{"data":{"id":"us-dc/d.c.-code-47-2853.65","jurisdiction":"us-dc","citation":"D.C. Code § 47-2853.65","heading":"Licensure of professional design firms.","body":"(a)\nNo firm, franchise, partnership, association, or corporation shall offer or perform professional design services in the District unless the entity has obtained a license from the Mayor as a professional design firm.\n\n(b)\nNo professional design firm license shall be issued to an applicant unless:\n(1)\nThe applicant is organized and exists pursuant to applicable District and federal laws;\n(2)\nAt least one partner, officer, shareholder, member, or manager is an architect, interior designer, or landscape architect licensed and in good standing in the District;\n(3)\nEach member who performs professional design services in the District is licensed and in good standing in the District; and\n(4)\nAll professional design services solicited or provided by a professional design firm shall be under the responsible charge of a supervising architect, interior designer, or landscape architect who is licensed in the District; provided, that this provision shall not be construed to permit any licensed architect, interior designer, or landscape architect to practice or supervise the performance of services that are beyond the scope of those authorized by the license as established under [this subchapter].\n\n(c)\nNo person shall sign and stamp a professional design document on behalf of the professional design firm except an architect, interior designer, or landscape architect licensed in the District.\n\n(d)\nA professional design firm licensed pursuant to this section may use the words \"architect,\" \"interior designer,\" or \"landscape architect\" or any other word, letter, figure, title, sign, card, advertisement, or symbol indicating that the professional design firm is authorized to solicit or provide professional design services in connection with its firm name.\n\n(e)\nA licensed professional design firm shall notify the Board within 30 days after the admission or withdrawal of a member or shareholder from a professional design firm.\n\n(f)\nThe license of a professional design firm that is in noncompliance with the provisions of this section due to changes in ownership or personnel of the professional design firm shall be subject to suspension or revocation of its license.","path":["Title 47. Taxation, Licensing, Permits, Assessments, and Fees. [Enacted title]","Chapter 28. General License Law.","Subchapter I-B. Non-Health Related Occupations and Professions Licensure.","Part C. Architects."],"source_url":"https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/47-2853.65","current_through":"2026-08-20 (D.C. Law 26-175)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-29T05:44:07Z","sha256":"ff13e2e49b87971ba84b772dc3a60dfc142ca14d28ab304f1a5c28a35650396f","source_id":"us-dc","stale":false,"prev":"us-dc/d.c.-code-47-2853.64","next":"us-dc/d.c.-code-47-2853.66"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}