NCARB 2013 Annual Report

 

Chair: David R. Prengaman, AIA, NCARB (Rhode Island)

Region 1

Report

Region 1 comprises Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts,
New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

FY13 Officers: Director:
Christopher P. Williams, AIA, NCARBNew Hampshire Member Board Member Chair:
David R. Prengaman, AIA, NCARBRhode Island Member Board Member Vice Chair:
Richard M. Monahon Jr., AIANew Hampshire Member Board Member Secretary/Treasurer:
Edward Wolfstein, AIA, NCARBVermont Member Board MemberHighlights/Year-End Summary

This past year has been a busy one for Region 1, beginning with our Fall Regional Meeting. In an effort to reduce the cost and travel time for our delegates, Region 1 held our fall meeting in Boston immediately preceding the NCARB Member Board Chairs/Member Board Executives Conference. The meeting was well attended, with a total of 16 delegates and all six jurisdictions having representation. State reports were discussed, along with the issues and activities within each jurisdiction. The agenda also included brief presentations by delegates who serve on NCARB Committees, including representation from the Regional Leadership Committee, Procedures and Documents Committee, Professional Conduct Committee, Governance Task Force, ARE Graphics Development Subcommittee, Practice Analysis Task Force, Education Committee, and Audit Committee. These reports highlight the importance of serving on NCARB committees and encouraged others to volunteer.

 

In January, our region was saddened by the news of a tragic automobile accident that resulted in the passing of our Regional Vice Chair Richard (Rick) Monahon and his wife Duffy. Rick was a respected member of NCARB who was active in our region, as well as on various national committees. His passion for architecture and preservation was admired by all of us, and we will dearly miss Rick and Duffy. The Region 1 Executive Committee decided that the position of vice chair would remain vacant until a new slate of officers is installed in June 2013.

 

Region 1 hosted a successful Joint Spring Regional Meeting this March in Providence, RI. Member Board Members, Member Board Executives, national officers, and guests from Region 2 and Region 6 joined us for a total attendance of 72. The meeting included two productive days of discussion regarding the challenges we face and responsibilities we have as professional regulators, as well as interactive sessions with NCARB leadership.

 

The Region 1 spring business meeting included a tribute to Rick Monahon, discussion of state reports and committee activities, and reports by our Region Director Chis Williams, and NCARB Secretary Margo Jones. As we look toward the future, our region is considering the investigation of the electronic organization and maintenance of regional files, which will facilitate a smoother transition to new officers each year. Members voted to propose bylaws amendments, create a regional administrator position, and gave approval to the Executive Committee to seek proposals from qualified candidates. Our goal is to formally enact these changes at our annual business meeting in June and to hire a candidate in July 2013.

 

STATE REPORTS

​ConnecticutThe Connecticut Board consists of three architect members and two public members. There are currently 4,308 licensed architects, 1,514 of whom are Connecticut residents. The board does not include interior designers; the state registers individuals for the use of the title registered interior designer. All Connecticut licensed architects automatically qualify for this title and may obtain the Certificate of Registration. The board finalized its work on drafting a letter concerning use of the term “architect.” This action is in response to a request from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Connecticut chapter asking the board for clarification on this issue. The purpose of this letter is to provide individuals with guidance on using the title. The letter is now posted on the Department of Consumer Protection’s website. Once again, the board is attempting to pass regulations permitting the use of an electronic seal by architects. Existing regulations were adopted at a time when seals were placed only on hardcopy documents by stamping or embossing. With the development of electronic documents, there is now a need for regulations permitting an electronic seal. The proposed regulation permits and regulates the use of electronic seals and requires that these seals have certain protections to prevent any alterations. Connecticut General Statutes Section 20-293 requires an architect to place his or her seal on working drawings.MaineMaine has a combined board, consisting of architects, landscape architects, and certified interior designers. There are currently 1,506 licensed architects in the state of Maine. The board met in July and September and commenced work on amending the “Architect and Landscape Architect Licensing Laws.” The principal reason for proposing amendments is to (1) reflect the new experience categories and areas in NCARB’s revised Intern Development Program Guidelines; (2) to reflect NCARB’s revision of the “direct supervision” requirement; and (3) to remove any reference to corporations and clarify licensure as being limited to individuals. These changes were approved at the September board meeting and submitted to the governor’s office for state approval. At the September meeting, NCARB CEO Michael Armstrong and Council Relations Director Kathy Hillegas visited the Maine Board and made an informative presentation about the Council’s goals and objectives for the future.MassachusettsThe Massachusetts Board consists of four architect members and one public member. There are currently 6,627 licensed architects, 3,715 of whom are Massachusetts residents. The board is currently discussing how to bring regulation changes into conformance with NCARB’s Model Regulations. NCARB President Ron Blitch, CEO Michael Armstrong, Council Relations Director Kathy Hillegas, and Member Board Relations Assistant Director Derek Haese joined the board at its September Board of Registration Meeting and participated in a review of regulation changes. Lapsed Licenses: As of 31 August 2012, 294 licenses were not renewed and are in the lapsed category. This compares with 455 last year.New HampshireThe New Hampshire Board consists of three architect members and one public member; one board position is vacant. There are currently 1,787 licensed architects, 314 of whom are New Hampshire residents. The board has a new public member, Wayne Richardson, effective 9 September 2013. Wayne is a code official with the town of Bedford and is the president of the New Hampshire Building Officials Association. Wayne’s experience in code enforcement brings a valuable and fresh perspective to the board. Joint Board Executive Director Louise Lavertu was awarded an honorary membership of the New Hampshire Chapter of the AIA in January 2013. Lavertu was recognized for her outstanding work and dedication to the architectural community in New Hampshire and for her expertise in licensing, the legislative process, and as a guide for the board. Licensees are required to attest that they have complied with the board’s continuing education rules starting with the biennial renewal period that commenced on 30 April 2012. The first random continuing education compliance audit will be in 2013. Audits will be conducted on an annual basis thereafter. Senate Bill 226, transferring the administration of the Electrician’s Board to the Joint Board of Licensure and Certification, was signed into law by Governor John Lynch on 18 June 2012. The Electrician’s Board is currently part of the Department of Safety, Fire Marshal’s Office; the bill has resulted in the Electrician’s Board being added to the Joint Board effective 1 July 2013.Rhode IslandThe Rhode Island Board consists of five architect members. There are currently 1,532 licensed architects, 309 of whom are Rhode Island residents. Legislation:In the 2013 legislative session, the Department of Business Regulation’s (DBR) legislative package to the governor’s office includes the following:●  The board again requested to incorporate the NCARB 2011-2012 Legislative Guidelines as it relates to “fishing” and “design competition.”●  An omnibus bill for the Division of Design Professionals was introduced by the DBR to clarify language among all boards relative to the authority of the DBR.●  The board opposed and defeated a proposal by the DBR to merge the Boards for Architects and Landscape Architects. Rules and Regulations:The board is in the process of updating the rules and regulations, including the following:●  To update the continuing education (CE) section in accordance with NCARB requirements●  To update the Architectural Registration Examination® (ARE®) “rolling clock” in accordance with NCARB requirements●  To address the definition and the use of the term “intern architect”●  To allow electronic signatures (electronic stamps are already permitted) Continuing Education Requirements:●  At the present time, the Rhode Island Board requires 24 continuing education units (CEUs) of which 16 must be in health, safety, and welfare (HSW) with the biennial registration renewal due  December 31 of odd-numbered years.●  Approximately 30 days after the renewal due date, the board conducts a random continuing education audit of approximately three percent of its registrants that renewed. The 2012 audit included the review of CEUs for a 49 registrants. Of those people, there were 12 registrants who misrepresented or did not complete their CEUs, which resulted in the board granting 90-day extensions to complete the requirement. Out of the 12 audited, three ultimately failed to comply during the extension period and were referred to legal counsel with the board’s recommendations for suspension of their license. This audit review took approximately a year and consumed a great deal of the board’s time. Online Renewals:●  The board implemented cycles for both online renewals for Individuals and Certificates of Authorization (COA) due biennial on December 31. The process is running very smoothly and about 70 percent are renewing online.VermontThe Vermont Board is a seven-member board consisting of five architect members and two public members. There are currently 1,018 licensed architects, 289 of whom are Vermont residents. The board has moved into a new temporary facility in Montpelier and will move again in the late spring or early summer. The mailing address remains the same. Disciplinary ActionIn 2012, the board closed two cases of disciplinary action: one case of fraudulent procurement of a license and one case of unlicensed practice. There are currently two cases before the board pending investigation. ARE TimingThe board rules allow candidates to begin sitting for the exam one year before IDP is completed. Candidates without accredited degrees may sit up to one year before the completion of their training. This was discovered to be inaccurate on the NCARB website and has been corrected. AuditsAudits for continuing education are issued to approximately 10 percent of our licensees and are reviewed by a board member. New Legislation ProposedThe board is making changes to our State Rules that will streamline and remove ambiguous and/or redundant terminology that may already be described in the Statutes of State Law. This will also serve as an opportunity to change the Continuing Education Rule of 24 LU hours in 24 fiscal months to that of the NCARB recommended 12 LU hours per calendar year. The board also plans to change the existing rule and allow ARE candidates the ability to sit for the exam upon graduation from an NAAB-accredited program. The board continues to work on a way to establish a non-subjective method of evaluating internships beyond the three-year IDP period.