Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0120-05-.04 - BASIC REQUIREMENTS

(1) Basic Requirements-Architects

(a) A registered architect seeking biennial renewal for the first time shall, as a prerequisite to renewal, submit satisfactory evidence to the Board of having obtained twelve (12) PDHs the two (2) years immediately following initial registration and immediately preceding application for renewal. All twelve (12) PDHs must be completed in Health, Safety, and Welfare subjects acquired in structured educational activities.

(b) A registered architect seeking biennial renewal for each two (2)-year period thereafter shall, as a prerequisite to renewal, submit satisfactory evidence to the Board of having obtained twenty-four (24) PDHs the two (2) years immediately preceding application for renewal. All twenty-four (24) PDHs must be completed in Health, Safety, and Welfare subjects acquired in structured educational activities. For registrants renewing a certificate of registration that expires prior to 2023, up to twelve (12) carryover PDHs from the preceding renewal period may be included in the total PDHs claimed. For registrants renewing a certificate of registration that expires in 2023 and thereafter, excess PDHs may not be carried over to a future renewal period.

(c) A new registrant is not required to satisfy the continuing education requirements prescribed in this chapter as a prerequisite for initial registration. However, at the time of first registration renewal, the registrant must demonstrate completion of the required continuing education in this rule.

(d) Individuals reapplying for registration shall, as a prerequisite to registration, submit evidence satisfactory to the Board of having obtained twenty-four (24) PDHs during the twenty-four (24) months immediately preceding reapplication. All twenty-four (24) PDHs must be completed in Health, Safety, and Welfare subjects acquired in structured educational activities.

(e) As an alternative to the requirements listed in 0120-05-.04(1)(a)-(d), a registered architect may meet the continuing education requirement by obtaining twelve (12) PDHs per calendar year, all twelve (12) of which shall be completed in Health, Safety, and Welfare subjects acquired in structured educational activities. For registrants renewing a certificate of registration that expires prior to 2023, up to twelve (12) carryover PDHs from the preceding renewal period may be included in the total PDHs claimed. For registrants renewing a certificate of registration that expires in 2023 and thereafter, excess PDHs may not be credited to a future calendar year.

(f) For purposes of this rule, a structured educational activity is one (1) in which at least seventy-five percent (75%) of an activity's content and instructional time must be devoted to Health, Safety, and Welfare subjects related to the practice of architecture , including courses of study or other activities under the areas identified as Health, Safety and Welfare subjects and provided by qualified individuals or organizations, whether delivered by direct contact or distance learning methods.

(g) For purposes of this rule, Health, Safety, and Welfare subjects are technical and professional subjects that the Board deems appropriate to safeguard the public and that are within the following enumerated areas necessary for the proper evaluation, design, construction, and utilization of buildings and the built environment.

1. Building Systems: Structural, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Communications, Security, Fire Protection

2. Construction Contract Administration: Contracts, Bidding, Contract Negotiations

3. Construction Documents: Drawings, Specifications, Delivery Methods

4. Design: Urban Planning, Master Planning, Building Design, Site Design, Interiors, Safety and Security Measures

5. Environmental: Energy Efficiency, Sustainability, Natural Resources, Natural Hazards, Hazardous Materials, Weatherproofing, Insulation

6. Legal: Laws, Codes, Zoning, Regulations, Standards, Life Safety, Accessibility, Ethics, Insurance to Protect Owners and Public

7. Materials and Methods: Construction Systems, Products, Finishes, Furnishings, Equipment

8. Pre-Design: Land Use Analysis, Programming, Site Selection, Site and Soils Analysis, Surveying

9. Preservation: Historic, Reuse, Adaptation

(2) Basic Requirements-Engineers

(a) A registered engineer seeking biennial renewal for the first time after initial registration shall, as a prerequisite to renewal, submit satisfactory evidence to the Board of having obtained twelve (12) PDHs the two (2) years immediately following initial registration and immediately preceding application for renewal. At least seven (7) of the PDHs claimed shall address Health, Safety and Welfare issues and technical competency.

(b) A registered engineer seeking biennial renewal for each two (2)-year period thereafter shall, as a prerequisite to renewal, submit satisfactory evidence to the Board of having obtained twenty-four (24) PDHs the two (2) years immediately preceding application for renewal. At least thirteen (13) of the PDHs claimed shall address Health, Safety and Welfare issues and technical competency. For registrants renewing a certificate of registration that expires prior to 2023, up to twelve (12) carryover PDHs from the preceding renewal period may be included in the total PDHs claimed. For registrants renewing a certificate of registration that expires in 2023 and thereafter, excess PDHs may not be carried over to a future renewal period.

(c) A new registrant is not required to satisfy the continuing education requirements prescribed in this chapter as a prerequisite for initial registration. However, at the time of first registration renewal, the registrant must demonstrate completion of the required continuing education.

(d) Individuals reapplying for registration shall, as a prerequisite to registration, submit evidence satisfactory to the Board of having obtained twenty-four (24) PDHs (thirteen (13) of which shall address Health, Safety and Welfare issues and technical competency) during the twenty-four (24) months immediately preceding reapplication.

(e) As an alternative to the requirements listed in 0120-05-.04(2)(a)-(d), a registered engineer may meet the continuing education requirement by obtaining twelve (12) PDHs per calendar year, at least seven (7) of which shall address Health, Safety and Welfare issues and technical competency. For registrants renewing a certificate of registration that expires prior to 2023, up to twelve (12) carryover PDHs from the preceding renewal period may be included in the total PDHs claimed. For registrants renewing a certificate of registration that expires in 2023 and thereafter, excess PDHs may not be credited to a future calendar year.

(3) Basic Requirements-Landscape Architects

(a) A registered landscape architect seeking biennial renewal for the first time after initial registration shall, as a prerequisite to renewal, submit satisfactory evidence to the Board of having obtained twelve (12) PDHs the two (2) years immediately following initial registration and immediately preceding application for renewal. At least seven (7) of the PDHs claimed shall address Health, Safety and Welfare issues and technical competency.

(b) A registered landscape architect seeking biennial renewal for each two (2)-year period thereafter shall, as a prerequisite to renewal, submit satisfactory evidence to the Board of having obtained twenty-four (24) PDHs the two (2) years immediately preceding application for renewal. At least thirteen (13) of the PDHs claimed shall address Health, Safety and Welfare issues and technical competency. For registrants renewing a certificate of registration that expires prior to 2023, up to twelve (12) carryover PDHs from the preceding renewal period may be included in the total PDHs claimed. For registrants renewing a certificate of registration that expires in 2023 and thereafter, excess PDHs may not be carried over to a future renewal period.

(c) A new registrant is not required to satisfy the continuing education requirements prescribed in this chapter as a prerequisite for initial registration. However, at the time of first registration renewal, the registrant must demonstrate completion of the required continuing education in this rule.

(d) Individuals reapplying for registration shall, as a prerequisite to registration, submit evidence satisfactory to the Board of having obtained twenty-four (24) PDHs (thirteen (13) of which shall address Health, Safety and Welfare issues and technical competency) during the twenty-four (24) months immediately preceding reapplication.

(e) As an alternative to the requirements listed in 0120-05-.04(3)(a)-(d), a registered landscape architect may meet the continuing education requirement by obtaining twelve (12) PDHs per calendar year, at least seven (7) of which shall address Health, Safety and Welfare issues and technical competency. For registrants renewing a certificate of registration that expires prior to 2023, up to twelve (12) carryover PDHs from the preceding renewal period may be included in the total PDHs claimed. For registrants renewing a certificate of registration that expires in 2023 and thereafter, excess PDHs may not be credited to a future calendar year.

(4) Basic Requirement-Registered Interior Designers

(a) A registered interior designer seeking biennial renewal for the first time after initial registration shall, as a prerequisite to renewal, submit satisfactory evidence to the Board of having obtained twelve (12) PDHs the two (2) years immediately following initial registration and immediately preceding application for renewal. At least seven (7) of the PDHs claimed shall address Health, Safety and Welfare issues and technical competency.

(b) A registered interior designer seeking biennial renewal for each two (2)-year period thereafter shall, as a prerequisite to renewal, submit satisfactory evidence to the Board of having obtained twenty-four (24) PDHs the two (2) years immediately preceding application for renewal (carryover hours, not exceeding twelve (12) hours, from the preceding renewal period may be included). At least thirteen (13) of the PDHs claimed shall address Health, Safety and Welfare issues and technical competency.

(c) A new registrant is not required to satisfy the continuing education requirements prescribed in this chapter as a prerequisite for initial registration. However, at the time of first registration renewal, the registrant must demonstrate completion of the required continuing education in this rule.

(d) Individuals reapplying for registration shall, as a prerequisite to registration, submit evidence satisfactory to the Board of having obtained twenty-four (24) PDHs (thirteen (13) of which shall address Health, Safety and Welfare issues and technical competency) during the twenty-four (24) months immediately preceding reapplication.

(e) As an alternative to the requirements listed in 0120-05-.04(4)(a)-(d), a registered interior designer may meet the continuing education requirement by obtaining twelve (12) PDHs per calendar year, at least seven (7) of which must be completed in Health, Safety, and Welfare and technical competency subjects acquired in structured educational activities. The remainder of the PDHs claimed may address general knowledge subjects relevant to the practice of interior design. Up to twelve (12) carryover PDHs from the preceding renewal period may be included in the total PDHs claimed.

1. For purposes of this paragraph, a structured educational activity is one in which at least seventy-five percent (75%) of an activity's content and instructional time must be devoted to Health, Safety, and Welfare subjects related to the practice of interior design, including courses of study or other activities under the areas identified as Health, Safety and Welfare subjects and provided by qualified individuals or organizations, whether delivered by direct contact or distance learning methods.

2. For purposes of this paragraph, Health, Safety, and Welfare subjects are technical and professional subjects that the Board deems appropriate to safeguard the public and that are within the following enumerated areas necessary for the proper evaluation, design, construction, and utilization of buildings and the built environment.

(i) Health/Safety-Includes topics related to protection of the public or the environment. Such topics may include, but are not limited to:

(I) Building and Life Safety Codes, regulations and standards of practice

(II) Building regulations

(III) Products or designs implemented to protect the public or the environment

(IV) Product performance standards and topics including, but not limited to, energy efficiency, acoustics, indoor air quality, lighting, or fire and life-safety systems

(ii) Welfare-Includes topics that enhance the social, psychological, financial and physical well-being of individuals and the environment. Such topics include, but are not limited to:

(I) Social

(II) Psychological

(III) Financial

(IV) Business practices

(V) Ethics

(VI) Space design

(VII) Budgets and estimating

(VIII) Construction administration

(IX) Environmental and sustainability issues

(X) Finish materials and methods of construction detailing

(XI) Special needs populations

(iii) Topics that do not qualify as Health, Safety, and Welfare include, but are not limited to, computer software training and general business practices, firm marketing, personnel, and management issues.

3. A general knowledge PDH is one where the PDH covers general knowledge regarding interior design practice and process and where less than seventy-five percent (75%) of the PDH content covers Health, Safety, Welfare, barrier free design or sustainability. The subject of a general knowledge PDH may include, but is not limited to, the five (5) phases of design, including programming, schematic design, design development, construction documents and contract administration.

Notes

Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0120-05-.04

Original rule filed April 25, 1997; effective July 9, 1997. Amendment filed May 20, 2004; effective August 3, 2004. Repeal and new rule filed March 14, 2005; effective May 28, 2005. Amendments filed October 29, 2020; effective 1/27/2021.

Authority: T.C.A. § 62-2-203(d).