department of state

Division of Professional Regulation

300 Board of Architecture

PROPOSED

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Delaware Board of Architecture in accordance with 24 Del.C. §306 has proposed changes to its rules and regulations to clarify the late renewal process for continuing education requirements.

A public hearing will be held on March 1, 2006 at 1:30 p.m. in the second floor conference room B of the Cannon Building, 861 Silver Lake Boulevard, Dover, Delaware where members of the public can offer comments. Anyone wishing to receive a copy of the proposed rules and regulations may obtain a copy from the Delaware Board of Landscape Architecture, 861 Silver Lake Blvd, Cannon Building, Suite 203, Dover DE 19904. Persons wishing to submit written comments may forward these to the Board at the above address. The final date to receive written comments will be at the public hearing.

The Board will consider promulgating the proposed regulations at its regularly scheduled meeting following the public hearing.

Pursuant to 29 Del.C. Section 10115 the Delaware Board of Architects is proposing to revise its Rules and Regulations in order to clarify the late renewal process for continuing education requirements. The proposed changes delete the existing Section 6.5 of the Board’s Regulations in their entirety and substitute the following:

300 Board of Architecture

6.0 Registration

6.1 Duration - Each certificate of registration issued by the Board shall be valid for two years, or the expiration of the current licensing period.

6.2 Continuing Education Requirement For Renewal - For license or registration periods beginning August 1, 2003, and thereafter, each holder of a Certificate of Registration shall complete sixteen (16) hours of continuing education (Professional Development Units or PDUs) acceptable to the Board during each biennial licensing period. Completion of required continuing education is a condition for renewal of a Certificate of Registration. Each Registered Architect shall be exempt from the continuing education requirement in his or her initial biennial licensing period, or any portion thereof, in which he or she is licensed or registered to practice. Each Registered Architect shall be required to complete and submit forms prescribed by the Board certifying compliance with the continuing education requirement for renewal of registration. Required documentation may include a syllabus, agenda, itinerary or brochure published by the sponsor of the activity, as well as proof of attendance. The Board reserves the right to require additional information or documentation regarding continuing education compliance from a Registered Architect.

6.3 Content: All continuing education shall be obtained in the areas of Health, Safety and Welfare. The following are deemed acceptable continuing education: a) NCARB monograph programs; b) health safety and welfare programs approved by AIA.

6.4 Hardship Extension: The Board may, in its discretion, grant an extension of time within which the continuing education requirement must be completed for reasons, including, but not limited to, illness, disability, military service, and exceptional family responsibilities. The period of hardship extension granted shall be determined by the Board. Requests for a hardship extension must be in writing and submitted to the Board prior to the expiration of the licensing period.

6.5 Late Renewal. A licensee that has failed to renew on or before the renewal date may apply to renew their expired certificate of registration within twelve (12) months following the renewal date. Such late renewal application must be accompanied by payment of the renewal fee, payment of a late fee, and documentation of compliance with the continuing education requirement.

6.5.1 A licensee that has failed to renew on or before the renewal date may apply to renew their expired registration within six (6) months following the renewal date; provided however, that those licensees with a pending renewal from the 2003 biennial registration period may submit such application within six months of the effective date of this Rule, unless otherwise required by law.

6.5.2 All late renewal applications must be accompanied by:

6.5.2.1 Renewal fee

6.5.2.2 Late renewal fee

6.5.2.3 Documentation of compliance with the continuing education requirement prior to the renewal date.

6.5.3 A licensee who has failed to complete the continuing education requirement by the renewal date may request an extension of time of up to six (6) months following the renewal date to satisfy the prior license period continuing education requirement; provided however, that those licensees with a pending renewal from the 2003 biennial registration period may satisfy such continuing education requirement with 6 months of the effective date of this Rule, unless otherwise required by law.

6.5.4 No continuing education completed during the late period may be used to satisfy future renewal requirements.

6.6 Not Transferable - A certificate of registration shall not be transferable.

6.7 Revocation, Suspension, Cancellation or Non-renewal of Registration - In the event of revocation, cancellation, suspension or nonrenewal of any registration, the registered architect shall be required immediately to return his/her Certificate of Registration, seal and license to the Board.

*Please Note: As the rest of the sections were not amended, they are not being published. The complete regulation is available at:

http://www.state.de.us/research/AdminCode/title24/300%20Board%20of%20Architects.shtml