• A partner retires and you no longer have the right ratio of licensed professionals in every jurisdiction in which you practice
• You hire a new licensed professional, which may throw off the license ratio requirements in one or more jurisdictions in which you practice
• You want to work on a project in a jurisdiction where you have never worked before

Losing an opportunity to work on a lucrative and exciting project, not on your merits but on a technicality, is extremely frustrating and can set back your firm's success.  This crucial part of your firms infrastructure should not be ignored. 

There are many ways of keeping track of licensure information including the old fashioned "spreadsheet" method where someone at the firm (generally in an administrative role) tracks the various registrations on an Excel Spreadsheet.  There are also software programs and apps that take different approaches to keeping track of information, but those methods do not address the complexities of:

• Keeping track of state or board level changes in every jurisdiction on a constant basis
• Interpreting new laws or regulations and how they might impact your firm
• Requirements for compliance in a new jurisdiction you want to do work in
• Changes in your firm personnel that impact your compliance in each jurisdiction

For these questions, you need to turn to experts.

What about a lawyer?  A corporate lawyer would be well capable of handling these issues, they are positioned to stay up-to-date with any changes in the laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which your firm is practicing (especially if they are located in that jurisdiction).  They are able to interpret those laws and apply them to your unique facts to determine your status in every jurisdiction...and they'll charge you for it in 6 minute increments - making the spreadsheet solution more attractive every minute (or at least every 6 minutes!) 

There is also a middle ground which combines the needed expertise with affordable rates.  Find a service that manages corporate credentials licensing and compliance.  Things to look for in such a service:

• Experience and expertise with design firm credentialing
• Transparent and reasonable pricing
• A service that checks on compliance at least quarterly
• A service that will do the compliance for you, and not just tell you you're out of compliance
• A service that can advise on what is necessary to be compliant when moving into a new jurisdiction

Engaging a service to advise and manage your firm's compliance infrastructure is a valuable investment in the health and success of your firm.  You wouldn't skimp on the foundation of one of your building projects -- why do it with your own firm?