[First Reprint]

SENATE, No. 966

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

INTRODUCED MARCH 18, 1996

 

 

By Senator KYRILLOS

 

 

An Act concerning continuing education requirements for architects and supplementing chapter 3 of Title 45 of the Revised Statutes.

 

    Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

    11. It is hereby declared to be in the interest of the citizens of this State to encourage the maintenance of continuing proficiency for licensed architects to the end that the utilization and application of new techniques and advances will be in the public interest.1

 

    1[1.] 2.1 The New Jersey State Board of Architects shall require each architect, as a condition of biennial license renewal pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1972, c.108 (C.45:1-7), to complete any continuing education requirements imposed by the board pursuant to section 1[2] 31 of this act.

 

    1[2.] 3.1 The board shall:

    a. Promulgate rules and regulations for implementing continuing education requirements as a condition of license renewal for licenses issued under its jurisdiction.

    b. Establish standards for continuing education, including the subject matter and content of courses of study, and the number and type of continuing education credits required of a licensee as a condition of biennial license renewal.

    c. Recognize the American Institute of Architects and the National Council of Architecture Registration 1[Board] Boards1 as certified 1record keeping services and recognize the American Institute of Architects, the National Council of Architecture Registration Boards and the School of Architecture at the New Jersey Institute of Technology as certified1 providers of continuing education 1[and record keeping services]1, and 1[establish a system for reviewing and approving educational courses, seminars and programs offered by other private sponsors which offer credit towards the continuing education requirements established by this act] accredit other equivalent educational programs, including, but not limited to, meetings of constituents and components of architect professional associations recognized by the board, examinations, papers, publications, scientific presentations, teaching and research appointments, table clinics and scientific exhibits, and shall establish procedures for the issuance of credit upon satisfactory proof of the completion of these programs. In the case of education courses or programs, each hour of instruction shall be equivalent to one credit.

    d. Approve only such continuing education programs as are available to all architects in this State on a reasonable nondiscriminatory basis1.

 

    14. The licensee shall submit as proof of completion of continuing education program credits, and the board shall accept as proof, documentation submitted by the licensee or by any entity offering a continuing education program pursuant to this act.1

 

    1[3.] 5.1 The board may, in its discretion, waive requirements for continuing education under this act on an individual basis for reasons of hardship, such as health 1[, military service]1 or other good cause.

 

    1[4.] 6.1 The board may by rule or regulation establish fees for the administration of continuing education requirements.

 

    17. The board shall not require completion of continuing education credits for initial registrations. The board shall not require completion of continuing education credits for any registration periods commencing within 12 months of the effective date of this act. The board shall require completion of continuing education credits on a pro rata basis for any registration periods commencing more than 12 but less than 24 months following the effective date of this act.1

 

    1[5.] 8.1 This act shall take effect immediately 1[and shall apply to licenses renewed during the next biennial licensing cycle following the effective date of the act]1.

 

                             

Provides for continuing education for architects.