MANDATORY CONTINUING EDUCATION ON DISABLED ACCESS REQUIREMENTS

In September 2008, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed SB 1608 into law. SB 1608 creates a mandatory continuing education (MCE) requirement on disability access for California architects as a condition of license renewal. The bill also requires licensees to provide documentation from the course provider to the California Architects Board (Board) with the renewal application.

How do I comply with this requirement?

• Complete coursework on the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, state laws governing access to public facilities, and federal and state regulations adopted pursuant to those laws. 
   
• Fill out a Coursework Provider Documentation Form. Upon completion of an AIA San Francisco continuing education program, you will receive the required paperwork to submit with your renewal application to ease reporting.
   
• Return the Coursework Provider Documentation Form along with your application to renew the license – the course provider does not turn in the form on your behalf.

How many hours of coursework do I need?
All architects must complete five hours to renew in 2011 and every subsequent renewal cycle.

Can extra MCE hours be carried over and counted towards the next license renewal cycle?
No. The law does not allow for carry over MCE hours.

Does AIA San Francisco have any upcoming MCE Classes?
Yes, please see the course information below:

EVENT DETAIL

Course Title: Accessibility in the 2010 CBC Title 24 Ammendments and Overview of the 2010 ADA Standards
Date: Thursday, February 23, 2012
Time: 9:30am to 3:30pm
Location: AIA San Francisco, 130 Sutter Street, 6th Floor
Price: $120 AIA Members, $150 General Admission ($60 AIA Members, One Session; $75 General Admission, One Session)

Gilda Puente-Peters, Architect, CASp will provide a two-part accessibility seminar to assist you in becoming updated on the latest State and Federal Accessibility Codes.

Part I: 2.5 Hours (9:30am-12:00pm)
Includes a detailed training of the CBC 2010 Amendments, and their impact on our projects, highlighting the reasons why some of these changes were made.

Also, presentation of a Universal Design case study, which illustrates the application of the concepts of universal design in a creative and inclusive project as well as the benefits of mainstreaming Universal Design.

Part II: 2.5 Hours (1:00pm-3:30pm)
An overview of key components of the 2010 ADA Standards includes some of the most significant changes since 1991and their impact on new and existing facilities. This seminar also highlights some of the areas where the new ADAAG guidelines are more stringent than CBC, and how to comply with the most stringent of both Federal and State codes and regulations.

During this session you will gain a better understanding of the code requirements, explore common industry errors, as well as best practices; and see how your designs impact the life of persons with disabilities.

A certificate for 5 Hours of continuing education on accessibility will be provided, to meet the California Architects Board license renewal requirements.

Course Provider:
Gilda Puente-Peters, CASp and Principal of Gilda Puente-Peters Architects (GPPA), Universal Design Specialists, is a CASp certified architect with over 25 years of experience in the access compliance field. Gilda has developed an extensive curriculum and has provided accessibility trainings throughout the State of California and Internationally.

Please register through Eventbrite:

http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2828316571 

Can I complete my Mandatory Continuing Education Requirement Online?
Yes!  AIACC has partnered with aecKnowledge to provide new online courses that can be taken to satisfy your MCE requirement and are AIA/CES HSW approved. Click here for course information. Select the courses with Knowledge Area "Accessibility" which meet the SB-1608 requirements.