Can an unlicensed architect sign the contractor's pay application (if she works under a licensed architect)?

• A. No
• B. Only if the licensed architect authorizes it
• C. It is never permissible for an unlicensed architect to sign pay applications
• D. Yes

Answer: (D)

The important idea is that signing a contractor’s pay application is a task that can be delegated within a licensed architectural team. The pay application is a construction administration document where someone certifies that the work billed is progressing in line with the contract documents. A licensed architect can delegate this certification to a member of the project team who works under their supervision. As long as the licensed architect remains responsible for the project and has authorized the delegation, an unlicensed architect on the team may sign the pay application as the signer acting on behalf of the architect of record. This is about who is empowered to certify progress, not about the signer’s own licensure status.

So, yes—the unlicensed architect can sign the contractor’s pay application when she works under a licensed architect and that supervision/authority has been established.