Architects oppose Puerto Rico bill easing license rules
The Puerto Rico College of Architects and Landscape Architects has joined a growing list of professional licensing and trade organizations opposing Senate Bill 006, warning that the proposed legislation could undermine construction standards and professional oversight on the island.
In a statement, the organization urged Gov. Jenniffer González-Colón not to sign the bill, which it said poses a serious risk to the quality and safety of building practices in Puerto Rico.
The measure, known as the Universal Recognition of Occupational Licenses Act, was introduced by Senate President Thomas Rivera-Schatz. If enacted, it would allow for the automatic recognition of professional licenses issued in other U.S. jurisdictions, bypassing Puerto Rico’s established licensing review procedures. Under the bill, professionals licensed in any state would receive provisional authorization to work in Puerto Rico upon submitting an application and paying the required fee.
While the association supports simplifying licensing procedures, it argues that automatic recognition without proper review compromises public safety, disadvantages local practitioners and creates opportunities for fraud.
“Architectural and landscape architecture licenses require rigorous academic preparation, licensing exams, documented experience and continuing education to ensure compliance with Puerto Rico’s building codes and protect public health and safety,” the organization said. “Allowing automatic licensing weakens these safeguards and exposes residents to unnecessary risks.”
The organization — known locally by its initials is Spanish as CAAPPR — noted that Puerto Rico already has a functional reciprocity system, which allows licensed professionals from other jurisdictions to apply for local credentials through the Examining Board. According to the trade group, the process generally takes less than a month and does not require additional exams beyond national standards.
By contrast, the bill would require local boards to grant provisional licenses without prior verification of credentials upon receiving an application. The organization warned this could lead to approvals of applicants with incomplete or fraudulent documentation.
“Granting automatic licenses without proper credential review is not only unfair to local professionals, but also a dangerous precedent that could jeopardize the integrity of our built environment,” the association said. “Puerto Rico must ensure that all professionals — whether local or from outside the island — are held to the same high standards.”
The Association of Interior Designers and Decorators of Puerto Rico also voiced concern. In a statement, the organization warned that automatic recognition of out-of-state licenses could undermine consumer protections and sideline qualified local professionals.
“The interior design profession in Puerto Rico requires formal studies, supervised practice, two licensing exams, and knowledge of Puerto Rico’s building codes and regulations, and mandatory membership in the association,” the group stated. “This measure also poses a risk of displacement for our local professionals, opening the door to unequal competition with individuals who have not necessarily met the educational, technical and legal requirements in Puerto Rico.”
The organization said it is still reviewing the legislation but emphasized its longstanding role in regulating the profession to protect both licensed practitioners and the public.
Supporters of the bill argue that current licensing rules restrict labor mobility, limit access to services and impede economic growth. They contend that a streamlined, uniform process would promote job access and competitiveness.
The association said it remains open to improving the reciprocity process and equipping the Examining Board with better tools to manage applications, but not at the expense of oversight.
“What we cannot support is the blanket authorization of professionals from outside Puerto Rico without the same scrutiny that our local professionals are subject to,” the statement concluded. “Ensuring consistency and integrity in licensure is essential for the protection and well-being of all Puerto Ricans.”
I am a registered architect in Puerto Rico, I also have a license in Florida. The licensing process in Florida is similar to Puerto Rico. It takes around 4-6 weeks once all appropriate documentation is submitted to their online portal.
I renewed my Puerto Rico license in May of this year and the renewal process is simple and straightforward if you have your documentation in order. I agree with the CAAPPR that further facilitation of the professional licensure process for architects is unnecessary and is potentially problematic. The law may make sense for other occupational licenses but it does not apply to our profession.