BILL ANALYSIS Ó
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SB 1132|
|Office of Senate Floor Analyses | |
|(916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) | |
|327-4478 | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------
THIRD READING
Bill No: SB 1132
Author: Galgiani (D)
Introduced:2/18/16
Vote: 21
SENATE BUS., PROF. & ECON. DEV. COMMITTEE: 8-0, 4/4/16
AYES: Hill, Bates, Berryhill, Block, Galgiani, Hernandez,
Jackson, Mendoza
NO VOTE RECORDED: Wieckowski
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: 7-0, 5/27/16
AYES: Lara, Bates, Beall, Hill, McGuire, Mendoza, Nielsen
SUBJECT: Architects: architects-in-training
SOURCE: The American Institute of Architects, California
Council
DIGEST: This bill authorizes professionals on the path to
licensure to use the job title architect-in-training."
ANALYSIS:
Existing law:
1)Establishes the California Architects Board (CAB) within the
Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA), which licenses and
regulates professional architects under the Architects
Practice Act. (Business and Professions Code (BPC) § 5500 et
seq.)
2)Defines "architect" as a person who is licensed to practice
SB 1132
Page 2
architecture in this state under the authority of this
chapter. (BPC § 5500)
This bill:
1)Defines "architect-in-training" as:
a) A person who has received board confirmation of
eligibility for the Architect Registration Examination; and
b) A person who is employed under the direct supervision of
an architect licensed under the Architects Practice Act.
2)Authorizes professionals to use the title
"architect-in-training" if the above definitional requirements
are met.
Background
The California Architects Board. The CAB was created in 1901 by
the Legislature to fulfill the mission of protecting the health,
safety, and welfare of the public through the regulation of the
practice of architecture. The CAB establishes regulations for
the examination and licensing of the architecture profession in
California, which today numbers approximately 21,000 licensed
architects and approximately 11,000 candidates who are in the
process of meeting examination and licensure requirements.
National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)
Ruling. In 2014, NCARB created the Future Title Task Force to
discuss what professionals who are on the path to become
licensed architects should be called. Over the course of many
months, the task force carefully debated the issue, and finally
came to the conclusion that there is no agreed-upon terminology
for professionals on the path to licensure. NCARB states:
"The Task Force recommended that any title held by those
pursuing licensure does not need to be regulated. In other
words, it is recommended that NCARB discontinue the use of
the word intern, intern architect, or any other regulatory
'title' describing those pursuing licensure."
No Official Position by the CAB. The CAB states "at its most
SB 1132
Page 3
recent meeting (March 2016), the Board voted to accept its
Regulatory and Enforcement Committee's (REC) recommendation:
'to table the matter until AIACC presents a comprehensive
proposal with supporting data that has been reviewed and
analyzed by Board staff for REC and the Board's consideration.'
(No new material has been submitted by AIACC.) Unfortunately,
testimony in the B & P committee hearing alleged that the 'Board
did not table the matter' and such statement is untrue."
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal
Com.:NoLocal: No
According to the Senate Appropriations Committee Analysis dated
on April 25, 2016, this bill "would provide title protection for
architects-in-training, but does not specify what level of
licensing and enforcement the California Architects Board would
provide." The analysis highlights that costs would be
associated with processing applications, tracking licenses,
developing oversight, outreach, and enforcement of this new
license category, and developing an examination.
SUPPORT: (Verified 5/27/16)
The American Institute of Architects, California Council
(source)
OPPOSITION: (Verified5/27/16)
None received
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: The American Institute of Architects,
SB 1132
Page 4
California Council writes that "SB 1132 would allow individuals
to have the job title 'architect-in-training' during their
internship once they are eligible to take the licensing
examinations. This job title does not harm the public as it
does not imply licensure or grant any of the authority of a
licensed architect. Importantly, it is helpful as it describes
the qualification of the individual to clients of an
architectural firm."
Prepared by:Mark Mendoza / B., P. & E.D. / (916) 651-4104
5/28/16 17:15:14
**** END ****