The California Architects Board was created by the Legislature in 1901. The Board has a strong history of creative problem solving and collaboration with key constituencies, such as local building officials, educators and students, related professions, and collateral organizations. The Board is committed to a strong enforcement program as a part of its mission to protect consumers and enforce the laws, codes, and standards governing the practice of architecture.
The Board establishes regulations for examination and licensing of the profession of architecture in California, which today numbers approximately 22,000 licensed architects and approximately 10,000 candidates who are in the process of meeting examination and licensure requirements. A candidate must have five years of education equivalents to be eligible for the Architect Registration Examination (ARE).
The Board has an active enforcement program designed to ensure the laws governing the practice of architecture are enforced in a fair and judicious manner. The program consists of a local building official contact program, consumer education, and professional information outreach designed to prevent and assist in the early detection of violations. The Board enforces legal compliance for licensees by taking disciplinary actions against those in violation of laws and regulations.
The Board’s enforcement program works to address three main goal areas:
- Establishing regulatory standards of practice for those licensed as architects
- Increasing public awareness of the Board’s mission, activities, and services
- Protecting consumers by preventing violations, and effectively enforcing laws, codes, and standards when violations occur The Board is responsible for investigating complaints against licensees and unlicensed individuals. The Board retains the authority to make final decisions on all enforcement actions.
Mission: The California Architects Board protects consumers by establishing standards for professional qualifications, ensuring competence through examinations, setting practice standards, and enforcing the Architects Practice Act.
Vision: The California Architects Board will be the national leader in the regulation of architectural practice.
Values:
- Collaborative
- Professional
- Innovative
- Proactive
- Diversity
The Landscape Architects Technical Committee (LATC) was created pursuant to Assembly Bill 1546 which became effective Jan. 1, 1998. The committee was statutorily established under the jurisdiction of the California Architects Board. Its purpose is to act in an advisory capacity to the board on examinations and other matters pertaining to the regulation of the practice of landscape architecture in California.
The activities of the LATC benefit consumers in two important ways.
First, regulation protects the public at large. Second, regulation protects the consumer of services rendered by landscape architects. It is imperative to ensure those who hire landscape architects are protected from incompetent or dishonest landscape architects. The ATC is one of nearly 40 licensing and regulatory entities within the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) and is part of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency. DCA is responsible for consumer protection through the regulation of licensees. While DCA provides administrative oversight and support services, the LATC further sets its own regulations, policies, and procedures.
Mission: LATC regulates the practice of landscape architecture through the enforcement of the Landscape Architects Practice Act to protect consumers, and the public health, safety, and welfare while safeguarding the environment.
Vision: The LATC will champion for consumer protection and a safer built environment for the people of California.
Values:
- Consumer Protection
- Innovation
- Communication
- Integrity
- Leadership
Visit the California Architects Board’s website at: www.cab.ca.gov/ or connect on Facebook or Twitter. Visit the Landscape Architects Technical Committee website at www.latc.ca.gov/ and connect with the Landscape Architects Technical Committee on Twitter.
CONSUMER RESOURCES:
- Consumers Guide To Hiring A Landscape Architect
- Consumer’s Guide to Hiring an Architect
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
