§34-2-37. Practice of architecture by certain entities.

(a) It shall be lawful for a corporation, a professional corporation, a professional association, a partnership, or a limited liability company (the entity) to practice architecture in this state provided that:

(1) A minimum of two-thirds of those responsible for controlling the activities of the entity, including officers, partners, directors, members, and others depending on the legal structure of the entity, are voting stockholders who are architects or professional engineers, or both, registered under the laws of any United States jurisdiction and at least one is an architect registered in Alabama.

(2) Any agreement to perform such services shall be executed on behalf of the entity by a stockholding officer, partner, director, or member with authority to contractually bind the entity, who is an architect registered in the State of Alabama.

(3) A stockholding officer, partner, director, or member who is an architect registered in the State of Alabama shall exercise responsible control over the particular services contracted for by the entity and that architect's name and seal shall appear on all documents prepared by the entity in its practice of architecture.

(4) Other officers, partners, directors, or members shall not direct the professional judgment of the architect in responsible control over the practice of architecture by the entity.

(5) The entity shall furnish the board with such information about its organization and activities as the board shall require by rule and pay an annual administrative fee as the board may require, not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250). The board shall maintain a public roster of such entities.

(b) All corporations, professional corporations, professional associations, partnerships, and limited liability companies (entities) practicing architecture in the State of Alabama shall fully comply with the above requirements by July 1, 2012.

(c) Applications to practice as an entity described in subsection (b) shall be made on an annual basis. Disciplinary action for the entities shall be the same as for registered architects. Approved entities shall be responsible for the acts of their agents, employees, general partners, directors, or officers.

(Acts 1979, No. 79-676, p. 1198, §8; Act 2010-501, p. 796, §1; Act 2010-534, p. 894, §1.)