(1) An architect or architects may organize a corporation formed either as a business corporation under the provisions of Title 23B RCW or as a professional corporation under the provisions of chapter 18.100 RCW. For an architect or architects to practice architecture through a corporation or joint stock association organized by any person under Title 23B RCW, the corporation or joint stock association shall file with the board:

     (a) The application for certificate of authorization upon a form to be prescribed by the board and containing information required to enable the board to determine whether the corporation is qualified under this chapter to practice architecture in this state;

     (b) Its notices of incorporation and bylaws and a certified copy of a resolution of the board of directors of the corporation that designates individuals registered under this chapter as responsible for the practice of architecture by the corporation in this state and that provides that full authority to make all final architectural decisions on behalf of the corporation with respect to work performed by the corporation in this state shall be granted and delegated by the board of directors to the individuals designated in the resolution. The filing of the resolution shall not relieve the corporation of any responsibility or liability imposed upon it by law or by contract; and

     (c) A designation in writing setting forth the name or names of the person or persons registered under this chapter who are responsible for the architecture of the firm. If there is a change in the person or persons responsible for the architecture of the firm, the changes shall be designated in writing and filed with the board within thirty days after the effective date of the changes.

     (2) Upon the filing with the board of the application for certificate of authorization, the certified copy of the resolution, and the information specified in subsection (1) of this section, the board shall authorize the director to issue to the corporation a certificate of authorization to practice architecture in this state upon a determination by the board that:

     (a) The bylaws of the corporation contain provisions that all architectural decisions pertaining to any project or architectural activities in this state shall be made by the specified architects responsible for the project or architectural activities, or other responsible architects under the direction or supervision of the architects responsible for the project or architectural activities;

     (b) The applicant corporation has the ability to provide, through qualified personnel, professional services or creative work requiring architectural experience, and with respect to the architectural services that the corporation undertakes or offers to undertake, the personnel have the ability to apply special knowledge to the professional services or creative work such as consultation, investigation, evaluation, planning, design, and administration of the construction contract in connection with any public or private structures, buildings, equipment, processes, works, or projects;

     (c) The application for certificate of authorization contains the professional records of the designated person or persons who are responsible;

     (d) The application for certificate of authorization states the experience of the corporation, if any, in furnishing architectural services during the preceding five-year period;

     (e) The applicant corporation meets such other requirements related to professional competence in the furnishing of architectural services as may be established and promulgated by the board in furtherance of the purposes of this chapter; and

     (f) The applicant corporation is possessed of the ability and competence to furnish architectural services in the public interest.

     (3) Upon recommendation of the board to impose action as authorized in RCW 18.235.110, the director may impose the recommended action upon a certificate of authorization to a corporation if the board finds that any of the officers, directors, incorporators, or the stockholders holding a majority of stock of the corporation have committed an act prohibited under RCW 18.08.440 or 18.235.130 or have been found personally responsible for misconduct under subsection (6) or (7) of this section.

     (4) In the event a corporation, organized solely by a group of architects each registered under this chapter, applies for a certificate of authorization, the board may, in its discretion, grant a certificate of authorization to that corporation based on a review of the professional records of such incorporators, in lieu of the required qualifications set forth in subsections (1) and (2) of this section. In the event the ownership of such corporation is altered, the corporation shall apply for a revised certificate of authorization, based upon the professional records of the owners if exclusively architects, under the qualifications required by subsections (1) and (2) of this section.

     (5) Any corporation authorized to practice architecture under this chapter, together with its directors and officers for their own individual acts, are responsible to the same degree as an individual registered architect and shall conduct their business without misconduct or malpractice in the practice of architecture as defined in this chapter.

     (6) Any corporation that has been certified under this chapter and has engaged in the practice of architecture may have its certificate of authorization either suspended or revoked by the board if, after a proper hearing, the board finds that the corporation has committed misconduct or malpractice under RCW 18.08.440 or 18.235.130. In such a case, any individual architect registered under this chapter who is involved in such misconduct is also subject to disciplinary measures provided in this chapter and RCW 18.235.110.

     (7) All plans, specifications, designs, and reports when issued in connection with work performed by a corporation under its certificate of authorization shall be prepared by or under the direction of the designated architects and shall be signed by and stamped with the official seal of the designated architects in the corporation authorized under this chapter.

     (8) For each certificate of authorization issued under this section there shall be paid a certification fee and an annual certification renewal fee as prescribed by the director under RCW 43.24.086.

     (9) This chapter shall not affect the practice of architecture as a professional service corporation under chapter 18.100 RCW.

[2002 c 86 § 203; 1991 c 72 § 2; 1985 c 37 § 13.]

NOTES:

     Effective dates -- 2002 c 86: See note following RCW 18.08.340.

     Part headings not law -- Severability -- 2002 c 86: See RCW 18.235.902 and 18.235.903.