4703:1-3-03. Firm names

When personal names of landscape architects are used in the name of the firm, only names of living registrants or former registered members of the firm, now retired or deceased, may be used. When the name of a retired or deceased member of a firm or sole proprietorship is to be retained in the firm's name, the status of such member shall be clearly shown on the firm's or sole proprietorship's letterheads by the use of the words "retired" or "deceased" or the dates of the years of the member's birth and death. This must be done within one year after severance or death. Any reference in the firm name to other persons of a firm, partnership, association or corporation shall be permitted only when such persons are registered landscape architects, architects, professional engineers or surveyors and their identity is made known specifically on letterheads of the firm.

A sole proprietorship, firm, partnership, association or corporation otherwise qualified to practice in Ohio is permitted to practice under a name which does not include the names of registered principals. Names which tend to deceive or confuse the public or which are unreasonably similar to the name of another sole proprietorship or firm will not be permitted.

Any non-resident firm legally engaged in the practice of landscape architecture in the jurisdiction of its origin is granted the right to retain its identity upon obtaining a certificate of authorization to provide landscape architecture services in Ohio.

Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 12/29/2015 and 12/29/2020
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 4703.02
Rule Amplifies: 4703.10, 4703.12, 4703.13, 4703.14, 4703.18
Prior Effective Dates: 3/15/1974, 11/4/1977, 6/25/1983, 6/25/1990, 4/15/1992, 11/1/1994, 07/29/2005

Prior History: (R.C. 119.032 review dates: 09/26/2012 and 12/10/2015
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 4703.33
Rule Amplifies: 4703.331
Prior Effective Dates: 8/1/74, 1/14/76, 11/25/77, 3/4/83, 4/4/85, 7/5/85, 1/1/95, 12/1/02, 11/6/07, 4/1/08 )