Mississippi Administrative Code
Title 30 - Professions and Occupations
Part 201 - Mississippi State Board of Architecture
Chapter 4 - Professional Code of Conduct
Rule 30-201-4.3 - Compliance with Laws

4.3.1 An architect shall not knowingly violate any state or federal criminal law.

Commentary - Miss. Code Ann. Section 73-1-29(1) provides that the Board is authorized to take disciplinary action against any architect registered in this state upon conviction of "any felony except culpable negligent manslaughter". This rule is not limited to the violation of a state or federal criminal law while in the conduct of the registrant's professional practice as in some jurisdictions.

4.3.2 The registrant shall not furnish limited services in such a manner as to enable unregistered persons to evade federal, state and local building laws and regulations, including building permit requirements.

4.3.3 An architect shall neither offer nor make any payments or gifts of substantial value to a government official (whether elected or appointed) with the intent of influencing the official's judgment in connection with a prospective or existing project in which the architect is interested.

Commentary - Rule 4.3.3 tracks a typical bribe statute. It is covered by the general language of Rule 4.3.1, but is more explicitly set out in this Rule. Note that all of the rules under this section look to the conduct of the architect and not to whether or not the architect has actually been convicted under a criminal law. An architect who bribes a public official is subject to discipline by the Board, whether or not the architect has been convicted under the state criminal procedure.

4.3.4 An architect shall comply with the registration laws and regulations governing professional practice in any United States jurisdiction. An architect may be subject to disciplinary action if, based on grounds substantially similar to those which lead to disciplinary action in this jurisdiction, the architect is disciplined in any other United States jurisdiction.

4.3.5 Rule 4.3.4 shall not prevent a person who is not currently registered in this state, but who is currently registered in another United States or Canadian jurisdiction, from providing uncompensated (other than reimbursement of expenses) professional services at the scene of an emergency at the request of a public officer, public safety officer, or municipal or county building inspector, acting in official capacity. "Emergency" shall mean an earthquake, eruption, flood, storm, hurricane, or other catastrophe that has been designated as a major disaster or emergency by the President of the United States or the Governor or other duly authorized official of the State of Mississippi. Any person providing uncompensated emergency services under this provision shall notify the Board on the form provided for that purpose and shall report to the Board all services rendered at such intervals as the Board may direct. This individual shall disclose to any person, company, or other entity requesting the individual's services, that the individual is not licensed as an architect in the state of Mississippi. All contract documents must be prepared and sealed by an architect licensed in Mississippi.