On this page, you’ll find an exhaustive guide on the Mississippi Architect License Requirements and the Architect Registration process in Mississippi. It provides all the crucial information you need including state regulations, application fees, and filing instructions among other relevant details. If you need any assistance related to the licensing process, don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to offer further information about our software and managed license services to support your needs.

How do I become an architect in Mississippi?

To become a licensed architect in Mississippi (MS), follow these steps:

1. Obtain a professional degree in architecture from an NAAB-accredited program, such as a five-year B.Arch or two-year M.Arch program.
2. Gain practical experience through an internship or apprenticeship, supervised by a licensed architect. Mississippi State Board of Architecture requires a minimum of three years of experience.
3. Pass the Architect Registration Examination (ARE), consisting of six divisions covering various aspects of architecture, within a five-year timeframe.
4. Apply for licensure with the Mississippi State Board of Architecture by submitting an application, fee payment, and documentation of education, experience, and exam scores.
5. Once approved, you will receive a license to practice architecture in Mississippi.

Remember, licensed architects in Mississippi must fulfill continuing education requirements to maintain their license. This involves completing approved coursework annually or biennially, as per the state board’s specific guidelines. By staying updated with industry advancements, licensed architects can provide clients with exceptional service.

How Do I Take The Architect Registration Examination In Mississippi?

Individual Licenses

Mississippi Architect License

First-Time Applicants

• Fill out the Mississippi Jurisprudence Examination &  Architect Initial Registration by Exam Application  
• Agency Fee: $275 resident/$450 Non-resident application fee + $60 exam fee
• Turnaround: Processing typically requires approximately 3 to 4 weeks from the date of receiving all necessary documents, barring any exceptional circumstances. If the application is approved, an official Notice of Registration will be sent via both email and postal mail.

How to apply:

1. Take and pass the Architect Registration Examination (ARE). If you have a NAAB-accredited degree in architecture and are enrolled in NCARB’s Architectural Experience Program (AXP), apply directly to NCARB to begin the ARE.
2. After completing the ARE and AXP, instruct NCARB to transmit your NCARB Record to the Mississippi Board.
3. Complete the Architect Initial Registration by Exam Application and pass the Mississippi Jurisprudence Examination.
4. Meet the qualifications specified in Miss. Code Ann. Sections 73-1-13 and 73-1-17 and Rule 2.1, including:
   • Familiarize yourself with the Mississippi Architectural Practice Act and the Board’s Rules and Regulations.
   • Provide an official record from NCARB documenting completion of education, experience, and examination requirements.
   • Hold a professional degree in architecture from a NAAB-accredited program.
   • Fulfill the experience requirements of AXP as per Rule 1.2.
   • Successfully pass the ARE.
   • Take and pass the Mississippi Jurisprudence Examination, an open book exam to be printed, completed, and submitted to the Board.
   • Ensure any firm or business through which you practice in Mississippi meets the qualifications outlined in 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).

Must-have Attachments

• Instruct NCARB to transmit your complete NCARB record to Mississippi.
• Email the completed Mississippi Jurisprudence Examination to msboa@msboa.ms.gov.
• If the firm or entity through which you intend to practice in Mississippi is a professional association, professional corporation, or professional limited liability corporation, provide a copy of the firm’s registration from the base state. For out-of-state professional associations, professional corporations, or professional limited liability corporations, include a copy of the firm’s Certificate of Authority (COA) from the Mississippi Secretary of State (www.sos.ms.gov).
• The Board may also request certain applicants to submit a Business & Firm Verification Form when necessary.

Reciprocal Registration

• Submission method: online
• Agency Fee: $275 resident/$450 Non-resident
• Submission Process:
  • Familiarize yourself with the Mississippi Architectural Practice Act and the Board’s Rules and Regulations.
  • Possess a current NCARB Certificate.
  • Hold a NAAB-accredited degree in architecture, or have obtained licensure from another NCARB jurisdiction before January 1, 1987, or have been approved as an exam candidate by another NCARB jurisdiction before January 1, 1987.
  • Complete the Architectural Experience Program (AXP) or its equivalent as per Rule 2.2.4 (B).
  • Successfully pass the Architect Registration Examination (ARE).
  • Take and pass the Mississippi Jurisprudence Examination, an open book exam that should be printed, completed, and submitted to the Board.
  • Maintain a valid license in good standing in an NCARB jurisdiction.
  • Ensure that any firm or business through which you practice in Mississippi meets the qualifications stipulated in 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).

Must-have Attachments

• Instruct NCARB to transmit your NCARB Record to Mississippi.
• Email the completed Mississippi Jurisprudence Examination to msboa@msboa.ms.gov.
• If the firm or entity through which you plan to practice in Mississippi is a professional association, professional corporation, or professional limited liability corporation, provide a copy of the firm’s registration from the base state. If it is an out-of-state PA, PC, or PLLC, include a copy of the firm’s Certificate of Authority (COA) from the Mississippi Secretary of State (www.sos.ms.gov).
• The Board may also require applicants to submit a Business & Firm Verification Form if requested.

Registration Renewal

• Submission method: online
• Agency Fee: $275 resident/$350 non-resident
• Due: By November 30 of odd-numbered years.
• Note: During the renewal process, applicants must report any changes to their firm information. The board may request a Business & Firm Verification Form for further verification purposes.

Mississippi Landscape Architect Registration

First-Time Applicants

• Form: After successfully completing the Landscape Architect Registration Examination (LARE), applicants must instruct the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB) to transmit the CLARB Council Record to the Board. Once the Board receives the CLARB Council Record, they will manually send the applicant an application for initial licensure.
• Agency Fee: $125

Registration Renewal

• Submission method:online
• Agency Fee: $200
• Due: By December 31 of odd-numbered years.

Mississippi Interior Designer Certification

First-Time Applicants

• Submission method: online.
• Agency Fee: $175

Registration Renewal

• Submission method: online
• Agency Fee: $250
• Due: By January 31 of even-numbered years.

Non-State Level Architecture Firm Licenses in Mississippi

This section aims to clarify licenses that are not required in Mississippi for architecture firms.

Mississippi Architecture Firm License

Architecture firm licensure is not mandatory at the state level in Mississippi. However, there are specific regulatory requirements that firms operating in the state must adhere to. Licensed architects are typically required to provide information related to their business in association with their individual records. For further details, it is recommended to refer to the Mississippi State Board of Architects.

• Professional Corporations
• Professional Limited Liability Companies
• Partnerships
• Professional Associations

• Professional Corporations:
  • A minimum of one active stockholder must possess a certificate to practice architecture in Mississippi.
  • Each stockholder, director, and officer should hold a certificate to practice architecture or engineering in their state of residence.
  • Only licensed architects and engineers are eligible to be stockholders, officers, or directors of a Professional Corporation (PC) that offers architectural services in Mississippi.
• Professional Limited Liability Companies:
  • At least one owner of a membership interest in the PLLC must hold a certificate to practice architecture in Mississippi.
  • Each owner of a membership interest and any managers of the PLLC should hold a certificate to practice architecture or engineering in their state of residence.
  • Only licensed architects and engineers are permitted to hold a membership interest or serve as managers of a Professional Limited Liability Company (PLLC) providing architectural services in Mississippi.
• Partnerships:
  • A minimum of one active partner must possess a certificate to practice architecture in Mississippi.
  • Each active partner should hold a certificate to practice architecture or engineering in their state of residence.

Mississippi Interior Design Firm License

Interior design firm licensure is not mandatory at the state level in Mississippi. The state does not require interior design businesses to obtain a specific license or registration. However, registered interior designers in Mississippi may list their business affiliations on their individual registration.

Mississippi Landscape Architecture Firm License

Landscape architecture firm licensure is not mandatory at the state level in Mississippi. There is no specific requirement for landscape architecture firms to obtain a license in the state. For additional information, it is advisable to consult the Mississippi Landscape Architecture Advisory Committee.

Register for the Architect Registration Examination

Securing an architect’s license in Mississippi opens up a world of opportunities to practice architecture in the state. The journey commences with the pursuit of a professional degree in architecture, a fundamental requirement in your quest to become a licensed architect. This degree is not just a piece of paper, but a testament to your knowledge and comprehension of architectural principles, a rite of passage that equips you with the tools to craft and shape the built environment.

Remember, it’s important that your architecture degree is obtained from a program accredited by a recognized body such as the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). This accreditation assures that the program meets the industry’s standards and provides the necessary skills and training.

Architect registration in Mississippi is a crucial step that formalizes your standing in the industry. This process includes satisfying the state’s requirements and passing the relevant examinations. With this license, you will have the legal authority to practice architecture, offering your expertise to develop the Mississippi landscape. Now that you are armed with this information, you’re one step closer to realizing your architectural aspirations.

Disclaimer: These requirements are subject to change based on approval board discretion. For the most up-to-date information, please visit the Mississippi State Board of Architecture.