MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Business and Financial Institutions

By: Senator(s) Frazier

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 73-1-21, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE EXAMINATION AND REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF NONRESIDENT ARCHITECTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 73-1-21, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

73-1-21. Any architect residing outside this state may obtain a certificate to practice in the State of Mississippi by complying with Section 73-1-13, and by paying the fees prescribed by the rules of the board; provided, however, no such nonresident applicant shall receive a certificate to practice in this state unless the applicant furnishes evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant holds a current and valid registration issued by a registration authority recognized by the board, holds a National Council of Architectural Registration Board's certificate, has never been restrained from practicing architecture, and has never had a certificate or license revoked. Each nonresident applicant shall submit, as a part of the application, a sworn affidavit stating that neither such applicant nor any person in, or agent of, the applicant's firm has practiced, is practicing or has solicited architectural work in this state prior to the applicant having been licensed by the board unless such person or agent holds a license to practice architecture in this state. Failure to submit this affidavit is just cause for disapproval of the application. Every applicant for reciprocity registration shall comply fully with the requirements for resident applicants, except that nonresident applicants who met the requirements for issuance of a certificate of registration by the board prior to January 1, 1987, and who, on that date, held a current and valid registration by a registration authority recognized by the board or were qualified exam candidates in another jurisdiction recognized by the board. The board shall have the further right to exercise its discretion as to whether such nonresident architect shall be issued such certificate to practice.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2000.