Louisiana architecture board proposes halving fines for firms with expired licenses

Claire Sullivan, Louisiana Illuminator,//July 20, 2023

Photo courtesy DepositPhotos.

Louisiana’s architectural licensing board is proposing halving fines for firms operating with expired licenses.

The state Occupational Licensing Review Commission, the public body that supervises licensing boards, approved the initial review of these changes Wednesday.

Paul Spaht, an attorney for the Louisiana State Board of Architectural Examiners, said the board felt the current fine was high in comparison to other states.

Under the current disciplinary rule, individuals and firms practicing with expired licenses are looped under one provision. The fine is based on the length of time practicing with an expired license: $500 for three to six months, $1,000 for six to 12 months and $1,000 per year after that. All fines come with a public reprimand.

If the proposed change to the disciplinary rule is approved, it would make the fine for a firm practicing with an expired certificate of authority half of what it is for an individual practicing with an expired license, Spaht said.

Individual architectural licenses expire each year on Dec. 31, and architecture firms must renew their licenses, called a certificate of authority, on or before June 30.

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