Sec. 20-298b. Practice of architecture by corporations. - Connecticut Statutes

      Sec. 20-298b. Practice of architecture by corporations. (a) The practice of architecture or the offer to practice architecture in this state by individual licensed architects under the corporate form or by a corporation, a material part of the business of which includes architecture, is permitted, provided (1) such personnel of such corporation as act in its behalf as architects, its chief executive officer and the holder or holders of not less than two-thirds of the voting stock thereof are licensed under the provisions of this chapter, and (2) such corporation has been issued a certificate of authorization by the board. No such corporation shall be relieved of responsibility for the conduct or acts of its agents, employees or officers by reason of its compliance with the provisions of this section, nor shall any individual practicing architecture be relieved of responsibility for architectural services performed by reason of his employment or relationship with such corporation.

      (b) A qualifying corporation desiring a certificate of authorization shall file with the board an application upon a form prescribed by the board. Such application shall state (1) the name and address of such corporation, (2) the city or town and the street and number where such corporation is to maintain its principal office in this state, (3) the names and addresses of all of its stockholders, directors and officers, (4) a statement as to whether or not the holder or holders of at least two-thirds of the voting stock of such corporation are persons holding a license issued by the board, and (5) such other information as may be required by the board. The application shall be accompanied by an application fee of fifty dollars. If all requirements of this chapter are met, the board shall issue to such corporation a certificate of authorization within sixty days of such application, provided the board may refuse to issue a certificate if any facts exist which would entitle the board to suspend or revoke an existing certificate. After obtaining such certificate of authorization, any such corporation may practice architecture subject to the regulations adopted under this chapter. All plans, specifications, sketches, drawings and documents pertaining to any such services rendered by the corporation shall be signed and bear the seal of a Connecticut licensed architect in accordance with the provisions of section 20-293 and the regulations adopted under this chapter. Each certificate of authorization issued under this section shall be renewable annually if all requirements of this chapter are met, provided the board may refuse to renew a certificate if any facts exist which would entitle the board to suspend or revoke an existing certificate. A corporation holding a certificate of authorization under this section shall report any changes in the ownership of its shares of stock or in the person holding the chief executive office to the board within thirty days after any such change.

      (c) Any certificate of authorization issued by the board under this section may be suspended, for a period not to exceed one year, or revoked by the board after notice and hearing in accordance with the regulations adopted by the Commissioner of Consumer Protection, if it is shown that: (1) The holder of such certificate of authorization does not conform to the requirements of this section; (2) the certificate was obtained through fraud or misrepresentation; or (3) the chief executive officer, the holder of any of the stock of the corporation holding such certificate of authorization or any licensed architect employed by or acting on behalf of such corporation has been censured or has had his certificate of registration suspended or revoked by the board pursuant to the provisions of section 20-294.

      (d) Each corporation holding a certificate of authorization under this section shall file with the board a designation of an individual or individuals licensed to practice architecture in this state who shall be in charge of architectural work by such corporation in this state. Such corporation shall notify the board of any change in such designation within thirty days after such change becomes effective.

      (e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit any corporation in existence prior to 1933, whose charter authorizes the practice of architecture, from continuing to make plans and specifications and supervise construction as authorized by section 20-290.

      (1969, P.A. 422, S. 1-5; June, 1971, P.A. 8, S. 87; 1972, P.A. 223, S. 18; P.A. 74-31; P.A. 77-614, S. 177, 178, 610; P.A. 82-419, S. 22, 47; P.A. 83-574, S. 15, 20; P.A. 84-546, S. 59, 173; P.A. 85-613, S. 125, 154; P.A. 94-36, S. 16, 42; P.A. 98-3, S. 8; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, S. 146(c); P.A. 04-189, S. 1.)

      History: 1971 act raised renewal fee in Subsec. (b) from $50 to $150; 1972 act reduced renewal fee to $100; P.A. 74-31 required issuance of certificate to corporation meeting requirements within 60 rather than 30 days of the application, changed expiration date from one year after date of issuance to June thirtieth following issuance and deleted provision for $100 renewal fee; P.A. 77-614 replaced reference to regulations of board in Subsec. (b) with reference to regulations established under chapter and replaced provision for 15 days' notice of hearing in Subsec. (c) with statement that notice and hearing are to be in accordance with regulations of consumer protection commissioner, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 82-419 changed "registration" to "licensure"; P.A. 83-574 required that not less than two-thirds of voting stock of corporation for practice of architecture be owned by licensed architects; P.A. 84-546 changed "Corporations holding a certificate ..." to "A corporation holding a certificate ..." in provision of Subsec. (b) dealing with reporting of "changes in ownership of its shares of stock or in the person holding the chief executive office ..."; P.A. 85-613 reiterated amendment made by P.A. 84-546 which due to error was not printed in the 1985 revision; P.A. 94-36 amended Subsec. (b) to eliminate the reference to the "June thirtieth" license expiration date, effective January 1, 1995; P.A. 98-3 made technical changes; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6 replaced Commissioner of Consumer Protection with Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Protection, effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 04-189 repealed Sec. 146 of June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, thereby reversing the merger of the Departments of Agriculture and Consumer Protection, effective June 1, 2004.

      See Sec. 21a-10(b) re staggered schedule for license renewals.