Unfortunately one of the largest Impediments to revising the codes and local state law to 'no stamp no permit' is the lobbying power of builders. The key is to convince the majority of builders that all homes and additions should have a licensed architect and get that lobbying power behind architects. If builders are not convinced, it will never get passed. We found that out the hard way here in AZ.
One idea that has come up in AZ but never went anywhere had to do with the AZ Handyman rule. Construction work or improvements under $1,500.00 do not require a licensed contractor so that seemed like a good line to draw in the sand for what type of work requires a licensed arch.
Steve Judge, here in AZ has started his own group SAGA because he was so feed up with the AIA not backing residential architects and I feel his pain. He has done a lot of work trying to get the licensure law changed but to no avail, in big part to the reasons above. For more info on Steve see:
www.facebook.com/pages/Strategic-Architectural-Alliance-Group-of-Arizona-SAAGA/147042668676556
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Erik Koss AIA, NCARB, LEED A.P.
President
KOSS design
Phoenix AZ
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