The purpose of the Chapter is to safeguard life, health and property. It shall be unlawful for any individual, firm or corporation to practice or offer to practice architecture in this State as defined in this Chapter, or to use the title “Architect” or “Registered Interior Designer” or any form thereof, except as provided in Chapter 89A for Landscape Architects, or to display or use any words, letters, figures, titles, sign, card, advertisement, or other device to indicate that such individual or firm practices or offers to practice architecture as herein defined or is an architect or architectural firm qualified to perform architectural work, or is a registered interior designer or a registered interior design firm qualified to perform interior design work, unless such person holds a current individual or corporate certificate of admission to practice architecture or registration to practice interior design under the provisions of this Chapter. ?(1915, c. 270, s. 4; C.S., s. 4996; 1941, c. 369, ss. 1, 2; 1951, c. 1130, s. 3; 1957, c. 794, s. 11; 1965, c. 1100; 1969, c. 718, s. 21; 1973, c. 1414, s. 1; 1979, c. 871, s. 1; 2021-81, s. 1.)

Terms Used In North Carolina General Statutes 83A-12

  • Architect: A person who is duly licensed to practice architecture. See North Carolina General Statutes 83A-1
  • Architectural firm: A professional corporation certified by the Board as meeting the requirements under this Chapter for registration for the practice of architecture. See North Carolina General Statutes 83A-1
  • Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
  • Interior design: Includes, but is not limited to, the preparation of reflected ceiling plans, space planning, creation or alteration of paths of egress, occupancy calculations, provided no increases in occupancy or number of exits is required, selection of furnishings, and the fabrication of nonstructural elements within and surrounding interior spaces of buildings. See North Carolina General Statutes 83A-1
  • property: shall include all property, both real and personal. See North Carolina General Statutes 12-3
  • Registered interior designer: A person who is duly registered and who is qualified by education, experience, and examination to engage in the practice of interior design as authorized by the Board. See North Carolina General Statutes 83A-1
  • Registration: A certificate of registration issued by the Board recognizing the individual or firm named in the certificate as meeting the requirements for registration under this Chapter. See North Carolina General Statutes 83A-1
  • state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, shall be construed to extend to and include the District of Columbia and the several territories, so called; and the words "United States" shall be construed to include the said district and territories and all dependencies. See North Carolina General Statutes 12-3