Sec.20-289-10a. Code of ethics

(a) Competence

(1) In practicing architecture, an architect shall act with reasonable care and competence, and shall apply the technical knowledge and skill which is ordinarily applied by architects of good standing.

(2) In designing a project, an architect shall take into account all applicable building laws and regulations. An architect shall not knowingly design a project in violation of said laws or regulations.

(3) An architect shall undertake to perform professional services only when such architect, together with those whom the architect may engage as consultants, qualified by education, training, and experience in the specific technical areas involved.

(b) Conflict of Interest

(1) An architect shall not accept compensation for services from more than one party on a project unless the circumstances are fully disclosed in writing and agreed to in writing by all interested parties.

(2) If an architect has any business association or direct or indirect financial interest that may influence such architect's judgment in connection with the performance of professional services, the architect shall fully disclose in writing to the client(s) or employer(s) the nature of the business association or financial interest, and if the client(s) or employer(s) object to such association or financial interest, the architect shall either terminate such association or interest, or offer to give up the commission or employment.

(3) When acting as the interpreter of building contract documents and the judge of contract performance, an architect shall render decisions impartially, favoring neither party to the contract.

(c) Full Disclosure

(1) An architect, making public statements on architectural questions, shall disclose when the architect is being compensated for making such statement.

(2) An architect shall accurately represent to a prospective or existing client or employer the architect's qualifications and the scope of the architect's responsibilities in connection with work previously performed.

(3) If, in the course of the architect's work on a project, an architect becomes aware of a decision taken by the architect's employer or client, against the architect's advice, which violates any applicable statute or regulation and materially affects adversely the safety to the public of the finished project, then the architect shall report the decision to the appropriate enforcement officials or refuse to consent to the decision and terminate the architect's service with reference to the project. Said termination shall excuse any liability to the architect's client on account of such termination.

(4) An architect shall not intentionally make a materially false statement or intentionally fail to disclose a material fact requested in connection with an architect's application for licensure or renewal.

(5) An architect shall not assist the application for licensure of a person known by the architect to be unqualified in respect to education, training, experience, or character.

(6) An architect possessing knowledge of a violation of sections 20-289-1a to 20-289-12a, inclusive, of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies by another architect shall report such knowledge to the department immediately.

(d) Compliance with Laws

(1) An architect shall not knowingly violate any state or federal criminal law.

(2) An architect shall neither offer nor make any payments or gifts to a government official with the intent of influencing the official's judgment in connection with a prospective or existing project in which the architect is interested.

(e) Professional Conduct

(1) An architect shall not sign or seal drawings, specifications, reports or other professional work unless the architect was in responsible charge of their preparation.

(2) The term "in responsible charge of their preparation" means that such professional work is prepared or reviewed under the licensed architect's control under the following conditions:

(A) the architect has detailed professional knowledge of the work;

(B) the architect has documented involvement in the preparation of the work;

(C) the architect has applied the required professional competency to the work;

(D) the architect has accepted full responsibility for the work; and

(E) for at least eight years from the date the work was signed or sealed, or from the date of substantial completion as described in Section 52-584a of the Connecticut General Statutes, whichever is later, the architect shall maintain and make available to the board and the department records adequate to demonstrate that the architect has complied with subparagraphs (1) through (4) of this subdivision.

(3) An architect shall neither offer nor make any gifts with the intent of influencing the judgment of an existing or prospective client in connection with a project in which the architect is interested.

(Effective April 22, 1988; Amended December 4, 1998; Amended January 3, 2018)