Architects: architects-in-training.

Assembly Member Valencia's proposal would create a new "architect-in-training" designation in California for individuals pursuing architectural licensure who have passed at least one division of the Architect Registration Examination. The designation would provide formal recognition for candidates progressing through the licensure process while maintaining clear boundaries around their scope of practice.

The legislation establishes specific parameters for using the title, allowing only the abbreviation "AIT" and explicitly prohibiting individuals from independently offering architectural services to the public. The California Architects Board would oversee the program, processing applications, maintaining public verification of authorization status, and enforcing compliance through administrative actions including citations and potential license denial for misuse of the title.

The program includes defined temporal boundaries - individuals could use the designation for up to four years after board approval, with no new applications accepted after January 1, 2031. The entire program would sunset on January 1, 2035. To support administration costs, the board could assess reasonable fees for evaluating candidates' eligibility, with proceeds directed to the continuously appropriated California Architects Board Fund.

The measure adds these provisions while preserving existing sections of the Architects Practice Act that govern licensing and regulation of the profession. The board would retain authority to disclose authorization status to the public upon request, providing a verification mechanism for stakeholders seeking to confirm an individual's standing in the licensure pathway.