AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- ARCHITECTS

HB 7835 amends Rhode Island's architecture registration laws, affecting individual architects and architecture firms. It changes certificate expiration dates to December 31 of odd-numbered years for individuals and even-numbered years for firms. The bill requires firms to obtain a separate "certificate of authorization" from the board, mandating that two-thirds of leadership (partners/directors/managers) be registered architects, with one-third specifically registered in architecture (not engineering), and the person in charge must be a registered architect within the firm. Firms must submit detailed organizational information to the board and renew their authorization every two years.