Alabama § 34-2-37 - Practice of Architecture by Certain Entities; Certificates of Authorization.

§ 34-2-37. Practice of Architecture by Certain Entities; Certificates of Authorization.

(a) It shall be lawful for a corporation, a professional corporation, a professional association, a partnership, or a limited liability company to practice architecture in this state, provided that:

(1) A minimum of two-thirds of those responsible for controlling the activities of the entity, including officers, partners, directors, members, and others depending on the legal structure of the entity, are voting stockholders who are architects or professional engineers, or both, registered under the laws of any United States jurisdiction and at least one is an architect registered in Alabama.

(2) Any agreement to perform such services shall be executed on behalf of the entity by a stockholding officer, partner, director, or member with authority to contractually bind the entity, who is an architect registered in the State of Alabama.

(3) A stockholding officer, partner, director, or member who is an architect registered in the State of Alabama shall exercise responsible control over the particular services contracted for by the entity and that architect’s name and seal shall appear on all documents prepared by the entity in its practice of architecture.

(4) Other officers, partners, directors, or members shall not direct the professional judgment of the architect in responsible control over the practice of architecture by the entity.

(5) The entity shall furnish the board with such information about its organization and activities as the board shall require by rule and pay an annual administrative fee as the board may require, as established by rule of the board. The board shall maintain a public roster of such entities.

(b) Applications to practice as an entity shall be made on an annual basis. Disciplinary action for the entities shall be the same as for registered architects. Approved entities shall be responsible for the acts of their agents, employees, general partners, directors, or officers.

(c) Certificates of authorization shall expire on April 30 following their issuance or renewal and shall become invalid on May 1 unless renewed.

(d) Renewal may be effected at any time prior to or during the month of April by the payment of a fee established by the board by rule.

(e) A civil penalty in an amount established by the board by rule may be added to the renewal fee for failure to renew a certificate upon terms and conditions as the board may determine by rule. Failure to renew a certificate of authorization by April 30 shall result in a lapse of the certificate.

(f) A registrant whose certificate of authorization has lapsed may have the certificate reinstated, if he or she is in compliance with other relevant requirements, by filing a renewal form and paying a reinstatement fee established by the board by rule, in addition to the appropriate renewal fee and late penalty.