Holding a professional license in architecture authorizes you to offer your services in the state. The license is proof of qualification in training, skills, and knowledge of the laws governing your profession. The public is usually encouraged to hire licensed architects for their quality of work, professionalism, and legal services.
Obtaining a license is a long and tedious journey. It requires extensive training and dedication and costs a lot of money. Sadly, professional licenses are not permanent. The Architects Board can revoke your license at any stage in your career if you demonstrate incompetence or unprofessionalism. When that happens, you lose your means of earning a living and a career that costs you a lot to build.
The Architects Board is very proactive in protecting the public from financial losses and other damages resulting from professional misconduct. It will not reconsider canceling your license immediately after receiving a complaint against you. But you have the right to fight for your license. You can do that with our help at Fresno License Attorney. Since we understand how difficult it is to obtain a professional license, we will fight to protect you and your reputation in the industry.
How Crucial Is Your Architect License
Architects offer invaluable services in California. They design beautiful and safe buildings for residential and commercial purposes. They plan buildings and make the necessary recommendations and plans to ensure construction is conducted securely, professionally, and timely. With the right architect on site, builders and home or business owners are assured of their safety and satisfaction.
Thus, a license in architecture makes you an invaluable professional in the building and construction industry. You are the right person to work with when someone or people need an efficient, functional, solid, and aesthetic structure. Modern architects are trained to design and build modern structures. They utilize the latest technological innovations, including tools and equipment, to quickly create solid, safe, and functional structures.
It takes a long time to master the skills and experience needed to become a modern architect. Even after training in school and acquiring the necessary knowledge, you must prove yourself suitable for the work to obtain a license. The licensing board for architects is stringent in the requirements and criteria for obtaining a permit to serve Californians. Before your license application is approved, the board requires proof of quality, professionalism, and dedication. A license will also cost you a substantial amount.
Thus, defending your license should be your priority if something happens that could threaten it. For example, if an unsatisfied customer files a complaint with the Architect Board, your career is at risk. Your priority should be clearing your name or defending your license, regardless of the circumstances of the case.
Mistakes happen when discharging services to the public. You could act the way you should not or omit to act as you should, causing your customers or workers to suffer losses or harm. This does not mean that you do not value your license. Thus, it should not result in losing a profession that has cost you a lot to build. A skilled license attorney can help you devise defense strategies that could save your license and reputation.
The Architect Board’s Mission
The Architects Board issues licenses to qualified architects in California. It has a long list of qualifications an architect needs to obtain a permit. It also ensures that only licensed architects offer architectural services in the state. However, there are other reasons why the board exists. While issuing licenses is one of its mandates, its primary mandate is safeguarding the public against poor quality and unprofessional services. It protects the public from financial loss and physical harm from unprofessional conduct.
Thus, the board will not take your side when someone or a business files an allegation against you. It can revoke your license to safeguard the public, regardless of how critical your service is. You must find a skilled attorney who has your best interests in mind to help you fight for your license when this happens. Your attorney will advise, support, and fight with you to protect a livelihood that has cost you so much to build.
Since the board’s focus is usually on the consumer, it can make an unfair ruling in your case. The consumer can exaggerate the facts to get you into deep trouble. Some consumers lie about the quality of professionalism of an architect. This could result in a harsh penalty for a mistake you did not commit. However, an attorney can investigate your case further and present their findings to the board to ensure a fair ruling in your case.
On its website, the board has operations standards for all licensed architects. It also has rules of operation, which an architect must not follow. These are the standards the board will use to determine the severity of the allegations against you and the penalty you deserve. The board has many disciplinary actions for architects found guilty of unprofessionalism or incompetence. Most of these disciplinary actions will affect your license or career. Thus, you must engage an attorney to protect your name and livelihood.
Administrative Hearings by the Architect Board
When you violate your code of conduct as a licensed architect in California, you do not go through a criminal process but an administrative process. The code of conduct comprises everything you must do or not do as a licensed professional, including exhibiting incompetence, being negligent, or committing insurance fraud. The Architect Board takes these matters very seriously and will quickly take action in case of a violation.
You could avoid the administrative process since the board does not pursue all allegations it receives. However, if you receive a notification requiring you to attend a hearing, you are under investigation and could face severe consequences for your actions or inactions. This should prompt you to seek legal counsel and assistance to fight your charges.
The Architect Board will first appoint judges to oversee the matter. These judges will investigate the matter, gather evidence against you, and conduct the administrative hearing. If the judges have compelling evidence, you could lose the case. This means the board can discipline you. Your discipline could be as lenient as a citation, a reprimand letter, or as grave as a license revocation. This is based on the gravity of the allegation, your previous performance, and the evidence against you.
Competent license attorneys know how these administrative processes work. Thus, your attorney will be prepared to push for a favorable outcome. For example, they can fight a citation to avoid damaging your record. They could also fight the fine or compel the board to reduce it. Since your attorney has your best interests in mind, they will ensure you are satisfied with the case’s outcome.
It helps to understand some of the violations that will trigger an administrative healing by the Architect Board. An experienced attorney will gauge the allegations and evidence against you to help you understand the gravity of the matter. Here are some of the violations that the board can discipline with a harsh penalty:
- Incompetence or negligence when performing your duties
- Recklessness or willful misconduct
- Unprofessionalism with your customers or colleagues
- Conflicting interests in a particular job
- Permitting unlicensed people to work under your supervision unlawfully
- Committing fraud when obtaining your license
- Being discriminative
- Abusing drugs or alcohol while on the job
- Being arrested or convicted of a crime that substantially affects your job performance or qualification
- A violation of any statute under the Architect Practices Act or Business and Professionals Code
- Being investigated by another licensing board or any other government agency
Some allegations are graver than others, prompting the board to take sterner action, like suspending or revoking your license. However, a skilled license attorney can push for a case dismissal or compel the board to opt for a fair settlement. They can look for loopholes in the board’s case and use that to obtain the best possible outcome for your case.
How Criminal Charges Affect Your Professional License
The board prefers to license reputable professionals with no criminal backgrounds to protect the interests and safety of consumers. If you face an arrest or conviction after obtaining an architect license, this could affect your license. The Architect Board can restrict your license, affecting your service delivery. This will happen regardless of the nature of your charges, whether misdemeanor or felony. Once a restriction is in place, you cannot make a living as before. This could also affect your job, especially if you are an employee.
Sometimes, the board acts after the final verdict in your criminal case is out. Regardless of the case’s outcome, the board could suspend your permit for a given period to give you time to deal with the criminal matter or to obtain treatment or rehabilitation before continuing your service. This, too, will affect your livelihood and reputation. You could lose your job after your license is suspended and face difficulties finding a new one after reinstating your license.
The judge can also suspend your license pending the investigation and determination of your case. They could issue a license suspension as a condition for your bail, which could continue until the matter is resolved. Some of the criminal charges that could affect your architect license are as follows:
- Sexual battery under PC 243.4
- Domestic violence under PC 273.5
- Insurance fraud under PC 550
- Grand theft under PC 487
- Petty theft under PC 484
- DUID or DUI
- Possession of a regulated substance under HS 11350
- Possession for sale of a regulated substance under HS 11351
An aggressive license attorney will challenge the board’s order to suspend your license pending the determination of a criminal matter. They will also represent you in all hearings regarding the suspension or revocation of your license to push for a favorable outcome.
License Suspension and Reinstatement
License revocation is the gravest discipline the Architect Board can give you for unprofessional behavior. This could happen if people were injured, lives were lost, or someone sustained a significant injury due to your actions or inactions. Once the board revokes your license, you will no longer work as an architect in California. This not only takes away your career and livelihood but also your reputation. It will be difficult to start all over again, especially if the public already knows of your license revocation and the circumstances that resulted from it.
However, a competent license defense team can fight revocation. If they cannot push for a case dismissal, your defense can fight for a fair settlement that allows you to keep your license. If your attorney is successful, the board could opt for suspension. A suspension is usually temporary, and you can continue your practice once the suspension period is over.
Your defense team will also help you with license reinstatement. The board does not automatically reinstate professional licenses after suspension. You must apply for reinstatement and provide evidence of changed behavior or rehabilitation to qualify. The process is long and complex, so legal support and assistance are needed. Your attorney will also represent you in the hearings to push for a positive outcome.
Find Competent License Defense Services Near Me
Obtaining a license takes a lot of hard work and costs time and money. You can lose all that due to unprofessional conduct, incompetence, or negligence allegations. After working so hard to build a career as a licensed architect in Fresno, you must protect your license if you face claims that could affect it.
We can help you protect your career and reputation at Fresno License Attorney. We have been around the industry long enough to understand how administrative processes work, the best fighting strategies to use in every case, and how to navigate the legal processes successfully. We will explain your options and develop a fighting strategy immediately to counter allegations that could cost your license. We will defend your civil rights and offer support and advice to smooth the process. Call us at 559-777-7040 to start the process.
