1Amending the act of December 14, 1982 (P.L.1227, No.281),
2entitled "An act regulating the practice of architecture in
3the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; providing for the
4examination and licensure of architects by a State Architects
5Licensure Board; and providing penalties," further providing
6for definitions, for powers of board and for issuance and
7renewal of certificates.

8The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
9hereby enacts as follows:

10Section 1. Section 3 of the act of December 14, 1982
11(P.L.1227, No.281), known as the Architects Licensure Law, is
12amended by adding definitions to read:

13Section 3. Definitions.

14The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
15have, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the
16meanings given to them in this section:

17* * *

18"Continuing education." Educational activities that:

19(1) promote competency of licensees;

20(2) are given by providers that are approved by the

1board; and

2(3) meet the criteria established by regulations
3promulgated by the board.

4* * *

5"Health, safety and welfare credits." Technical and
6professional subjects that the board deems appropriate to
7safeguard the public's health, safety and welfare. The subjects
8shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:

9(1) Building design.

10(2) Environmental or land use analysis.

11(3) Life safety systems.

12(4) Building programming.

13(5) Site and soils analysis.

14(6) Accessibility.

15(7) Lateral forces and seismic design.

16(8) Building codes.

17(9) Evaluation and selection of building systems,
18products or materials.

19(10) Construction methods.

20(11) Contract documentation.

21(12) Construction administration.

22(13) Electrical system considerations.

23(14) Mechanical system considerations.

24(15) Plumbing system considerations.

25(16) Structural system considerations.

26(17) Standards of professional conduct and ethics.

27* * *

28Section 2. Section 6 of the act is amended by adding a
29subsection to read:

30Section 6. Powers of board.

1* * *

2(b.1) The board shall promulgate and enforce rules and
3regulations consistent with the provisions of this act
4establishing requirements for continuing education to be
5satisfied by all individuals holding a certificate to engage in
6the practice of architecture as a condition of certificate
7renewal.

8* * *

9Section 3. Section 10(a) of the act is amended and the
10section is amended by adding a subsection to read:

11Section 10. Issuance and renewal of certificates.

12(a) Upon payment of the fees required by section 11, an
13individual who has complied with subsection (a.1) and section 8
14or 9 shall be entitled to a certificate indicating that [he] the 
15individual is qualified to engage in the practice of
16architecture in this Commonwealth. Each certificate shall
17contain the name of the individual to whom it was issued and
18shall be valid for [a period of two years.] the applicable 
19biennial licensure period or the remainder of the applicable 
20biennial licensure period.

21(a.1) The following apply to continuing education:

22(1) As a condition for the biennial renewal of a
23license, a licensee must provide certification of successful
24completion of a minimum of 24 hours of continuing education,
25in accordance with regulations established by the board. A
26minimum of 12 hours of the continuing education must be in
27the areas of health, safety and welfare credits.

28(2) A licensee of another jurisdiction in which the 
29architect's primary practice is located shall be deemed to 
30have satisfied the continuing education requirement under 

1paragraph (1) if the licensee certifies on the biennial 
2renewal application that the licensee has satisfied the 
3continuing education requirement of the jurisdiction of 
4primary practice if that jurisdiction requires an equivalent 
5amount of credits as required under paragraph (1).

6(3) Certification of credit hours submitted by a
7licensee must be properly signed as being correct and true.

8(4) An individual applying for initial licensure shall
9be exempt from the continuing education requirement during
10the biennial licensure period in which the individual
11obtained initial licensure.

12(5) The board may waive all or part of the continuing
13education requirement for a licensee who provides evidence
14satisfactory to the board that the licensee was unable to
15complete the requirement due to illness, emergency, hardship
16or active military service.

17* * *

18Section 4. This act shall take effect in 60 days.