50-State Architecture Licensing Compliance Guide
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Mississippi Architecture Industry Licensing

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Licensing requirements for architecture industry firms and individuals in Mississippi.

This page provides an overview of architecture industry licensing in Mississippi for individuals and firms. You will find state requirements, application fees, filing instructions, and more. For assistance with licensing, please contact us to learn about our software and managed license services.

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Company Licenses

Mississippi Architecture Company Licenses

Mississippi Architecture Firm License

Not required



Architecture Firm licensure is not required on the State level in Mississippi.

  • Mississippi does not license architectural firms; however, several regulatory requirements apply to firms doing business in the state.
  • Licensed architects are required to provide information about the business associated with their individual records and must submit entity registration documentation when obtaining a license.
  • Mississippi law does not allow architectural practice through a business corporation (Inc.) or an LLC.
  • See the Architect Business/Firm Ownership and Structure Requirements document for more details.
More information: Mississippi State Board of Architects
Law:

MS Code Ann. § 73-1-19

Eligible Entity Types:
  • Professional Corporations
  • Professional Limited Liability Companies
  • Partnerships
  • Professional Associations
Ownership Requirements:

Professional Corporations:

  • At least one active stockholder must hold a certificate to practice architecture in Mississippi.
  • Each stockholder, director and officer shall hold a certificate to practice architecture or engineering in that person’s state of residence.
  • No person shall be entitled to be a stockholder, officer or director of a PC or a PA offering architectural services in Mississippi other than licensed architects and engineers.

Professional Limited Liability Companies:

  • At least one owner of a membership interest in the PLLC shall hold a certificate to practice architecture in Mississippi.
  • Each owner of a membership interest and any managers of the PLLC shall hold a certificate to practice architecture or engineering in that person’s state of residence.
  • No person shall be entitled to hold a membership interest in or be a manager of “PLLC” offering architectural services in Mississippi other than licensed architects and engineers.

Partnerships:

  • At least one active partner must hold a certificate to practice architecture in Mississippi and each active partner shall hold a certificate to practice architecture or engineering in that partner’s state of residence.

Mississippi Interior Design Firm License

Not required



Interior Design Firm licensure is not required on the State level in Mississippi.

Mississippi does not license or register interior design businesses, but registered designers list their business affiliation on their individual registration.

Mississippi Landscape Architecture Firm License

Not required



Landscape Architecture Firm licensure is not required on the State level in Mississippi.

More information: Mississippi Landscape Architecture Advisory Committee

Individual Licenses

Mississippi Individual Architecture Licenses

Mississippi Architect License

Agency:Mississippi State Board of Architects
Exam Required?Yes

Initial Registration

This section applies to architects that are applying for a license in Mississippi for the first time.

Form:
Instructions:
  1. In order to apply for licensure, one must take and pass the Architect Registration Examination (ARE). Applicants with a NAAB-accredited degree in architecture who are enrolled in the experience program recognized by the Board (NCARB's Architectural Experience Program, formerly known as IDP) should apply directly to NCARB to begin the ARE.
  2. Upon completion of the ARE and the Architectural Experience Program (AXP), an applicant must direct NCARB to transmit the NCARB Record to the Board. Basic qualifications for initial licensure by examination, which the NCARB Record must document, are:
  3. Successful completion of the ARE; and Completion of the AXP; and A NAAB-accredited professional degree in architecture.
  4. Applicants must also complete the Architect Initial Registration by Exam Application and take and pass the Mississippi Jurisprudence Examination.
  5. Applicants must meet the qualifications as specified in Miss. Code Ann. Sections 73-1-13 and 73-1-17 and Rule 2.1. As a summary of qualifications, you must:
    1. Read the Mississippi Architectural Practice Act and the Rules and Regulations of the Board
    2. Provide an official record from NCARB documenting completion of the education, experience, and examination requirements
    3. Have acquired a professional degree in architecture from a NAAB-accredited program
    4. Have met the experience requirements of AXP in accordance with Rule 1.2
    5. Have successfully passed the ARE
    6. Take and pass the Mississippi Jurisprudence Examination. This is an open book examination that should be printed, completed and submitted to the Board.
    7. Any firm or business through which you practice in Mississippi must meet the qualifications of Section 73-1-19 and Chapter 3 of the Rules and Regulations (refer to the Extract of Laws and Rules for Architectural and A/E Firms)
Agency Fee:

$275 resident/$450 Non-resident application fee + $60 exam fee

Turnaround:

Processing will take 3 to 4 weeks after receipt of all required documents, provided that there are no extenuating circumstances. An official Notice of Registration will be issued by email and postal mail if the application is approved.  

Required Attachments:
  • Direct NCARB to transmit your full NCARB record to Mississippi.
  • Send the following documents by email to msboa@msboa.ms.gov:The completed Mississippi Jurisprudence Examination.
  • If the firm or entity through which you will practice in Mississippi is a professional association, a professional corporation, or a professional limited liability corporation, a copy of the firm’s registration with the Secretary of State (or other agency) from the firm’s base state is required. For an out-of-state PA, PC, or PLLC, the Board also requires a copy of the firm’s COA from the Mississippi SOS (www.sos.ms.gov).
  • The board may also request that certain applicants file a Business & Firm Verification Form.

Reciprocal Registration

This section applies to architects licensed in another state that are looking for reciprocal licensure in Mississippi.

Instructions:

Applicants must meet the qualifications as specified in Section 73-1-21 and Rule 2.2. As a summary of qualifications, you must:

  1. Read the Mississippi Architectural Practice Act and the Rules and Regulations of the Board
  2. Have a current NCARB Certificate
  3. Have a NAAB accredited degree in architecture, or have been licensed by another NCARB jurisdiction prior to 1/1/1987, or have been approved by another NCARB jurisdiction as an exam candidate prior to 1/1/1987
  4. Have completed AXP or the equivalent per rule 2.2.4 (B)
  5. Have successfully passed the ARE
  6. Take and pass the Mississippi Jurisprudence Examination. This is an open book examination that should be printed, completed and submitted to the Board.
  7. Have a license in good standing in an NCARB jurisdiction
  8. Any firm or business through which you practice in Mississippi must meet the qualifications of Section 73-1-19 and Chapter 3 of the Rules and Regulations (refer to the Extract of Laws and Rules for Architectural and A/E Firms)
Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$275 resident/$450 Non-resident

Required Attachments:
  • Direct NCARB to transmit your NCARB Record to Mississippi.
  • Send the following documents by email to msboa@msboa.ms.gov:The completed Mississippi Jurisprudence Examination.
  • If the firm or entity through which you will practice in Mississippi is a professional association, a professional corporation, or a professional limited liability corporation, a copy of the firm’s registration with the Secretary of State (or other agency) from the firm’s base state is required. For an out-of-state PA, PC, or PLLC, the Board also requires a copy of the firm’s COA from the Mississippi SOS (www.sos.ms.gov).
  • The board may also request that applicants file a Business & Firm Verification Form.

Registration Renewal

This section applies to architects that are already licensed in Mississippi and need to renew their license.

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$275 resident/$350 non-resident

Due:

By November 30 of odd-numbered years.

Notes:

If firm information has changed, applicants must report those changes during the renewal process. A Business & Firm Verification Form may be requested by the board.

Mississippi Interior Designer Certification

Agency:Mississippi State Board of Architects

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$175

Reciprocal Registration

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$250

Due:

By January 31 of even-numbered years.

Mississippi Landscape Architect Registration

Agency:Mississippi State Board of Architects

Initial Registration

Form:

Upon completion of the LARE, an applicant must direct CLARB to transmit the CLARB Council Record to the Board. Upon receipt of the CLARB Council Record, the Board will forward an application for initial licensure (a manual process) to the applicant.

Agency Fee:

$125

Reciprocal Registration

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$200

Due:

By December 31 of odd-numbered years.

Learn about architecture licensing in other states:

ARE (Architect Registration Examination) - Assesses candidates for their knowledge, skills, and ability to provide the various services required to be a practicing architect.

AXP (Architectural Experience Program) - NCARB program for architectural internship, a requirement for licensure that occurs after filling the educational requirements.

BEFA (Broadly Experienced Foreign Architect) - An alternative NCARB certification that allows foreign architects to independently practice architecture.

COA (Certificate of Authorization) - The most common name of the registration required for firms to practice architecture in a given state.

Design Firm - Architectural firm registration is sometimes grouped with engineering and land surveying on a single “design firm” application form.

NCARB Certification - Licensed architects have the option to become Certificate holders to signify that they have met national standards established by U.S. licensing boards for protecting public health, safety, and welfare. Certification also facilitates reciprocal registration in all 54 jurisdictions, 11 Canadian jurisdictions, and can be used to support an application for licensure in other countries.

Reciprocity - This is when a licensed architect in one state can provide documentation (often a NCARB certificate) to more easily apply for licensure in another jurisdiction.

State Board - Often referred to as the State Architects Licensure Board or Board of Architects, an individual state’s board serves as the regulatory authority for architects. The board qualifies and licenses individuals seeking architectural licensure. The board is responsible for preserving the public health, safety, and welfare of individuals who occupy built environments.

National Architecture Accrediting Board
NAAB establishes criteria for and accredits professional architecture degree programs in the United States.

The American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS)
AIAS is an independent, student-run group that promotes excellence in architecture education, training, and practice.

The American Institute of Architects (AIA)
AIA is a voluntary professional organization for architects providing advocacy, information, and community.

The Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA)
ACSA represents architectural education programs across the globe.

The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)
NCARB is the national organization representing the state registration boards.