(1) No firm, sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation or limited liability company will be registered to practice architecture.(2) Architectural practice by firms, sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, and limited liability companies is permissible upon compliance with Code Section 43-4-10 and this Chapter. (a) Such practice is permissible only if it is performed under the responsible control and authority of a Georgia registered Architect who is:1. In the case of a corporation, a director who is employed full-time at the premises where the architectural services are performed; or2. In the case of a partnership a partner; or3. In the case of a limited liability company a member; or4. An employee with an ownership interest who has been designated in writing as holding a position of authority within the firm.(b) "Responsible Control" as used herein means that the licensed architect under whose authority such practice is performed has personal knowledge and ultimate authority for all architectural decisions in connection therewith. In the case of a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or employee with ownership interest, the licensed architect under whose authority such practices is performed shall be identified in any contract for architectural services. Any documents prepared in such practice must be the individual signature and seal of the architect under whose authority the documents are prepared. In a partnership which includes more than one licensed architect partner, the partner who has responsible control as defined herein shall sign and seal the documents as required in Code Section 43-4. The administration of construction contracts shall be under the responsible control of the licensed architect under whose authority such work is undertaken or any other architect principal of the firm.(c) When architectural drawings, documents, and specifications are prepared outside of the sealing architect's company, responsible control shall be demonstrated by contractual relationships, appropriate financial records, and time sheets that indicate a substantial and continuous participation in the coordination of consultants and creation of the work. Prototypical drawings shall be prepared in accordance with Board Rule 50-2A-.01(7)(c) and 50-2A-.03.(d) A Georgia registered architect may seal a submission prepared by a Georgia registered interior designer in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 43-4-33(b).(e) Reviewing, or reviewing and correcting the final technical submissions after they have been prepared by others does not constitute the exercise of responsible control because the reviewer has neither control over nor detailed professional knowledge of the content of such submissions throughout their preparation.(3) Foreign corporations are cautioned that in order to do business in Georgia, they must also conform to the legal requirements applicable to foreign corporations as administered by the Office of the Secretary of State.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 50-3-.02
O.C.G.A. Secs. 43-1-19, 43-4-1, 43-4-9, 43-4-10, 43-4-16.
Original Rule entitled "Group Practice" adopted. F. Nov. 14, 1975; eff. Dec. 4, 1975.Amended: F. Dec. 16, 1982; eff. Jan. 5, 1983.Repealed: New Rule entitled "Practice" adopted. F. July 2, 2007; eff. July 22, 2007.