California Assembly Bill AB623 Amended / Bill

 BILL NUMBER: AB 623AMENDED BILL TEXT AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 13, 2009 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Emmerson (Coauthor: Assembly Member Jones) FEBRUARY 25, 2009 An act to add Section 5600.05 to the Business and Professions Code, relating to architects. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 623, as amended, Emmerson. Architects: continuing education. Existing law provides for the licensure and regulation of persons engaged in the practice of architecture by the California Architects Board. Existing law requires a person licensed to practice architecture, as a condition of license renewal, to complete coursework regarding disability access requirements, as specified, and to certify that completion to the board. This bill would  additionally   , on and after July 1, 2014, authorize the board to  require a licensee, as a condition of license renewal, to certify to the board that he or she has completed continuing education in, or relevant to, the practice of architecture in subjects relating to health, safety, and welfare. The bill would require the board to adopt regulations establishing requirements relating to continuing education. The bill would authorize the board to audit the records of a licensee to verify completion of continuing education requirements. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 5600.05 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read: 5600.05. (a)  The board shall not renew a license pursuant to this chapter unless   On or after July 1, 2014, if the board determines that the public health, safety, and welfare would be served by requiring all architects issued a license under this chapter to complete continuing education, it may require as a condition of license renewal that  the licensee certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that he or she has  , in addition to the requirements set forth in subdivision (d) of Section 5600,  completed continuing education in, or relevant to, the practice of architecture in subjects relating to health, safety, and welfare during the preceding two years, as determined by the board.  The coursework in disability access requirements specified by Section 5600 shall be applied to the continuing education hours prescribed by the board.  (b) The board shall, by regulation, prescribe requirements relating to continuing education, including, but not limited to, the required courses and number of hours. (c) The board may audit the records of a licensee to verify the completion of continuing education requirements. A licensee shall maintain records of completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years from the date of license renewal and shall make those records available to the board for auditing upon request.