Section 415-RICR-00-00-1.7 - Practice RulesA. Architect's Seal and Stamp1. Seal - The seal is a symbol, one and one half inches (1 1/2") in diameter consisting of two (2) concentric circles; the outer being one and one half inches (1 1/2") in diameter and the inner being one and one eighth inches (1 1/8") in diameter. The space between the circles shall contain the name of the architect at the top and the word "Architect" at the bottom. The inner circle contains the State emblem and the architect's certificate number. The word "Registered" shall appear below the State's emblem, just above the word "Architect" in the space between circles.2. The Board shall loan each architect the right to purchase an individual stamp capable of imprinting the seal to be used, as hereinafter directed in the following paragraph, on all documents prepared by the architect or under the architect's responsible control, for use in the State of Rhode Island, for the purpose of manually imprinting the drawings, specifications or project manual, and other documents. An electronically generated seal may be used in lieu of the hand stamp.3. The seal shall be applied on documents so as to produce a legible reproduction on all copies or prints made from the documents. The architect's name shall be placed across the seal and dated below the seal. Electronic signature and dating are permitted.4. The architect shall use or electronically submit the seal only if in responsible control of the project.5. Upon retirement, certificate revocation, or non-payment of renewal fee, the loaned right to the stamp and use of the seal shall be voided and the stamp shall be immediately returned to the Board. If not returned to the Board within sixty (60) days, or within fifteen (15) days of a notice to return, the Board will notify NCARB of this Rule violation and take action as allowed by R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 5-1.6. Expired Certificates - Application for restoration of an expired certificate, which has been allowed to lapse for not more than six (6) months, shall be approved by the Board upon receipt of the required registration fees. Application for the restoration of an expired certificate, which has been allowed to lapse for a period of six (6) months to not more than two (2) years may be reinstated at the discretion of the Board and in so deciding the Board may require a brief outline setting forth the professional activities of the applicant during the lapsed period, and, if the applicant is a non-resident, the Board may also require the submission of a completed NCARB Council Record and Certificate. If the certificate has been expired for more than two (2) years, the applicant shall follow the procedure for a new application.B. Firm Names 1. When personal names of architects are used in the name of the firm, only names of living registrants or former registered members now retired or deceased may be used. Any reference in the firm name to other persons of the firm, partnership, corporation, limited liability company and limited liability partnership shall be permitted only when such other persons are design professionals (landscape architects, professional engineers or professional land surveyors) and their identity is made known specifically on letterheads of the firm (sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, limited liability company and limited liability partnership).2. A firm is permitted to practice under a name, which does not include the names of registered principals, provided said name is submitted to the Board for review and approved before adoption of same. A firm, using such an assumed name shall file with the Board the name of each registered member of the firm. The Board shall be promptly advised of any and all changes in the composition of a firm that may occur subsequent to the original filing, and the COA shall be resubmitted for approval.415 R.I. Code R. 415-RICR-00-00-1.7
Amended effective 6/8/2021