Rules & Regulations of the State of Tennessee Title 0120 - Architectural Engineering Examiners
Rules & Regulations of the State of Tennessee, Title 0120 specifically pertains to the Board of Architectural and Engineering Examiners. This title sets forth the administrative rules that govern the licensing, practice, and conduct of architects, engineers, landscape architects, and registered interior designers in Tennessee.
The primary purpose of these regulations, as with most professional licensing boards, is to safeguard the public health, safety, and welfare by ensuring that only qualified individuals and firms are permitted to practice these professions.
Here's a breakdown of the typical chapters and key areas covered within Title 0120:
Chapter 0120-01: Registration Requirements and Procedures:
Licensure Eligibility: Detailed requirements for obtaining a license as an architect, engineer, landscape architect, or registered interior designer. This includes educational qualifications (e.g., accredited degrees), experience requirements, and examination requirements (e.g., National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) exams for architects, National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) exams for engineers, etc.).
Application Process: Procedures for submitting applications, required documentation, and fees.
Comity/Reciprocity: Rules for individuals licensed in other jurisdictions to obtain a Tennessee license.
Firm Registration: Requirements for architectural, engineering, and landscape architectural firms to register with the Board.
Renewal of Registration: Biennial renewal requirements, fees, and penalties for late renewal. It also outlines provisions for "retired" or "inactive" status.
Chapter 0120-02: Rules of Professional Conduct:
Ethical Obligations: General principles of professional ethics for registrants, emphasizing paramountcy of public health, safety, and welfare.
Competence: Requirements for registrants to perform services only in areas of their competence, based on education and experience.
Public Statements: Rules on objectivity and truthfulness in professional reports, statements, or testimony.
Conflicts of Interest: Guidelines for avoiding and disclosing conflicts of interest.
Seals: Specific regulations on the use of seals and signatures on plans, specifications, and other professional documents, including electronic seals. This often addresses responsible charge and proper affixing of seals.
Malpractice and Incompetence: Defines what constitutes incompetence or malpractice and potential disciplinary actions.
Chapter 0120-03: Rules of Procedure for Hearing Contested Cases:
Outlines the formal procedures for conducting administrative hearings when complaints are filed against licensees, or when applicants are denied registration. This ensures due process.
Chapter 0120-04: Interior Designers:
Specific regulations pertaining to the practice and title registration of interior designers, including qualifications and scope of practice.
Chapter 0120-05: Continuing Education:
Mandatory continuing education requirements (e.g., Professional Development Hours - PDHs) for maintaining licensure for architects, engineers, landscape architects, and registered interior designers. This chapter details the number of hours required, acceptable activities, and reporting procedures.
Chapter 0120-06: Corporations, Partnerships and Firms:
Specific rules governing how corporations, partnerships, and other business entities can offer and provide architectural, engineering, and landscape architectural services in Tennessee.
These rules complement the Tennessee Code Annotated (T.C.A.), particularly Title 62, Chapter 2 ("Professions, Businesses and Trades" - "Architects, Engineers, Landscape Architects and Interior Designers"), which establishes the statutory framework for the Board and the professions it regulates.
For the most up-to-date and complete version of these rules, you should always refer to the official resources provided by the Tennessee Board of Architectural and Engineering Examiners within the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance website: tn.gov/commerce/regboards/architects-engineers/rules-laws.html. You can also often find them on legal research platforms like Justia and Cornell Law School's Legal Information Institute (LII).
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