Can an architect legally stamp and sign documents not produced under their responsible control?

The legal and ethical framework governing architectural practice stipulates that an architect must exercise responsible control over documents they stamp and sign. This means that the architect must be involved in the design and development process, ensuring they have a comprehensive understanding of the work represented in the documents.

Stamping and signing documents not produced under their responsible control undermines the integrity of the profession and poses risks by allowing unauthorized or potentially substandard work to be presented as professional, certified architectural work. This reinforces the principle that an architect assumes legal and professional responsibility for only those documents they have personally supervised or contributed to within the context of their professional duties.

In contrast, alternatives that suggest an architect could stamp documents under different conditions, such as merely supervising the work or if produced by a licensed contractor, do not align with the standards of professional practice, which prioritize accountability and direct involvement in the work. Only documents created under responsible control can ensure that the architect is fully accountable for the integrity and accuracy of the architectural services being provided.