Chapter 4703-2 | Architect Registration Examination

Rule 4703-2-01 | Examination.

• Effective: April 15, 2022
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) The architect registration examination

(1) All applicants qualifying under section 4703.07 of the Revised Code in accordance with rules 4703-2-02, 4703-2-03 and 4703-2-04 of the Administrative Code and as required under section 4703.08 of the Revised Code shall pass the architect registration examination (ARE) as hereinafter required.

(2) The ARE shall be a single examination comprised of multiple divisions as determined and administered by the national council of architectural registration boards (NCARB) which shall be taken and passed by all candidates for registration by examination.

(3) The scope of the ARE shall be such as to determine the qualifications of the candidate to practice architecture and shall be based on the knowledge and skills required to provide architectural services. The examination shall be of such duration to adequately test for such knowledge, skills and services in such technical, professional and practical subjects essential to the practice of architecture and in the basic arts and sciences, a knowledge of which is material and necessary to the proper understanding, application and qualification for the practice of the profession of architecture.

(4) The ARE shall be conducted in accordance with instructions issued by NCARB.

(5) All divisions of the ARE shall be graded as "pass" or "fail."

(6) Each division of the ARE stands alone and shall be passed singularly and independently of other divisions of the examination. If the candidate fails any division of the examination, the candidate will be required to retake only the divisions failed.

(7) Each applicant for initial licensure by examination shall submit written proof satisfactory to the board that he or she has successfully passed the ARE in accordance with the NCARB pass/fail standards current at the time the applicant took the ARE, all as accepted by the board from time to time.

Last updated April 19, 2022 at 8:23 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4703.02
Amplifies: 4703.07, 4703.08, 4703.09, 4703.16
Five Year Review Date: 1/1/2027
Prior Effective Dates: 3/15/1974, 12/1/1982, 6/25/1990, 1/10/2015

Rule 4703-2-02 | Examination admission requirements.

• Effective: June 30, 2016
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) Each applicant shall be at least eighteen years of age and be of good moral character.

(B) An applicant may take the "Architect Registration Exam" following completion of a "National Architectural Accrediting Board" accredited professional degree program, or, prior to graduation if the applicant is enrolled in a "National Council of Architectural Registration Boards" accepted integrated path program within a "National Architectural Accrediting Board" accredited professional degree program and submits verification of such enrollment to the board.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4703.02
Amplifies: 4703.07
Five Year Review Date: 6/30/2021
Prior Effective Dates: 11/4/1977, 2/27/1981

Rule 4703-2-03 | Educational requirements and credits.

• Effective: April 15, 2022
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

All candidates for registration by examination shall:

(A) Hold a professional degree in architecture. A professional degree means an architectural degree in a program which as been accredited by the national architectural accrediting board (NAAB) or a program that retained its accreditation without revocation to a time twenty-four months or less before the applicant graduated or by the Canadian architectural certification board not later than two years after the degree has been awarded; or

(B) Obtain a report from the education evaluation services for architects (EESA), as administered by the national council of architectural registration boards (NCARB), stating that the applicant has met the NCARB education requirement.

Last updated April 19, 2022 at 8:23 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4703.02
Amplifies: 4703.07
Five Year Review Date: 1/1/2027
Prior Effective Dates: 11/17/1994, 6/5/2000, 1/10/2015

Rule 4703-2-04 | Training requirements.

• Effective: April 15, 2022
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

Prior to registration, all candidates for registration by examination shall complete the internship program as described:

(A) The architectural experience program (AXP) required herein shall be in accordance with the AXP guidelines developed under the auspices of the national council of architectural registration boards (NCARB) and the American institute of architects (AIA) and administered by NCARB.

(B) The board reserves the right at any time to require that an applicant produce substantiation for all or any part of the verified record of the experience which the applicant asserts has been attained.

(C) The board may require substantiation of the quality and character of the training notwithstanding the fact that the applicant has complied with the technical training requirements set forth herein.

Last updated April 19, 2022 at 8:23 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4703.02
Amplifies: 4703.07
Five Year Review Date: 1/1/2027
Prior Effective Dates: 3/15/1974, 11/1/1977

Rule 4703-2-05 | Registration by reciprocity.

• Effective: April 15, 2022
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) An applicant who holds a current and valid certificate issued by the national council of architectural registration boards, and submits satisfactory evidence of such certificate to the board, shall be registered without the necessity of complying with the provisions of rules 4703-2-01 and 4703-2-04 of the Administrative Code if the applicant:

(1) Holds a current and valid registration issued by a registration authority recognized by the board, and submits satisfactory evidence of such registration to the board; and

(2) Files an application with the board, upon a form prescribed by the board, containing such information, satisfactory to the board, concerning the applicant, as the board considers pertinent.

Last updated April 19, 2022 at 8:23 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4703.02
Amplifies: 4703.07, 4703.08
Five Year Review Date: 1/1/2027
Prior Effective Dates: 2/27/1981

Rule 4703-2-06 | Program providing for reimbursement of IDP enrollment fees.

• Effective: April 15, 2022
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) The board shall reimburse eligible applicants for the initial cost of enrolling in the architectural experience program (AXP) as required by section 4703.07 of the Revised Code and administered by the national council of architectural registration boards. The board shall not reimburse annual maintenance or reactivation fees, late fees or transmittal fees which are imposed by NCARB.

(B) Applicants shall meet the following eligibility criteria in order to receive reimbursement of AXP enrollment fees:

(1) Applicants must be currently enrolled and in good standing in a school of architecture in Ohio and which is approved by the board.

(a) Board approved schools of architecture include:

(i) University of Cincinnati

(ii) Kent state university

(iii) Miami university

(iv) Ohio state university

(v) Bowling Green state university

(b) The school of architecture must be accredited by the national architectural accrediting board;

(c) The applicant must establish a council record within the AXP administered by NCARB.

(d) The applicant's council record must be in active status.

(2) Application procedures for reimbursement of the AXP enrollment fee:

(a) All applications for reimbursement must be on forms furnished by the board;

(b) Applicants must submit to the board official verification of their council record number and active status from NCARB;

(c) Applicants must submit proof of current enrollment in the school's architecture program.

(3) The maximum amount of reimbursement of AXP fees is one hundred dollars.

(4) The total amount of AXP fees that may be disbursed by the board in any given fiscal year shall not exceed the total number of students eligible for participation at the eligible institutions within the state of Ohio.

(5) The reimbursement of the AXP fees under this rule shall not affect a student's eligibility of any other assistance, or the amount of that assistance.

Last updated April 19, 2022 at 8:24 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4703.02
Amplifies: 4703.07, 4703.08
Five Year Review Date: 1/1/2027
Prior Effective Dates: 1/26/2008, 1/10/2015

Rule 4703-2-07 | Continuing education.

• Effective: April 15, 2022
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) Definitions

(1) Continuing education 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.

(2) Continuing education hour one continuous instructional hour (fifty to sixty minutes of contact) spent in structured educational activities intended to increase or update the architect's knowledge and competence in health, safety, and welfare subjects.

If the 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 continuing education hour purposes irrespective of actual time spent on the activity.

(3) Structured educational activities educational activities in which at least seventy-five per cent 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, whether delivered by direct contact or distance learning methods.

(4) Health, safety, and welfare subjects technical and professional subjects that the board deems appropriate to safeguard the public and that are within the following enumerated areas necessary for the proper evaluation, design, construction, and utilization of buildings and the built environment.

(a) Legal: laws, codes, zoning, regulations, standards, life safety, accessibility, ethics, insurance to protect owners and public

(b) Building systems: structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, communications, security, fire protection

(c) Environmental: energy efficiency, sustainability, natural resources, natural hazards, hazardous materials, weatherproofing, insulation

(d) Occupant comfort: air quality, lighting, acoustics, ergonomics

(e) Materials and methods: construction systems, products, finishes, furnishings, equipment

(f) Preservation: historic, reuse, adaptation

(g) Pre-design: land use analysis, programming, site selection, site and soils analysis, surveying

(h) Design: urban planning, master planning, building design, site design, interiors, safety and security measures

(i) Construction documents: drawings, specifications, delivery methods

(j) Construction contract administration: contracts, bidding, contract negotiations

(5) Qualified individuals or organizations All programs and providers shall be pre-approved for credit/contact hours by one of the following organizations:

(a) The American institute of architects

(b) National council of architectural registration boards

(c) The association of licensed architects

(d) Colleges and universities/other educational institutions

(e) Other technical/professional societies, state agencies or organizations

(B) Continuing education requirements.

In addition to all other requirements for registration renewal or reinstatement, an architect must complete a minimum of twelve continuing education hours each calendar year or be exempt from the continuing education requirements as provided below. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in non-renewal of the architect's registration.

(C) Continuing education hours.

(1) Twelve continuing education hours must be completed in health, safety, and welfare subjects acquired in structured educational activities.

(2) Continuing education hours may be acquired at any location.

(3) Excess continuing education hours may not be credited to a future calendar year.

(D) Reporting and record keeping.

(1) An architect shall complete and submit forms as required by the board certifying that the architect has completed the required continuing education hours.

(2) Forms may be audited by the board for verification of compliance with these requirements.

(3) Documentation of reported continuing education hours shall be maintained by the architect for six years from the date of the award.

(4) If the board disallows any continuing education, the architect shall have sixty days from notice of such disallowance to either provide further evidence of having completed the continuing education requirement or to remedy the disallowance by completing the required number of continuing education hours (but such continuing education hours shall not again be used for the next calendar year).

(5) If the board finds, after proper notice and hearing, that the architect willfully disregarded these requirements or falsified documentation of required continuing education hours, the architect may be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the board regulations.

(E) Exemptions

(1) An architect is permanently exempted from the continuing education requirements of this rule if the architect has been granted emeritus status by the board.

(2) An architect may be exempt from some or all of the continuing education requirements of this rule if the architect has a serious medical condition, or other like hardship, that prevents completion of the requisite continuing education requirements. Upon filing a request for exemption with the board on the form prescribed, the board may excuse the architect from some or all of these continuing education requirements.

(3) An architect may be exempt from some or all of the continuing education requirements of this rule if the architect is a licensee subject to the provisions of rule 4703-2-08 of the Administrative Code. The architect must seek exemption from the board in accordance with rule 4703-2-08 of the Administrative Code using the prescribed form and attach all required paperwork to be considered.

Last updated April 19, 2022 at 8:24 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4703.02
Amplifies: 4703.02, 4703.13
Five Year Review Date: 1/1/2027
Prior Effective Dates: 11/9/2009, 1/1/2012

Rule 4703-2-08 | Military provisions related to licensure.

• Effective: April 15, 2022
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) Definitions.

(1) "Armed forces" means the armed forces of the United States, including the army, navy, air force, marine corps, coast guard, or any reserve components of those forces; the national guard of any state; the commissioned corps of the United States public health service; the merchant marine service during wartime; such other service as may be designated by congress; or the Ohio organized militia when engaged in full-time national guard duty for a period of more than thirty days.

(2) "Member" means any person who is serving in the armed forces.

(3) "Licensee" means a person to whom all of the following apply:

(a) The person has been issued a license by the board.

(b) The person has been a member of the armed forces.

(c) The person has served on active duty, whether inside or outside the United States, for a period in excess of thirty-one days.

(B) In accordance with section 5903.03 of the Revised Code, the following military programs of training and military primary specialties may be substantially equivalent to the experience requirements for licensure as described in rule 4703-2-04 of the Administrative Code:

(1) Military programs of training

Air force: healthcare architect

(2) Military primary specialties

(a) Army: 12d facilities/contract construction management engineer (fccme) (o)

(b) Navy: facilities engineering (o); healthcare architect (o)

(c) Air force: 32ex civil engineer (o)

(C) Reporting of experience

The experience of an active military service member or veteran shall be reported under the current guidelines of the architectural experience program as described in rule 4703-2-04 of the Administrative Code.

(D) Lengths of service.

There are no minimal lengths of service that would be substantially equivalent to or exceed the experience requirements for licensure as an architect.

(E) Substantially equivalent education.

There are no military programs of training or military primary specialties which are substantially equivalent to the education requirement for licensure as an architect.

(F) Continuing education.

(1) In accordance with section 5903.12 of the Revised Code, the provisions of this paragraph apply to a licensee who has been a member of the armed forces who has served on active duty for a period in excess of thirty-one days.

(2) A licensee who meets the provisions contained in paragraph (C)(1) of this rule may submit an application to the board requesting an extension of the current continuing education reporting period.

(a) The licensee shall submit proper documentation certifying the active duty service and the length of that active duty service.

(b) Upon receiving the application and proper documentation, the board shall extend the current continuing education reporting period by an amount of time equal to the total number of months that the licensee spent on active duty during the current continuing education reporting period. Any portion of a month served shall be considered one full month.

(G) Determining fulfillment of continuing education.

(1) In accordance with section 5903.121 of the Revised Code, the board shall consider relevant education, training, or service completed by a licensee as a member of the armed forces of the United States in determining whether a licensee has fulfilled the continuing education required to renew the license or certificate.

(2) In order for the board to consider relevant education, training, or service completed by a licensee, the licensee shall submit a request for consideration and evidence or documentation of the education, training, or service to the board at least thirty days prior to the expiration of the license or certificate.

(H) Renewal of expired license.

(1) In accordance with section 5903.10 of the Revised Code, the holder of an expired license shall be granted a renewal at the usual cost without penalty fee if not otherwise disqualified because of mental or physical disability, in accordance with section 4703.14 of the Revised Code and rules 4703-1-03 and 4703-2-07 of the Administrative Code, if the following conditions are met:

(a) The license was not renewed because of the holder's service in the armed forces.

(b) The license was not renewed because the license holder's spouse served in the armed forces and the service resulted in the holder's absence from this state.

(2) Renewal under paragraph (H)(1) of this rule shall not be granted unless the holder or holder's spouse, whichever is applicable, has presented satisfactory evidence of the service member's discharge under honorable conditions or release under honorable conditions from active duty within six months after the discharge or release.

(I) Expedited licensure.

Upon receipt of all required documents and fees, a license shall be issued no later than three business days of the applicant's eligibility for licensure, to each applicant who is a member, veteran, spouse or surviving spouse of a member or veteran.

Last updated April 19, 2022 at 8:24 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4703.02
Amplifies: 4743.04, 5903.01, 5903.03, 5903.04, 5903.10, 5903.12, 5903.121
Five Year Review Date: 1/1/2027
Prior Effective Dates: 7/7/2014