130th Ohio General Assembly
The online versions of legislation provided on this website are not official. Enrolled bills are the final version passed by the Ohio General Assembly and presented to the Governor for signature. The official version of acts signed by the Governor are available from the Secretary of State's Office in the Continental Plaza, 180 East Broad St., Columbus.

Sub. S. B. No. 225  As Passed by the House
As Passed by the House

127th General Assembly
Regular Session
2007-2008
Sub. S. B. No. 225


Senator Schaffer 

Cosponsors: Senators Faber, Schuler, Austria, Gardner, Harris, Niehaus, Seitz, Spada, Wilson 

Representatives Hughes, Sykes, Brown, Combs, DeBose, Domenick, Dyer, Evans, Flowers, Gardner, Harwood, Hottinger, Letson, McGregor, J., Patton, Schneider, Sears, Setzer, Uecker, Yuko 



A BILL
To amend sections 125.22, 4703.01 to 4703.15, 4703.151, 4703.16, 4703.18, 4703.181, 4703.19, 4703.331, 4703.34, 4703.37, 4703.50, 4703.51, and 4703.52 of the Revised Code to make changes to the Architects Law.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:
Section 1. That sections 125.22, 4703.01, 4703.02, 4703.03, 4703.04, 4703.05, 4703.06, 4703.07, 4703.08, 4703.09, 4703.10, 4703.11, 4703.12, 4703.13, 4703.14, 4703.15, 4703.151, 4703.16, 4703.18, 4703.181, 4703.19, 4703.331, 4703.34, 4703.37, 4703.50, 4703.51, and 4703.52 of the Revised Code be amended to read as follows:
Sec. 125.22.  (A) The department of administrative services shall establish the central service agency to perform routine support for the following boards and commissions:
(1) State board of examiners of architects Architects board;
(2) Barber board;
(3) State chiropractic board;
(4) State board of cosmetology;
(5) Accountancy board;
(6) State dental board;
(7) State board of optometry;
(8) Ohio occupational therapy, physical therapy, and athletic trainers board;
(9) State board of registration for professional engineers and surveyors;
(10) State board of sanitarian registration;
(11) Board of embalmers and funeral directors;
(12) State board of psychology;
(13) Ohio optical dispensers board;
(14) Board of speech pathology and audiology;
(15) Counselor, social worker, and marriage and family therapist board;
(16) State veterinary medical licensing board;
(17) Ohio board of dietetics;
(18) Commission on Hispanic-Latino affairs;
(19) Ohio respiratory care board;
(20) Ohio commission on African-American males;
(21) Chemical dependency professionals board.
(B)(1) Notwithstanding any other section of the Revised Code, the agency shall perform the following routine support services for the boards and commissions named in division (A) of this section unless the controlling board exempts a board or commission from this requirement on the recommendation of the director of administrative services:
(a) Preparing and processing payroll and other personnel documents;
(b) Preparing and processing vouchers, purchase orders, encumbrances, and other accounting documents;
(c) Maintaining ledgers of accounts and balances;
(d) Preparing and monitoring budgets and allotment plans in consultation with the boards and commissions;
(e) Other routine support services that the director of administrative services considers appropriate to achieve efficiency.
(2) The agency may perform other services which a board or commission named in division (A) of this section delegates to the agency and the agency accepts.
(3) The agency may perform any service for any professional or occupational licensing board not named in division (A) of this section or any commission if the board or commission requests such service and the agency accepts.
(C) The director of administrative services shall be the appointing authority for the agency.
(D) The agency shall determine the fees to be charged to the boards and commissions, which shall be in proportion to the services performed for each board or commission.
(E) Each board or commission named in division (A) of this section and any other board or commission requesting services from the agency shall pay these fees to the agency from the general revenue fund maintenance account of the board or commission or from such other fund as the operating expenses of the board or commission are paid. Any amounts set aside for a fiscal year by a board or commission to allow for the payment of fees shall be used only for the services performed by the agency in that fiscal year. All receipts collected by the agency shall be deposited in the state treasury to the credit of the central service agency fund, which is hereby created. All expenses incurred by the agency in performing services for the boards or commissions shall be paid from the fund.
(F) Nothing in this section shall be construed as a grant of authority for the central service agency to initiate or deny personnel or fiscal actions for the boards and commissions.
Sec. 4703.01.  The governor shall appoint a state board of examiners of an architects board, which board shall be composed of five architects who have been in active practice in the state for not less than ten years previous to their appointment.
At the expiration of the term of office of each of the members the governor shall, with the advice and consent of the senate appoint a successor. Terms of office shall be for five years, commencing on the third day of October and ending on the second day of October. Each member shall hold office from the date of his appointment until the end of the term for which he was appointed. The governor may, upon bona fide complaint and for good cause shown, after ten days' notice to the member against whom charges may be filed, and after opportunity for hearing, remove any member of said board for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which his the member's predecessor was appointed shall hold office for the remainder of such term. Any member shall continue in office subsequent to the expiration date of his the member's term until his the member's successor takes office, or until a period of sixty days has elapsed, whichever occurs first.
The members of said board shall, before entering upon the discharge of their duties, subscribe to and file with the secretary of state the constitutional oath of office.
Sec. 4703.02.  The state board of examiners of architects board shall organize by electing from its membership a president and a secretary, and also a vice-president and an assistant secretary, who shall act during absence or disability of the president or secretary respectively.
The board shall adopt all necessary rules, regulations, and bylaws, not inconsistent with sections 4703.01 to 4703.19 of the Revised Code and the constitutions and laws of this state or of the United States, to govern its times and places of meeting for organization and reorganization, for the holding of examinations, and for fixing the length of the term of its officers. The board, under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, may adopt, promulgate, and enforce rules governing the standards of education, service, conduct, and practice to be followed in the practice of the profession of architecture in the state, including rules for the enforcement of sections 4703.01 to 4703.19 of the Revised Code. The board shall include among the rules adopted governing the standards of practice, requirements regarding financial responsibility and professional liability insurance. The board may adopt rules pertaining to the satisfactory completion of continuing education requirements.
If the board adopts rules pertaining to continuing education requirements, the board shall specify in the rules that the continuing education requirements may be satisfied by coursework or activities dealing with technical, ethical, or managerial topics relevant to the practice of architecture and that a registrant may earn continuing professional education hours by completing or teaching university or college level coursework; attending seminars, workshops, or conferences; authoring relevant published papers, articles, or books; receiving patent awards; actively participating in professional or technical societies serving the architecture profession, or actively participating in any other activity deemed relevant by the board. If the board adopts rules pertaining to continuing education requirements, the board shall, in general, follow model continuing education recommendations established by the national council of architectural registration boards or a similar successor organization.
The board shall hold examinations not less than once annually, shall issue to each successful examination applicant a certificate of qualification to practice architecture, and shall impress on each certificate issued the seal of the board.
The secretary of the board shall be responsible for keeping a true and complete record of all proceedings of the board. The board may employ an executive secretary, investigators, and clerical assistance it determines necessary.
Sec. 4703.03.  (A) The state board of examiners of architects board shall enforce sections 4703.01 to 4703.19 of the Revised Code, may subpoena witnesses and records in connection with its investigations, and may incur such expenses as are necessary.
(B) Each member of the board shall be entitled to receive, as a part of the expense of the board, an amount fixed pursuant to division (J) of section 124.15 of the Revised Code while actually engaged in attendance at meetings, in conducting examinations, or in the performance of his official duties.
(C) The members shall receive also, as a part of the expense of the board, the amount of actual traveling, hotel, and other necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
(D) The secretary, executive secretary, and clerical assistants of the board shall give bond to the state in such sum as the board determines, but not less than three thousand dollars, conditioned upon the faithful discharge of their duties. Premiums for such bonds shall be paid by the board. Such bonds with approval of the board endorsed on them shall be deposited with the secretary of state and kept in his the secretary of state's office.
Sec. 4703.04. (A) The state board of examiners of architects board shall file with the governor, after the close of each fiscal year a full report of its operations as of the thirtieth day of June of said year, together with a statement of receipts and expenditures.
(B) A roster, showing the name, registration number, and address of all architects registered and in good standing as of the first day of April of each even-numbered year under sections 4703.01 to 4703.19 of the Revised Code, shall be prepared by the board in each even-numbered year.
Sec. 4703.05.  Three members of the state board of examiners of architects board shall constitute a quorum, but no action at any meeting shall be taken without at least three votes in accord; and the regular and special meetings of the board shall be called and held in the manner and at the times and places prescribed in its rules.
Sec. 4703.06.  (A) Any person shall, before engaging in the practice of architecture or before being styled or known as an architect, secure from the state board of examiners of architects board a certificate of his the person's qualifications to practice under the title of "architect," and be registered with the board.
Any person holding such certificate and being registered pursuant to sections 4703.01 to 4703.19 of the Revised Code may be styled or known as an architect or as a registered architect.
No other person shall assume such title or use any abbreviation, or any words, letters, or figures, to indicate or imply that he the person is an architect or registered architect, except that persons may be authorized by the board to use the specific title "intern architect," "architectural intern," or "emeritus architect" as described in division (B) of this section.
(B) The board may authorize by rule any person to use the title "intern architect," "architectural intern," or "emeritus architect." The board may adopt any rules the board deems necessary pertaining to intern architects, architectural interns, and emeritus architects, including, but not limited to, rules pertaining to registration, registration fees, and renewal fees.
Sec. 4703.07.  Unless certified and registered pursuant to rules adopted under section 4703.08 of the Revised Code, an applicant for a certificate of qualification to practice architecture shall:
(A) Be at least eighteen years of age;
(B) Be of good moral character;
(C) Submit satisfactory evidence of having obtained a professional degree in architecture from a school having a program accredited by the national accrediting board recognized by the state board of examiners of architects board or other equivalent architectural education as is recognized by the state board of examiners of architects board;
(D) Complete the requirements for training under an internship program established or adopted by the state board of examiners of architects board, including, but not limited to, design and construction documents, construction administration and office management, or equivalent experience acceptable to the board;
(E) Pass an examination as prescribed by the board.
Sec. 4703.08.  The state board of examiners of architects board shall adopt rules to certify and register an applicant for a certificate of qualification to practice architecture who provides satisfactory evidence that the applicant meets all of the following requirements:
(A) Is a is licensed or registered as an architect in another state or jurisdiction where the qualifications required for licensure or registration were equal, in the opinion of the board, to those required in sections 4703.01 to 4703.19 of the Revised Code, at the time of the applicant's original licensure or registration in that state or jurisdiction;
(B) Holds, holds a current record certificate in good standing issued by the national council of architectural registration boards;
(C) Is a licensed or registered architect in another state or jurisdiction that extends reciprocity similar to that offered under this section, to architects who are, and wishes to be registered in this state.
Sec. 4703.09.  All examinations held under sections 4703.01 to 4703.19 of the Revised Code, shall be conducted by the state board of examiners of architects board or its authorized representatives at such times and places as may be determined by the regulations established by the board, but not less than one examination for certificate of qualification to practice architecture shall be held in each year.
Sec. 4703.10.  If the applicant passes the examination under section 4703.09 of the Revised Code or in lieu of the examination meets is, in the opinion of the state board of examiners of architects board, the requirements of eligible to register as an architect pursuant to rules adopted under section 4703.08 of the Revised Code, and in addition has proven self to be of good moral character, the applicant is eligible to receive from the state board of examiners of architects a certificate of qualification to practice architecture. The certificate shall be signed by the president and secretary of the board and shall bear the name of the successful applicant, the successful applicant's place of business, the serial number of the certificate, the seal of the board, and the words, "admitted to practice architecture in the state of Ohio, the ..... day of ......., ...."
If the applicant fails the examination under section 4703.09 of the Revised Code, the board may refuse to issue a certificate of qualification to practice architecture.
Sec. 4703.11.  The state board of examiners of architects board shall keep an official register of all said certificates of qualification to practice architecture issued and of the renewals of the same as provided in sections 4703.01 to 4703.19, inclusive, of the Revised Code, which register shall be properly indexed and shall be open for public inspection and information.
Sec. 4703.12.  (A) Each original certificate of qualification to practice architecture issued and registered shall authorize the holder to practice architecture as a registered architect throughout this state from the date of issuance until the last day of December of the odd-numbered year next succeeding the date upon which the certificate was issued, unless the certificate has been revoked or suspended for cause as provided in section 4703.15 of the Revised Code. Every holder of such certificate or its renewal shall secure a seal of the design prescribed by the rules of the state board of examiners of architects board. All working drawings and specifications prepared by or under the supervision of the holder shall be imprinted with this seal. No person shall seal any document unless the person is the holder of a certificate currently in good standing.
(B) Each certificate of authorization issued under division (L) of section 4703.18 of the Revised Code shall authorize the holder to provide architectural services, through the architect designated as being in responsible charge of the architectural practice, from the date of issuance until the last day of June next succeeding the date upon which the certificate was issued, unless the certificate has been revoked or suspended for cause as provided in section 4703.15 of the Revised Code or has been suspended pursuant to section 3123.47 of the Revised Code.
Sec. 4703.13.  (A) Each architect who holds a certificate of qualification to practice architecture under sections 4703.01 to 4703.19 of the Revised Code and who desires to continue the practice of architecture shall, before or during the month of December of each odd-numbered year, make application, together with the renewal fee provided in section 4703.16 of the Revised Code, for a renewal of the certificate, and demonstrate satisfactory completion of any applicable continuing education requirements adopted by the state board of examiners of architects board under section 4703.02 of the Revised Code. The renewal shall be pursuant to the standard renewal procedure of sections 4745.01 to 4745.03 of the Revised Code, except that renewal is required in each odd-numbered year instead of annually. Each certificate shall be renewed for a term of two years, and the renewal shall be recorded in the official register of the board.
(B) Each holder of a certificate of authorization to provide architectural services shall, before or during the month of each June preceding the year the holder desires to continue to provide architectural services, make application, together with the renewal fee provided in section 4703.16 of the Revised Code, for a renewal of the certificate. Each certificate shall be renewed for a term of one year except as provided in section 4703.12 of the Revised Code.
Sec. 4703.14.  Any holder of a certificate of qualification to practice architecture that has expired through failure to be renewed as provided in section 4703.13 of the Revised Code may obtain a renewal of such certificate, at any time within one year from the date of its expiration, upon application to and with the approval of the state board of examiners of architects board. The time for renewal of such expired certificate may be extended at the discretion of the board. A certificate that has lapsed for a period of more than one year may be restored at the discretion of the board upon payment of the required fee.
Sec. 4703.15. (A) The state board of examiners of architects board may by three concurring votes deny renewal of, revoke, or suspend any certificate of qualification to practice architecture, issued or renewed under sections 4703.10, 4703.13, and 4703.14 of the Revised Code, or any certificate of authorization, issued or renewed under sections 4703.13 and 4703.18 of the Revised Code, if proof satisfactory to the board is presented in any of the following cases:
(1) In case it is shown that the certificate was obtained by fraud;
(2) In case the holder of the certificate has been found guilty by the board or by a court of justice of any fraud or deceit in the holder's professional practice, or has been convicted of a felony by a court of justice;
(3) In case the holder has been found guilty by the board of gross negligence, incompetency, or misconduct in the performance of the holder's services as an architect or in the practice of architecture;
(4) In case the holder of the certificate has been found guilty by the board of signing plans for the construction of a building as a "registered architect" where the holder is not the actual architect of such building and where the holder is without prior written consent of the architect originating the design or other documents used in the plans;
(5) In case the holder of the certificate has been found guilty by the board of aiding and abetting another person or persons not properly registered as required by sections 4703.01 to 4703.19 of the Revised Code, in the performance of activities that in any manner or extent constitute the practice of architecture.
At any time after the expiration of six months from the date of the revocation or suspension of a certificate, the individual, firm, partnership, association, or corporation may apply for reinstatement of the certificate. Upon showing that all loss caused by the individual, firm, partnership, association, or corporation whose certificate has been revoked or suspended has been fully satisfied and that all conditions imposed by the revocation or suspension decision have been complied with, and upon the payment of all costs incurred by the board as a result of the case at issue, the board, at its discretion and upon evidence that in its opinion would so warrant, may restore the certificate.
(B) In addition to disciplinary action the board may take against a certificate holder under division (A) of this section or section 4703.151 of the Revised Code, the board may impose a fine against a certificate holder who obtained a certificate by fraud or who is found guilty of any act specified in divisions (A)(2) to (A)(5) of this section or who violates any rule governing the standards of service, conduct, and practice adopted pursuant to section 4703.02 of the Revised Code. The fine imposed shall be not more than one thousand dollars for each offense but shall not exceed five thousand dollars regardless of the number of offenses the certificate holder has committed between the time the fine is imposed and the time any previous fine was imposed.
Sec. 4703.151.  The state board of examiners of architects board may revoke or suspend licenses or reprimand licensees, and may revoke or suspend the certificate of authorization provided for in division (L) of section 4703.18 of the Revised Code, in accordance with the seriousness of the charge, for violation of rules governing the standards of service, conduct, and practice to be followed in the practice of the profession of architecture in the state, as adopted by the board pursuant to Chapter 4703. of the Revised Code.
Sec. 4703.16.  (A) The state board of examiners of architects board shall establish the application fee for obtaining registration under section 4703.07 and the fee for obtaining registration under pursuant to section 4703.08 of the Revised Code.
(B) The fee to restore a certificate of qualification to practice architecture is the renewal fee for the current certification period, plus the renewal fee for each two-year period in which the certificate was not renewed, plus a penalty of ten per cent of the total renewal fees the board establishes for each two-year period or part thereof in which the certificate was not renewed, provided that the maximum fee shall not exceed the amount established by the board.
(C) The board also shall establish the following fees:
(1) The fee for an original and duplicate certificate of qualification to practice architecture and the biennial renewal of the certificate;
(2) The fee for a duplicate renewal card;
(3) The fee to restore a certificate of qualification to practice architecture or certificate of authorization revoked under section 4703.15 of the Revised Code or suspended under section 3123.47 of the Revised Code;
(4) The fee for an original and duplicate certificate of authorization issued under division (L) of section 4703.18 of the Revised Code and the annual renewal of the certificate;
(5) The fee to cover costs for checks or other instruments returned to the board by financial institutions due to insufficient funds.
Sec. 4703.18.  (A) No person shall enter upon the practice of architecture or hold forth as an architect or registered architect, unless the person has complied with sections 4703.01 to 4703.19 of the Revised Code and is the holder of a certificate of qualification to practice architecture issued or renewed and registered under those sections.
(B) Sections 4703.01 to 4703.19 of the Revised Code do not prevent persons other than architects from filing applications for building permits or obtaining those permits.
(C) Sections 4703.01 to 4703.19 of the Revised Code do not prevent persons other than architects from preparing plans, drawings, specifications, or data, filing applications for building permits, or obtaining those permits for residential buildings, as defined by section 3781.06 of the Revised Code, or buildings erected as industrialized one-, two-, or three-family units or structures within the meaning of the term "industrialized unit" as provided in section 3781.06 of the Revised Code.
(D) Sections 4703.01 to 4703.19 of the Revised Code do not prevent persons other than architects from preparing drawings or data, from filing applications for building permits, or from obtaining those permits for the installation of replacement equipment or systems that are similar in type or capacity to the equipment or systems being replaced, and for any improvement, alteration, repair, painting, decorating, or other modification of any buildings or structures subject to sections 3781.06 to 3781.18 and 3791.04 of the Revised Code where the building official determines that no plans or specifications are required for approval.
(E) Sections 4703.01 to 4703.19 of the Revised Code do not exclude a registered professional engineer from architectural practice that may be incident to the practice of engineering or exclude a registered architect from engineering practice that may be incident to the practice of architecture.
(F) Sections 4703.01 to 4703.19 of the Revised Code do not prevent a firm, partnership, association, limited liability company, or corporation of architects registered under those sections from providing architectural services and do not prevent an individual registered as a landscape architect under sections 4703.30 to 4703.49 of the Revised Code or as a professional engineer under Chapter 4733. of the Revised Code from being a member or trustee of a firm, partnership, association, limited liability company, or corporation of that type, but a member or trustee of that type shall not engage in the practice of architecture or hold forth as an architect contrary to sections 4703.01 to 4703.19 of the Revised Code and shall not practice a profession in which the person is not licensed.
(G) A firm, partnership, association, limited liability company, or corporation may provide architectural services in this state as long as the services are provided only through natural persons registered to provide those services in this state, subject to the exemptions in section 4703.17 of the Revised Code and subject otherwise to the requirements of sections 4703.01 to 4703.19 of the Revised Code.
(H) No firm, partnership, association, limited liability company, or corporation, except a corporation that was granted a charter prior to August 7, 1943, to engage in providing architectural services or that was otherwise lawfully providing architectural services prior to November 15, 1982, shall provide architectural services, hold itself out to the public as providing architectural services, or use a name including the word "architect" or any modification or derivation of the word, unless the firm, partnership, association, limited liability company, or corporation files all information required to be filed under this section with the state board of examiners of architects board and otherwise complies with all requirements of sections 4703.01 to 4703.19 of the Revised Code. A nonprofit membership corporation may use a name including the word "architect" or any modification or derivation of the word without complying with this section.
(I) A corporation may be organized under Chapter 1701. of the Revised Code, a professional association may be organized under Chapter 1785. of the Revised Code, or a limited liability company may be formed under Chapter 1705. of the Revised Code for the purpose of providing professional engineering, surveying, architectural, or landscape architectural services, or any combination of those services. A corporation organized under Chapter 1701. of the Revised Code for the purpose of providing those services also may be organized for any other purpose in accordance with that chapter.
(J) No firm, partnership, association, limited liability company, or corporation shall provide or offer to provide architectural services in this state unless more than fifty per cent of the partners, members, or shareholders, more than fifty per cent of the directors in the case of a corporation or professional association, and more than fifty per cent of the managers in the case of a limited liability company the management of which is not reserved to its members, and more than fifty per cent of the trustees in the case of an employee stock ownership plan, are professional engineers, surveyors, architects, or landscape architects or a combination of those professions, who are registered in this or any other state and who own more than fifty per cent of the interests in the firm, partnership, association, limited liability company, or corporation; unless the requirements of this division and of section 1785.02 of the Revised Code are satisfied with respect to any professional association organized under Chapter 1785. of the Revised Code; or unless the requirements of this division and of Chapter 1705. of the Revised Code are satisfied with respect to a limited liability company formed under that chapter.
(K) Each firm, partnership, association, limited liability company, or corporation through which architectural services are offered or provided in this state shall designate one or more trustees, partners, managers, members, officers, or directors as being in responsible charge of the professional architectural activities and decisions, and those designated persons shall be registered in this state. In the case of a corporation holding a certificate of authorization provided for in division (L) of this section, at least one of the persons so designated shall be a director of the corporation. Each firm, partnership, association, limited liability company, or corporation of that type shall annually file with the state board of examiners of architects board the name and address of each trustee, partner, manager, officer, director, member, or shareholder, and each firm, partnership, association, limited liability company, or corporation of that type shall annually file with the board the name and address of all persons designated as being in responsible charge of the professional architectural activities and decisions and any other information the board may require. If there is a change in any such person in the interval between filings, the change shall be filed with the board in the manner and within the time that the board determines.
(L) No corporation organized under Chapter 1701. of the Revised Code shall engage in providing architectural services in this state without obtaining a certificate of authorization from the state board of examiners of architects board. A corporation desiring a certificate of authorization shall file with the board a copy of its articles of incorporation and a listing on the form that the board directs of the names and addresses of all trustees, officers, directors, and shareholders of the corporation, the names and addresses of any individuals providing professional services on behalf of the corporation who are registered to practice architecture in this state, and any other information the board requires. If all requirements of sections 4703.01 to 4703.19 of the Revised Code are met, the board may issue a certificate of authorization to the corporation. No certificate of authorization shall be issued unless persons owning more than fifty per cent of the corporation's shares and more than fifty per cent of the interests in the corporation are professional engineers, surveyors, architects, or landscape architects, or a combination of those professions, who are registered in this or any other state. Any corporation that holds a certificate of authorization under this section and otherwise meets the requirements of sections 4703.01 to 4703.19 of the Revised Code may be organized for any purposes for which corporations may be organized under Chapter 1701. of the Revised Code and shall not be limited to the purposes of providing professional engineering, surveying, architectural, or landscape architectural services or any combination of those professions. The board, by rules adopted in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, may require any firm, partnership, association, or limited liability company not organized under Chapter 1701. of the Revised Code that provides architectural services to obtain a certificate of authorization. If the board so requires, no firm, partnership, association, or limited liability company shall engage in providing architectural services without obtaining the certificate and complying with the rules.
(M) This section does not modify any law applicable to the relationship between a person furnishing a professional service and a person receiving that service, including liability arising out of that service.
(N) Nothing in this section restricts or limits in any manner the authority or duty of the state board of examiners of architects board with respect to natural persons providing professional services or any law or rule pertaining to standards of professional conduct.
Sec. 4703.181.  The state board of examiners of architects board may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for relief by injunction or restraining order to enjoin or restrain a person, firm, corporation, partnership, or any other group or combination of persons from the commission of any act which is prohibited by sections 4703.01 to 4703.19 of the Revised Code, or by rules governing the standards of service, conduct, and practice to be followed in the practice of the profession of architecture in the state, as adopted by the board under Chapter 4703. of the Revised Code.
The remedy provided by this section shall be in addition to any other remedy provided by law.
Sec. 4703.19.  The attorney general is hereby designated as the legal advisor of the state board of examiners of architects board.
Any person having knowledge of facts leading to the belief that a violation of division (A) of section 4703.18 of the Revised Code has occurred, may file an affidavit stating such facts with the prosecuting attorney of the county in which such alleged violation occurred, for the purpose of having a complaint filed by such prosecuting attorney.
Sec. 4703.331.  (A) A firm, partnership, association, limited liability company, or corporation may provide landscape architectural services in this state as long as the services are provided only through natural persons registered to provide those services in this state and subject to the requirements of this chapter.
(B) No firm, partnership, association, limited liability company, or corporation shall provide landscape architectural services, hold itself out to the public as providing landscape architectural services, or use a name including the word "landscape architect" or any modification or derivation of the word, unless the firm, partnership, association, limited liability company, or corporation files all information required to be filed under this section with the state board of landscape architect examiners and otherwise complies with all requirements of this chapter. A nonprofit membership corporation may use a name including the word "landscape architect" or any modification or derivation of the word without complying with this section.
(C) A corporation may be organized under Chapter 1701. of the Revised Code, a professional association may be organized under Chapter 1785. of the Revised Code, or a limited liability company may be formed under Chapter 1705. of the Revised Code for the purpose of providing professional engineering, surveying, architectural, or landscape architectural services, or any combination of those services. A corporation organized under Chapter 1701. of the Revised Code for the purpose of providing those services also may be organized for any other purpose in accordance with that chapter.
(D) No firm, partnership, association, limited liability company, or corporation shall provide or offer to provide landscape architectural services in this state unless more than fifty per cent of the partners, members, or shareholders, more than fifty per cent of the directors in the case of a corporation or professional association, and more than fifty per cent of the managers in the case of a limited liability company the management of which is not reserved to its members, and more than fifty per cent of the trustees in the case of an employee stock ownership plan, are professional engineers, surveyors, architects, or landscape architects or a combination of those professions, who are registered in this or any other state and who own more than fifty per cent of the interests in the firm, partnership, association, limited liability company, or corporation; unless the requirements of this division and of section 1785.02 of the Revised Code are satisfied with respect to any professional association organized under Chapter 1785. of the Revised Code; or unless the requirements of this division and of Chapter 1705. of the Revised Code are satisfied with respect to a limited liability company formed under that chapter.
(E) Each firm, partnership, association, limited liability company, or corporation through which landscape architectural services are offered or provided in this state shall designate one or more trustees, partners, managers, members, officers, or directors as being in responsible charge of the professional landscape architectural activities and decisions, and those designated persons shall be registered in this state. In the case of a corporation holding a certificate of authorization provided for in division (F) of this section, at least one of the persons so designated shall be a director of the corporation. Each firm, partnership, association, limited liability company, or corporation of that type shall annually file with the state board of landscape architect examiners the name and address of each trustees, partner, manager, officer, director, member, or shareholder, and each firm, partnership, association, limited liability company, or corporation of that type shall annually file with the board the name and address of all persons designated as being in responsible charge of the professional landscape architectural activities and decisions and any other information the board may require. If there is a change in any such person in the interval between filings, the change shall be filed with the board in the manner and within the time that the board determines.
(F) No corporation organized under Chapter 1701. of the Revised Code shall engage in providing landscape architectural services in this state without obtaining a certificate of authorization from the state board of landscape architect examiners. A corporation desiring a certificate of authorization shall file with the board a copy of its articles of incorporation and a listing on the form that the board directs of the names and addresses of all trustees, officers, directors, and shareholders of the corporation, the names and addresses of any individuals providing professional services on behalf of the corporation who are registered to practice landscape architecture in this state, and any other information the board requires. If all requirements of this chapter are met, the board may issue a certificate of authorization to the corporation. No certificate of authorization shall be issued unless persons owning more than fifty per cent of the corporation's shares and more than fifty per cent of the interests in the corporation are professional engineers, surveyors, architects, or landscape architects, or a combination of those professions, who are registered in this or any other state. Any corporation that holds a certificate of authorization under this section and otherwise meets the requirements of this chapter may be organized for any purposes for which corporations may be organized under Chapter 1701. of the Revised Code and shall not be limited to the purposes of providing professional engineering, surveying, architectural, or landscape architectural services or any combination of those services. The board, by rules adopted in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, may require any firm, partnership, association, or limited liability company not organized under Chapter 1701. of the Revised Code that provides landscape architectural services to obtain a certificate of authorization. If the board so requires, no firm, partnership, association, or limited liability company shall engage in providing landscape architectural services without obtaining the certificate and complying with the rules.
(G) This section does not modify any law applicable to the relationship between a person furnishing a professional service and a person receiving that service, including liability arising out of that service.
(H) Nothing in this section shall restrict or limit in any manner the authority or duty of the state board of landscape architect examiners with respect to natural persons providing professional services or any law or rule pertaining to standards of professional conduct.
Sec. 4703.34.  (A) Any individual desiring to be registered as a landscape architect may apply in writing to the state board of landscape architect examiners in the manner prescribed by the board.
(B) Except as provided in section 4703.35 of the Revised Code, each application shall include, or be accompanied by, evidence given under oath or affirmation and satisfactory to the board that the applicant possesses the qualifications prescribed by division (C) of this section and also possesses, or is in the process of obtaining, one of the qualifications required by division (D) of this section. Each applicant shall include in the application a request for examination. The board shall permit an applicant who is in the process of completing the requirement specified in division (D) of this section to take an examination, but the board shall not register such an applicant until the applicant completes the requirement.
(C) Except as provided in section 4703.35 of the Revised Code, each applicant for registration as a landscape architect shall pass, to the satisfaction of the board, an examination conducted under the authority of the board to determine the fitness of the applicant for registration. The applicant shall be at least eighteen years of age and of good moral character and shall have obtained a professional degree in landscape architecture from a program accredited by the national landscape architect accrediting board.
(D) In addition to the qualifications required by division (C) of this section, the applicant shall meet either of the following requirements:
(1) Has completed three years of practical experience in the office of or and under the direct supervision of a registered landscape architect who is actively involved in the practice of landscape architecture, or equivalent experience, as determined by the board, provided that at least one year of the practical experience or its equivalent as required by division (D)(1) of this section shall have been completed by the applicant subsequent to the completion of the educational requirements established by division (C) of this section;
(2) Has completed the requirements for training under an internship program established pursuant to rules adopted by the board that includes, but is not limited to, training in design and construction documents and construction administration and office management, or has equivalent experience that is acceptable to the board.
Sec. 4703.37.  (A) The state board of landscape architect examiners shall establish an application fee for obtaining registration under section 4703.34 of the Revised Code and a fee for obtaining registration under section 4703.35 of the Revised Code.
(B) The fee to restore an expired certificate of qualification is the renewal fee for the current certification period, plus the renewal fee for each previous renewal period in which the certificate was not renewed, plus a penalty of twenty-five per cent of the total renewal fees for each renewal period or part thereof in which the certificate was not renewed, on the condition that the maximum fee shall not exceed an amount established by the board.
(C) The board also shall establish the following fees:
(1) The fee for taking or retaking the examination described in division (C) of section 4703.34 of the Revised Code at an amount adequate to cover the expenses of procuring and grading the examination plus a fee for retaking all or parts of the required examination.
(2) The fee for a certificate of qualification or duplicate thereof, as issued to a landscape architect registered under sections 4703.33 to 4703.38 of the Revised Code.
(3) The fee for the biennial renewal of the certificate of qualification and the fee for a duplicate renewal card.
(4) The fee to be charged an examinee for administering an examination to the examinee on behalf of another jurisdiction.
(5) The fee for a certificate of authorization issued under division (F) of section 4703.331 of the Revised Code, the fee for annual renewal of a certificate of authorization, and the fee for a duplicate certificate of authorization.
(6) The fee to cover costs for checks or other instruments returned to the board by financial institutions due to insufficient funds.
Sec. 4703.50.  All receipts of the state board of examiners of architects board and state board of landscape architect examiners shall be deposited in the state treasury to the credit of the occupational licensing and regulatory fund. All expenditures of the boards shall be paid pursuant to vouchers approved by the secretary or executive secretary of the state board of examiners of architects board, or both, as authorized by the board.
Sec. 4703.51.  The state board of examiners of architects board, subject to the approval of the controlling board and except for fees required to be established by the board at amounts "adequate" to cover designated expenses, may establish fees in excess of the amounts provided in sections 4703.01 to 4703.19 of the Revised Code, provided that such fees do not exceed the amounts specified by these sections by more than fifty per cent.
Sec. 4703.52.  On receipt of a notice pursuant to section 3123.43 of the Revised Code, the state board of examiners of architects board and the state board of landscape architects examiners shall comply with sections 3123.41 to 3123.50 of the Revised Code and any applicable rules adopted under section 3123.63 of the Revised Code with respect to a certificate issued pursuant to this chapter.
Section 2.  That existing sections 125.22, 4703.01, 4703.02, 4703.03, 4703.04, 4703.05, 4703.06, 4703.07, 4703.08, 4703.09, 4703.10, 4703.11, 4703.12, 4703.13, 4703.14, 4703.15, 4703.151, 4703.16, 4703.18, 4703.181, 4703.19, 4703.331, 4703.34, 4703.37, 4703.50, 4703.51, and 4703.52 of the Revised Code are hereby repealed.
Section 3.  Section 125.22 of the Revised Code is presented in this act as a composite of the section as amended by both Am. Sub. H.B. 374 and Am. Sub. H.B. 496 of the 124th General Assembly. The General Assembly, applying the principle stated in division (B) of section 1.52 of the Revised Code that amendments are to be harmonized if reasonably capable of simultaneous operation, finds that the composite is the resulting version of the section in effect prior to the effective date of the section as presented in this act.
Please send questions and comments to the Webmaster.
© 2024 Legislative Information Systems | Disclaimer