§34-2-32. Registered architect's services required; employees; exemptions; interprofessional privileges between architects and professional engineers.

(a) Nothing contained in this chapter shall prevent:

(1) Employees of registered architects from acting under the instructions or responsible control of their employers; or,

(2) The employment of on-site observers of the construction or alteration of buildings.

(b) No person shall be required to register as an architect in order to make plans and specifications for or administer the erection, enlargement, or alteration of any building upon any farm for the use of any farmer, irrespective of the cost of such building, or any single family residence building or any utility works, structures, or building, provided that the person performing such architectural works is employed by an electric, gas, or telephone public utility regulated pursuant to the laws of Alabama or by a corporation affiliated with such utility, or of any other type building which has a total area of less than 2,500 square feet provided it is not intended for use as a school, church, auditorium, or other building intended for the assembly occupancy of people.

(c) The services of a registered architect shall be required on all buildings except those hereinabove exempted and no official of this state or of any city, town, or county herein charged with the enforcement of laws, ordinances, or regulations relating to the construction or alteration of buildings, shall accept or approve any plans or specifications that are not so prepared.

(d) Nothing in this chapter shall prevent registered professional engineers or their employees or subordinates under their responsible control from performing architectural services incidental to their engineering practice. Nothing in this chapter shall prevent registered architects or their employees or subordinates under their responsible control from performing engineering services incidental to their architectural practice.

No professional engineer shall practice architecture or use the designation architect or any terms derived therefrom unless that individual is registered pursuant to this chapter. No architect shall practice professional engineering or use the term engineer or any term derived therefrom unless that individual is also qualified and registered as an engineer.

(Acts 1979, No. 79-676, p. 1198, §3; Acts 1987, No. 87-544, p. 830, §3; Act 2010-501, p. 796, §1; Act 2010-534, p. 894, §1.)