Chapter 4703-1 Applications; Examinations

(A) “Architect” – a person who is registered to engage in the practice of architecture under the provisions of sections 4703.01 to 4703.19 of the Revised Code.

(B) “Practice of Architecture” – providing or offering to provide those service, hereinafter described, in connection with the design and construction, enlargement, or alteration of a building or group of buildings and the space within and the site surrounding such buildings, which have as their principal purpose human occupancy or habitation, except where otherwise exempted by sections 3781.06 to 3781.18 and 3791.04 of the Revised Code. The services referred to include pre-design, programming, planning, providing designs, drawings, specifications and other technical submissions, the administration of construction contracts, and the coordination of any elements of technical submissions prepared by others including, as appropriate and without limitation, consulting engineers; providing that the practice of architecture shall not include the practice of engineering as defined in Chapter 4733. of the Revised Code, but a registered architect may perform such engineering work as is incidental to the practice of architecture.

(C) “Good moral character” – not having been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude, not having made misstatements or misrepresentation in connection with an application for registration, renewal of the registration or certificate of authorization, not having willfully violated any of the sections of the code of conduct required of certificate holders and set forth in the statutes or rules, and not having practiced architecture without registration in violation of the registration laws of the jurisdiction in which the practice took place.

(D) “Principal” – an architect who is in charge of an architectural firm’s practice, either solely or with other architects, and who is legally responsible for the architectural activities of the firm and is a sole proprietor, partner, or shareholder of the organization. If the firm is a corporation, the architect is a member of the board of directors. If the firm is a business trust, the architect is trustee.

(E) “Firm” or “architectural firm” – any legally formed business organization through which architectural services are provided.

(F) “Emeritus architect” – an architect over the age of sixty-five, who has been licensed in the state of Ohio for at least ten years, is fully retired, and does not engage in any of the activities defined as the practice of architecture in paragraph (B) of this rule.

(G) “Intern architect” or “architectural intern” – an individual approved by the board to sit for the architect registration exam and who holds an active record with the national council of architectural registration boards.

(H) “Direct supervision” – means that degree of supervision by a person currently licensed in this jurisdiction, overseeing the work of another, where personal contact is routine, and whereby the supervisor has both control over and detailed professional knowledge of the work prepared under his/her supervision.

(I) “Responsible control” – means that amount of control and detailed professional knowledge of the content of technical submissions during their preparation as is ordinarily exercised by a registered architect applying the required professional standard of care, including but not limited to an architect’s integration of information from manufacturers, suppliers, installers, the architect’s consultants, owners, contractors, or other sources the architect reasonably trusts that is incidental to and intended to be incorporated into the architect’s technical submissions when the architect has coordinated and reviewed such information. Other review, or reviewing and correction, of 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 professional knowledge of the content of such submissions throughout their preparation.

Replaces: 4703-1-01

Effective: 11/09/2009

R.C. 119.032 review dates: 10/31/2014

Promulgated Under: 119.03

Statutory Authority: 4703.02

Rule Amplifies: 4703.01 through 4703.19

Prior Effective Dates: 3/15/74, 11/4/77, 3/4/83(Emer), 6/25/83, 6/25/90, 4/15/92, 11/1/94, 2/15/97, 9/5/08

(A) All applications for registration must be made on forms furnished by the board. Applications for registration by examination or by reciprocity will be received at all times at the office of the board.

The application fee must accompany the application.

(B) Each applicant shall submit, or cause to be submitted with the application, authentic proof of the statements made therein, by attaching such documentary evidence, affidavits, registrar’s statements, diplomas, employment verification forms, internship records, transcripts issued by the degree-granting authorities, published data, photographs, photocopies or other sworn or proven evidence as, in the discretion of the board, may be sufficient for the board to determine the applicant’s eligibility to be admitted to the examination or for consideration of registration by reciprocity pursuant to section 4703.07 or 4703.08 of the Revised Code and rules 4703-2-05 and 4703-2-06 of the Administrative Code.

The board reserves the right to retain, as a permanent part of the application, any or all documents submitted, which shall be properly marked for identification and ownership. Original documents may be replaced by photocopies copies of such documents at the request and expense of the applicant.

(C) The board may require the personal appearance of the applicant at the time and place it designates.

(D) Failure to comply with the board’s request for additional information within sixty days of such request or to appear before the board at the date and time established may be considered as just and sufficient cause for disapproval of the application.

(E) All applications shall be considered and accepted or rejected individually with the action taken on each application recorded in the minutes and an indication of the action taken placed with the application. The board reserves the right to establish or change the classification under which the applicant is claiming eligibility. A certificate of qualification shall be issued under only one classification.

Effective: 09/05/2008

R.C. 119.032 review dates: 11/02/2009 and 10/31/2014

Promulgated Under: 119.03

Statutory Authority: 4703.02

Rule Amplifies: 4703.07, 4703.08

Prior Effective Dates: 2/7/73, 11/4/77, 2/27/81, 6/25/90, 4/15/92, 11/1/94, 5/1/96, 7/1/2004, 7/29/2005

(A) Certificates of qualification.

(1) A person registered by the board under section 4703.07 or 4703.08 of the Revised Code, will upon payment of the fee required in rule 4703-1-04 of the Administrative Code, receive a certificate as provided under section4703.10 of the Revised Code.

(2) Only one certificate of qualification shall be issued to a registered architect. In the event a certificate is damaged, the board will issue a duplicate certificate upon the payment of the fee required in rule 4703-1-04 of the Administrative Code and the return of the damaged certificate. If a certificate is lost or destroyed, the board will issue a duplicate certificate upon the filing of a notarized affidavit stating the certificate was lost or destroyed and the payment of the fee required in rule 4703-1-04 of the Administrative Code.

(B) Expired certificates of qualification.

A certificate of qualification, unless renewed, expires on the last day of December of the current renewal period. A certificate which has expired may be renewed within the current renewal period by completing the renewal application form and returning it to the board with the renewal fee as required in rule 4703-1-04 of the Administrative Code, proof of completion of the continuing education requirement, and the required penalty fee. An application for the restoration of a certificate, which has been expired beyond the current renewal period, shall be accompanied by a brief outline setting forth the professional activities of the applicant during the period in which the applicant was not licensed, the required fees and penalties and proof of completion of the continuing education requirement. The applicant may be required to appear before the board in consideration of the application. If the board proposes to deny restoration of the applicant’s certificate of qualification, the applicant will be given the opportunity for a hearing under the provisions of Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

Effective: 11/09/2009

R.C. 119.032 review dates: 08/13/2009 and 10/31/2014

Promulgated Under: 119.03

Statutory Authority: 4703.02

Rule Amplifies: 4703.07, 4703.08

Prior Effective Dates: 3/15/74, 11/4/77, 6/25/83, 6/25/90, 4/15/92, 11/1/94, 5/15/98, 6/5/00, 4/15/01, 7/29/05, 9/5/08

(A) Application fee – the fee for making application for registration under section 4703.07 of the Revised Code is fifty dollars.

(B) Certificate fee – the fee for a duplicate certificate of qualification to practice architecture is twenty dollars. The fee for a duplicate renewal card is ten dollars.

(C) Renewal fee – the biennial renewal fee for a certificate of qualification is one hundred and twenty-five dollars.

(D) Penalty fee – the penalty fee is twenty-five per cent per renewal period and shall be applied to late renewals and restorations, provided the maximum fee does not exceed one thousand dollars.

(E) Fee to restore revoked certificate of qualification – the fee to restore a revoked certificate of qualification is five hundred dollars.

(F) Reciprocal registration fee – the fee for reciprocal registration under section 4703.08 of the Revised Code shall be two hundred fifty dollars.

(G) Certificate of authorization fees – the application fee for a certificate of authorization is one hundred twenty-five dollars. The renewal fee for a certificate of authorization is one hundred dollars.

(H) Returned check fee – the fee for checks or other instruments returned to the board by financial institutions due to insufficient funds shall be thirty-five dollars.

(I) Emeritus architect fee – the initial fee for an emeritus architect is one hundred twenty-five dollars . There is no renewal fee for emeritus status.

Effective: 06/19/2010

R.C. 119.032 review dates: 04/01/2010 and 10/31/2014

Promulgated Under: 119.03

Statutory Authority: 4703.02

Rule Amplifies: 4703.16

Prior Effective Dates: 6/25/90, 4/15/92, 11/1/94, 12/1/95, 6/5/00, 4/15/01, 7/29/05, 11/18/05, 9/5/08, 11/9/09

(A) Definitions. These definitions pertain only to this rule.

(1) Contact hour – a contact hour is at least fifty minutes of instruction. The number of contact hours may be determined by the provider of the material or activity. For the entities listed under paragraph (A)(2) of this rule, the hours established by each organization will be accepted by the board. Where the number of contact hours are established by others, the board may require additional evidence supporting the contact hours claimed.

(2) Qualified/certified — shall mean activities approved for credit/contact hours by any of the organizations below. (The imprimatur of these organizations in this rule shall constitute official acceptance by the board):

(a) The American institute of architects

(b) National council of architectural registration boards

(c) The Ohio architects board

(d) The construction specifications institute “Construction Education Network”

(e) Colleges and universities/other educational institutions

(f) Other technical/professional societies or organizations

(g) The association of licensed architects.

(B) General requirements.

Every registrant shall complete a minimum of twenty-four contact hours of continuing education prior to the end of each renewal period. Sixteen of these hours shall be in areas directly related to health, safety and welfare as described in paragraph (D) of this rule. The completion of these hours shall meet the requirements set forth in this rule. The completion of these hours shall be a condition of renewal for the ensuing renewal period. The registrant shall not submit an application for renewal or restoration of a license unless the continuing education requirement has been completely fulfilled or the registrant has been exempted from the continuing education requirement by the board.

(C) Exemptions.

An architect may be exempt from the continuing education requirements if certain conditions are met:

(1) An architect is automatically exempt in the following situations:

(a) Architects newly licensed by examination by the state of Ohio are exempt from the continuing education requirements for the first renewal period only. This exemption does not apply to reciprocal registrants.

(b) Emeritus architects, as defined in rule 4703-1-01 of the Administrative Code, are exempt, upon payment of the renewal fee, from the continuing education requirement.

(c) Intern architects, architectural interns and exam candidates are exempt from the continuing education requirements.

(d) If the architect otherwise meets all renewal requirements and is registered in any other jurisdiction having continuing education requirements, which the architect has met, provided that jurisdiction accepts this jurisdiction’s continuing education requirements as meeting its own.

(2) An exemption must be requested in writing, with proper documentation submitted to the board, and board approval granted, prior to submittal of the renewal application, when any of the following exemptions is sought:

(a) Architect is on full-time duty, or temporarily, called up for active duty, in the United States military service, where such activity restricts participation in continuing education activities meeting these requirements.

(b) Architect has experienced a disability or illness that prevented the completion of the requirements in a timely manner.

(c) Architects submit proof that requirements were not met due to an unforeseen emergency, extreme hardship, or other similar circumstances.

(D) Content requirements.

Acceptable activities include those that increase the architect’s knowledge and/or understanding of technical or professional subjects and contribute directly to the improvement of the architect’s professional knowledge and competence to practice architecture.

At least sixteen hours of the required continuing education activities in each registration period must pertain to technical/professional subjects the board determines are directly related to the protection of the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the state of Ohio.

These subjects generally include but are not limited to the following:

(1) Building design

(2) Land use analysis

(3) Life safety standards

(4) Architectural programming

(5) Site and soil analysis

(6) Accessibility design issues

(7) Structural issues

(8) Lateral forces

(9) Building codes

(10) Mechanical or electrical systems design and/or issues

(11) Construction administration

(12) Contract documents

(13) Construction methods

(14) Professional conduct

(15) Material use and selection

(16) Security and safety issues

(17) Preservation, renovation, restoration, or adaptive reuse

(18) Sustainable design

(19) Research in topics related to architecture

(20) Such other subjects as the board may identify.

(E) Methods for fulfilling continuing education requirements

An architect may earn the required contact hours by any of the following methods, except that credit shall be awarded only once in a renewal period for the same program:

(1) Attending a graduate or undergraduate level course at an accredited institution of higher learning where academic credit is granted and the content meets the requirements set forth in paragraph (D) of this rule. Credit: Twelve continuing education credits for each one hour of academic credit received.

(2) Attending a course, program, seminar, conference, workshop, building tour, or similar event where it is presented, sponsored, or approved by an accredited institution of higher learning or professional organization, and has been qualified/certified as defined in paragraph (A)(2) of this rule. Credit: One hour of continuing education credit for each hour of actual contact time of instruction provided.

(3) Completing a qualified/certified monograph (such as an NCARB monograph) and passing a test on comprehension and understanding of its content. Credit: The number of hours of continuing education credit specified in the monograph.

(4) Teaching a graduate or undergraduate course at an accredited institution of higher learning where the content meets the requirements noted above. Credit: Twelve hours of continuing education credit for each one hour of academic credit provided by the course except that after the first year, the maximum credit for the same course may not exceed a total of six hours of continuing education credit.

(5) Teaching a course or seminar, delivering a lecture, presenting a paper, or a program, workshop or monograph at an educational event meeting the above requirements. Credit: One hour of continuing education credit for each hour of presentation plus one hour of continuing education credit for each hour of preparation, except that this may be taken only once for the same program and may not exceed fifty per cent of the total required continuing education credits for the renewal period.

(6) Publishing a book or an article in a professional journal, which meets the content requirements above, for one time credit for each book or article. Credit: One hour of continuing education credit for each hour of preparation, not to exceed eight hours total of the continuing education requirements of the renewal period. Such activities may be eligible for health, safety and welfare credit.

(7) Completing self-study program or other individualized continuing education activity that involves the use of qualified/certified materials. Credit: One hour of continuing education credit for each hour of preparation, not to exceed fifty per cent of the total continuing education requirements of the renewal period. Such activities may be eligible for health, safety and welfare credit.

(8) As a member of a national council of architectural registration boards committee. Credit: one hour of continuing education credit for each hour of work, where said hours are certified by the national council of architectural registration boards.

(9) Professional service to the public which draws upon the architect’s professional expertise on public boards and commissions such as: planning boards, building code boards, urban renewal boards and other similar activities. Credit: One hour of continuing education credit for each hour of work in this activity, not to exceed eight hours total of the continuing education requirements of the renewal period. Such activities may be eligible for health, safety and welfare credit.

(10) Obtaining “LEED Professional Accreditation” by passing the “LEED AP Exam” during the current renewal period. Official documentation from the “Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI)” must be provided. Credit: a one time credit of eight hours. Such activities may be eligible for health, safety and welfare credit.

(F) Records maintained by architects.

Each architect shall, in addition to information submitted to the board, maintain a written record of all continuing education courses or programs undertaken during the current renewal period and the renewal period immediately preceding the current renewal period. These records shall be made available to the board at any time upon written request for review and audit. These records may be requested at any time in connection with an investigation or enforcement proceeding. Failure to provide this information in the time frame established by the board shall constitute cause for disciplinary action by the board and may be cause for fine, reprimand, suspension, revocation or denial of the application for renewal of the architect’s registration. Appropriate records shall consist of the following:

(1) Certificate of attendance;

(2) Course or activity description;

(3) Transcripts/records of credits maintained by providers who may qualify/certify such credits and activities;

(4) Other documentation verifying the content and time of the course or event.

(G) Architect shall attest to compliance.

Every architect shall attest, in the manner prescribed by the board, to the architect’s meeting of the requirements as described herein. Said attestation shall accompany the renewal application.

(H) Falsification of records.

Any architect falsifying the records of the architect’s continuing education activities shall be subject to disciplinary action by the board.

(I) Appeal.

An architect shall have the right to appeal any refusal by the board to accept continuing educational activities for credit under these requirements. This appeal shall include the presentation of evidence supporting the architect’s contention that the activity meets the requirements of this rule.

(J) Make-up time for disallowed credits.

When the board disallows credit for the requirements of this rule, the architect shall be allowed up to ninety days from the date of the notification to make up the deficiencies and bring the architect into full compliance. This provision does not apply to those who, in the opinion of the board, have willfully disregarded the requirements of this rule.

Effective: 11/09/2009 R.C. 119.032 review dates: 08/13/2009 and 10/31/2014 Promulgated Under: 119.03 Statutory Authority: 4703.02Rule Amplifies: 4703.13Prior Effective Dates: 9/11/05, 9/5/08

4703-1-11 [Rescinded effective 1/1/2012] Continuing education

Effective: 01/01/2012 R.C. 119.032 review dates: 08/25/2011 Promulgated Under: 119.03 Statutory Authority: 4703.02 Rule Amplifies: 4703.13 Prior Effective Dates: 9/11/05, 9/5/08, 11/9/09