Relating to authorizing the Board of Architects to promulgate a legislative rule relating to registration of architects.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Doug Smith

The bill authorizes the West Virginia Board of Architects to create and implement a legislative rule governing architectural registration, including standards, procedures, and disc

To House Judiciary

#legislature--rulemaking

Summary of HB 4273 (2026) – West Virginia

Purpose and intent

HB 4273 authorizes the Board of Architects in West Virginia to promulgate a legislative rule related to the registration of architects. The bill focuses on granting or clarifying the Board’s authority to adopt a formal rulemaking framework governing how architects are registered in the state.

Key provisions and changes

Authority to promulgate legislative rules: The central provision empowers the West Virginia Board of Architects to establish a legislative rule (rulemaking) concerning their registration processes and requirements.

Scope of rulemaking (registration-related): While the bill text provided does not enumerate every detail, the intended impact is to set forth standards, procedures, qualifications, and administrative processes for architectural registration under state law.

Rulemaking framework: The enactment would typically entail adopting rules that specify:

Eligibility criteria for registration (educational, experiential, and professional requirements)
Application procedures and documentation
Renewal, continuing education, and licensure maintenance
Fees and payment processes
Disciplinary procedures and grounds for registration action (suspension, revocation, penalties)
Administrative processes for handling complaints, investigations, and hearings

Rule status and process: As a legislative rulemaking authority, the Board would operate under the rules governing how agencies promulgate legislative rules, including publication, public notice, and potential review or comment periods, depending on West Virginia's administrative procedures.

Who or what would be affected

Architects and prospective registrants: Individuals seeking licensure or renewal to practice architecture in West Virginia would be directly affected by the registration standards, procedures, and ongoing professional requirements established by the Board’s rule.

The Board of Architects: The agency would gain or clarify its rulemaking power to regulate registration, including the process for implementing rules and enforcing registration requirements.

Consumers and the built environment: Indirectly, the public would be affected through clarified, standardized professional qualifications and disciplinary processes intended to safeguard professional practice and public safety.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Action history:

Introduced in the House on 2026-01-14
Referred to House Government Organization and then to House Judiciary
Reported with a “Do pass, but first to Judiciary” action on 2026-01-30

Next steps (if enacted): The bill would likely proceed to finalize the legislative rule, with potential public notice, comment periods, and formal adoption by the Board, followed by any required legislative review or governor’s approval depending on West Virginia’s procedures for legislative rules.

Co-sponsor: Doug Smith

Notes

The summary reflects the bill’s stated intention to authorize the Board of Architects to promulgate a legislative rule relating to registration. Specific numerical requirements (e.g., exact education/experience thresholds, fees, deadlines) are not provided in the available information and would be determined by the Board’s rulemaking process if the bill becomes law.