NCARB 2013 Annual Report

 

Chair: Susan B. McClymonds

Region 2

Report

Region 2 comprises Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, News Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia,
and West Virginia.

FY13 Officers: Director:
John R. Sorrenti, FAIANew York Member Board Member Chair:
Susan B. McClymonds, AIA, CSINew York Member Board Member Vice Chair/Treasurer:
James R. Boyd, AIAVirginia Member Board Member Secretary:
Albert F. ZacconeNew Jersey Member Board MemberHighlights/Year-End Summary

Region 2 enjoyed the hospitality of Region 1 at the Joint Spring Regional Meeting held in Providence, RI, on 14-16 March 2013. The meeting was well attended by members of all three Regions; seven of the eight jurisdictions in Region 2 were represented. The agenda afforded ample time for information sharing and networking as well as quality educational offerings; the workshop presented by Dale Atkinson was highly rated by all meeting attendees from Region 2.

 

This past year was a busy one for Region 2. We reviewed a proposal that would merge Regions 1 and 2, and after much discussion, Region 2 delegates did not support this proposal. We reviewed a draft job description for our newly created position of Region 2 executive director, which was approved. Delegates also approved the hiring of a executive director in May. She began her term of employment when she attended the NCARB Annual Meeting in June.

 

The concept of a “Super Joint Regional Meeting,” which had been introduced by NCARB CEO Mike Armstrong, was discussed and favorably received by our members. In November 2012, the region updated its bylaws to be in conformance with changes made to the NCARB Bylaws, approved in June 2012. Lastly, we elected regional officers for FY 2013-14, which resulted in a re-election of the current Director John Sorrenti, current Chair Sue McClymonds, and current Secretary Al Zaccone, along with the election of a new Treasurer Paul Edmeades. Region 2 members thanked outgoing Treasurer Jim Boyd whose term has ended on the Virginia Board.

 

Lastly, I would like to thank all the Region 2 Member Board Members and Member Board Executives for their support and participation in the (sometimes arduous) task of improving the processes and procedures. We have made some very positive changes, which will result in a better functioning organization, directly benefiting our members and officers of the future. As I look back at the 2012-2013 fiscal year, I remember most vividly the expressions of concern, offers of support, and heartfelt caring for others that flew back and forth among members of our jurisdictions in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. Our region’s jurisdictions were particularly hard-hit with the storm destruction, and for many jurisdictions, the rebuilding still continues. The comradeship formed from our regional bond and our interconnectedness were evident during that time. I wish all of our jurisdictions the best for 2013-14.

 

STATE REPORTSDelawareThe board is comprised of nine members appointed by the governor, which includes five registered architects and four public members. The board has a new executive, Meaghan Jerman. There are 1,609 registered architects in Delaware; of that number 131 are in-state and 1,478 are out-of-state architects. Continuing Education:Delaware previously implemented new regulations requiring licensees to complete 12 hours of CE per calendar year. This will be implemented during the 2015 renewal period.District of ColumbiaThe board is composed of seven members including three architects, three interior designers, and a consumer member. At the moment, there are two vacancies on the board for an architect and an interior designer. There are 2,999 registered architects in DC; of that number 661 are in-state and 2,338 are out-of-state architects. Legislative Activity:The board is currently monitoring two legislative actions under way. The first will modify the number of architects on the board by increasing the number to four and reducing the number of interior designers to two. The second piece of legislation will require the licensing of architectural firms. On 8 March 2013, the board held a session with the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB), the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), and its local affiliate to discuss the regulation of landscape architects in DC. The board voted unanimously to request the drafting of proposed legislation to regulate the practice of landscape architecture in the District of Columbia. Regulatory Activity:The board is continuing to work with the Office of Compliance within the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs to follow-up on investigations of illegal practice. We continue to ensure the department understands that illegal practice includes not only signing contracts and stamping plans, but that portraying oneself as an architect without a license constitutes illegal practice. To help guide the investigations, we continue to provide a board-approved form that clearly outlines the District’s rules and regulations.MarylandThe board is comprised of seven members appointed by the governor; which includes five registered architects and two public members. There are 5,745 registered architects in Maryland; of that number 1,995 are in-state and 3,745 are out-of-state architects. Continuing Education:Regulations have been drafted requiring continuing education requirements in line with NCARB’s Model Law, finalized and promulgation process has been started. Should be in effect summer 2013. Legislative Activity:The board introduced a bill to the General Assembly that will enhance firm permit requirements.New JerseyThe board is comprised of 13 members including seven architects, two landscape architects, one certified interior designer, two public members, and one government representative. There are currently three vacancies for two public members and one architect. There are 7,916 registered architects in New Jersey; of that number 3,065 are in-state and 4,826 are out-of-state architects. Continuing Education:The board will perform an audit of continuing education for the upcoming 2013/15 renewal. The board will randomly select 10 percent of the total active licensed architects for the audit. Executive Order 15: The Department of Law and Public Safety has recommended forming a consolidated board to regulate the following boards:●  Architects●  Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors●  Interior Designers●  Home Inspection Advisory Committee●  Professional Planners●  Joint Committee on Architects and Engineers The implementation of a staff merger for the design boards is underway. On 13 October 2011, the board reviewed a copy of a proposed amendment to the Uniform Construction Code, specifically N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.17A “concerning minor work.” Board members discussed the issue, and a subcommittee was formed to draft language for a response to the amendment. After receiving numerous comments to the proposed amendment, the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) has decided to pull back the amendment for further consideration. DCA has formed a committee of three design professionals, three code officers, and three building managers to develop language concerning minor work before re-proposing the amendment. The New Jersey Board President Albert Zaccone will be participating on this committee as one of the design professionals, not as a member of the New Jersey State Board of Architects. Interior Designer Certification has a total number of 388 active certified interior designers. Landscape Architects: Total number of active landscape architects is 674.New YorkThe New York State Board for Architecture currently consists of eight architects, including Board Chair Kyu Jung-Whang and Vice Chair John Sullivan. We continue to search for a public member for the board. There are 16,256 registered architects in New York; of that number 9,539 are in-state and 6,717 are out-of-state architects. Continuing Education:Former Board Chair John Sorrenti, new board member George Miller, and Executive Secretary Robert Lopez met with representatives from AIANYS and AIANY to discuss the state board's recommendations regarding the future of continuing education in New York. The state board and the New York State Education Department will continue to work with the AIA in order to better align New York's continuing education requirements with NCARB’s Model Law. Legislative Activity:Budget bill - Public Protection and General Government Article VII Legislation - Part S: The budget bill was introduced by the governor in January 2013 and includes language that broadens the use of design build beyond the 2011 Investment Infrastructure Act. If signed into law, numerous state agencies, authorities, and commissions would be permitted to hire an architect through a contractor (design build) and would be permitted to use "design-build-finance contracts." The bill, which is repealed 9 December 2014, does not include school construction and specifically excludes SUNY and CUNY. Miscellaneous Activity:The New York State Education Department's Office of the Professions is involved in a multiple agency E-Licensing System. Configuration meetings have begun for the new system, with significant staff time devoted to meetings with Accela, the consultant used for the project. As a result, we are experiencing slightly longer review times in processing applications for licensure. The architecture profession is included in phase 1 of the project, with a "go live" date in the summer of 2013.PennsylvaniaThe board is composed of the Commissioner, five professional members, two public members and one consumer protection representative. There are 8,193 registered architects in Pennsylvania. Continuing Education:There are no pending statutory directives on continuing professional education currently introduced for action before the Pennsylvania Legislature or General Assembly Session 2013-14. Legislative Activity:At the present time, there are no pending statutory proposals in the Legislative Session of the General Assembly 2013-14. Regulatory Activity:Although at the present time there are no proposed regulations that are being addressed through the Independent Regulatory Review Commission, the board will be considering a regulatory proposal on electronic professional seals. Miscellaneous Activity:The board continues to work with the State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists on reviewing the issue of “work incidental” to the practice of architecture (Architects Licensure Law - 63 P.S. §34.3) and to the practice of engineering (Engineer, Land Surveyor and Geologist Registration Law - 63 P.S. §149).VirginiaBoard for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers and Landscape Architects (APELSCIDLA) is a composite board under the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation. The board is comprised of the following members: three architects, three professional engineers, three land surveyors, two certified interior designers, and two landscape architects. There are 7,011 registered architects in Virginia; of that number 2,790 are in-state and 4,221 are out-of-state architects. Continuing Education:Licensees renewing or reinstating must attest to 16 hours of continuing education. Random audits conducted. Regulatory Activity:The board is undergoing regulatory review.West VirginiaThe West Virginia Board of Architects is composed of seven members appointed by the governor, which includes five architect members and two public members, one from each political party. At present, the board seats five members including one public member and four architects. The terms of all five board members have expired. Since no replacements have been appointed, these members will continue to serve the board until the governor reappoints them or appoints new members to replace them. There are 1,176 registered architects in West Virginia; of that number 117 are in-state and 1,059 are out-of-state architects. Continuing Education:Status: Audited 5 percent, which was a total 55 architects: 54 approved, 1 on probation until March 2013. Legislative Activity:Rules for Registration were submitted to the 2013 Legislative Session for approval to amend, revise, and add new language. These changes will allow continuing education credits to be taken during the calendar, following the same requirements of NCARB’s Model Law. Our board has been asked by the Government Organization Committee to address military experience for registration requirements to practice architecture in WV. Regulatory Activity: The attorney general reviewed and responded to a county commissions request regarding their description of a position that required a registered architect to be employed. Through a cease and desist letter, an interior designer was instructed to stop using the terms architectural or architecture.