Advertisements
as an Architectural Firm
Q:
Is it allowable for a building company to advertise as “providing architectural
services” if the company is not a licensed architectural firm and does
not have a certificate of authorization, but hires licensed architects
to provide architectural services for its design build projects?
A:
Under Wisconsin law, a company may not advertise in the manner described.
Sec. 443.08(5), Wis. Stats., provides that no firm, partnership or corporation
may engage in the practice of or offer to practice architecture, professional
engineering or designing in Wisconsin, or use in conjunction with its
name or otherwise assume, use or advertise any title or description
tending to convey the impression that it is engaged in the practice
of architecture, professional engineering or designing, unless the firm
or company has complied with the registration and licensing requirements.
Exemptions
to Registration or Licensing
Q:
Are there any circumstances under which a non-licensed person can prepare
plans, drawings and specifications for the erection, enlargement or
alteration of a building?
A:
Yes, sec. 443.15, Wis. Stats., Exempt Buildings , provides that
any person, firm or corporation may make plans and specifications for
or supervising the erection, enlargement or alteration of buildings
containing less than 50,000 cubic feet total volume, single family dwellings
and outbuildings, apartment buildings used exclusively as the residence
of not more than 2 families, buildings used exclusively for agricultural
purposes, and temporary buildings or sheds for construction purposes,
not exceeding two stories in height and not living quarters.
Q:
Are there exemptions from the registration and licensing requirements
for certain persons who are practicing engineering, architecture of
land surveying within the scope of their exemptions?
A:
Yes, under 443.14,(1)
through (14), various persons are excluded from the licensing requirements.
Examples of exempt persons includes: officers and employees of the federal
government while engaged in the practice of architecture, engineering
or landscape architecture for the federal government; persons engaged
in the manufacture of a product or unit, which does not include a building;
or contractors, subcontractors or construction material or equipment
suppliers who undertake activities customary to their respective trades
and specialties.
Plan
Requirements
Q:
Is there any exception to the requirement that all plans, drawings,
documents or specifications must be signed, sealed, dated and stamped
by the professional engineer, architect, landscape architect, designer
or land surveyor, who prepared the materials, if the materials are prepared
as bid proposals?
A:
No, under A-E 2.02 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code, General Requirements
and Procedures, all such materials must be signed, sealed, dated and
stamped by the permit holder, regardless of whether they are submitted
as bid proposals.
