Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 50-3-.03 - Names

The statutory authorization for registered individuals, firms, sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited liability companies, and corporations offering to the public the practice of architecture or the rendering of architectural services is not an authorization to hold out as an architect any person who is not a licensed architect. For that reason, the following rules govern the manner in which registered individuals and those firms, sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited liability companies, and corporations otherwise lawfully engaged in the practice of architecture may hold themselves out to the public.

(a) Firm names composed of the real name or real names of living persons preceded or followed by the words "Architect" or "Architects" or any words, letters, figures, or constructions thereof indicating or intended to imply that the business of the firm is the practice of architecture, shall include only the name of architects currently licensed in Georgia (except as provided in Paragraph (f) below) and practicing in accordance with Code Chapter 43-4. Firm names that include the name or names of retired or deceased architects may be continued provided the requirements of Paragraphs (c), (e), and (g) below are met.

(b) Firm names composed of the real name or the real names of living persons, preceded or followed by such words as "Architect and Engineer","Architects, Engineers, and Planners", etc. or any words, letters, figures, or constructions thereof indicating or intended to imply that the business of the firm is the practice of architecture and any one or more of the allied professions, shall include only the names of architects currently licensed in Georgia, except as provided in Paragraph (f) below, and practicing in accordance with Code Chapter 43-4 and the names of allied professionals, practicing in accordance with all applicable codes that govern the practice of the respective allied professions. Firms names that include the name or names of deceased architects or allied professionals may be continued provided the requirements of Paragraphs (c), (e), and (g) below are met.

(c) Firm names that include or are composed of the name or names of retired or deceased persons, who at the time of their retirement or demise were Registered Architects, may be continued provided the requirements of Paragraphs (e) and (g) below are met.

(d) Any organization engaged in the practice of architecture in this State under any business title other than the real name or real names of persons as set forth in Paragraphs (a) and (b) above, shall comply with the requirements of Paragraphs (e) and (g) below.

(e) If a firm's principal business is that of offering architectural services to the public or rendering architectural services and the firm name is composed of any business title other than the name or names of living persons or includes the name or names of living persons who are not licensed to practice architecture, the firm letterhead must include the identity of the architect or architects currently licensed to practice in Georgia in accordance with Code Chapter 43-4. All other names that appear on the letterhead as "supplemental" information shall bear the true identity and status of each person whose name so appears.

(f) In the case of Practice in Georgia by an architectural firm whose principal or base office is not located in this state, the firm practice in Georgia shall comply with all requirements of Code Chapter 43-4 and Chapter 50, with the exception that a minimum of one person (in Cases (a), (b), (c), (d) above) shall be an architect currently licensed to practice in Georgia; and that person shall:

1. be the architect under whose responsible control the Georgia practice shall be conducted; and

2. shall be identified as Georgia Registered on all firm letterheads, public identification, and instruments of service by such designation as "John J. Doe, Architect - Georgia Registration No. 0000."

(g) In the case of establishment or maintenance of a branch office in this state by an architectural firm whose principal or base office is not located in this state, such branch office must be under the full-time responsible control of an architect licensed to practice under Code Section 43-4 and who is a permanent resident of Georgia residing in the locale of such branch office.

(h) Each office regularly engaged in the practice of architecture shall have an architect duly registered with this Board, in full authority and responsible charge, having personal knowledge and supervisory control of such work.

Notes

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 50-3-.03

O.C.G.A. Secs. 43-4-1, 43-4-9, 43-4-10, 43-4-13, 43-4-16, 43-4-17, 43-4-19.

Original Rule entitled "Firm Names" adopted. F. Nov. 14, 1975; eff. Dec. 4, 1975. Amended: F. Dec. 16, 1982; eff. Jan. 5, 1983. Amended: F. Apr. 27, 1988; eff. May 17, 1988. Repealed: New Rule entitled "Names" adopted. F. July 2, 2007; eff. July 22, 2007.