DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS  
DIRECTOR’S OFFICE  
ARCHITECTS – GENERAL RULES  
Filed with the secretary of state on February 20, 2020  
These rules take effect immediately upon filing with the secretary of state unless adopted  
under section 33, 44, or 45a(6) of the administrative procedures act of 1969, 1969 PA  
306, MCL 24.233, 24.244, or 24.245a. Rules adopted under these sections become  
effective 7 days after filing with the secretary of state.  
(By authority conferred on the board of architects by section 308 of the occupational  
code, 1980 PA 299, MCL 339.308; and on the director of the department of licensing and  
regulatory affairs by sections 205 and 2009 of the occupational code, 1980 PA 299, MCL  
339.205 and 339.2009; and Executive Reorganization Order Nos. 1991-9, 1996-2, 2003-  
1, and 2011-4, MCL 338.3501, 445.2001, 445.2011, and 445.2030)  
R 339.15101, R 339.15201, R 339.15202, R 339.15204, R 339.15401, R 339.15501, R  
339.15502, and R 339.15506 of the Michigan Administrative Code are amended, R  
339.15304 and R 339.15404 are added, and R 339.15301, R 339.15402, R 339.15403, R  
339.15502a, R 339.15503, R 339.15504, and R 339.15507 are rescinded, as follows:  
PART 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS  
R 339.15101 Definitions.  
Rule 101. (1) As used in these rules:  
(a) "Act" means the occupational code, 1980 PA 299, MCL 339.101 to 339.2677.  
(b) “Continuing education” means an instructional course or activity in an approved  
health, safety, and welfare subject that is designed to bring licensees up to date on a  
particular area of knowledge or skills relevant to a licensee’s area of professional  
practice.  
(c) “Course” means any qualifying activity with a clear purpose and objective that will  
maintain, improve, or expand the skills and knowledge relevant to the licensee’s area of  
professional practice. Regular duties for compensation are not considered activities,  
except for employer compensated continuing education activities.  
(d) “Department” means the department of licensing and regulatory affairs.  
(e) “Distance learning” means any of the following:  
(i) Courses where an instructor and a licensee may be apart and instruction takes  
place through online or electronic media.  
(ii) Courses, which include, but are not limited to, instruction presented through  
interactive classrooms, at the job site, computer conferencing, and interactive computer  
systems.  
August 23, 2019  
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(iii) Monographs, which are distant learning courses that examine or investigate  
current and emerging topics in architecture and which can be in the form of an online  
quiz or test offered by a sponsor that may not require an instructor.  
(f) Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW) subjects” means technical and professional  
subjects related to the practice of architecture that safeguard the public and that include  
the continuing education subjects approved under R 339.15506.  
(g) “Sponsor” means a person who represents to the public that any of its courses  
fulfill the requirements of section 2009 of the act for continuing education.  
(2) Terms defined in the act have the same meanings when used in these rules.  
PART 2. EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND EXAMINATION STANDARDS  
R 339.15201 Educational requirement; adoption by reference of educational standard.  
Rule 201. (1) An applicant for an architect license shall submit 1 of the following to  
satisfy the educational requirements under the act:  
(a) Transcripts verifying that he or she received a first professional degree from an  
architectural program that is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board  
(NAAB) or the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB).  
(b) An evaluation report from the Education Evaluation Services for Architects-  
National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (EESA-NCARB) that states the  
applicant for architect licensure has met the NCARB Education Standard established in  
the NCARB Education Guidelines.  
(c) A credentials evaluation provided by a current member of the National Association  
of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) that verifies the applicant for architect  
licensure received a degree that satisfies all of the categories, subject areas, and semester  
credit hour requirements established under the NCARB Education Standard adopted by  
reference under subrule (2) this rule.  
(2) The board adopts by reference in these rules the NCARB Education Standard set  
forth in the “NCARB Education Guidelines,” effective August 2018. This document is  
available for inspection and distribution at the cost of 10 cents per page from the  
Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Professional Licensing at  
611 W. Ottawa St., P.O. Box 30670, Lansing, MI 48909 and at no cost from NCARB at  
www.ncarb.org or National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, 1401 H St.  
NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20005.  
R 339.15202 Experience requirement.  
Rule 202. A valid certificate of completion of any internship program from NCARB is  
required to satisfy the professional experience in architectural work required under the  
act.  
R 339.15204 Examination requirement.  
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Rule 204. An applicant for an architect license shall submit proof of obtaining a  
passing score as determined by NCARB on the NCARB Architectural Registration  
Examination.  
PART 3. RELICENSURE  
R 339.15301 Rescinded.  
R 339.15304 Relicensure requirements.  
Rule 304. (1) An applicant whose license has lapsed for less than 3 years after the  
expiration date of the last license may be relicensed under section 411(3) of the act, MCL  
339.411(3), by satisfying all of the following requirements:  
(a) Submitting a completed application on a form provided by the department.  
(b) Paying the required fee to the department.  
(c) Submitting proof to the department verifying that he or she has completed not less  
than 24 hours of continuing education activities approved under R 339.15502 during the  
2-year period immediately preceding the date of the relicensure application. If the  
department determines that the amount of continuing education hours submitted with the  
application is deficient, the applicant has 1 year from the date of the application to  
provide proof of completing the deficient hours.  
(2) An applicant whose license has lapsed for 3 years or more after the expiration date  
of the last license may be relicensed under section 411(4) of the act, MCL 339.411(4), by  
satisfying all of the following requirements:  
(a) Submitting a completed application on a form provided by the department.  
(b) Paying the required fee to the department.  
(c) Establishing that he or she has met all of the requirements for initial licensure  
under the act and these rules.  
(d) Submitting proof to the department verifying he or she has completed not less than  
24 hours of continuing education activities approved under R 339.15502 during the 2-  
year period immediately preceding the date of the relicensure application. If the  
department determines that the amount of continuing education hours submitted with the  
application is deficient, the applicant has 1 year from the date of the application to  
provide proof of completing the deficient hours.  
PART 4. STANDARDS OF PRACTICE AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT  
R 339.15401 Model rules of conduct; adoption by reference.  
Rule 401. (1) A licensee shall comply with the NCARB model rules of conduct  
adopted by reference in this rule.  
(2) The board adopts by reference in these rules the NCARB model rules of conduct set  
forth in the document “Model Rules of Conduct 2018-2019” revised July 2018. This  
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document is available for inspection and distribution at the cost of 10 cents per page from  
the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Professional Licensing,  
611 W. Ottawa St., P.O. Box 30670, Lansing, MI 48909 and at no cost from NCARB at  
www.ncarb.org or National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, 1401 H St.  
NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20005.  
R 339.15402 Rescinded.  
R 339.15403 Rescinded.  
R 339.15404 Seal design, use, security, and validation.  
Rule 404. (1) Effective 60 days after the promulgation of this rule, the seal of an  
architect must include the licensee’s full name and license number, as shown on his or  
her state-issued architect license, and indicate “State of Michigan” and “Licensed  
Architect” in the legend surrounding the seal. The seal must have a design substantially  
similar to figure 404.  
(2) A licensee's seal shall be used by the licensee whose name appears on the seal for so  
long as the license remains in effect. A licensee is responsible for the security of the  
licensee's seal.  
FIGURE 404  
PART 5. LICENSE RENEWAL AND CONTINUING EDUCATION  
R 339.15501 License renewal requirement; continuing education waiver.  
Rule 501. (1) An applicant for license renewal who has been licensed during the 2-year  
period immediately preceding the expiration date of the license shall obtain not less than  
24 hours of continuing education in activities approved under R 339.15502 during the 2-  
year period immediately preceding the expiration date of the license.  
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(2) Submission of an application for renewal constitutes the applicant’s certification of  
compliance with this rule and R 339.15502.  
(3) A licensee shall retain documentation of satisfying the requirements of this rule and  
R 339.15502 for a period of 4 years from the date of applying for license renewal.  
(4) A licensee is subject to audit under this part and may be required to submit  
documentation as described under R 339.15502 upon request of the department.  
(5) A request for a continuing education waiver pursuant to section 204(2) of the act,  
MCL 339.204(2), must be received by the department before the expiration date of the  
license.  
R 339.15502 Acceptable continuing education.  
Rule 502. (1) The department shall grant credit for continuing education hours that  
satisfy the requirements in the following chart:  
Activity  
Code  
Activity and Proof Required  
Number of Credits Earned for  
Activity and Allowed for Renewal  
Cycle  
1
Completing a continuing education  
program or activity, regardless of the  
format in which it is offered, if it is in  
an HSW subject under R 339.15506  
and is approved or offered for  
continuing education by any of the  
following:  
The number of credits approved  
by the sponsor or the approving  
organization.  
Another state board of  
architects.  
NCARB.  
American Institute of  
Architects.  
Construction Specifications  
Institute.  
University of Michigan.  
Lawrence Technological  
University.  
University of Detroit Mercy.  
Andrews University.  
United States Green Building  
Council.  
If audited, a licensee shall submit a  
copy of a letter or a certificate of  
completion issued by the relevant  
above-referenced sponsor or  
organization showing the licensee’s  
name, number of credits earned,  
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sponsor name or the name of the  
organization that approved the  
continuing education program or  
activity, and the date or dates on which  
the program was held or the activity  
completed.  
2
Passing a postgraduate academic  
course in an HSW subject under R  
339.15506 that is offered by an  
Fifteen continuing education hours  
are granted for each semester  
credit or 10 continuing education  
architectural program that is accredited hours are granted for each quarter  
by NAAB or CACB.  
credit.  
If audited, a licensee shall submit a  
copy of the transcript issued by the  
A maximum of 15 continuing  
education hours are granted for  
NAAB-accredited or CACB-accredited this activity in each renewal  
architectural program showing the  
number of completed credit hours for  
the academic courses.  
period.  
3
Attending a seminar, in-house course,  
One continuing education hour is  
workshop, or professional or technical granted for every 50 minutes of  
presentation made at a meeting,  
continuous instruction.  
convention, or conference in which the  
subject matter is an HSW subject under One-half (0.5 credit) of 1  
R 339.15506.  
continuing education hour is  
granted for every additional 25  
minutes of continuous instruction  
that follows the initial 50 minutes  
of continuous instruction.  
If audited, a licensee shall submit a  
copy of a letter or a certificate of  
completion issued by the sponsor or  
organization of the seminar, in-house  
course, workshop, or professional or  
technical presentation made at a  
meeting, convention or conference  
showing the licensee’s name, sponsor  
name or the name of the organization,  
and the date or dates on which the  
above-referenced activity was held and  
attended by the licensee.  
4
Teaching, instructing, or presenting a  
One continuing education hour is  
subject that is an HSW subject under R granted for every 50 minutes  
339.15506.  
continuous instruction.  
If audited, a licensee shall submit a  
letter issued by the course or activity  
sponsor or organization confirming  
licensee as the teacher, instructor or  
presenter of a course or activity,  
One-half (0.5 credit) of 1  
continuing education hour shall be  
granted for every additional 25  
minutes of continuous instruction  
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together with a copy of the course  
syllabus, or other program  
that follows the initial 50 minutes  
of continuous instruction.  
documentation, showing that licensee  
is the instructor, the name of the course  
or activity, and the date or dates the  
course or activity took place.  
5
Publishing a peer-reviewed paper,  
article, or book on a subject that is an  
HSW subject under R 339.15506.  
Six continuing education hours are  
granted for this activity.  
Credit for continuing education  
hours is not granted for multiple  
publications of the same peer-  
review paper, article, or book.  
If audited, a licensee shall submit a  
copy of the publication that identifies  
the licensee as the author of the  
publication and the publication  
acceptance letter showing licensee’s  
name, article name, and date of  
publishing.  
A maximum of 12 continuing  
education hours are granted for  
this activity during each renewal  
period.  
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Serving as a voting member on a local, Three continuing education hours  
state, or national committee, board,  
council, or association, if it enhances  
the participant’s knowledge and  
understanding of architecture. To  
receive credit, a licensee must  
participate in at least 50% of the  
regularly scheduled meetings of the  
committee, board, council, or  
association.  
are granted for each committee,  
board, council, or association on  
which the licensee is a member.  
A maximum of 3 continuing  
education hours are granted for  
this activity during each renewal  
period.  
If audited, a licensee shall submit  
documentation satisfactory to the  
department verifying the licensee’s  
participation in at least 50% of the  
regularly scheduled meetings of the  
committee, board, council, or  
association and provide verification of  
the licensee’s status as a voting  
member on the committee, board,  
council, or association.  
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Participating in a company-sponsored  
seminar or training that is on an HSW  
subject under R 339.15506.  
One continuing education hour is  
granted for every 50 minutes of  
continuous instruction.  
If audited, a licensee shall submit a  
copy of a letter or a certificate of  
completion issued by the company or  
One-half (0.5 credit) of 1  
continuing education hour shall be  
granted for every additional 25  
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organization presenting the seminar or minutes of continuous instruction  
training on its behalf, showing the  
that follows the initial 50 minutes  
licensee’s name, company name or the of continuous instruction.  
name of the organization presenting  
the seminar or training on behalf of the  
company, subject of seminar or  
training, and the date or dates on which  
the above-referenced seminar or  
training was held and completed by the  
licensee.  
(2) Continuing education hours are not granted for a program or activity that has  
substantially the same content of a program or activity for which the applicant has  
already earned continuing education credit during the renewal period.  
(3) Except as provided under subrule (1) of this rule, 50 minutes of continuous  
instruction is equal to 1 continuing education hour. For purpose of this rule, “continuous  
instruction” means the time participating in the activity, not including breakfast, lunch, or  
dinner periods, coffee breaks, or any other breaks in the program.  
R 339.15502a Rescinded.  
R 339.15503 Rescinded.  
R 339.15504 Rescinded.  
R 339.15506 HSW subjects for continuing education.  
Rule 506. The following continuing education subjects are approved HSW Subjects:  
(a) Practice management in 1 of the following topics:  
(i) Applicable laws and regulations.  
(ii) Ethics.  
(iii) Insurance to protect owner and public.  
(iv) Business management.  
(v) Risk management.  
(vi) Design for community needs.  
(vii) Supervisor training.  
(b) Project management in 1 of the following topics:  
(i) Project delivery methods.  
(ii) Contract negotiation.  
(iii) Pre-design services.  
(iv) Site and soils analysis.  
(v) Consultant management.  
(vi) Project scheduling.  
(vii) Quality control.  
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(viii) Economic assessment.  
(ix) Value engineering.  
(c) Programing and analysis in 1 of the following topics:  
(i) Land-use analysis.  
(ii) Programming.  
(iii) Site selection.  
(iv) Historic preservation.  
(v) Adaptive reuse.  
(vi) Codes, regulations, and standards.  
(vii) Natural resources.  
(viii) Hazardous materials.  
(ix) Resiliency.  
(x) Life safety.  
(xi) Feasibility studies.  
(d) Project planning and design in 1 of the following topics:  
(i) Building systems.  
(ii) Urban planning.  
(iii) Master planning.  
(iv) Building design.  
(v) Site design.  
(vi) Safety and security measures.  
(vii) Energy efficiency.  
(viii) Sustainability.  
(ix) Indoor air quality.  
(x) Ergonomics.  
(xi) Lighting.  
(xii) Acoustics.  
(xiii) Accessibility.  
(xiv) Construction systems.  
(xv) Budget development.  
(e) Project development and documentation in 1 of the following topics:  
(i) Construction documents.  
(ii) Materials and assemblies.  
(iii) Fixtures, furnishings, and equipment.  
(f) Construction and evaluation in 1 of the following topics:  
(i) Construction contract administration.  
(ii) Bidding and negotiation.  
(iii) Post occupancy evaluation.  
(iv) Building commissioning.  
R 339.15507 Rescinded.  
;