ACEC/Michigan is applauding the signing into law of an important measure that will encourage more Michigan-schooled architects to remain here to build their careers. Public Act 143 of 2009, formerly House Bill 4793, was signed by Governor Granholm earlier this week.

 

PA 143, sponsored by state Rep. Barb Byrum, amends Article 20 (Architects, Professional Engineers, and Professional Surveyors) of the Occupational Code to remove the requirement that, to be eligible to sit for the architect examination, an individual must provide documentation of having at least eight years of professional architectural experience, not more than six years of which may be architectural education. This experience requirement would continue to be a requirement for licensure as an architect. 

 

Under previous law, in order to take the exam for licensure, an applicant must have had at least eight years of professional experience. This requirement had pushed many Michigan graduates to seek employment in other states to gain their licensure sooner, as 40 other states allow architecture graduates to take the exam soon after graduation, and most candidates do so during their apprenticeship period, which typically consists of three years’ work after graduation.

 

PA 143 was signed with immediate effect.

For more information Contact: ACEC