Existing law provides for the licensure and regulation of persons engaged in the practice of architecture by the California Architects Board and authorizes that board to discipline architects. Existing law provides for the licensing and regulation of professional engineers and land surveyors by the Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists, and authorizes that board to discipline professional engineers and licensed land surveyors.

Existing law allows the making of contracts by state and local agency heads for architectural, landscape architectural, engineering, environmental services, land surveying, or construction project management services based on demonstrated competence and professional qualifications rather than competitive bidding. Existing law also requires state and local agencies to adopt procedures that prohibit unlawful activity in the making of contracts for these services, including rebates or kickbacks, and requires that individuals or firms proposing to provide services under these provisions provide evidence to the state or local agency of their expertise and experience in the provision of these services.

This bill would require that architects licensed by the California Architects Board, as well as professional engineers and land surveyors licensed by the Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists, comply with these provisions when competing for contracts with state or local agencies for the provision of architectural, engineering, or land surveying services.