California Supplemental Examination (CSE) for Architects

Which California law establishes the authority of the California Architects Board to license and regulate architects?

• AThe California Architects Practice Act
• BThe Subdivision Map Act under California law
• CThe California Coastal Act under California law
• DThe Davis-Stirling Common Interest Development Act

In California, the regulations that supplement the Architects Practice Act and govern the conduct of licensed architects are found in which body of law?

• ATitle 24 of the California Code of Regulations under California law
• BTitle 16 of the California Code of Regulations
• CTitle 8 of the California Code of Regulations under California law
• DTitle 14 of the California Code of Regulations under California law

Under the California Architects Practice Act, when must a licensed architect use a written contract with a client?

• AOnly for public works projects under the written agreement
• BOnly when the fee exceeds $25,000 under the written agreement
• CBefore providing professional services
• DOnly when a consultant is involved under the written agreement

Which element is specifically required by California law to be included in an architect's written contract with a client?

• AA guaranteed maximum construction cost under the written agreement
• BThe contractor's bonding information under the written agreement
• CA waiver of all professional liability under the written agreement
• DA description of the procedure for handling additional services

An architect is asked to stamp drawings prepared by an unlicensed designer the architect did not supervise. Under California law, the architect should:

• AStamp them if the design looks competent under California law
• BDecline, because plan-stamping of work not
• CStamp them only for residential projects under California law
• DStamp them after the client signs a waiver under California law

Which professional in California is legally authorized to design most public schools and hospitals under state oversight?

• AAny general contractor under DSA jurisdiction for state school facilities
• BA licensed real estate broker under DSA jurisdiction
• CA licensed architect, with documents reviewed by
• DA certified interior designer under DSA jurisdiction

When an architect retains a structural engineer as a sub-consultant, the most appropriate contractual structure in California is:

• AThe owner contracts the engineer directly and the architect coordinates without a contract
• BNo contract is needed because both are licensed professionals
• CThe contractor hires the engineer during construction
• DThe architect holds a written sub-consultant agreement defining scope

A California architect is concerned a client's expectations exceed the project budget. The best risk-management response during contract development is to:

• ADocument the scope, budget assumptions, and
• BProceed and address it later if costs rise under the written agreement
• CGuarantee the construction cost to win the project
• DOmit any cost discussion from the contract under the written agreement

For a publicly funded California school project, which agency must review and approve the construction documents before a building permit equivalent is issued?

• AThe local city building department under DSA jurisdiction
• BThe California Coastal Commission under DSA jurisdiction
• CThe Division of the State Architect
• DThe Contractors State License Board under DSA jurisdiction

During project planning, an architect identifies that the client's funding comes from a state grant with specific compliance conditions. The architect should:

• AIgnore the funding source since it does not affect design
• BWait until construction to address funding requirements
• CAssume private-project rules apply under California Civil Code
• DIdentify how the funding source affects scope

Which dispute-resolution method is commonly specified in California architect-client agreements to resolve disputes without litigation?

• AMediation followed by binding arbitration
• BImmediate license revocation under the written agreement
• CFiling a mechanics lien under the written agreement
• DSubmission to the California Architects Board for a ruling

An architect's contract uses a percentage-of-construction-cost fee. The primary risk to the architect with this structure is that:

• AThe fee automatically increases with every change order
• BA lower final construction cost reduces the architect's fee
• CThe client cannot terminate the contract under the written agreement
• DThe fee must be paid entirely in advance under the written agreement

Which of the following best describes the architect's role regarding project milestone approvals during planning and design?

• AApproving the project on the client's behalf without consultation
• BSkipping milestone reviews to save time under California law
• CDelegating all approvals to the contractor under California law
• DObtaining written client approval at key

Under the California Architects Practice Act, the practice of architecture includes:

• AOffering or performing services in connection
• BOnly producing construction drawings under California law
• COnly structural engineering calculations under California law
• DOnly interior finish selection under California law

A client wants the architect to also act as the construction contractor on the same project. In California, the architect must be aware that:

• AThis is always prohibited for any architect under the written agreement
• BActing as contractor requires a contractor's
• CNo license is needed because architects can build anything
• DThe architect automatically becomes exempt from the Practice Act

Which California agency has jurisdiction over the structural and fire-life-safety review of acute care hospitals?

• AThe Division of the State Architect (DSA)
• BThe California Coastal Commission for acute care facilities
• CHCAi
• DThe local fire marshal exclusively for acute care facilities

An architect discovers a potential conflict of interest because a family member owns the firm bidding the project. The most appropriate action under California professional conduct rules is to:

• ADisclose the relationship to the client and
• BConceal the relationship to avoid complicating the project
• CResign from the profession under California law
• DAward the bid to the family member's firm to keep the work local

During contract development, which clause most directly helps an architect manage liability for construction means and methods?

• AA clause stating the architect controls the contractor's safety program
• BA clause clarifying that the contractor is solely
• CA clause guaranteeing the project schedule under the written agreement
• DA clause requiring the architect to inspect every weld personally

A California architect provides services without a written contract to a residential client who did not waive the requirement in writing. This exposes the architect to:

• ANo consequence because verbal contracts are always sufficient
• BAutomatic license upgrade under the written agreement
• CPotential disciplinary action by the California Architects Board
• DMandatory arbitration only under the written agreement

Which of the following best describes 'scope of services' in a California architect's agreement?

• AThe contractor's bonding capacity under the written agreement
• BThe owner's financing terms with a bank under the written agreement
• CThe mechanics lien filing deadline under the written agreement
• DThe defined professional tasks the architect will

Under CEQA, which document is prepared when an initial study identifies potentially significant environmental impacts that cannot be mitigated to insignificance?

• AA Notice of Exemption under CEQA Guidelines
• BA Negative Declaration under CEQA Guidelines
• CAn Environmental Impact Report
• DA building permit under CEQA Guidelines

A project is located within the coastal zone. Which approval is generally required in addition to local entitlements?

• AA DSA structural review under the Coastal Act through the Coastal Commission
• BAn HCAi seismic certification under the Coastal Act
• CA FINRA registration under the Coastal Act through the Coastal Commission
• DA coastal development permit consistent with the California Coastal Act

A discretionary approval differs from a ministerial approval primarily because a discretionary approval:

• AInvolves the exercise of judgment and is generally subject to CEQA review
• BIs issued automatically when an application is complete
• CNever requires public notice under California law for this project type
• DIs only used for single-family homes under California law

Which California code establishes minimum green building standards, including water efficiency and construction waste reduction?

• AThe California Coastal Act under California law
• BThe Subdivision Map Act under California law
• CCALGreen
• DThe California Vehicle Code under California law