Policies: Washington State Board for Architects

Board policies direct activities in the following areas:

5-year clock exemption

 
The Board may waive the 5-year clock requirement for the oral interview if the candidate has completed all of the Architectural Registration Examination (ARE) divisions within 5 years.

POL360-9, Board, 6/09.

Obtaining inactive license status and reinstatement

RCW 18.08.430: Renewal of certificates of registration — Withdrawal

Any registrant in good standing may withdraw from the practice of architecture by giving written notice to the director, and may within five years thereafter, resume active practice provided that:

  1. The registrant submits a written request for reinstatement and,
  2. Payment of the current renewal fee as for an active license is made.

 
Registrants who exceed five years in an inactive status shall request reinstatement in writing to the board and shall submit the following:

  1. An analysis of the current law and rules governing architects.
  2. A professional resume of architectural activities during the inactive period, in sufficient detail to demonstrate to the board maintenance of minimum skills.
  3. A list of current and delinquent state registrations.

 
The board may require additional evidence as needed to verify minimum competency and qualifications. The registrant may be required to appear before the board or a representative member thereof for an oral interview where questions of competency remain.

POL430-2, Board, 12/91. This policy supersedes Policy 430-2 dated 11/90.

Reciprocity candidates

 
The Board may waive the oral interview where documentary or other evidence shows sufficient information for the board to reach judgment. The Board will waive the oral interview for candidates who submit documentation of the following criteria:

  1. Have a National Council of Architectural Registration Boards’ certification (blue cover).
  2. or
  3. Have an accredited professional degree in architecture from a university recognized by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) and 10 or more years of comprehensive practice experience as a registered architect in another jurisdiction.

 
POL400-4, Board, 6/09.

Stamping and sealing authority

 
Architects are required to sign and seal technical submissions prepared by them, and allowed to sign works created by others under certain limited conditions found in RCW 18.08.370 (3). Additionally the Board recognizes the possibility unforeseen events (i.e. closing a business, termination of a contract for architectural services with or without cause, delay of a project, disputes, death, or similar situations) which result in a situation where the initial architect is unavailable to sign and seal as architect-of-record.

In this event you may be a subsequent architect engaged to provide ongoing architectural services for a project. In order to be consistent with the other allowed conditions in RCW 18.08.370(3) some form of a written dissolution agreement or granting of permission with the original architect and/or the legal owner of the documents must have been executed. Verification of such agreement (s) is your responsibility and if there is any doubt you are advised to contact your legal counsel. After satisfaction of this condition you become architect-of-record with stamp and seal authority. Your professional duties, obligations and responsibilities as subsequent architect are the same as if you were the original architect.

POL370-1, Board, 11/11

Structure examinations

RCW 18.08.400: Registration of out-of-state registrants

Reciprocity applicants who have not successfully completed Section B of the Qualifying Test or Section B, Part III of the Professional Examination or Division E, of the Architect Registration Examination (A.R.E.), or have not satisfactorily completed the Seismic Structural Technology Test from the Education and Testing Service (E.T.S.), and were licensed in California after 1936 or in National Council of Architectural Registration Boards Regions 1 through 5 after 1979 or in Region 6 after 1963, shall be required to successfully complete Division LF-Lateral Forces of the A.R.E.

Reciprocity applicants who have not successfully completed Section B of the Qualifying Test or Section B, Part III of the Professional Examination, or Division E of the A.R.E., or have not satisfactorily completed the Seismic Structural Technology Test from the E.T.S., and were licensed in California before 1936 or in National Council of Architectural Registration Boards Regions 1 through 5 before 1979 or in Region 6 before 1963, shall be required to successfully complete Division LF-Lateral Forces of the A.R.E.

POL400-2, Board, 11/96. This policy supersedes Policy 400-2 dated 11/90.

Succession order for presiding officers in adjudicative proceedings

RCW 18.235.030: Disciplinary authority — Powers

The Board, in its role to regulate the practice of architecture, shall adopt the following pre-established order of succession for appointment of a presiding officer for adjudicative matters:

  1. Board Chair (unless unavailable because he or she is already the appointed reviewing Board member, or is unavailable for other reasons — conflict of interest, out of town etc.). If the Board Chair is unavailable, the role defaults to:
  2. Board Vice Chair (unless unavailable because he or she is already the appointed reviewing Board member, or is unavailable for other reasons —conflict of interest, out of town etc.). If the Board Vice Chair is unavailable, the role defaults to:
  3. Board Secretary

 
POL030-1, Board, 11/07.

 

 

 

 

 

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