Z-0072

AN ACT Relating to landscape architects; amending RCW 18.96.040, 18.96.080, 18.96.090, 18.96.100, and 18.96.150; and reenacting and amending RCW 18.96.110.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. RCW 18.96.040 and 1985 c 18 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

There is created a state board of registration for landscape architects. The board shall consist of ((~~three~~)) four landscape architects and ((~~two~~)) one member((s)) of the general public. Members of the board shall be appointed by the governor and must be residents of this state having the qualifications required by this chapter.

No public member of the board may be a past or present member of any other licensing board under this title. No public member may make his or her own livelihood from, nor have a parent, spouse, or child make their respective livelihood from providing landscape architect services, or from enterprises dealing in landscape architecture.

The landscape architect members of the board must, while serving on the board, be actively engaged in their profession or trade and, immediately preceding appointment, have had at least five years experience in responsible charge of work or teaching within their profession or trade.

Sec. 2. RCW 18.96.080 and 1985 c 7 s 74 are each amended to read as follows:

Application for registration shall be filed with the director prior to the date set for examination and shall contain statements made under oath showing the applicant's education and a detailed summary of ((~~his~~)) practical experience, and shall contain not less than ((~~five~~)) three references((~~, of whom three or more shall be~~)) who are landscape architects having personal knowledge of ((~~his~~)) the applicant's landscape architectural experience.

((~~The application fee shall be determined by the director as provided in RCW 43.24.086 and shall include a nonrefundable examination fee, and a fee for issuance of the certificate.~~

The application fee for reexamination shall be determined by the director as provided in RCW 43.24.086 and shall include, and must be filed with the director not less than six days prior to the date set for examination.

At any time within the first two years following August 11, 1969, the board shall certify for registration, without examination, any applicant who submits proof that he has had at least a combination of education and experience substantially equivalent to six years of practice in landscape architecture prior to August 11, 1969)) The application fee for initial examination shall be determined by the director as provided in RCW 43.24.086. The application and fee must be submitted to the agency prior to the application deadline established by the director.

Fees for initial examination and reexamination shall be determined by the director as provided in RCW 43.24.086, and must be filed with the agency prior to the application deadline established by the director.

Sec. 3. RCW 18.96.090 and 1985 c 18 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

Examinations of applicants for certificates of registration shall be held at least annually or at such times and places as the board may determine. The board shall determine from the examination and the material submitted with the applications whether or not the applicants possess sufficient knowledge, ability and moral fitness to safely and properly practice landscape architecture and to hold themselves out to the public as persons qualified for that practice.

The scope of the examination and methods of examination procedure shall be prescribed by the board with special reference to landscape construction materials and methods, grading and drainage, plant materials suited for use in the northwest, specifications and supervisory practice, history and theory of landscape architecture relative to landscape architectural design, site planning and land design, subdivision, urban design, and a practical knowledge of botany, horticulture and similar subjects related to the practice of landscape architecture. The board may adopt an appropriate national examination and grading procedure.

Applicants who fail to pass any ((~~subjects~~)) sections of the examination shall be permitted to retake the examination in the ((~~subjects~~)) sections failed. A passing grade in any ((~~subject area~~)) section shall exempt the applicant from examination in that ((~~subject~~)) section for five years((~~: PROVIDED, That failure to complete successfully the entire examination within five years will result in requiring a retake of the entire examination~~)). The board may determine the standard for passing grades computed on a scale of one hundred percent. A certificate of registration shall be granted by the director to all qualified applicants who shall be certified by the board as having passed the required examination and as having given satisfactory proof of completion of the required experience.

Sec. 4. RCW 18.96.100 and 1985 c 7 s 75 are each amended to read as follows:

The director may, upon payment of a ((~~filing and investigation~~)) reciprocity application fee ((~~including~~)) and the current registration fee in an amount as determined by the director as provided in RCW 43.24.086, grant a certificate of registration ((~~without examination~~)), upon recommendation by the board, to any applicant who is a registered landscape architect in any other state or country whose requirements for registration are at least substantially equivalent to the requirements of this state for registration by examination, and which extends the same privileges of reciprocity to landscape architects registered in this state.

Sec. 5. RCW 18.96.110 and 1985 c 19 s 3 & 1985 c 7 s 76 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:

The renewal date for certificates of registration shall ((~~expire on the last day of June three years following their issuance or renewal~~)) be set by the director. The director shall set the fee for renewal which shall be determined as provided in RCW 43.24.086. ((~~Renewal may be effected during the month of June by payment to the director of the required fee.~~))

((~~In case any~~)) If a registrant fails to pay the renewal fee ((~~before~~)) within thirty days after the ((~~due~~)) renewal date, the renewal ((~~fee shall be the current fee plus an amount equal to one year's fee at the discretion of the board: PROVIDED, That~~)) shall be delinquent. The renewal fee for a delinquent renewal and the penalty fee for a delinquent renewal shall be established by the director. Any registrant in good standing, upon fully retiring from landscape architectural practice, may withdraw from practice by giving written notice to the director, and may thereafter resume practice at any time upon payment of the then current ((~~annual~~)) renewal fee. Any registrant, other than a properly withdrawn licensee, who fails to renew his or her registration for a period of ((~~one year~~)) more than five years may ((~~reinstate only on reexamination as is required for new registrants~~)) be reinstated under such circumstances as the board determines.

Sec. 6. RCW 18.96.150 and 1969 ex.s. c 158 s 15 are each amended to read as follows:

The director shall issue a certificate of registration upon payment of the registration fee as provided in this chapter to any applicant who has satisfactorily met all requirements for registration. All certificates of registration shall show the full name of the registrant, shall have a serial number and shall be signed by the chairman and the executive secretary of the board, and by the director.

Each registrant shall obtain a seal of a design authorized by the board, bearing the registrant's name and the legend, "registered landscape architect". All sheets of drawings and title pages of specifications prepared by the registrant shall be stamped with said seal.