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Kentucky

In Kentucky, regulation of architects is found in Chapter 323, Title XXVI of Kentucky Revised Statutes.  Pursuant to KRS § 323.020, no person should practice architecture in the Commonwealth of Kentucky without obtaining a license.

KRS § 323.050 provides that an applicant seeking to obtain a license to practice architecture in Kentucky should satisfactorily pass the examination that is prescribed by the Kentucky Board of Architects.  Further, every applicant for examination should:

  • be of good moral character, and
  • hold a professional degree in architecture accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), or its equivalent as determined by administrative regulations promulgated by the board, with such additional experience as the board may prescribe and approve.

Pursuant to KRS § 323.095, each architect licensed for practice within the Commonwealth should obtain a seal of the design prescribed in administrative regulations promulgated by the board.  All working drawings, specifications, and reports prepared by, or under the supervision of the individual, partnership, or firm, should be imprinted with this seal.  No architect should sign, affix, or imprint his seal to any drawings, specifications, or reports which have not been prepared by him personally or under his immediate supervision.

KRS § 323.100 provides that a license certificate should be signed by the president and the secretary of the board and bear its seal.  As per KRS § 323.110, all architects desiring to continue practice should secure from the board a renewal certificate at the expiration of their licenses, upon the payment of the prescribed fee.

Pursuant to KRS § 323.120, the board may refuse to issue, reissue, or renew a license, or may issue a private or public reprimand or may probate, suspend, or revoke the license of any architect to practice architecture in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, or may impose any combination of these sanctions for any of the following reasons:

  • gross incompetence or gross negligence in the planning or construction of buildings, as determined by the board,
  • unprofessional conduct, or conduct tending to bring the profession into disrepute, as determined by the board,
  • conviction of a felony,
  • fraudulent or dishonest architectural practice,
  • use of false evidence or misrepresentations in an application for licensing or an application for a renewal certificate,
  • signing or affixing his seal to any plans, prints, specifications of buildings, or reports, which have not been prepared by him personally or by his employees under his supervision,
  • violating any provision of chapter 323 or administrative regulations promulgated under the chapter,
  • failing to comply with an order issued by the board,
  • aiding or abetting someone in the unlicensed practice of architecture, or
  • having a license or registration certificate to practice as an architect denied, limited, suspended, probated, or revoked in another jurisdiction on grounds sufficient to cause licensure to be denied, limited, suspended, probated, or revoked in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

KRS § 323.130 provides that if the board refuses to issue, reissue, or renew a license, or issue a private or public reprimand or probate, suspend, or revoke the license of any architect to practice architecture in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the board should conduct a hearing.  The hearing may be conducted by the full board or at its designation, a member thereof or a panel of the board or a hearing officer.  The board may proceed against a licensee on its own initiative, on the basis of either information contained in its own records or information obtained through its informal investigation.  If a formal complaint verified by affidavit is filed with the board by a responsible citizen or organization, the board may proceed against the licensee.  KRS § 323.130 provides that any final order of the board may be appealed to Franklin Circuit Court.

Pursuant to KRS § 323.990, if a person practices architecture in the Commonwealth of Kentucky without obtaining a license, is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.  Whoever falsifies an application for certification or renewal as an architect is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor and the architect’s license will be revoked for two years.  Additionally, the board may direct any licensee found guilty of violating any provision of chapter 323 to pay to the board a sum not to exceed the actual and reasonable costs of investigation and prosecution of the case, which should be paid to the board’s trust and agency account.


Inside Kentucky