Emeritus Status

What is Emeritus Status?

In the early 2000s, the State of Texas passed legislation creating a new registration status for TBAE registrants: Emeritus Status.  You may have heard the word “emeritus” used in other settings, such as academia, and it’s meaning in terms of your registration is similar here.  In plain terms, Emeritus Status is an honorific marking one’s retirement or semi-retirement—and just as important, duly noting impressive longevity.  As one might expect regarding retired or semi-retired status, there are implications for scope of practice, title usage, cost, and more.

Who is eligible?

A TBAE registrant with 20 or more years of registration—in Texas or in another jurisdiction—and is 65 or more years of age is eligible for Emeritus Status. 

What are the title and practice restrictions for Emeritus registrants? 

An Emeritus Architect may use the title “Emeritus Architect” or “Architect Emeritus.” An Emeritus Landscape Architect may use the title “Emeritus Landscape Architect” or “Landscape Architect Emeritus.” An Emeritus Interior Designer may use the title “Emeritus Interior Designer” or “Interior Designer Emeritus.”

Regarding the extent to which an Emeritus registrant may continue to practice, the answer depends on his or her profession.  In practical terms, an Emeritus Architect may practice architecture to the same extent that a non-registrant may practice architecture.  For example, an Emeritus Architect may prepare architectural plans for a single-family home, but not for an office tower or public elementary school.  That is the plain-English way to summarize the scope of practice, but it is useful to check back to the actual text of the rule, §1.67(b), for all the specifics.

The practice restriction for an Emeritus Landscape Architect, as laid out in regulations, is similar to the restriction for an Emeritus Architect.  Again in practical terms, an Emeritus Landscape Architect may practice to the extent that a nonregistrant may practice landscape architecture. Please see relevant law in Tex. Occ. Code §1052.003 and Board Rule §3.67.

Finally, for an Emeritus Interior Designer, there are no additional practice restrictions compared to a registered interior designer.

Interested in applying for emeritus status?

If you are at least 65 years of age and have been licensed for at least 20 years, please review the appropriate rule regarding emeritus status (see below).   Registrants may download an application form and mail it to our office along with the appropriate fee(s).

Please refer to the TBAE fee schedule in Rule 7.10.

Mailing Instructions

All payments should be mailed to:
TBAE
PO Box 12337
Austin, TX 78711-2337

Questions

If you have questions, please contact our Registration Records Coordinator (registration@tbae.texas.gov)