Which professional is licensed to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public while leading the design effort?

The designer of record, often referred to as the architect or architect-engineer, is specifically responsible for leading the design effort in a way that protects the health, safety, and welfare of the public. This role encompasses ensuring that all design elements comply with applicable codes, standards, and regulations, all of which are critical to ensuring that the built environment is safe and functional for its intended use.

While architects and engineers also play vital roles in the design process, the designer of record brings together the responsibilities of both disciplines, signifying that they have oversight of the entire design and are accountable for design integrity. This position is crucial because it not only requires technical expertise in design but also necessitates a comprehensive understanding of how various design elements integrate to meet safety and functional criteria.

In other professional roles such as construction managers, their primary focus is on the execution and management of the project rather than on the design itself. Thus, they do not hold the same level of responsibility for the health, safety, and welfare aspects directly associated with the design.