House amends Architects Licensing Act to let non-architect businesses use 'architecture' in descriptions

House Bill 114, an amendment to the Architects Licensing Act clarifying use of the word "architecture" in business descriptions, passed the Utah House of Representatives 74-0 on Feb. 5, 2025.

Representative Lee sponsored the bill and offered Amendment 1 to address concerns raised by professional architects; the amendment was adopted on the floor and supporters said it produced a consensus among stakeholders.

Representative Lee said the change responds to a constituent who had been fined under existing law for using the word "architecture" in business marketing despite not holding an architecture license. "This bill does is it changes that to say you can use the word architecture if you're not an architect," Lee said during floor discussion. He told colleagues the amended language keeps protections for licensed architects while allowing home designers and other businesses to describe their services.

Representative Thurston asked a clarifying question before final passage: "Does your bill allow people who aren't architects to be able to describe what they do using whatever words is appropriate for describing what they do as long as they don't call themselves architects?" Lee answered, "Yes. This bill does now."

Representative Peck spoke in support, citing practical examples from the design industry. The House adopted the amendment, then passed HB 114 by a 74-0 vote; the bill will be sent to the Senate for consideration.

The exchange included sponsor explanation, stakeholder outreach described on the floor, and one sponsored amendment that the House adopted prior to final passage.