In Indiana, the regulations of architects is found in Title 25, Article 4, Chapter 1 (Burns Ind. Code Ann. § 25-4-1-2 – § 25-4-1-32) of the Burn’s Indiana Statutes Annotated.  The chapter is titled as the Indiana Architectural and Landscape Architectural Act.  The Act provides for a board of registration for architects and landscape architects (“board”).  Subject to the approval of the governor the board is authorized to make bylaws and prescribe and promulgate rules as considered necessary in the performance of its duty.  The board can adopt rules establishing standards for the competent practice of architecture and for the administration of the registered architects’ investigative fund.

Burns Ind. Code Ann. § 25-4-1-6 provides the conditions for practice of architecture in Indiana.  A person desiring to engage in the practice of architecture must:

• apply to the board for a certificate of registration in compliance with the Act;
• submit evidence to the board that the person is qualified to engage in the practice of architecture in compliance with the requirements of the Act.

The person must provide evidence that s/he:

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  1. is graduated with a professional degree from a school or college of architecture accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board, Inc., or its successor;
  2. successfully completed the required examination; and
  3. successfully completed the intern development program required under the Act;

The person applying for registration must not have been convicted for:

• an act that would constitute a ground for disciplinary sanction under IC 25-1-11; or
• a felony that has direct bearing on the applicant’s ability to practice competently.

Under the section the person must give an application for a certificate of registration to the board.  The application for a certificate of registration must be:

• made on a form prescribed and furnished by the board;
• verified; and
• accompanied by a fee established by the board

Further Burns Ind. Code Ann. § 25-4-1-7 provides that any person who has completed the age of eighteen (18) years is qualified for an examination for a certificate of registration as a registered architect.  S/he must be a graduate with a professional degree from a school or college of architecture accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board, Inc., or its successor.  The applicant must also furnish evidence that s/he has successfully completed an intern development program which provides practical, supervised experience in the practice of architecture.

Burns Ind. Code Ann. § 25-4-1-9 provides that the examination for certificate of registration must be a written test of the applicant’s competency to plan, design, specify, and supervise architectural projects.  The examination must include the following subjects:

• The planning, specifying, designing, and construction of buildings.
• The strength of building materials.
• The principles of sanitation and ventilation as applied to buildings.
• The ability of the applicant to make practical application of his knowledge in the ordinary professional work of an architect. The board may require the written examination to be supplemented by oral examinations.

Further, pursuant to Burns Ind. Code Ann. § 25-4-1-10, the board must issue a certificate of registration to the applicant as a registered architect after s/he complies with all the required provisions of the Act.  This certificate will have the effect of a license to the person to whom it is issued to practice architecture in this state, subject to the provisions of this act.

Burns Ind. Code Ann. § 25-4-1-11 exempts any person licensed to practice architecture in Indiana, or registered as an architect under the Act from the provisions of any and all statutes in force in this state regulating the practice of engineering.  The section further provides that no provision of the Act will apply to or affect any individual, firm, limited liability company, or corporation registered as a professional engineer.  An engineer, who is registered under the laws of Indiana and exempted from the provisions of the Act, is prohibited from using the designation “architect” in any form or manner unless and until he shall be registered under the provisions of the Act.

Burns Ind. Code Ann. § 25-4-1-14 provides for the renewal of certificate of registration and the fees connection with that.  It provides that every registered architect who continues in active practice must renew the registered architect’s certificate of registration, biennially, on or before the date established by the licensing agency.  The applicant for renewal must also pay the required renewal fee.  Further an architect registered or licensed in Indiana who has failed to renew the architect’s certificate of registration for a period of not more than five years can have the certificate of registration reinstated by meeting the requirements of IC 25-1-8-6.

If any registered architect desires to retire from the practice of architecture in Indiana, the architect can submit to the board the architect’s verified statement of intention to withdraw from practice.  The statement must be entered upon the records of the board. During the period of the architect’s retirement, the architect is not liable for any renewal or restoration fees.

If any retired architect, whose certificate of registration has been expired for not more than five years, desires to return to the practice of architecture in Indiana, s/he must:

• file with the board a verified statement indicating the architect’s desire to return to the practice of architecture; and
• pay a renewal fee equal to the fee set by the board to renew an unexpired registration under the Act.

If any retired architect, whose certificate of registration has been expired for more than five years, desires to return to the practice of architecture in Indiana, s/he must:

• file with the board a verified statement indicating the architect’s desire to return to the practice of architecture;
• pay a renewal fee equal to the fee set by the board to renew an unexpired registration under the Act; and
• complete remediation and additional training established by the board based on the length of time the certificate of registration has been expired.

Pursuant to Burns Ind. Code Ann. § 25-4-1-27, no firm, partnership or corporation can engage in the practice of architecture unless the work is under the full authority and responsible charge of a registrant who is also a principal of the firm, or partnership or officer of the corporation.

Further, Burns Ind. Code Ann. § 25-4-1-29 provides that the state of Indiana, any board, department or agency thereof, any county, city, town, township, school corporations, or other political subdivision of Indiana must not engage in the construction, alteration, or maintenance of any public building or public work involving the practice of architecture for which plans, specifications and estimates have not been prepared, certified, and sealed by, and the construction, alteration, or maintenance executed under the direct supervision of an architect, who is the holder in good standing of a certificate of registration from the board.  Moreover, any official of Indiana, any city, town, county, township, or school corporation thereof, charged with the enforcement of any law, ordinance, or rule relating to the construction or alteration of buildings or structures, must not use or accept or approve any plans or specifications that have not been prepared by, or under the supervision of, and certified by a registered architect.  The section will not apply:

• if such plans or specifications have been prepared by, or under the supervision of and certified by a professional engineer who is registered under the laws of the state of Indiana;
• to the construction or alteration of any building or structures specifically exempted from the rules of the fire prevention and building safety commission or specifically exempted from the fire prevention and building safety commission requirements for preparation of such plans and specifications by registered architects or registered engineers.