Latest Updates
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07.20.2026
Consumer Alert – Be Cautious of non-licensed practice and SEAL FRAUD
Consumer Alert: Be Cautious When Hiring Freelancers Online
RALEIGH — The North Carolina Department of Justice, North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors, and the North Carolina Board of Architecture and Interior Designers are warning consumers to be careful when they use freelancing websites such as Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer to hire professional engineering, surveying, architectural, or home design services. These popular platforms allow anyone to advertise their services but may not verify if they are properly licensed.
In some cases, bad actors have falsely claimed to be licensed, fraudulently used professional seal and signatures to appear legitimate, and then delivered substandard or unsafe work. When an unlicensed person uses someone else’s professional seal, it becomes nearly impossible for homeowners, contractors, or local officials to verify who performed the work or whether it meets safety standards.
“More people are turning to online platforms to hire professional services, and scammers are taking advantage of that,” said Attorney General Jeff Jackson. “Always do your research before paying for services and verify licenses and credentials to make sure you’re hiring a professional. Also, if subcontractors are doing work (particularly on large, municipal projects), make sure to verify the licenses and credentials of the subcontractors.”
Hiring an unlicensed person to perform work on your home puts you and your property at risk. Poorly prepared plans or inaccurate surveys can lead to costly construction errors, unsafe conditions, violations of local permitting requirements, and potential civil liability.
“Licensure exists to protect the public, and that protection breaks down when someone misuses another professional’s seal,” said Andrew Ritter, Executive Director of the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors. “A professional license ensures that national and local minimum competency standards have been met. Before you hire someone you found online to design a structure, survey a property, or draw up a set of plans, take a few minutes to verify if they are licensed. Verification is free, it’s easy, and it could save you from a costly or dangerous mistake.”
“The North Carolina Board of Architecture and Registered Interior Designers, after investigating an alarming number of cases involving scams and public harm related to these sites, strongly urges consumers to do their research and verify proper licensure of those claiming they are offering or rendering architectural services,” said Cathe M. Monte Carlo, Executive Director of the North Carolina Board of Architecture and Registered Interior Designers. “The Board recommends contacting staff directly at 919-268-7293 or ncba@ncbarch.org to verify licensure as well as confirm the architect’s contact information. The mission of the Board is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of North Carolina.”
Before you hire anyone for services on a freelancing website, make sure they are qualified for the job. Verify a person’s license through the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors or the North Carolina Board of Architecture.
If you believe you have been misled by someone advertising or performing licensed home design or technical services, or if you suspect that someone is misusing a professional seal, report it to the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors or the North Carolina Board of Architecture.
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12.09.2025
The December edition of the Board of Architecture and Registered Interior Designer is now available.
- Continuing Education opportunities
- Firm renewal information
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10.22.2025
Periodic Rules Review
G.S. 150B-21.3A requires state agencies to review their existing rules every 10 years in a process called “Periodic Review of and Expiration of Existing Rules.”
As such, the North Carolina Board of Architecture & Registered Interior Designers has initiated readoption of the following rules, pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A.
Readoption with substantive changes:
21 NCAC 02 .0106, .0108, .0109, .0401, .0402, .0403, .0404, .0405, .0406, .0501, .0601, .0603, .0604, .0605, .0609, .0610, .0701, .0702, .0703, .0704, .0705, .0903
Readoption without substantive changes:
21 NCAC 02 .0101, .0107, .0201, .0203, .0204, .0205, .0206, .0210, .0213, .0214, .0215, .0217, .0302, .0303, .0306, .0307, .0901, .0904, .0905, .0906, .0907, .0908, .0909, .0910
Repeal through readoption:
21 NCAC 02 .0607, .0608
The Board will receive written public comment on the proposed readoption of these rules between October 24, 2025 and January 30, 2026. Written public comments may be submitted via email to Cathe Monte Carlo, the Board’s Rulemaking Coordinator, at cathe@ncbarch.org or via US Mail to the Board office, located at 434 Fayetteville Street, Suite 2005 Raleigh, NC 27609.
The Board also will receive public comment in a public hearing scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on December 16, 2025 through the following videoconference meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85840836521?pwd=ZfgAFWMAQej8fWncW4tZYyjg51vs59.1&fr om=addon
Meeting ID: 858 4083 6521 Passcode: 394893
Attachments: North Carolina Board of Architecture & Registered Interior Designers rules
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08.06.2025
August 2025 Columns Newsletter
The latest edition of the Board newsletter Columns is found here
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02.17.2025
New Phone Number for NC Board of Architecture & Registered Interior Designers
Effective Immediately the Board Phone Numbers are as follows:
Main Number 919-268-7293
Cathe M. Monte Carlo-Evans, Executive Director 919-268-1610
Julie L. Piatek, Director of Administration 984-920-7522
Tyler Barrick, Director of CE/Firm Compliance 919-268-5273
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01.13.2025
January 2025 Newsletter – Columns
The January 2025 Issue of Columns, the Newsletter of the NC Board of Architecture and Registered Interior Designers is now available.
Some highlights include:
- The President’s Message
- The Executive Directors Report
- News from NCARB and CIDQ
- The Enforcement Report
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11.12.2024
CE Opportunity for All Licensees and Registrants
The Board has joined with the AIA-NC to offer a FREE CE opportunity. See the special November 2024 Edition of Columns for more information.
2024-11 November Special CE Newsletter
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07.30.2024
Columns Newsletter
The August 2024 Newsletter is now available.
The newsletter features:
- President’s Message
- Executive Director’s Message
- Expired License and Registration Report
- NCARB and CIDQ News
- Enforcement Report
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04.29.2024
Periodic Review of Rules
April 29, 2024
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 150B-21.3A requires the Board to conduct a review of its rules every ten years, determining whether each rule is necessary or unnecessary. An unnecessary rule is obsolete, redundant, or otherwise not needed. A report of the Board’s initial determination concerning each rule can be found at the link below. The report will be available for at least 60 days for the public to review and provide comment. A copy of the report is also posted on the Office of Administrative Hearings’ website. The Board will respond to any public comments by addressing the merits of each comment. After the comment period is over and the Board has had an opportunity to make its final determination, the Board will send the Rules Review Commission a report of the determinations as well as public comments received and the Board’s response.
“Public comment” is defined by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 150B-21.3A(a)(5) as a written objection to all or part of a rule. Additionally, pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 150B-21.3A(c)(2), in order for the Rules Review Commission to determine whether the public comment has merit, the public comment must address the specific substance of the rule and address any of the standards of Commission review, as set forth in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 150B-21.9(a).
If you would like to provide comment on the Board’s initial determination of whether each of its rules are necessary or unnecessary, please send written comment to:
Cathe M. Evans, Executive Director
cathe@ncbarch.org
The rules are found here.
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04.18.2024
April Newsletter
The April 2024 edition of the Board Newsletter Columns is now available.
Highlights Include:
- Rule Changes
- New Guidelines and Policies
- Enforcement Report
- NCARB News
- CIDQ News