Brief Summary of Bill

Permits a person who has an accredited architectural degree to use the title architectural associate, instead of intern architect, when enrolled in a recognized structured training program and working under the direct supervision of an architect.
Modifies the practice of architecture to include the rendering of any service or services or related work requiring architectural education, training or experience.
Changes the required work experience for both persons with and without an accredited architectural degree.

Background: Authorization to Practice. A person must be registered or authorized to practice as an architect in the state of Washington. The State Board for Architects (Board) is comprised of seven members appointed by the Governor. The Board must include six registered architects and one public member who is not and has never been a registered architect. The "practice of architecture" means the rendering of services in connection with the art and science of building design for construction of any structure or grouping of structures and the use of space within and surrounding the structure or the design for construction of alterations or additions to the structures, including but not specifically limited to schematic designs, design development, preparation of construction contract documents, and administration of the construction contract. A person who has an accredited architectural degree may use the title intern architect when enrolled in a structured intern training program recognized by the Board and working under the direct supervision of an architect.

Application Qualifications. To be registered as an architect, an applicant must be at least eighteen years old, of good moral character, and possess one of the following:

An accredited architectural degree, three years work experience, and completion of a structured intern program approved by the Board.
A high school diploma or equivalent and at least nine years of practical architectural work experience, as determined by the Board, and the completion of a structured intern training program approved by the Board. Prior to enrolling in a structured intern training program the applicant must have at least six years of work experience, of which three must be under the direct supervision of an architect. This work experience may include designing buildings as a principle activity and postsecondary education as determined by the Board.

Examination. The examination for architect registration is held annually. Applicants who fail to pass any section of the examination are permitted to retake those particular sections. If the entire examination is not successfully completed within five years, a person is required to retake the entire exam. Applicants for registration who have an accredited architectural degree may begin taking the examination upon enrollment in a structured intern training program as approved by the Board. Applicants who do not possess an accredited architectural degree may take the examination only after completing the experience and intern training requirements.

Summary of Bill: The term structured intern training program is changed to structured training program throughout the chapter.

Authorization to Practice. A person who has an accredited architectural degree may use the title architectural associate, instead of intern architect, when enrolled in a structured training program recognized by the Board and working under the direct supervision of an architect. The practice of architecture is updated to include the rendering of any service or services or related work requiring architectural education, training, or experience.

Application Qualifications. For applicants with an accredited architectural degree, the work requirement of three years in a structured intern training program is replaced with the requirement to complete a structured training program. The years of required work experience for applicants without an accredited architectural degree is changed from nine to eight and the requirement of six years of work experience prior to enrolling in the structured intern training program is removed.

Examination. All applicants for registration may begin taking the examination upon enrollment in a structured training program as approved by the Board.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This bill has been requested by the Washington State Board of Architects and the National Council of Architects Registration Boards (NCARB). NCARB updated their standards and rules in 2015, including some experience training requirements. The Washington board decided to wait and see how the rules worked in other states and did not recommend adopting them right away. Thirty-six states have adopted these rules. This makes it harder for licensed architects moving into Washington. This helps reciprocity. The bill helps military spouses. This changes the experiences. The board thinks it helps with what is important for the practice of architecture. This allows for taking exams while meeting other requirements. A person can become an architect with a high school degree with more experience requirements. This allows people who have different experiences become architects. The bill requires a person who stamps a drawing have certain experience.