Enforcement Actions - N

Santa Rosa—The Board issued a four-count citation that included a $10,000 administrative fine to Kunal Nagpal, dba Emerge Rebuild, an unlicensed individual, for alleged violations of Business and Professions Code section 5536(a) (Practice Without License or Holding Self Out as Architect) and California Code of Regulations, title 16, section 134(a) (Use of the Term Architect; Responsible Control Within Business Entity). The action alleged that Nagpal represented himself as an architect and his company as an architectural firm when he entered into contracts to rebuild the homes of three victims of the October 2017 Tubbs Fire. The parties executed a Detail Design Agreement, which provided for "Preliminary Architectural Designs," "architectural renderings," and "architectural and structural design and specifications," documents which were to be "checked and verified by a licensed professional." Nagpal’s company website advertised that their natural disaster recovery team, "which comprises of insurance specialists, architects, and general contractors," would assist fire victims by "first getting funds approved by insurance companies and then assisting with rebuilding the home for you by managing every step along the way," including Debris Cleanup, Insurance, Financing, Design/ Architect/ Engineering/ Permitting, and General Contracting. Nagpal paid the fine, satisfying the citation. The citation became final on February 27, 2020.

San Diego—The Board issued a two-count citation that included a $5,000 administrative fine to Rajesh Kumar Narayanan, dba Concorde Enterprises, an unlicensed individual, for alleged violations of Business and Professions Code section (BPC) 5536(a) (Practice Without License or Holding Self Out as Architect). The action alleged that on or about July 15, 2015, Narayanan prepared drawings for a residential project located in San Diego, California. Narayanan, without the architect’s knowledge, affixed an architect’s stamp to the drawings, which read: "LICENSED ARCHITECT," "BAHRAM MAHERONNAGAHSH," "No.C 22453," "REN. 6-30-2015" and the legend "STATE OF CALIFORNIA." Architect license number 22453 belongs to Bahram Maheronnaghsh. In addition, on or about August 25, 2015, Narayanan’s company, Concorde Enterprises, sent an email advertisement to a prospective client that included the term "Architectural" to describe the company’s key capabilities and strengths and the word "Architects" under Narayanan’s company name.

On or about August 27, 2015, Narayanan’s company profile on the Internet at plus.google.com, included the term "Architectural" to describe the services that his company provides. On or about September 5, 2015, Narayanan’s company sent an email advertisement to another prospective client that included the terms "Architectural" and "Architecture" to describe the services the company provides. On or about June 16, 2016, Narayanan’s company’s website, concordeusa.com, described the company’s key capabilities and strengths as "Architectural" and described the company’s key programs as "Design of Architecture." The website also included a link to a news article in the Rancho Santa Fe News where Narayanan was identified as an "Architect." Furthermore, on or about November 15, 2016, Narayanan’s company was identified as or listed under "Architects" in advertisements on the Internet at citysearch.com, ehardhat.com, homeyou.com, manta.com, and towncontractors.com.

Narayanan was also previously cited by the Board on March 30, 2015, for offering "Architectural" Designs to the public through his advertisements in the weekly newspaper, The Coast News. The citation became final on February 3, 2017.

Alpine—The Board issued a one-count citation that included a $2,500 administrative fine to Rajesh Narayanan, an unlicensed individual, for an alleged violation of BPC 5536(a) (Practice Without License or Holding Self Out as Architect). The action alleged that on or about February 14, 2014 through January 2, 2015, the weekly newspaper, The Coast News contained an advertisement for Narayanan wherein he offered "Architectural " Designs as a service he provides. On January 10, 2014, the Board previously advised Narayanan of the laws regulating the practice of architecture and that any future complaints of a similar nature, if substantiated, will be pursued to the full extent of the law and can result in the issuance of a citation with civil penalties. Narayanan paid the fine, satisfying the citation. The citation became final on March 30, 2015.

Suisun City —The Board issued a one-count citation with a $750 administrative fine to John Neal, an unlicensed person, dba Design Collaborative Services, LLC, for alleged violations of Business and Professions Code section 5536(a).

On or around August 9, 2023, the Board received a complaint alleging Neal had abandoned a project after agreeing to provide design services to a client.

The Board had previously issued a letter of advisement to Neal concerning his online advertising, which warned about his company website and his profiles on LinkedIn and Alignable. By November 9, 2022, Neal had made the requested corrections to these profiles and the Board closed the case. Nevertheless, from November 10, 2022, through January 1, 2024, Neal resumed misrepresenting himself as an architect and his company as an architectural firm through various advertisements. His LinkedIn profile emphasized his firm’s capabilities in "Architectural Drawings" and "Architecture," while his company's Yelp profile was categorized under "Architects," and offered design services for non-exempt commercial buildings.

Neal’s online advertising and profiles are devices that might indicate to the public that he is an architect or qualified to engage in the practice of architecture in California. Such conduct constitutes violations of Business and Professions Code section 5536(a). The citation became final on March 17, 2024.

Sierra Madre—The Board issued a one-count citation that included a $500 administrative fine to Susan Jean Nelson, architect license number C-23300, for an alleged violation of BPC 5600.05(a)(1) (License Renewal Process; Audit; False or Misleading Information on Coursework on Disability Access Requirements). The action alleged that Nelson certified false or misleading information on her 2015 License Renewal Application. Nelson paid the fine, satisfying the citation. The citation became final on May 31, 2016.

Los Angeles—The Board issued a one-count citation that included a $500 administrative fine to Elaine Louise Nesbit, architect license number C-13950, for an alleged violation of BPC section 5600.05(b) (License Renewal Process; Audit; False or Misleading Information on Coursework on Disability Access Requirements). The action alleged that Nesbit failed to maintain records of completion of the required coursework for two years from the date of license renewal and failed to make those records available to the Board for auditing upon request. The citation became final on July 20, 2018.

Belvedere—The Board issued a one-count citation that included a $500 administrative fine to Marla Ann Newell, architect license number C-20289, for an alleged violation of BPC § 5600.05(a)(1) (License Renewal Process; Audit; False or Misleading Information on Coursework on Disability Access Requirements). The action alleged that Newell certified false or misleading information on her 2017 License Renewal Application. Newell paid the fine, satisfying the citation. The citation became final on December 6, 2017.

Oakland—The Board issued a three-count citation that included a $2,500 administrative fine to John Newton, dba John Newton Design & Development, an unlicensed individual, for alleged violations of Business and Professions Code section 5536(a) (Practice Without License or Holding Self Out as Architect). The action alleged that Newton submitted plans for three three-story residences to the City of Berkeley. These plans were not stamped by a licensed professional. The plans prepared by Newton indicated three distinct living levels in each of the houses, which are not exempt from the requirements of the Architects Practice Act pursuant to Business and Professions Code sections 5537(a) and 5538. Newton paid the fine, satisfying the citation. The citation became final on February 20, 2020.

Garden Grove—The Board issued a three-count citation that included a $3,000 administrative fine to Christopher Thanh Ngo, dba C.T.N. Design Group, an unlicensed individual, for alleged violations of BPC 5536(a) (Practice Without License or Holding Self Out as Architect). The action alleged that on or about April 26, 2014, Ngo provided an agreement to his client offering layout site plans, floor plans, and elevations for a residential project located in Rosemead, California. The agreement included "Architectural Plans" and "Architectural Details" as part of the services Ngo would provide. On or about July 24, 2014, Ngo provided a contract to another client offering layout site plans, floor plans, and elevations for a residential project located in Temple City, California. The contract included "Architectural back checks" and an "Architectural plan" as part of the services Ngo would provide and contained the term "Architecture" under the "Liability/Responsibility" clause. On or about August 27, 2015, Ngo provided a business card and an agreement to a third client offering layout site plans, floor plans, and elevations for a residential project located in Topanga, California. The business card contained the term "Architectural" and the agreement included "Architectural Plans" as part of the services Ngo would provide. The citation became final on July 21, 2016.

Garden Grove—The Board issued a one-count citation that included a $750 administrative fine to Kevin Nguyen, an unlicensed person, for alleged violations of Business and Professions Code section 5536(a) (Practice Without License or Holding Self Out as Architect; Misdemeanor).

On or about December 23, 2020, Nguyen, doing business as "TDA Designs," offered a contract to provide "Architectural Design and Details" to Mr. C.P. (client) for the preliminary design, schematic development, and permits for an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) at a residence located in Garden Grove, California. Nguyen was paid $4,000 but he failed to obtain approval by the building department.

Nguyen’s also represented himself as a licensed architect through his company’s Yellow Pages profile categorized under "Architectural Designers" and his use of the title "architectural consultant" on his personal LinkedIn profile.

Nguyen was contacted by the Board but did not make the corrections requested.

Nguyen’s contract and online profiles, wherein he described his services as "Architectural," are devices that might indicate to the public that Nguyen is an architect or qualified to engage in the practice of architecture in California. Such conduct constitutes violations of Business and Professions Code section 5536(a). The citation became final on April 8, 2023.

Westminster—The Board issued a two-count citation that included a $2,000 administrative fine to Tuan Nguyen, dba Do Green Company Design & Consultant Service and ICM Management Co., an unlicensed individual, for alleged violations of BPC section 5536(a) (Practice Without License or Holding Self Out as Architect) and CCR, title 16, section 134(a) (Use of the Term Architect). The first cause for citation alleged that Nguyen provided a proposal to add a 400 sq. ft. family room and open patio to a single-family residence located in Anaheim, California. The services offered in the proposal included "Architectural & Engineering (A/E) Consultant Service." The written proposal using the word "Architectural" is a device that might indicate to the public that Nguyen is an architect, that he is qualified to engage in the practice of architecture, or that he is an architectural designer. The second cause for citation alleged that Nguyen prepared drawings for the project that contained a title block that included his business name "ICM Management Co., Architecture & Consultant." Nguyen used a business name which included the term "architecture" in its title and description of services, without a California licensed architect who was in management control of the professional services that were offered and provided by the business entity and either the owner, a part-owner, an officer, or an employee of the business entity. The citation became final on August 5, 2019.

Loma Linda—The Board issued a one-count citation that included a $500 administrative fine to John Scott Nichols, architect license number C-17853, for an alleged violation of BPC section 5600.05(a)(1) (License Renewal Process; Audit; False or Misleading Information on Coursework on Disability Access Requirements). The action alleged that Nichols certified false or misleading information on his 2017 License Renewal Application. Nichols paid the fine, satisfying the citation. The citation became final on June 28, 2018.

Rancho Santa Margarita—The Board issued a three-count citation that included a $3,000 administrative fine to Greg Niemczyk, an unlicensed individual, for alleged violations of BPC 5536(a) (Practice Without License or Holding Self Out as Architect). The action alleged that Niemczyk executed a written proposal to provide "Architectural Drawings" for project located in Corona, California. Niemczyk also prepared drawings for a project located in San Diego, with a title block which stated "Architectural Design Services," and "Drawn By: GN." A review of Niemczyk’s website revealed that his firm name was "Architectural Design Services." On May 28, 2010, the Board previously advised Niemczyk that he could not use the term "architectural" in his business name, "Architectural Design Services." The citation became final on September 30, 2014.