MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2021 Regular Session
To: Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency
By: Representative Creekmore IV
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 73-1-19, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE MISSISSIPPI ARCHITECT LICENSING LAWS TO AUTHORIZE MULTI-DISCIPLINARY FIRMS TO INCLUDE ARCHITECTS, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS, INTERIOR DESIGNERS AND/OR ENGINEERS AS LONG AS ONE ACTIVE MEMBER OR STOCKHOLDER HOLDS A CERTIFICATE TO PRACTICE ARCHITECTURE IN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 73-1-19, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
73-1-19. In the case of a
copartnership of architects, or architects, landscape architects, interior
designers and/or engineers, or a professional corporation, or
professional limited liability company, either foreign or domestic, * * * at least one (1) active member or stockholder must hold a
certificate to practice architecture in this state. No stock company,
corporation, professional corporation or professional limited liability company
shall be entitled to a certificate to practice architecture. No company other
than a professional corporation or a professional limited liability company
shall advertise or otherwise hold itself out to be an architect or to be
authorized to practice architecture in this state.
Nothing in this chapter
shall be construed as prohibiting a joint enterprise, partnership, professional
corporation, professional limited liability company or association between one
(1) or several registered professional engineers, registered landscape architects,
certified interior designers and/or duly registered architects; and it
shall be lawful for such partnership, joint enterprise, professional
corporation, professional limited liability company or association to use in
its title the words * * * "architects",
"landscape architects", "interior designers" or
"engineers"; provided, however, that all announcements, cards,
stationery, printed matter and listings of such partnership, joint enterprise,
professional corporation, professional limited liability company or association
shall indicate as to each member whether he be a registered architect,
registered landscape architect, certified interior designer or a registered
engineer; provided, further, that the name of such partnership, professional
corporation, professional limited liability company or association shall
contain the name of at least one (1) person who is registered as an architect
in this state and that no such person be named on any announcement, card,
stationery, printed matter or listing of such partnership, professional
corporation, professional limited liability company or association used in this
state unless there is designated thereon whether or not such person is licensed
in this state. Employees of a firm who are not registered as architects, landscape
architects, certified interior designers or engineers in the case of a
joint enterprise, partnership, professional corporation, professional limited
liability company or association * * *, may use
business cards for that firm if the job title of such individual is clearly
stated.
Each person holding a certificate to practice architecture in this state shall post such certificate in a prominent place in the architect's place of business. Failure to post the certificate shall be sufficient cause for revocation of such certificate.
The following persons and practices shall be exempted from the provisions of this chapter:
Draftsmen, students, clerks-of-work and other employees of those lawfully practicing as registered architects under the provisions of this chapter acting under the instruction, control or supervision of their employers.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2021.