Building Designer

A building designer is not legally required to pass an exam or receive a special license  to practice. They may or may not have experience or education relevant to building design. Anyone may use the title "building designer" without fear of legal repercussions, regardless of qualifications. Building designers are prohibited by law from "stamping" and / or "wet signing" building plans. They aren't and cannot be professionally registered with the state board. 

 

A building designer who carries the title "Certified Professional Building Designer" or "CPBD" has completed training courses, practiced building design for at least six years (three of which may be education-related), and passed a rigorous certification exam. The National Council of Building Designer Certification administers the examinations. After a designer has become a CPBD, continuing education is not a requirement. It is unclear what, if any, recourse an individual may have for issuing a complaint against a CPBD. A CPBD is also prohibited by law from "stamping" and / or "wet signing" building plans. There is no professional registration with the state board.