You may be able to design a home without being an architect, but it depends on the size and scope of the structure. Please note that building requirements and certifications vary by state. Buildings are usually designed by architects, engineers, building developers, or a combination of several professions. The practice of architecture means any service in which the principles and methods of architecture are applied, such as consultation, research, evaluation, planning and design, and includes the responsible administration of construction contracts, in relation to any private or public building, structure or project, or related equipment or accessories.
The practice of surveying includes surveying areas for determination or correction, a description, the establishment or re-establishment of internal and external land boundaries, or the determination of the topography, contours or location of physical improvements, and also includes planning the land and its subdivisions. The term planning of land and its subdivisions shall include, among others, the preparation of plans and incidental profiles for roads, streets and sidewalks, grading, surface drainage, sewers and erosion control measures, with reference to current state or local regulations. The practice of landscape architecture by a licensed landscape architect means any service in which the principles and methodology of landscape architecture are applied in consultation, evaluation, planning (including the preparation and archiving of sketches, drawings, plans and specifications) and the responsible supervision or administration of contracts related to projects aimed primarily at the functional and aesthetic use of land. The use of group A-1 theaters that exceed the meeting capacity of 100 people; B.
Use Group A-4 except churches; C. Use Group I institutional buildings except for nurseries and clinics without life support systems; or any determination of topography or contours or representation of physical improvements using photogrammetric methods or similar remote sensing technology by persons who are not licensed as land surveyors in accordance with § 54.1-406 will not show any monumentation of the property or the boundaries of the property nor will it provide any measurement demonstrating the relationship of any physical improvement with no limit or line owned. The terms used in this section and not otherwise defined in this chapter shall have the meanings provided in the Uniform State Building Code effective July 1 1982 including subsequent amendments. With the exception of non-legislative citizen members appointed in accordance with Articles 54.1-107 members of the Board must have actively practiced or taught their professions for at least 10 years prior to their appointment.
The term of office of the members of the Council shall be four years. The Board shall elect a president and a vice-president from among its members. Nine members of the Board comprising two engineers two architects two surveyors a landscape architect an interior designer and a non-legislative citizen member will constitute a quorum. The Board shall enact regulations that are not incompatible with this chapter that regulate its own organization the professional qualifications of applicants the requirements necessary to pass exams in whole or in part the proper conduct of their exams the application of exemptions from licensing requirements and the proper performance of its functions.
The Board shall enact regulations governing continuing education requirements for architects professional engineers surveyors and landscape architects authorized by the Board. Such regulations shall require completion of equivalent 16 hours per biennium continuing education activities approved by Board as prerequisite for renewal or reinstatement license issued to architect professional engineer surveyor or landscape architect. The Board shall establish criteria for continuing education activities including but not limited to: (i) content subject matter; (ii) curriculum; (iii) rules procedures for approval activities courses sponsors instructors; (iv) methods instruction for continuing education courses; (v) calculation course credit. The Board may grant exemptions exempt reduce number hours continuing education required cases certified illness excessive hardship.
Without prejudice provisions § 54.1-111 holder license withdrawn from practice may use designation granted by that license followed word emeritus without current Board record provided (i) license has not been revoked suspended by Board (ii) license holder does not practice offer practice engineering surveying landscape architecture. Unless articles 54.1-401 54.1-402 54.1-402.1 exempt person must have valid license before engaging practice architecture engineering includes design consultation evaluation analysis involves proposed existing improvements real estate. Unless articles 54.1-401 54.1-402 54.1-402.1 exempt person must have valid license before engaging practice surveying. Notwithstanding these provisions any state agency political subdivision Commonwealth unable hire qualified engineer architect surveyor licensed hold position responsibility after reasonable unsuccessful search may fill position unlicensed person if managing director agency political subdivision determines person virtue his education experience experience can perform work required position. Without prejudice provisions regulations enacted by Board Architects Professional Engineers Surveyors Certified Interior Designers Landscape Architects regulations Board shall not require surveyor set corners conduct boundary study property when (i) monument has been established corners otherwise required established accordance provisions ordinance local subdivision provided § 15.2-2240 subdivision 7 § 15.2-2241 when such monument placed covered bond cash security deposit land removal letter letter credit other guarantee compliance (ii) purpose survey determine location physical improvements said property only potential mortgagor legal agent ordering survey agrees in...
