Licensing: A Basic Policy

Statement. The American Institute of Architects believes that persons who practice architecture must be licensed to protect the public health, safety and welfare.

Explanation. Licensure is based on minimum standards of competency relative to education, experience and examination to ensure that the public interest is served. Professional Occupational licensure is an exercise of the state’s inherent police power to protect the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens. Five generally-accepted criteria indicate when licensure is appropriate:

(1) unregulated practice of the occupation profession poses a serious risk to a consumer’s life the public health, safety, or economic well being and welfare and the potential for harm is recognizable and likely to occur;

(2) the practice of the occupation profession requires a high degree of skill, knowledge, and training;

(3) (3) the functions and responsibilities of the practitioner require independent judgment and the members of the professional occupational group practice independently;

(4) (4) the scope-of-practice of the licensed profession occupation is distinguishable from other licensed and unlicensed occupations;

(5) (5) the economic impact on the public of regulating this professional occupational group is justified. The practice of architecture meets these classic criteria.

This policy provides the basis for all Institute public policies relating to licensing and is part of an integrated group of policies on licensing issues.

Board Approval – May 1991

September 2000 Committee Recommendation: Revise