NOTICE OF INTENT: PROPOSED CHANGES TO LAC 46:I.CHAPTER 13. ADMINISTRAION PERTAINING TO THE BOARD’S ADMINISTRATION OF THE LICENSING LAW
Category : Announcements, Proposed Changes to the Rules
On April 20, 2026, a Notice of Intent for the proposed amendment of LAC 46:I.Chapter 13. Administration will be published in the Louisiana Register. The board is proposing to amend LAC 46:I.1303 (Architect’s Seal or Stamp); LAC 46:I.1305 (Placing of Seal or Stamp); LAC 46:I.1309 (Calculating Gross Floor Area under R.S. 37:155(4) Where Building Contains Mixed Occupancy Classifications); LAC 46:I.1311 (Interpretation of R.S. 37:155(4)(c)); LAC 46:I.1313 (Interpretation of R.S. 37:152(B)); LAC 46:I.1315 (Continuing Education), and LAC 46:I.1317 (Interpretation of R.S. 37:155(A)(3)).
The amendments will update such sections to align with current practices. The amendments will:
- Remove the word “stamp” when referring to an architect’s seal, including in the requirements for its description and placement.
- Specify that certain alterations defined as Level 1 by the International Building Code, with a value exceeding $125,000, are exempt from the licensing law if the applicant documents to the satisfaction of the State Fire Marshall that the work does not affect structural integrity or life safety.
- Establish a five-year requirement obligating architects to document and retain evidence of their responsible control over all work, including documents prepared outside their office.
- Remove the reference to “other similar honorific but inactive status” from the continuing education exemptions, clarifying that only architects with formally defined emeritus status (not architects who may have received “other similar honorific but inactive status”) are exempt.
- Update the board’s contact information by removing the fax number and changing the website from lastbdarchs.com to www.lsbae.com.
- Expand the types of courses and programs that qualify for continuing education credit.
- Increase the continuing education credit for authoring a published paper, article, or book from eight hours to twelve hours.
- Establish that continuing education credit cannot be earned for activities under one hour, while allowing fractional credit for activities exceeding one hour.
- Remove the program sponsor from disciplinary actions related to false continuing education reporting.
- Increase the record retention period from two years to six years for architects to maintain evidence of continuing evidence compliance.
- Remove the option for an in-state architect to contract with licensed engineers for work under the architect’s responsible control, requiring the architect to personally perform all necessary calculations and maintain full responsibility for the work under the architect’s responsible control, in order for an out-of-state architect to be deemed associated with the in-state architect on a project.
VIEW LINK TO NOTICE OF INTENT TO BE PUBLISHED
VIEW LINK TO FIRST REPORT TO OVERSIGHT COMMITTEES, SENATE PRESIDENT, AND HOUSE SPEAKER
VIEW LINK TO LOUISIANA REGISTER WEBSITE
VIEW LINK TO PUBLISHED NOTICE OF INTENT (AVAILABLE ONCE PUBLISHED 04/20/2026)
VIEW LINK TO SUMMARY REPORT TO OVERSIGHT COMMITTEES, SENATE PRESIDENT, AND HOUSE SPEAKER (TO BE POSTED WHEN AVAILABLE)