(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a business entity organized for the practice of one or more of the technical professions shall obtain a certificate of authorization pursuant to this section prior to doing business in this state. To obtain a certificate of authorization a business entity must meet the following:

(1) One or more principals is designated as being in responsible charge for the activities and decisions relating to the practice of such profession and is licensed to practice such profession by the board and is a regular employee of and active participant in the business entity;

(2) each person engaged in the practice of the technical profession is licensed to practice such profession by the board, or is exempt from licensure under Kan. Stat. Ann. §§ 74-7031 through 74-7035, and amendments thereto, or is exempt from examination for licensure in this state under Kan. Stat. Ann. § 74-7024, and amendments thereto; and

(3) each separate office or place of business established in this state by the business entity has a licensed professional who is regularly supervising the work of an office or place of business and has responsible charge of each respective technical professional practicing in the office. This requirement shall not apply to offices or places of business established to provide construction administration services only.

(b) A business entity shall apply to the board for a certificate of authorization, upon a form prescribed by the board, listing the names and addresses of all principals licensed to practice the technical profession and such other information as may be required by the board. The application for a certificate of authorization shall be accompanied by an application fee fixed by the board under Kan. Stat. Ann. § 74-7009, and amendments thereto. The certificate of authorization shall be renewed biennially. The biennial renewal fee fixed by the board under Kan. Stat. Ann. § 74-7009, and amendments thereto, shall be accompanied by a form prescribed by the board providing current information. In the event of a change of any principal, such change shall be provided to the board within 30 days after the effective date of such change.

(c) If the board finds that such business entity is in compliance with all of the requirements of this section, the board shall issue a certificate of authorization to such business entity designating the technical profession for which such business entity is authorized to provide services.

(d) No business entity issued a certificate of authorization under this section shall be relieved of responsibility for the conduct or acts of its agents, employees or principals by reason of its compliance with the provisions of this section, nor shall any individual practicing a technical profession be relieved of responsibility and liability for services performed by reason of employment or relationship with such business entity. The requirements of this section shall not affect a business entity and its employees in performing services included within the term “technical professions” solely for the benefit of such business entity or subsidiary or affiliated business entities. Nothing in this section shall exempt any business entity from the provisions of any other law applicable thereto.