California Code, Business and Professions Code - BPC § 5528

(a) The board may select and contract with necessary architect consultants who are licensed architects to assist it in its enforcement program on an intermittent basis.The architect consultants shall perform only those services that are necessary to carry out and enforce this chapter.

(b) For the purposes of Division 3.6 (commencing with Section 810) of Title 1 of the Government Code, any consultant under contract with the board shall be considered a public employee.