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Ohio

Pursuant to code of Ohio, ORC Ann. 4703.01, The Ohio Architects Board was appointed to a leadership role in the profession of architecture.  It is dedicated to the promotion and protection of the health, safety & welfare of the citizens of Ohio by:

  • Establishing and maintaining high standards for architectural registration, practice and professional conduct;
  • Proactively enforcing the laws and rules governing the practice of architecture;
  • Communicating with and educating the public and profession concerning the practice of architecture.

Code of Ohio, ORC Ann. 4703.06 provides that, any person shall, before engaging in the practice of architecture or before being styled or known as an architect, secure from the architects board a certificate of the person’s qualifications to practice under the title of “architect,” and be registered with the board.

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.

If the applicant passes the examination under section 4703.09 of the code, the person is in the opinion of the architects board, eligible to register as an architect pursuant to rules adopted under section 4703.08 of the Code.  In addition, the person has to be of good moral character.  The applicant is eligible to receive from the board a certificate of qualification to practice architecture.

Code of Ohio, ORC Ann. 4703.10 provides that, if the applicant fails the examination under section 4703.09 of the Code, the board may refuse to issue a certificate of qualification to practice architecture.

Further, pursuant to Code of Ohio, ORC Ann. 4703.12, each original certificate of qualification to practice architecture issued and registered shall authorize the holder to practice architecture as a registered architect throughout the state of Ohio.  Every holder of such certificate or its renewal shall secure a seal of the design prescribed by the rules of the 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.

Code of Ohio, ORC Ann. 4703.13 provides provisions for renewal application.  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 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.

Furthermore, 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.

Pursuant to code of Ohio, ORC Ann. 4703.15, the 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:

  • In case it is shown that the certificate was obtained by fraud;
  • 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;
  • 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;
  • 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;
  • 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.

However, 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.

In addition to disciplinary action, code of Ohio, ORC Ann. 4703.15 provides that the board may impose a fine against a certificate holder who obtained a certificate by fraud 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.

Code of Ohio, ORC Ann. 4703.15 § 4703.181 provides that board may apply for injunctive relief.  The 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.


Inside Ohio