ARCHITECT EXAMINATIONS

House Bill 4793 (Substitute H-1)

Sponsor:  Rep. Barb Byrum

Committee:  Regulatory Reform

Complete to 6-10-09

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4793 AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

The bill would remove the requirement that, to be eligible to sit for the architect examination, an individual must provide documentation of having at least eight years of professional architectural experience, not more than 6 years of which may be architectural education.  This experience requirement would continue to be a requirement for licensure as an architect.  The bill amends Article 20 (Architects, Professional Engineers, and Professional Surveyors) of the Occupational Code (MCL 339.2004 and 339.2005).

In addition, the bill would add – as an additional requirement for licensing – that the individual provide not less than five references, three of which would have to be references from licensed architects who had personal knowledge of the applicant’s professional experience.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would have no fiscal impact on the state or local units of government. 

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

In Michigan, an individual cannot sit for the architecture licensing exam until he or she has graduated from an approved program and completed at least eight years of professional experience in architecture.  Part of the experience is earned through an apprenticeship that takes about three years to complete.  The problem the bill seeks to address is that the time between graduation and sitting the licensing exam is so long that crucial information has been forgotten.  Forty other states now allow architect graduates to sit for the exam anytime after graduation, most do so during the apprenticeship.  Supporters of the legislation say that the state is losing many highly trained young architects to other states and discouraging recent graduates from out-of-state schools from locating here.  The bill would still require at least eight years of experience before actually being licensed as an architect, therefore the bill would not affect the experience level of licensees.

POSITIONS:

The Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth supports the bill.  (6-2-09)

Representatives of AIA Michigan testified in support of the bill.  (6-2-09)

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Susan Stutzky

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Mark Wolf

                                                                                                                       

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.