Engineering and architecture: the numbers, the rules, the AI picture.

• California Professional Engineers Act, sections 6732 and 6738 (BPELSG)

  Only a California-licensed professional engineer may use titles such as professional engineer, consulting engineer or the listed branch titles (civil, electrical, mechanical, fire protection and others). A business offering civil, electrical or mechanical engineering must have a licensed engineer as owner, partner or officer in charge and have the work done under a licensed engineer in responsible charge. If a business name contains a person, that person must be a licensed engineer, land surveyor, architect or registered geologist, and ads naming individuals must clearly designate each person's license discipline.

  What it means: Check every staff title on your site, proposals and LinkedIn: "civil engineer" on an unlicensed person is a violation, not a style choice. Do not put an unlicensed founder in the firm name. When your site names people, label the discipline of each license. Out-of-state firms with a California branch need a California-licensed person in charge on site.

  [8] bpelsg.ca.gov

• California Architects Practice Act, Business and Professions Code section 5536 and CCR section 134

  The California Architects Board states that only a California-licensed architect may refer to themselves with the terms architect, architecture or architectural. Section 5536 makes it a misdemeanor, with a fine of $100 to $5,000, up to one year in county jail, or both, to use a term confusingly similar to architect, or to advertise in a way that indicates a person is an architect or an architectural designer. CCR section 134 bars architect or architecture in a business name or service description unless a licensee is in management control of all of the firm's professional services.

  What it means: A design-build firm, a drafting service or an engineer offering building design cannot call itself an architecture practice or use "architectural designer" in ads unless the rule is met. Review the firm name, tagline, service list, directory listings and social bios. The Board says it investigates as many as 500 complaints a year under the Act, and misuse of the term architect is the most common violation.

  [3] cab.ca.gov

• New York Education Law section 7202 (engineering), architecture title guidance (NYSED) and Texas 22 TAC 137.71

  The New York State Education Department says only a licensed or otherwise authorized person may practice engineering or use the title professional engineer, and business entities need a Certificate of Authorization. For architecture, it says only a New York licensee may call themselves an architect, that misuse of the title may be prosecuted as a Class A misdemeanor, and that offering architectural services without a license may be charged as a Class E felony. It also warns that "architectural designer" and "interior architecture" may be barred for unlicensed people, and that "Principal" should not go to an unlicensed person without explaining they are not licensed.

  What it means: Audit job titles, "About" pages and bios. A marketing director or designer called "Principal" or "Director of Architectural Design" can create a problem. Texas adds a firm-name rule: 22 TAC 137.71 bars an unregistered entity from using engineer, engineering, engineered or licensed engineer in advertisements, directory listings or a business name.

  [9] op.nysed.gov

• NCEES Model Rules of Professional Conduct and AIA Code of Ethics rules 3.301 and 4.201

  The NCEES Model Rules (August 2025 edition), which states adopt in varying forms, say engineers must include relevant information in an objective and truthful manner in all professional statements, must not falsify or permit misrepresentation of qualifications or exaggerate their responsibility or the complexity of prior assignments, and that solicitation presentations must not misrepresent facts about employers, associates, joint ventures or past accomplishments. The AIA Code (April 2024 edition), binding on AIA members, bars misleading, deceptive or false statements about qualifications, experience or performance, requires accurate statements of responsibility for work claimed, and bars misleading prospective clients about results the member can achieve.

  What it means: Credit projects honestly. If you were the structural consultant to another firm's architect, say so, and do not show the finished building as your work alone. Avoid "guaranteed" outcomes and unproven savings. NCEES also bars gifts or commissions to secure work, which matters for referral fees and public-sector hospitality.

  [10] ncees.org

• Client confidentiality, project images and credentials (AIA rule 3.401, 17 U.S.C. section 120, USGBC marks)

  The AIA Code bars knowingly disclosing information a client asked to keep in confidence, except where the Code or law allows. Under 17 U.S.C. section 120, copyright in a built architectural work does not prevent pictures of a building that is located in or ordinarily visible from a public place. The copyright definition in section 101 treats a design as including a building, architectural plans or drawings. USGBC states that its LEED marks may not be used on products, brochures, labels and packaging, that marks are issued with a year and level, and that it does not endorse third-party products or services.

  What it means: Get written permission before naming a client or showing interiors, drawings or renderings, especially for secure, healthcare, industrial or public-safety facilities. Do not assume a public exterior photo clears the client relationship. Describe LEED accurately: a project is certified, not the firm, and use the marks only as USGBC instructs.

  [11] aia.org

• Brooks Act and FAR subpart 36.6: qualifications-based selection for public clients

  For federal architect-engineer work, the government publicly announces requirements and negotiates on the basis of demonstrated competence and qualifications at fair and reasonable prices. FAR 36.602-1 lists the evaluation factors: professional qualifications, specialized experience and technical competence, capacity, past performance, and location where it leaves enough qualified firms. Price is not a selection criterion. Firms file Standard Form 330 to be considered, and the contracting officer negotiates with the top-ranked firm first. Many states have similar laws.

  What it means: Public-sector marketing is about being the obvious qualified firm, not the cheapest. Keep a current, reusable record of similar projects, named key staff and resumes. Do not quote fees in qualifications material, and never offer gifts or favors to evaluators. Know your state's procurement law, because it can differ from the federal rule.

  [12] acquisition.gov

• FTC Endorsement Guides: testimonials and reviews

  The FTC says connections between an endorser and a business, such as payment, free services, commissions or employment, must be clearly disclosed when they would affect how people weigh the endorsement. Businesses should not selectively solicit reviews from satisfied customers, condition incentives on positive reviews, or suppress negative ones, and cannot present an exceptional result as typical.

  What it means: Client quotes on your site must be real, current and not edited to change the meaning. Disclose it if a client got a discount or other benefit for a review. Do not hide critical reviews on directories you control. Check the claim against your professional code as well.

  [13] ftc.gov

• CAN-SPAM Act and UK PECR: B2B email

  In the United States, CAN-SPAM makes no exception for business-to-business email. Messages need accurate header information, a non-deceptive subject line, an ad disclosure, a valid physical postal address and a working opt-out honored within 10 business days. Each violating email can carry civil penalties of up to $53,088, according to the FTC page updated January 2024. In the UK, the ICO says you can email any corporate body, but sole traders and some partnerships are treated as individuals and need consent or a qualifying prior sale.

  What it means: Your outreach to developers, owners and public agencies must carry a postal address and an opt-out. Keep a suppression list and honor it. If you email UK sole traders, get consent first. Canada has its own anti-spam law, CASL, which this page does not cover: check it before emailing Canadian contacts.

  [7] ftc.gov

General information, not legal advice. Licensing, title and advertising rules are set by each state or provincial board and change. Confirm the current rules with your own board, your professional association and counsel before you publish.