finding of misconduct by the board, made pursuant to article
4
of title
24
.
(6)
If, as a result of a proceeding held pursuant to article
4
of title
24
, the board determines that a person licensed to practice architecture pursuant to this part 4 has acted in such a manner as to be subject to disciplinary action, the board may, in lieu of or in addition to other forms of disciplinary action that may be authorized by this section, require a licensee to take courses of training or education relating to the licensee's profession. The board shall determine the conditions that may be imposed on the licensee, including, but not limited to, the type and number of hours of training or education. All training or education courses are subject to approval by the board, and the licensee is required to furnish satisfactory proof of completion of the training or education.
Amended by 2024 Ch. 342,§ 24, eff. 8/7/2024.
Amended by 2024 Ch. 342,§ 13, eff. 8/7/2024.
Renumbered from C.R.S. §
12-25-308
and amended by 2019 Ch. 136, § 1, eff. 10/1/2019.
Amended by 2013 Ch. 356, § 28, eff. 7/1/2013.
L. 2006: Entire part added with relocated provisions, p. 753, § 15, effective July 1; (2)(d) added, p. 767, § 3, effective July 1; (1)(q) to (1)(s) added with relocated provisions, p. 81, § 3, effective August 7. L. 2012: (1)(i) amended, (HB 12-1311), ch. 281, p. 1610, § 11, effective July 1. L. 2013: (1)(i), (2)(a), (2)(b), and (4)(a) amended and (1)(o) repealed, (SB 13-161), ch. 356, p. 2090, § 28, effective July 1.
This section is similar to former § 12-25-308 as it existed prior to 2019.
2024 Ch. 342, was passed without a safety clause. See Colo. Const. art. V, § 1(3).
2024 Ch. 342, was passed without a safety clause. See Colo. Const. art. V, § 1(3).
This section is set out more than once due to postponed, multiple, or conflicting amendments.