Summary Report of Vote on Resolutions at NCARB's Annual Meeting and Conference
Washington, DC
23-25 June

Washington, DC--During the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards' (NCARB) Annual Meeting and Conference in Washington, DC, delegates representing 52 of the Council's 54 Member Boards that oversee the practice of architecture voted on the following resolutions:

Resolution 2011-01: Legislative Guidelines, Model Law and Model Regulations Amendments — Changes to Continuing Education Requirements
Passed

RESOLVED, that the second paragraph of Section 4 of the Model Law be amended to read as follows:

"A registered architect must demonstrate professional development completion of annual continuing education activities. since the architect's last renewal or initial registration, as the case may be; t The Board shall by regulation describe professional development such activities acceptable to the Board and the form of documentation of such activities required by the Board. The Board may decline to renew a registration if the architect's professional development continuing education activities do not meet the standards set forth in the Board's regulations."

FURTHER RESOLVED, that Section 100.006, Terms Defined Herein, of the Model Regulations be amended to add the following in appropriate alphabetic order:

"Continuing Education (CE)
Continuing education is post-licensure learning that enables a registered architect to increase or update knowledge of and competence in technical and professional subjects related to the practice of architecture to safeguard the public's health, safety, and welfare."

FURTHER RESOLVED, that Section 100.006, Terms Defined Herein, of the Model Regulations be amended to revise the existing definition of "Professional Development Unit" as follows:

"Professional Development Unit Continuing Education Hour (CEH)
One continuous instructional hour (50 to 60 minutes of contact) spent in either Structured Educational Activities or Individually Planned Activities intended to increase or update the architect's knowledge and competence in Health, Safety, and Welfare Subjects. If the vendor provider of the Structured Educational Activities prescribes a customary time for completion of such an Activity, then such prescribed time shall, unless the Board finds the prescribed time to be unreasonable, be accepted as the architect's time for Professional Development Unit Continuing Education Hour purposes irrespective of actual time spent on the activity."

FURTHER RESOLVED, that Section 100.006, Terms Defined Herein, of the Model Regulations be amended to revise the existing definition "Structured Educational Activities" as follows:

"Structured Educational Activities
Educational activities in which the teaching methodology consists primarily of the systematic presentation of at least 75 percent of an activity's content and instructional time must be devoted to Health, Safety, and Welfare Subjects related to the practice of architecture, including courses of study or other activities under the areas identified as Health, Safety and Welfare Subjects and provided by qualified individuals or organizations, including monographs, courses of study taught in person or by correspondence, organized lectures, presentations or workshops and other means through which identifiable technical and professional subjects are presented in a planned manner. whether delivered by direct contact or distance learning methods."

FURTHER RESOLVED, that Section 100.006, Terms Defined Herein, of the Model Regulations be amended to delete the existing definition "Individually Planned Educational Activities" as follows:

"Individually Planned Educational Activities
Educational activities in which the teaching methodology primarily consists of the architect himself/herself addressing Health, Safety, and Welfare Subjects, which are not systematically presented by others, including reading or writing articles on such Subjects; studying or researching building types, designs or building systems; rendering services to the public, advancing the profession's and the public's understanding of the practice of architecture; and the like."

FURTHER RESOLVED, that Section 100.006, Terms Defined Herein, of the Model Regulations be amended to revise the existing definition "Health, Safety, and Welfare Subjects" as follows:

"Health, Safety, and Welfare Subjects
Technical and professional subjects, which that the Board deems appropriate to safeguard the public's health, safety, and welfare. Such subjects include building design; sustainable design; environmental or land use analysis; life safety; architectural programming; site and soils analysis; accessibility; structural systems considerations; lateral forces; building codes; evaluation and selection of building systems, products or materials; construction methods; contract documentation; construction administration; and the like. and that are within the following enumerated areas necessary for the proper evaluation, design, construction, and utilization of buildings and the built environment.

LEGAL: Laws, Codes, Zoning, Regulations, Standards, Life Safety, Accessibility, Ethics, Insurance to protect Owners and Public

BUILDING SYSTEMS: Structural, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Communications, Security, Fire Protection

ENVIRONMENTAL: Energy Efficiency, Sustainability, Natural Resources, Natural Hazards, Hazardous Materials, Weatherproofing, Insulation

OCCUPANT COMFORT: Air Quality, Lighting, Acoustics, Ergonomics

MATERIALS and METHODS: Construction Systems, Products, Finishes, Furnishings, Equipment

PRESERVATION: Historic, Reuse, Adaptation

PRE-DESIGN: Land Use Analysis, Programming, Site Selection, Site and Soils Analysis, Surveying

DESIGN: Urban Planning, Master Planning, Building Design, Site Design, Interiors, Safety and Security Measures

CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS: Drawings, Specifications, Delivery Methods

CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION: Contracts, Bidding, Contract Negotiations"

FURTHER RESOLVED, that Section 100.703 of the Model Regulations be amended as follows:

"100.703 Renewal
[Describe terms, including fee with cross reference to 100.107, citing applicable statute.]

[The Board may require that each registered architect demonstrate professional development continuing education by including the following provisions.]

Continuing Education Professional Development Requirements. To renew registration, i In addition to all other requirements for registration renewal, an architect must have acquired complete a minimum of 12 Continuing Education Hours each calendar year Professional Development Units for each 12-month period since his/her last renewal or initial registration as the case may be or be exempt from these continuing education professional development requirements all as provided below. Failure to comply with these requirements shall may result in non-renewal of the architect's registration.

Resolution 2011-02: Model Regulations Amendment — Changes to the IDP Training Requirements for Initial Registration Standards 
Passed

RESOLVED, that Section 100.301 (B) of the Model Regulations be amended to read as follows:

"(B) Other experience may be substituted for the registration requirements set forth in 100.303– 304 only insofar as the Board considers it to be equivalent to or better than such requirements. The burden shall be on the applicant to show by clear and convincing evidence the equivalency or better of such other experience."

Resolution 2011-03: Handbook for Interns and Architects Amendment — Modifications to BEA Requirements 
Passed

Passed

RESOLVED, that paragraph A. under "Education Requirement, Alternative to a Professional Degree" of Chapter 1 of the Handbook for Interns and Architects be amended to read as follows:

"A.  Satisfaction of NCARB's Broadly Experienced Architect program, which permits an applicant with the required years of comprehensive practice architectural experience gained while holding a registration issued by any U.S. jurisdiction in which the applicant exercised responsible control within a U.S. jurisdiction while registered in such jurisdiction to demonstrate that a combination of education and/or comprehensive practice architectural experience satisfies all of his/her education deficiencies with respect to the NCARB Education Standard set forth in the Education Guidelines. The required years are:

• Six years for architects who hold a pre-professional degree in architecture awarded by a U.S.-regionally accredited institution or the Canadian equivalent, or
• Eight years for architects who hold any other baccalaureate or higher degree, or
• Ten years for architects who do not hold a post-secondary baccalaureate or higher degree."

Resolution 2011-04: Handbook for Interns and Architects Amendment — Requirements for Certification of Foreign Architects
Passed 

RESOLVED, that paragraph "General" in Chapter 3 of the Handbook for Interns and Architects be amended to read as follows:

"A "Foreign Architect" is an individual who holds a current registration, license or certificate in good standing in a country other than the United States or Canada allowing him/her which allows such individual to use the title "architect" and to engage in the unlimited practice of architecture (defined as the ability to provide any architectural services on any type of building in any state, province, territory, or other political subdivision of his/her national jurisdiction) in that country. A Foreign Architect may be granted an NCARB Certificate by meeting the requirements set forth in Chapter 1, under a mutual recognition agreement ratified by the Member Boards, or under the procedures set forth in this chapter. Such Certificate shall mean that NCARB recommends registration be granted to the NCARB Certificate holder by any NCARB Member Board without further examination of credentials."

Resolution 2011-05: Handbook for Interns and Architects Amendment – Correction of ARE 4.0 Exam Equivalents
Passed 

RESOLVED, that existing footnotes 1 through 4 of the chart of Exam Equivalents in Chapter 5 of the Handbook be deleted and footnotes 5 and 6 be renumbered and revised to read as follows:

Resolution 2011-06: Handbook for Interns and Architects Amendment – Reinstatement of Revoked Certificate 
Passed

RESOLVED, that the paragraph "Reinstating a Certificate" of Chapter 6 of the Handbook for Interns and Architects be amended to read as follows:

"NCARB may reinstate a previously revoked Certificate if the cause of the revocation has been removed, corrected, or otherwise remedied. An applicant for reinstatement must meet eligibility standards for certification in effect at the time of reinstatement and pay all outstanding fees."

Resolution 2011-07: Handbook for Interns and Architects Amendment – Definition of "In Process"
Passed

RESOLVED, that the paragraph "Changes to NCARB Certification Requirements" in Chapter 4 of the Handbook for Interns and Architects be amended to read as follows:

"NCARB requirements for certification as set forth in this Handbook may only be changed by an absolute majority vote of the NCARB Member Boards. Such change becomes effective July 1, following the close of the Annual Meeting or such later date identified in the change and applies both to applications for certification in process and new applications. If applicants whose applications were in process met all certification requirements that existed prior to the change, they will be eligible for certification. Applicants that fail to complete the NCARB certification process within five years will not be considered "in process" and will be required to satisfy current certification requirements."

Resolution 2011-08: Bylaws Amendment – Membership Dues
Passed

RESOLVED, that Section 1(A) of Article XI of the Bylaws be amended to read as follows:

RESOLVED, that Article VII of the Bylaws be amended by adding a new Section 9 at the end thereof as follows:Resolution 2011-09: Bylaws Amendment – Audit Committee 
Passed

"SECTION 9. Audit Committee. The Audit Committee, appointed in the same manner and with the same term as all other committees, shall consist of the Treasurer, who shall serve as the chair of the Committee, one additional Executive Committee Member, and from one to three additional members of the Board of Directors who are not members of the Executive Committee. The Audit Committee shall report to the Board and shall be responsible for overseeing the Council's financial controls and auditing, including receiving the annual audit and considering the items of internal accounting control that arise from the audit, from personnel changes and from the implementation of changes in policies that affect internal financial controls. The Audit Committee shall annually select and engage an independent auditor of the Council's financial records."

FURTHER RESOLVED, that Article VII, Section 8 (Executive Committee), paragraph D of the Bylaws be amended to read as follows:

Resolution 2011-10: Bylaws Amendment – Treasurer's Responsibilities 
Passed

RESOLVED, that Article VIII, Section 10 of the Bylaws be amended to read as follows:

"SECTION 10. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors, generally oversee general charge of the financial affairs of the Council and be the primary liaison of the Council Board of Directors with the chief financial officer of the Council. The Treasurer shall report to the Council Board of Directors and Annual Meeting on financial matters of the Council. and shall keep or cause to be kept full and accurate records thereof. The Treasurer shall render to the President/Chair of the Board or the Board of Directors, whenever either may require it, a statement of the accounts of the transactions of the Treasurer and of the financial condition of the Council. The Treasurer shall render to the Council an annual statement of the financial condition of the Council. The Treasurer shall perform such duties and have such powers additional to the foregoing as the Council Board of Directors may designate."

FURTHER RESOLVED, that Article VIII, Section 12 of the Bylaws be amended to read as follows:

"SECTION 12. Bonding. The Treasurer, and such others as the Council Board of Directors may decide, Council's Chief Executive Officer and those in general charge of the Council's financial matters shall be bonded in an amount of not less than $500,000. The Chief Executive Officer may decide to have others bonded in the Council. The cost of such bond shall be paid from funds of the Council."

FURTHER RESOLVED, that Article XI, Section 2, paragraph A of the Bylaws be amended to read as follows:

FURTHER RESOLVED, that Article XI, Section 3 of the Bylaws be amended to read as follows:

"SECTION 3. Securities and Investments. Subject to the directions given from time to time by the Council Board of Directors, the Treasurer In accordance with the Council Board of Directors policies and directions by the Board to the Chief Executive Officer, the Council's chief financial officer shall have charge of the investment of all funds of the Council not held in its operating fund. The Treasurer In accordance with such policies and such directions, such chief financial officer may sell, purchase, transfer, and convey securities and exercise all rights, by proxy or by participation, of the Council with respect to such securities, or may authorize such purchases, sales, transfers, conveyances, and the exercise of any or all of said rights. The Treasurer may delegate to the Chief Executive Officer, from time to time, all or any portion of the authority set forth in this paragraph."

Resolution 2011-11: Bylaws Amendment – Committee Descriptions
Passed

RESOLVED, that Article XII, Sections 5 and 6 of the Bylaws be deleted, that Section 5 be adopted to read as follows and that existing Section 7 be re-numbered as Section 6:

"SECTION 5. Committees. The following Committees are hereby established and may from time to time make recommendations to the Council Board of Directors for consideration:

Resolution 2011-12: Bylaws Amendment – Reinstatement of Membership 
Passed as amended

RESOLVED, that Article IV be amended by adding a new Section 3 as follows:

"SECTION 3. Reinstatement. A jurisdiction shall be reinstated as a member in the Council by a vote of two-thirds of all Member Boards following payment of all financial obligations of membership had the jurisdiction not been removed unless, by such voted, such financial obligations shall be modified or waived, and being in compliance with all other requirements of Article IV, Sections 1 and 2."

Resolution 2011-13: Bylaws Amendment – Omnibus Incidental Bylaw Changes 
Passed

RESOLVED, that the amendments and deletions noted in the Appendix, Omnibus Incidental Bylaw Changes, be adopted in the form presented in the Appendix.