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Minnesota Agencies

Information on Minnesota State Agencies, Boards, Task Forces, and Commissions

Compiled by the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library


Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience, and Interior Design

Active dates:1921-
Authority:
Function:

Licenses and regulates architects, engineers, land surveyors, landscape architects, geologists, soil scientists, and certifies interior designers.

Preceded by:
Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors
History:

The State Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, and Landscape Architecture was created in 1921. Originally known as the State Board of Registration of Architects, it regulated the practice of architecture, engineering, and land surveying by requiring individuals and corporations to register and be licensed by the state. The board consisted of seven members appointed by the governor: three architects, three engineers, and one land surveyor. Members of the board served four-year staggered terms. The board's duties included: establishing standards to determine applicants' qualifications; conducting meetings of the board at least twice annually; keeping records of proceedings and registers of members; and providing written reports to the governor. The board was also empowered to hold hearings to revoke licenses for incompetence and negligence (Laws 1921 c523). In 1949 the membership was increased to nine: three architects, five engineers, and one land surveyor (Laws 1949 c86 s1). By this time it was known as the State Board of Registration of Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors. In 1973 the size of the board was increased to fifteen members with the addition of six public members who also served four-year staggered terms (Laws 1973 c638 s42).
A landscape architect was added to the board in 1975, increasing its membership to sixteen. The board's title was modified to include landscape architecture (Laws 1975 c329 s6). By 1979 the board's title was: State Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, and Landscape Architecture. In that year the size of the board was increased to seventeen members with the addition of a second land surveyor (Laws 1979 c209 s2). Another 1979 law added a new function to the board, requiring it to establish classes of buildings based on size and value (Laws 1979 c222 s1).
The board selects five of its members to constitute a complaint committee to investigate, mediate, or initiate administrative or legal proceedings on behalf of the board with respect to complaints filed with or information received by the board alleging or indicating the unauthorized practice of any of its regulated professions (1993 Minn. Laws Chap. 358, coded Minn. Stat. 326.111).
Interior design added 1992 (1992 Minn. Laws Chap. 507 Sec. 4b).
Geoscience added 1995 (1995 Minn. Laws Chap. 206 Sec. 10).

Membership:

The Board has 21 members appointed by the Governor for four-year terms. The regulated professions are represented by 16 individuals, complemented by 5 members of the general public.

Each member serves on one of three committees: Complaint, Rules, or Credentialing. The Complaint Committee meets monthly, while the Credentialing and Rules Committees meet every other month. On the opposite months, the members are divided into two Sections: ALACID (Architects, Landscape Architects and Certified Interior Designers) and ELSGEO (Engineering, Land Surveying and Geoscience). During the Section meetings, more in-depth discussions about the issues surrounding those particular professions are discussed. Anything acted upon in a Committee or Section meeting must come to the full Board for approval.

Entries for this agency in the Annual Compilation and Statistical Report of Multi-Member Agencies Report: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978.

Note: This report provides membership details as well as meeting information and a summary of the group's activities.

Documents/Articles:
News clippings and documents. Agencies Notebook Collection, 1958-2017.
Record last updated: 01/31/2019
 

All information on this group from the Library’s collection of agency notebooks has been digitized. These materials are incorporated into the “documents/articles” section of the record. Please contact a librarian with any questions. The Minnesota Agencies database is a work in progress.

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