Focus Newsletter

Nevada news & updates

November 2022 | Vol. 31, No. 5

Board Says Farewell to Two Board Members

Board members Kimberly Ciesynski and John Morelli completed their board service at the end of October.

Ciesynski, a Sparks-based registered interior designer, was appointed to the board in 2010. During her tenure she served as Chair and Secretary/Treasurer of the NSBAIDRD. She was also the president of the National Council of Interior Design Qualifications (now CIDQ) in 2013.

Morelli, a residential designer in Las Vegas, served on the board for six years. Most recently, Morelli was instrumental in the update of the Residential Design Examination, including the administration of the first-ever practice analysis of the profession.

New board members Marie Wikoff and Daniel Coletti were appointed by Governor Sisolak to the registered interior designer and residential designer positions. Profiles of the new members will be published in the February 2023 issue of Focus.

Architect board member William Snyder was reappointed in October. He will serve another three-year term.

Nevada Registrations Expire Dec 31

All certificates of registration expire on Dec. 31, 2022. Courtesy renewal notices were emailed to the email address on file for all registrants.

You can renew online or download a renewal form and mail it to the board office. All renewals must be received by December 31 or a late fee of $220 will be charged in addition to the $180 annual renewal fee.

The board launched a new registration and renewal database this year. You can find instructions on how to create your account and renew your license on our renewal page.

Please contact our office at 702-486-7300 or nsbaidrd@nsbaidrd.nv.gov if you have questions or need assistance resetting your password.

Board Holds Public Workshop

On September 28, the board held a public workshop to solicit comments from interested persons on the proposed regulation change contained in Legislative Counsel Bureau (LCB) File No. R097-22. The proposed regulation establishes provisions to accept reciprocity candidates who earned a NCARB certificate through a Mutual Recognition Arrangement. It also amends the firm name regulation requirement to list the status of the former registrants on any public communication made by the firm.

No verbal or written comments were submitted at or before the workshop. The board will now consider the proposed regulation during a January 24, 2023 public hearing. The public hearing will be held during the board’s regularly scheduled board meeting. Related documents and the specific time of the public hearing will be posted on the board’s website on December 23.

New Written RD Exam Launches Feb 2023

Written Exams Approved by Board

The Residential Design Exam Writing Committee presented three new written exams to the board for approval at the October meeting. The board approved the exams and will administer the new tests in February 2023. The new exams will be in the same format as previous exams, consisting of three written exams (Structural Technology, Materials and Methods, and Building Systems and Life Safety) and one graphic exam.

The process of updating the exams began in 2020 when the NSBAIDRD decided to begin a practice analysis of the residential design profession. The profession was first legally recognized by the Nevada legislature in 1975. Over time the profession has changed, and the board decided it was time to make sure the registration requirements and exams are valid and protect the public.

More information about applying for Residential Designer registration can be found on the board website.

Can architects and residential designers design pools as standalone projects?

The definitions of the practice of both professions specify that architects and residential designers may render services for the design of a “structure” and the “space within and surrounding” that structure. During the October board meeting, board members concluded that a swimming pool was a “structure” for the purposes of NRS 623.023 and NRS 623.025, and, therefore, an architect or residential designer may design a swimming pool either as part of a larger project or as a free-standing project.

Architects and residential designers who choose to design a pool must complete the design to the standard of care within the pool industry and to the satisfaction of the relevant building department.

10th Annual CEU Seminar a Success

The 2022 NSBAIDRD / AIA Annual CEU Seminar was held via Zoom on November 4. Nearly 550 attendees from at least 26 states heard from a variety of speakers throughout the event. Topics covered included:

“Technology Trends Throughout the Lifecycle of Design, Construction and Operation of Facilities”

“Mediation for Design Professionals: How Did We Get Here?”

“2021 IRC Update”

“IBC Chapter 8: Interior Finishes”

“Housing that Heals: Trauma-Informed Design and Supportive Housing”

Watch Focus Newsletter next year for announcement of the 11th Annual Seminar.

New Registrants By Examination

Architects

Jose J. Amaya-Rosales (Tempe, AZ) #9019

Benjamin P. Garberson (Truckee, CA) #9020

Selena Sining Huang (Truckee, CA) #9022

Claudia Rubio Franco (Las Vegas) #9021

Residential Designers

Chad Walker (Henderson, NV) #424-RD

Richie Wu (Henderson, NV) #422-RD

Travis Martin (Henderson, NV) #421-RD

Rudolfo Hernandez (N Las Vegas) #425-RD

Keith A. Miller (Las Vegas) #423-RD

Disciplinary Actions

(August 17 through October 19, 2022)

Inquiries are routinely sent to both registrants and non-registrants for alleged violations of Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) and Nevada Administrative Codes (NAC).

There were two cases this period that were submitted for board consideration and approved. Additionally, six cases were closed because there was no basis for the allegations or the complaint did not fall within the board's jurisdiction.

The following cases were closed by means of settlement agreement; as part of the agreement respondents agreed to assure compliance with Chapter 623. Should the respondents be involved in a subsequent case and found to have again violated NRS, NAC or Rules of Conduct, the case may be used as an aggravating factor.

Every effort is made to ensure that the following information is correct. Before making any decision based on this information you should contact the NSBAIDRD.

Holding Oneself Out, Advertising, and Unlicensed Practice of Architecture, Registered Interior Design or Residential Design: NRS 623.360.1(a)(b)(c)

Case 22-006N

The allegations against Anthony Grant and Grant Design Group were that they held themselves out as being qualified to provide services that fall under the practice of registered interior design and engaged in the practice of architecture, registered interior design and residential design without having a certificate of registration with the board. The matter was resolved through a settlement agreement incorporating an administrative penalty of $7,500 plus investigative costs of $2,100.

Advertising and Unlicensed Practice of Architecture, Registered Interior Design or Residential Design: NRS 623.360.1(b)(c)

Case 22-034N

The allegations against Travis Phillips were that he advertised as being qualified to provide services that fall under the practice of residential design and engaged in the practice of residential design without having a certificate of registration with the board. The matter was resolved through a settlement agreement incorporating an administrative penalty of $4,500 plus investigative costs of $1,500.