Coleen Galvan

The board will address updates from the Department of Consumer Affairs, receive a budget report, and present a certificate of recognition. Discussions will include National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) matters, specifically regarding education, examination committees, and proposed resolutions. The agenda also covers updates on board committees, an executive officer's report on licensing and enforcement, legislative updates with potential action on proposed bills, and potential action on regulatory text amendments. The meeting will conclude with a closed session for disciplinary matters.

The meeting commenced with the establishment of a quorum. Key discussions included public comments regarding a request to publish screenshots of the architecture exam interface, an update from the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) concerning executive team appointments and mandatory training, and a budget update from the DCA Budget Office. The Board conducted a hearing on a petition for reduction of probation for Jerry Dohn. A significant agenda item involved a presentation and discussion on Artificial Intelligence and regulatory oversight in architecture, featuring input from a retired Chief Counsel from the California Department of Motor Vehicles. The Board approved the minutes from the August 21, 2025 meeting. Updates were provided on the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) committee meetings, including the Landscape Architects Technical Committee (LATC) recommendation to approve the UC Los Angeles Extension Certificate Program for another six-year accreditation period. The Executive Officer reported on various programs including outreach, regulations, examination statistics, and enforcement activity. The Board reviewed and approved proposed amendments to the California Code of Regulations concerning the Delegation of Certain Functions (16 CCR 103). Finally, the Board elected its officers: Ron Jones as President, Robert Pearman as Vice President, and Victoria Brash as Secretary.

The agenda for this meeting included several key items. The Board planned to receive updates from the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) and receive a presentation on the Architecture Program at College of the Desert. Significant discussion was scheduled regarding the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) matters, specifically updates on Education, Experience and Examination Committee Meetings, NCARB operations including draft resolutions (2026-A Mutual Recognition Agreement with ARB, 2026-B Policy Amendments, and 2026-C Certification Guidelines Amendment for architects licensed pre-1997), and the topic of Artificial Intelligence in the practice of architecture. The Board also planned to review updates from its own committees (Regulatory and Enforcement, Landscape Architects Technical Committee, and Communications Committee), receive the Executive Officer's Report, discuss legislative updates (including AB 1796 concerning Commercial Interior Designers Practice Act), and address regulatory updates regarding Architect-in-Training status and fee changes. The meeting agenda also included election of Board Officers and deliberation in closed session on disciplinary matters.

This document outlines the strategic plan for the California Board of Architectural Examiners. It is driven by a mission to advance and protect the interests of Californians through effective administration of the Architects Practice Act, and a vision to be a leader in architectural regulation and consumer protection. Key strategic goals include ensuring practicing architects meet professional qualifications, protecting consumers by establishing and enforcing practice standards, increasing public and professional awareness of the Board's activities, and enhancing collaborative partnerships with consumers and related organizations. The plan is guided by values emphasizing collaboration, diversity, equity, inclusion, innovation, integrity, public protection, and proactivity.

The committee meeting commenced with a roll call. A key discussion involved changes and eligibility requirements for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) accredited in business valuation (ABV) credential, specifically noting the expansion to allow non-CPA finance professionals to qualify, which raised concerns within the profession. Staff recommended monitoring for potential consumer confusion resulting from this change. Another significant agenda item was discussion and possible action to initiate rulemaking to amend California Code of Regulations section 7.1 concerning credit status for the computerized uniform CPA examination, preparing for a transition to a continuous testing format in 2020. The committee voted to approve the proposed regulatory text to allow flexibility for both the current testing window format and the future continuous testing implementation.