Report Title:

Architects; Continuing Education

 

Description:

Requires continuing education of architects for relicensure.

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2513

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2002

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to the re-licensure of architects.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The purpose of this Act is to amend chapter 464, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to require that every holder of a license to practice as a professional architect in the State of Hawaii fulfill a program of continuing education. The continual evolution of building security, energy efficiency, and accessibility for persons with disabilities makes it imperative that architects continually upgrade their knowledge and be aware of changes in the architectural field to insure that construction in Hawaii meets high standards of health and public safety. A continuing education requirement for relicensing of all professional architects will help insure that Hawaii's architects are keeping abreast of changes in their profession. The requirement will also facilitate reciprocal licensing of architects among jurisdictions which are increasingly adopting mandatory continuing education requirements.

SECTION 2. Section 464-9, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§464-9 Applications for and certificates of licensure; renewal; fees. (a) Application for licensure shall be made upon a form prescribed by the board and shall be signed by the applicant. With each application there shall be paid to the board an application fee, [the fee to be nonreturnable] which shall be nonrefundable after the application has been entered in the records of the board.

For each examination, or repetition thereof in whole or in part as shall be limited or permitted by the rules of the board, the candidate shall pay to the board an examination fee; provided where the candidate is eligible to take only that part of the examination pertaining to engineering fundamentals the candidate shall pay the appropriate fee. The fee paid shall not be refundable; provided if a candidate after having paid the fee is unable for any reason beyond the candidate's control to participate in the examination, the board may extend the time of the candidate's participation to the next regular examination date and credit the candidate the amount of the fee paid.

(b) Upon qualifying for licensure, the applicant shall pay a license fee, and upon receipt thereof by the board shall thereupon be licensed as a professional engineer, architect, land surveyor or landscape architect, and shall receive a certificate thereof from the board signed by the chairperson and secretary. Every person licensed who, as an individual or as a member of a firm or corporation, conducts an office or other place of business for the practice of the profession shall display the original certificate in a conspicuous manner, in the principal office or place of business.

(c) Every license expires on April 30 of each even-numbered year following its issuance and becomes invalid after that date unless renewed. At least one month in advance of the date of expiration of the license, a notice shall be mailed to every person licensed under this section informing them of the date of expiration and the amount required for the renewal. Licenses that have expired for failure to pay renewal fees on or before the date required in this subsection may be restored within two years of the expiration date upon payment of a fee for each renewal. Any person who fails to restore the person's license within two years of the date of its expiration shall reapply for licensure.

(d) No person shall be eligible for relicensure as a professional architect unless the person has fulfilled health, safety, and welfare requirements of the national continuing education program of the American Institute of Architects or any similar program satisfactory to the board, and approved by the board."

SECTION 3. All architects licensed to practice in the State shall be required to submit proof of compliance with the requirements of section 464-9(d), Hawaii Revised Statutes, on April 30, 2006.

SECTION 4. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on June 30, 2004 and the first continuing education submittals are due April 30, 2006.

INTRODUCED BY:

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