2006 Alabama Code - Section 34-2-33 — Registration; issuance of certificate; qualifications; renewal, etc.

(a) The board shall receive applications for registration as an architect only on forms prescribed and furnished by the board.

Upon receipt of the application and the payment of a fee, as established by the board, the fee in no event exceeding two hundred dollars ($200), the board shall promptly notify the applicant of examination requirements for certification.

The board may contract with an independent testing agency to prepare, grade, or conduct the examination. If the board determines the applicant requires examination, the applicant shall pay the actual cost of the examination directly to the board-authorized testing agency.

(b) The board may issue to an applicant without further examination, a certificate of registration as an architect, provided the applicant holds an unexpired certificate issued to him or her by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, hereinafter referred to as "NCARB."

(c) Either of the following facts established in the application shall be regarded as prima facie "evidence" satisfactory to the board that the applicant is fully qualified to be examined for certification:

(1) Graduation after a course of study of a length as the board shall by regulation determine from a school or college of architecture accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board, hereinafter referred to as "NAAB," and an additional period of practical experience in architectural work under the control and supervision of a registered architect or architects as the board by regulation shall deem appropriate.

(2) Acceptable combinations of education and apprenticeship as may be established by the board. Acceptable combinations of education and apprenticeship shall comply with the standards of education, training, and character as set forth in Appendix "A" in the 1983 NCARB Circular of Information Number 1. Applicants for examination who meet the aforementioned qualification shall submit notice of intent to sit for the examination before December 30, 1987, or 90 days after the passage of the amendatory act, whichever time period is longer. After that time, the only qualification for examination acceptable to the board shall be graduation from a NAAB accredited school or college and an additional period of practical experience.

Unless exempted, applicants shall take and pass the professional examination administered by the board or an independent testing agency approved by the board.

(d) In determining the sufficiency of the qualifications of the applicant for registration, a majority vote of the members of the board shall be required.

(e) Certificates for registration shall expire on the thirtieth day of September following their issuance or renewal and shall become invalid on that day unless renewed.

Certificates of registrants who are or may be in the armed forces of the United States shall not expire until the thirtieth day of September following the discharge or final separation of the registrant from the armed forces of the United States.

(f) Renewal may be effected at any time prior to or during the month of September by the payment of a fee established by the board not to exceed one hundred fifty dollars ($150).

A penalty not to exceed the sum of seventy-five dollars ($75) may be added to the renewal fee for failure to renew a certificate upon such terms and conditions as the board may by regulation determine. Failure to renew a certificate of registration by December 31 shall result in a lapse of registration.

(g) A registrant whose certificate of registration has lapsed may have it reinstated, if in compliance with other relevant requirements, by filing a renewal form and paying, in addition to the appropriate renewal fee and late penalty, a reinstatement fee of one hundred fifty dollars ($150).

(h) There is hereby created, for renewal of certificate purposes, a status to be known as "emeritus status architect," which shall apply to architects who have been registered for 10 consecutive years or longer, and who are 65 years of age or older, and who have retired from active practice. The annual renewal of registration for emeritus status shall be renewed without payment of a fee. If an emeritus status architect subsequently wishes to practice, he may do so without penalty by proper application to the board.

(Acts 1979, No. 79-676, p. 1198, §4; Acts 1987, No. 87-544, p. 830, §3; Acts 1991, No. 91-157, p. 201, §3; Acts 1995, No. 95-281, p. 514, §3, Act 99-159, p. 216, §3.)