2025 SESSION

ENGROSSED

25104513D

SENATE BILL NO. 1310

Senate Amendments in [ ] - January 20, 2025

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 54.1-406.1, relating to professions and occupations; alternative to education requirement for licensure of architects.

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Patron Prior to Engrossment—Senator McPike

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Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 54.1-406.1 as follows:

§ 54.1-406.1. Alternative to education requirement for licensure of architects.

A. The Board shall adopt regulations establishing work and education experience equivalencies that shall provide an alternative to the requirement of a professional degree in architecture from a program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) pursuant to 18VAC10-20-110. In establishing an alternative pathway to a NAAB-accredited degree, the Board shall require a minimum of 10 years of qualifying work experience, education experience, or combination of work and education experience.

B. In establishing qualifying work and education experience under this section, the Board shall adopt regulations establishing a credit system to account for varying degrees of work and education experience and such credit system shall be based on the applicability of such work or education experience [ to in ] the practice of architecture.

C. The Board shall develop requirements for applicants seeking licensure [ under this section to certify work and education experience ] on an annual basis. [ Such applicants shall have gained work or education experience under the direct supervision of a licensed architect and comply with any additional reporting requirements developed by the Board. ]

2. That, notwithstanding any annual reporting requirement developed by the Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers and Landscape Architects (the Board), the Board shall evaluate any past work or education experience of any applicant in meeting the requirements of the first enactment of this act.

3. That the second enactment of this act shall expire on July 1, 2028.