Opinion ID: 2181574
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Certificate of Merit

Text: CJP § 3-2C-02, read in conjunction with § 3-2C-01, requires that a claim filed in Circuit Court against a licensed professional that is based on the licensed professional's alleged negligent act or omission in rendering professional services, within the scope of the professional's license be dismissed unless, within 90 days after the claim is filed, the claimant files a certificate from a qualified expert attesting that the licensed professional failed to meet an applicable standard of professional care. RTKL and AMA contend that those sections apply to the action against them and that, as the county neglected to file the required certificate, its action should have been dismissed. They rely largely on an unpublished decision of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland concluding that the statute applies to an action against a partnership of architects. See Ferrell v. American Property Const. Co., Unpublished Memorandum Opinion, Civil Action No. WMN-02-1131 (D.Md. 2003). With great respect for our Federal colleague, the author of that memorandum opinion, we disagree. Indeed, in a published opinion, another judge of the District Court concluded that the requirement did not apply to actions against a professional association. See Adams v. NVR Homes, Inc., 135 F.Supp.2d 675, 716 (D.Md.2001). The requirement, as noted, applies only to an action for professional malpractice against a licensed professional. Section 3-2C-01(c) defines a licensed professional, for our purposes, as [a]n architect licensed under Title 3 of the Business Occupations and Professions Article and [a] professional engineer licensed under Title 14 of the Business Occupations and Professions Article. Section 3-303(a) of the Business Occupations Article makes clear that only an individual may be licensed as an architect. ([T]o qualify for a license, an applicant shall be an individual who meets the requirements of this section.). Section 14-304(a) contains the same requirement for licensure as a professional engineer. The restriction is a necessary one, as both laws require, as a qualification of obtaining a license, certain educational experience and successful completion of an examination, which, obviously, only individuals are capable of satisfying. Thus, although both laws permit a corporate practice of architecture and engineering, under certain conditions, only individuals may be licensed. The Circuit Court was correct in denying the motion to dismiss on this ground. JUDGMENT OF CIRCUIT COURT FOR BALTIMORE COUNTY REVERSED; CASE REMANDED TO THAT COURT FOR FURTHER PROCEEDINGS; COSTS TO BE PAID BY APPELLEES.