The issue of the Architect Registration Examination (ARE) and Intern Development Program (IDP) regulations that the Board of Architects discussed and resolved over the past year has raised an issue of even more significance. The Maryland regulations for architects had been changed in many ways over the past decade or so, and the document had become a little muddled.
The board decided to take on a comprehensive review led by Board Member Paul Edmeades of Edmeades and Strohmdahl, Ltd. The result is a new and more easily understood set of regulations that should serve Maryland and its Architects well for another decade at least. These will be published in the Maryland Register for public comment in April or May. There will be no change to the substance of the document; the changes are to order, language and format only.
Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation
Spring 2008
An Electronic Newsletter by the Maryland State Boards of:
Architects, Certified Interior Designers, Examiners of Landscape Architects
Professional Engineers, Professional Land Surveyors
Architects, Certified Interior Designers, Examiners of Landscape Architects
Professional Engineers, Professional Land Surveyors
COMMISSIONER'S MESSAGE 
I have completed my first eight months at DLLR and it has been both exciting and challenging to be a part of the process of protecting the health, safety and well-being of Maryland Residents. I am impressed and pleased to see the willingness and spirit of the units within the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing work so effectively and efficiently with the resources available. I can no longer consider myself a newcomer and am extremely excited about the experience and opportunity of working with such talented people, both Board Members and Staff. I have become involved with the legislative process and attempted to participate and observe the process as closely as possible. The Design Boards have sponsored legislation to make permanent the Design Boards Special Fund. The move to special funding has already enabled the Design Boards to better serve both the public at large and design professionals, as the Funds’ continuation is critically important. I am fortunate to have the expertise and wisdom of Harry Loleas, Deputy Commissioner who has been invaluable this legislative season in Annapolis as I understand he has been for the past 15 years. Harry has worked tirelessly to make the legislative season a success for the Department and the Design Boards specifically. Daniel Parr, Executive Director of the Professional Licensing Boards, has come in and taken the reigns of the organization and continues to lead it in a way that we all can be proud of. I trust that your experience with Dan has been good, based on the continued quiet and sense of satisfaction I get whenever I get an opportunity to attend a board meeting or have contact with various board members
We have experienced what have been considered positive budget hearings and are excited about the appropriations for IT upgrades that are projected with the approval of the current budget. We are also still working to award a private sector contract for future administration of professional licensing exams and hope to complete the procurement process soon. The State continues to face financial challenges but has been engaged by Secretary Perez to understand the need and difference of how we address our special fund requirements. We are optimistic these discussions will result in smoother operations going forward.
I continue to meet with Dan and the staff to express my appreciation for the work they do and I trust will continue to do. Pamela Edwards, Assistant Executive Director and Karen Wright, Exam Coordinator attended a conference at the National Council of Examiners of Engineers and Surveyors (NCEES) in Clemson, South Carolina. I am sure the investment made will enhance their capability to manage examination services.
I look forward to ongoing communication with the Boards, firms and individuals associated with the design professionals. Please feel free to contact me at sbotts@dllr.state.md.us with your thoughts and concerns.To review the qualifications for board service visit the design board's homepage: http://www.dllr.state.md.us/license/design/ and click on a board and the Online Law & Regulations button to see the specific requirements for Appointment to the Board.
Maryland’s latest class of licensed professional engineers received their certificates Feb. 22 at the Engineers Club of Baltimore located in the Garrett-Jacobs Mansion. The keynote speaker was John D. Porcari, Maryland Secretary of Transportation. This coincided with the Maryland Society of Professional Engineers (MSPE) Engineers’ Week Celebration of Feb. 17-23, 2008.
From left to right: Board for Professional Engineers member Sallye Perrin, Secretary of Transportation John D. Porcari, newly licensed Cedric Ward, P.E. and Melvin Hotz, former chairman of the Maryland Board for Professional Engineers. Ward, a traffic engineer with the Maryland State Highway Administration, is a Morgan State University grad pursuing his MBA at the University of Baltimore.
Sacha Tohme, PE (center) received his bachelor degree in civil engineering from McGill Univ. and his master's in environmental engineering from Johns Hopkins Univ. He is a regional manager with Michael Baker Corp. His mother and father (May and Roger) flew over from Paris, France, for this event. Roger is a retired civil engineer.
With a stellar grin and infectious enthusiasm, Karen Wright, the exam coordinator for the Design Boards, is well into the swing of her job, having begun October 1.