Mission
The mission of the Oregon State Board of Architect Examiners is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public through the registration and regulation of the practice of architecture and provision of architectural services in Oregon.
Background
The Oregon State Board of Architect Examiners was established by statute in 1919, at which time five Board members were charged with the responsibility of enforcing the laws governing the practice of architecture. Initially, all support service was provided by an elected member of the Board. Public members were added to the Board by the Legislature in 1977.
Over the years, the Board evolved into seven members; five architects who are residents of Oregon and two members of the general public. The Board’s staff includes an executive director, an investigator, a fiscal analyst, and a registration specialist. Legal services are provided by the Oregon Department of Justice.
During the 1997 legislative session, the Legislature passed a pilot program, which was established to evaluate the practicality and cost efficiency of changing professional and occupational licensing boards to a semi-independent status. The Oregon State Board of Architect Examiners was one of five regulatory boards included in the pilot program.
Semi-independent status provided the Board with control over personnel, purchasing, contracting, banking, investing, and budgeting. Changes were made in personnel, office procedures, and administrative rules with the intent of improving productivity, protecting the public, increasing customer satisfaction, and better serving the needs of stakeholders.
During the 1999 legislative session, the Legislature approved the semi-independent form of government for the agencies in the original 1997 pilot program.