Professional Practice, Ethics, and California Architects Board Regulation
The Architects Practice Act
The Practice Act is in the Business and Professions Code and is enforced by the California Architects Board. Only a licensed architect may use the title architect or offer architectural services. Licensure requires education, experience, the ARE, and the California Supplemental Examination, which tests California-specific practice. Renewal requires continuing education, including five hours of accessibility coursework each two-year cycle.
Responsible control
An architect may seal and sign only documents prepared by the architect or by employees and consultants under the architect's responsible control. Plan stamping - sealing drawings you did not prepare or direct - is grounds for discipline. Business entities offering architectural services must register with the Board and must have a licensed architect in responsible charge.
Ethics and procurement
Public agencies select architects on qualifications and negotiate fees; price-based competitive bidding for architectural services is prohibited by statute. Conflicts of interest must be disclosed; gifts and entertainment are constrained; client confidences survive the engagement. Advertising must be truthful, and an architect must not aid unlicensed practice.
Traps
Assuming a licensed engineer may seal architectural documents for building design (engineering scope overlaps, but building design is architectural); forgetting business-entity registration; assuming an out-of-state license permits California practice; overlooking that CAB discipline includes citations, fines, probation, and revocation.
Rule of thumb
Before sealing anything, ask two questions: did I or someone under my responsible control prepare this, and am I competent in the subject matter? If either answer is no, do not seal it.