Licensing: Practice Regulation

Statement. The American Institute of Architects holds that in the building industry the design responsibility for the public health, safety, and welfare demands the education and experience required for the licensing of architects and engineers. The ALA opposes any dilution of this responsibility.

Explanation. The sole basis for licensing, which regulates the practice of professionals, should be the protection of the public. Statutes governing the practice of building design by architects and engineers have existed in all 50 states for many years. Elements of building design that affect public health, safety, and welfare and that are within the scope of architectural practice, require the training and experience found only in that required for licensing as an architect. In addition, fragmentation of responsibility for the building design process will pose burdensome jurisdictional questions and may mislead the public as to respective areas of competence in the design professions.

Over the years, efforts have been made by some segments of the design and construction industry to seek legislation regulating the practice of specialized disciplines, which could lead to fragmentation of design responsibility.

As a national organization, the American Institute of Architects has opposed such efforts in the past only to the extent of ensuring that the prerogative of architects to practice all facets of the profession is not affected. With this policy, and in the public interest, the American Institute of Architects opposes practice regulation of individuals or groups other than architects and engineers in the building design profession.

This policy is one of an integrated group of policies on licensing issues.

Board Approval - March 1989

September 2000 Committee Recommendation: Reaffirm