4 CCR 730-1.2 - Abbreviations and Definitions

Terms defined in Title 12, Article 120, Colorado Revised Statutes, and used in these Rules shall have the same meaning as set forth in the statutes.

A. Abbreviations

ABET	Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
ANSAC	Applied Natural Science Accreditation Commission
ARE	The current Architect Registration Examination, prepared by NCARB
AXP	Architectural Experience Program (Developed by NCARB and required by US jurisdictions to record professional experience)
BLM	Bureau of Land Management
CAB	Canadian Accreditation Board
CACB	Canadian Architectural Certification Board
CEH	Continuing Education Hour
C.R.C.P.	Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure
C.R.S.	Colorado Revised Statutes
EAC	Engineering Accreditation Commission
EI	Engineer-Intern
ETAC	Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission
FE	Fundamentals of Engineering Examination
GLO	General Land Office
ILC	Improvement Location Certificate
ISP	Improvement Survey Plat
LEED	Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
LSI	Land Surveyor Intern
LSP	Land Survey Plat
NAAB	The National Architectural Accrediting Board
NCARB	The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards
NCEES	National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying
NSPS	National Society of Professional Surveyors
PE	Professional Engineer
PLS	Professional Land Surveyor
PLSM	Public Land Survey Monument
PLSS	Public Land Survey System
RAC	Related Accreditation Commission

B. Definitions in Alphabetical Order

1. Advertisement. The attempt by publication, dissemination, solicitation, or circulation, whether by visual, oral, electronic, or written means to induce, directly or indirectly, any person to enter into an agreement for professional services with an Architect, a Professional Engineer, and/or a Professional Land Surveyor.

2. Architectural Intern. An individual working under the supervision of an Architect, who is in the process of completing required practice hours in preparation for the A.R.E.

3. Educational Coursework Definitions Architecture Education Year.

a. Academic Year = 32 semester hours or 48 quarter hours

b. Repealed.

4. Basic Sciences. Basic sciences are considered to include not only physics and chemistry, but also selected subjects from the areas of life sciences and the earth sciences. In a study of basic sciences, the objective is to acquire fundamental knowledge about nature and its phenomena, preferably including quantitative expression.

5. Engineering Sciences. Engineering sciences have their roots in mathematics and the basic sciences, but carry knowledge further toward creative application. When a field of mathematics or basic science proves pertinent to an engineering application, corresponding courses in engineering science are developed to afford a bridge between the basic science and engineering practice. The engineering sciences studied by the applicant are not limited to those having direct relevance to his or her major field.

6. Engineering Design. The requirements of coursework in engineering design have been established in recognition of the need to orient the applicant toward the solution of important technological problems of society. In this context, engineering design is the process of devising a system, component or process, in which the basic sciences, mathematics and engineering sciences are applied to convert resources to meet a stated objective. Among the fundamental elements of the design process are the establishment of objectives and criteria, synthesis, analysis, construction, testing, and evaluation. The major portion of the design requirement is to be satisfied by courses that depend upon mathematics, basic sciences, and engineering sciences.

7. Surveying and Mapping Science. This coursework shall expand topics of basic science toward application in professional practice. A topic shall be identified as a surveying and mapping science course if it amplifies basic science or mathematics, is taught by surveying and mapping faculty, and contains quantitative expression. A surveying and mapping science course must include one or more of the following topics: field surveying instruments and methods; photogrammetric mapping and image interpretation and remote sensing; surveying calculation and data adjustments; geodetic coordinates and astronomy; cartographic representation, projections, and map production; and/or computer-based multi-purpose cadastre, geographic information systems.

8. Exemptions

For Themselves. The Board interprets the language of sections 12-120-203(1)(b) and (c), C.R.S., as follows.

a. Individuals and organizations do not qualify for exemption under sections 12-120-203(1)(b) or (c), C.R.S., if they are offering or providing engineering services to others.

b. Individuals and organizations offering or providing products and/or services to others that are not engineering services qualify for an exemption under sections 12-120-203(1)(b) or (c), C.R.S. In these instances, engineering may be vital in developing an individual's or organization's product or service, but that practice of engineering is specifically exempted from licensure under sections 12-120-203(1)(b) and (c), C.R.S.

c. In the case of an individual, "others" includes any person but the person offering or providing engineering services. In the case of an organization, "others" includes any person, or entity, other than the organization or its affiliates. Engineering services that are not limited to the internal use of the organization or its affiliates are not exempt. Engineering consulting services are specifically not exempted from licensure under sections 12-120-203(1)(b) or (c), C.R.S.

9. Practice of Engineering. The Board interprets the language of section 12-120-202(6), C.R.S., the "practice of engineering" to include, or exclude, but not be limited to the following:

a. Exclusions. The Board interprets the language of section 12-120-202(6), C.R.S., the "practice of engineering" to exclude those individuals or entities performing activities exempted from licensure by section 12-120-203(1), C.R.S. Any individual or entity exempted from licensure pursuant to section 12-120-203(1), C.R.S., does not practice engineering as defined by section 12-120-202(6), C.R.S., for the purpose of licensure so long as his/her practice is limited to the activity intended by a specific exemption within section 12-120-203(1), C.R.S.

b. Inspections. Inspection and examination of single or multiple family residential, commercial, industrial or institutional structures, regarding their structural, electrical, mechanical, thermal, insulation and roofing/waterproofing subsystems for proper integrity or capacity, constitutes the practice of engineering as defined in Part 1 of Title 12, Article 120, C.R.S. This would include the diagnosis and analysis of problems with structures and/or the design of remedial actions. Therefore, an individual who advertises or practices in this area shall be licensed as a professional engineer in the State of Colorado.

c. Design of Fire Protection Systems. The design of fire protection systems constitutes the practice of engineering as defined by section 12-120-202(6), C.R.S. Fire protection systems are interpreted by the Board to include, but not be limited to, fire detection systems, fire alarm systems, and fire suppression systems. The Board acknowledges the provisions of section 24-33.5-1206.2, C.R.S., administered by the Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire Safety.

10. License. A Colorado license to practice architecture, engineering, and/or land surveying issued by the Board to a person who has satisfied the appropriate requirements of Title 12, Article 120, Colorado Revised Statutes and these Rules.

11. Principal. A licensee who is a sole proprietor, or a partner in a partnership, or an officer or director of a corporation, or a member of a limited liability company, any of which is engaged in the practice of architecture, engineering, and/or land surveying.

12. Record Set. A record set is a set of contract documents that is identified by the licensee's and consultant's original seal, signatures and dates.

13. Reproduction Drawing. Any copy of an original document.

14. Responsible Charge of Engineering. The Board shall interpret "responsible charge" of engineering, as defined in section 12-120-202(8), C.R.S., as follows.

"Responsible charge" of engineering shall mean that degree of control an engineer is required to maintain over engineering decisions made personally or by others over which the engineer exercises supervisory direction and control authority.

a. The degree of control necessary for an engineer to be in responsible charge shall be such that the engineer:

(1) Personally makes engineering decisions, or personally reviews and approves proposed decisions prior to their implementation, including consideration of alternatives whenever engineering decisions that could affect the life, health, property, and welfare of the public are made. In making said engineering decisions, the engineer shall be physically present or, through the use of communication devices, be available in a reasonable period of time as appropriate.

(2) Judges the validity and applicability of recommendations prior to their incorporation into the work, including the qualifications of those making the recommendations.

b. Engineering decisions that are made by, and are the responsibility of, the professional engineer in responsible charge are those decisions concerning permanent or temporary work that could create a danger to the life, health, property, and welfare of the public, such as, but not limited to, the following:

(1) The selection of engineering alternatives to be investigated and comparison of alternatives for engineering works.

(2) The selection or development of design standards or methods, and materials to be used.

(3) The selection or development of techniques or methods of testing to be used in evaluating materials or completed works, either new or existing.

c. As a test to evaluate whether an engineer is in responsible charge the following must be considered: An engineer who signs and seals engineering documents in responsible charge must be capable of answering questions as to the engineering decisions made during the engineer's work on the project in sufficient detail as to leave little doubt as to the engineer's proficiency for the work performed. It is not necessary to defend decisions as in an adversarial situation, but only to demonstrate that the engineer in responsible charge made them and possessed sufficient knowledge of the project to make them. Examples of questions to be answered by the engineer could relate to criteria for design, methods of analysis, selection of materials and systems, economics of alternate solutions, and environmental considerations. The individual should be able to clearly define the degree of control and how it was exercised and be able to demonstrate that the engineer was answerable within said degree of control necessary for the engineering work done.

d. The term "responsible charge" does not refer to financial liability.

e. A professional engineer who adopts, signs, and seals work previously engineered shall perform sufficient review and calculation to ensure that all standards of practice required of licensees are met, including satisfying the relevant criteria stated in paragraphs (b) and (c) above, and shall take professional and legal responsibility for documents signed and sealed under his/her responsible charge.

15. Responsible Charge of Land Surveying. The Board shall interpret "responsible charge" of land surveying, as defined in section 12-120-302(7), C.R.S., as follows.

"Responsible charge" of land surveying shall mean that degree of control a professional land surveyor is required to maintain over land surveying decisions made personally or by others over which the land surveyor exercises supervisory direction and control authority.

a. The degree of control necessary for a land surveyor to be in responsible charge shall be such that the land surveyor:

(1) Personally makes surveying decisions, or personally reviews and approves proposed decisions including consideration of field observation, physical evidence, and recorded data whenever surveying decisions that could affect the life, health, property, and welfare of the public are made. In making said surveying decisions, the land surveyor shall be physically present or, through the use of communication devices, be available in a reasonable period of time as appropriate.

(2) Judges the validity and applicability of recommendations prior to their incorporation into the work, including the qualifications of those making the recommendations.

b. Land surveying decisions that are made by, and are the responsibility of, the professional land surveyor in responsible charge are those decisions concerning work that could create a danger to the life, health, property, and welfare of the public, such as, but not limited to, the following:

(1) The selection of field observations, physical evidence, and recorded data to be investigated, compared, and analyzed.

(2) The selection of methods or procedures to be used to accomplish the work.

(3) Work products that comply with all relevant surveying statutes.

c. As a test to evaluate whether a land surveyor is in responsible charge the following must be considered: A land surveyor who signs and seals documents in responsible charge must be capable of answering questions as to the surveying decisions made during the land surveyor's work on the project in sufficient detail as to leave little doubt as to the land surveyor's proficiency for the work performed. It is not necessary to defend decisions as in an adversarial situation, but only to demonstrate that the land surveyor in responsible charge made them and possessed sufficient knowledge of the survey project to make them. Examples of questions to be answered by the land surveyor could relate to criteria for the procedures of data collection, analysis of field data, recorded data and final determinations. The individual should be able to clearly define the degree of control and how it was exercised and be able to demonstrate that the land surveyor was answerable within said degree of control necessary for the surveying work done.

d. The term "responsible charge" does not refer to financial liability.

e. A professional land surveyor who adopts, signs, and seals work previously surveyed shall perform sufficient review and calculation to ensure that all standards of practice required of licensees are met, including satisfying the relevant criteria stated in paragraphs (b) and (c) above, and shall take professional and legal responsibility for documents signed and sealed under his/her responsible charge.

16. Responsible Control of Architecture. The Board shall interpret "responsible control" of architecture, as defined in section 12-120-402(6), C.R.S., as follows.

"Responsible control" of architecture shall mean that degree of control an architect is required to maintain over architectural decisions made personally or by others over whom the architect exercises supervisory direction and authority.

a. The degree of control necessary for an architect to be in "responsible control" shall be such that the architect:

(1) Personally makes architectural decisions, or personally reviews and approves proposed decisions prior to their implementation, including consideration of alternatives whenever architectural decisions that could affect the life, health, property, and welfare of the public are made. In making said architectural decisions, the architect shall be physically present or, through the use of communication devices, be available as reasonably appropriate.

(2) Judges the validity and applicability of recommendations prior to their incorporation into the work, including the qualifications of those making the recommendations.

b. Architectural decisions that are made by, and are the responsibility of, the architect in "responsible control" are those decisions concerning permanent or temporary work that could create a danger to the life, health, property, and welfare of the public, such as, but not limited to, the following:

(1) The selection of architectural alternatives to be investigated and comparison of alternatives for architectural works.

(2) The selection or development of design standards or methods, and materials to be used.

(3) The selection or development of techniques or methods of testing to be used in evaluating materials or completed works, either new or existing.

c. As a test to evaluate whether an architect is in "responsible control" the following must be considered: An architect who signs and seals architectural documents in "responsible control" must be capable of answering questions as to the architectural decisions made during the architect's work on the project in sufficient detail as to leave little doubt as to the architect's proficiency for the work performed. It is not necessary to defend decisions as in an adversarial situation, but only to demonstrate that the architect in "responsible control" made them and/or possessed sufficient knowledge of the project to make them. Examples of questions to be answered by the architect could relate to criteria for design, methods of analysis, selection of materials and systems, economics of alternate solutions, and environmental considerations. The individual should be able to clearly define the degree of control and how it was exercised and be able to demonstrate that the architect was answerable within said degree of control necessary for the architectural work done.

d. An architect who adopts, signs, and seals work performed by others shall perform sufficient review and calculation to ensure that all standards of practice required of licensees are met, including satisfying the relevant criteria stated in paragraphs (b) and (c) above, and shall take professional responsibility for documents signed and sealed under his/her responsible charge.

17. Signature. The term signature shall include the terms "manual signature" and "electronic signature" and shall be defined as follows.

a. Manual Signature. A manual signature is the handwritten name of a person applied to a document that identifies the person, serves as a means of authentication of the contents of the document, provides responsibility for the creation of the document and provides for accountability for the contents of the document.

b. Electronic Signature. An electronic signature is a digital authentication process attached to or logically associated with an electronic document and shall carry the same weight, authority, and effects as a manual signature. The electronic signature, which can be generated by using either public key infrastructure or signature dynamics technology, must be as follows.

(1) Unique to the person using it.

(2) Capable of verification.

(3) Under the sole control of the person using it.

(4) Linked to a document in such a manner that the electronic signature is invalidated if any data in the document are changed.

Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) is a technology for authenticating users and devices in the digital world where one or more trusted parties digitally sign documents certifying that a particular cryptographic key belongs to a particular user or device. The key can then be used as an identity for the user in digital networks.

Signature Dynamics Technology is a commercial eSignature software application solely dedicated to the secure routing, authentication and verification of electronic signatures including an audit trail, which functions to dynamically capture all signature events throughout the eSignature process.

Notes

4 CCR 730-1.2

43 CR 14, July 25, 2020, effective 8/14/2020 43 CR 15, August 10, 2020, effective 8/30/2020 44 CR 19, October 10, 2021, effective 10/30/2021 45 CR 21, November 10, 2022, effective 11/30/2022