On April 19, Gov. Jay Inslee signed HB 1148, AIA Washington Council’s signature legislation this session. The bill addresses NCARB-approved changes to the path to licensure, including eliminating a year of AXP electives and allowing all candidates to complete the experience and testing portions of licensure non-sequentially. In addition, the bill removes the use of the word “intern” for associate architects with degrees (per AIA National policy) and adds language to clarify the definition of the practice of architecture to reduce the possibility that non-architects are allowed to stamp architecture plans.
You can read a longer summary of the legislation here.
Thank you to all members who discussed this legislation with their representatives. Special thanks to prime sponsor Representative Steve Kirby from the 29th District (Tacoma, Lakewood and Spanaway) and Senator Rebecca Saldaña of the 37th District (Southeast Seattle), who helped move the bill through the Senate.