OAR 806-010-0080
Registration of Architectural Firms

(1) Prior to practicing architecture in Oregon, a firm must apply for and obtain a certificate of registration from the Board.
(2) An architectural firm must be identified as being engaged in the practice of architectural services.
(3) A name is considered to be “assumed” when it is other than the real and true name of each person conducting business in Oregon or having an interest therein, such as J. L. Smith; Smith, Smith and Jones; Architectonics.
(4) When wording is used in a corporate or assumed business name to suggest the existence of additional principals, directors, partners or associates, the reference must be to existing persons currently or previously within the architectural firm, corporation, limited liability company, or partnership. Wording which suggests the existence of additional persons within the meaning of this rule includes “Associated,” “Group,” “& Associates,” or “Partners.”
(5) The corporate or assumed business name, also referred to as “doing business as” or DBA, must identify the corporation, architectural firm or partnership as being engaged in the practice of architecture such as “Architects,” “An Architectural P.C.,” or “Architecture and Planning.”
(6) The corporate or assumed business name may only include the surname of any person presently or previously associated in the practice of architecture or engineering in any jurisdiction recognized by the Board with the named entity or its members or predecessors.
(7) An architectural firm may use the plural form of architect in its name only if the architectural firm has more than one individual architect, actively registered in any Board recognized jurisdiction.
(8) An architectural firm name may contain numbers as long as it is not misleading to the public (i.e., “Three Oregon Architects” must have three architects registered in Oregon).
(9) Additional requirements for a certificate of registration for an architectural firm are as follows:
(a) Corporations: At least two-thirds of the Board of Directors must be architects or engineers registered in any Board recognized jurisdiction. At least one-third of the Board of Directors must be registered as architects in any Board recognized jurisdiction. At least one director of the corporation must be an Oregon registered architect. If a corporation was in continuous existence since September 29, 1991, and at least 51 percent of the corporation is owned by an Oregon registered architect or engineer, the corporation is exempt from typical ownership requirements, but must still meet all other architectural firm name requirements.
(b) Partnerships: At least two-thirds of the partners must be architects or engineers registered in any Board recognized jurisdiction and represent at least two-thirds ownership interest in the partnership. At least one-third of the partners must be registered as architects in any Board recognized jurisdiction. At least one partner must be an Oregon registered architect.
(c) Limited Liability Companies (LLC): At least two-thirds of the members of an LLC must be architects or engineers registered in any Board recognized jurisdiction and represent at least two-thirds ownership interest in the LLC. At least one-third of the members must be registered as architects in any Board recognized jurisdiction. At least one member of the LLC must be an Oregon registered architect
(10) To become registered as an architectural firm to practice architecture in Oregon, a firm must:
(a) Submit a complete Architectural Firm Application form;
(b) Pay the required fees; and
(c) Provide a certificate of existence from the Oregon Secretary of State.
(11) The submitted Architectural Firm Application form must include:
(a) The names and addresses of all directors, members, or partners in the architectural firm;
(b) Whether the directors, members, or partners are registered or licensed architects or engineers;
(c) The jurisdictions in which the directors, members, or partners are registered or licensed;
(d) Any other information required by the Board; and
(e) The signature of the architectural firm representative taking responsibility for the information contained in the architectural firm application form and attachments. The architectural firm representative must be an officer or voting member of the architectural firm, or have ownership interest in the architectural firm.
(12) If an application is not deemed complete within 12 months of the date of the original application, the applicant must apply again as a new applicant.
(13) Upon successful completion of all requirements for registration of an architectural firm, the firm will be issued a certificate of registration and decorative wall certificate according to OAR 806-010-0040 (Architect Certificates).

Source: Rule 806-010-0080 — Registration of Architectural Firms, https://secure.­sos.­state.­or.­us/oard/view.­action?ruleNumber=806-010-0080 (accessed May 26, 2025).

May 26, 2025

Rule 806-010-0080's source at or​.us