Regulation of Architects in Idaho is found in Chapter 3, Title 54 of Idaho Code.  Pursuant to Idaho Code § 54-301, to practice architecture, a person should submit evidence of his or her qualifications and successfully pass an examination conducted by the board of architectural examiners (board). 

Idaho Code § 54-302 provides qualifications for examination and license.  A person shall submit satisfactory evidence of the following to the board of architectural examiners:

• Graduation from an accredited architectural curriculum in a school or college approved by the board of architectural examiners and a specific record of having started or completed an additional three years or more of experience in architectural work in an internship.
• That the applicant has attained standards of knowledge and skill, and a specific record of eight years or more of experience in architectural work and a specific record of having started or completed an additional three years or more of experience in architectural work in an internship.

A person is qualified for all examination divisions once s/he has met the graduation requirement and started the internship program rules or met the eight years of experience requirement and started the internship program.  A person is qualified for a license once s/he has established a specific record of successful passage of all examination divisions and the completion of three years or more of experience in architectural work in an internship.   

Pursuant to Idaho Code § 54-302A, applicants may be licensed by endorsement, if s/he holds a current and valid license issued by another state, a licensing authority recognized by the board; and a national council of architectural registration boards certificate.  The applicant should pay the statutory fees; file an application with the board, upon a form prescribed by the board.  An architect, not licensed in Idaho, shall be permitted to practice in the state for a period not to exceed six months if s/he holds a current and valid license issued by a licensing authority recognized by the board; and a national council of architectural registration board’s certificate.  The applicant should notify the board in writing, prior to any practice that s/he will be present in the state for the purpose of offering to render architectural services.  The applicant should also pay the statutory fee.

Pursuant to Idaho Code § 54-305, the board may refuse to grant, or may temporarily suspend or otherwise restrict a license to practice architecture for a period not to exceed two years, or may revoke a license, upon any one of the following grounds:

• The employment of any fraud or deception in applying for a license or in passing the examination.

• The employment of a fraud or deceit in the practice of his or her profession or procuring any contract in the practice of his or her profession by fraudulent means.
• A display of incompetency or recklessness in the practice of architecture resulting in a detriment to life, health, or public safety.
• The conviction, finding of guilt, receipt of a withheld judgment or suspended sentence for a felony or a misdemeanor, which misdemeanor involved a violation of the provisions of this act, a willful violation of state or local building codes, or a violation of other laws relating to public health and safety and which were committed in the course of practicing architecture.
• Affixing of his or her signature to, or impressing his or her seal upon, any plans, drawings, specifications, or other instruments of service which have not been prepared by him, or under his or her responsible control, or has permitted his or her name to be used for the purpose of assisting any person, not a licensed architect, to evade the provisions of the chapter.
• Receiving of rebates, commissions, grants of money or other favors in connection with the work, without the knowledge of the party for whom s/he is working, or having a pecuniary interest in the performance of the contract for the work designed, planned or supervised by him or her without the knowledge and consent of the owner.
• Practicing architecture contrary to the provisions and requirements of this chapter.
• Violation of rules of conduct for architects which the board may adopt in accordance with guidelines published by the national council of architectural registration boards.
• Practicing architecture without being licensed, in violation of licensing laws of the jurisdiction in which the practice took place.

Before revocation or suspension of any license, the holder or applicant shall be entitled to at least 20 days’ notice in writing of the nature of the charge against him or herand of the time and place of the hearing before the board for the purpose of hearing and determining such charge.  Any revocation or suspension of license shall be certified in writing by the said board and attested to with the official seal of said board affixed thereto; and such revocation or suspension of license shall be filed in the office of the bureau of occupational licenses.  Any person aggrieved by the action of the board is entitled to judicial review in accordance with the provisions of chapter 52, title 67, Idaho Code.  If the board finds that grounds for discipline exist, the Board may impose one or more of the following penalties:

• Suspension of the offender’s license for a term to be determined by the board;
• Revocation of the offender’s license;
• Restriction of the offender’s license to prohibit the offender from performing certain acts or from engaging in the practice of architecture in a particular manner for a term to be determined by the board;
• Refusal to renew the offender’s license;
• Placement of the offender on probation and supervision by the board for a period to be determined by the board;
• Imposition of an administrative fine not to exceed $ 2,000.

Any person whose license has been revoked, suspended or the issuance of which has been denied by the board for cause and the order denying, revoking or suspending the same not having been revoked by a court of competent jurisdiction, may apply for a reissuance, reinstatement or issuance of a license and the board, for reasons it may deem sufficient, may reissue, reinstate or issue the license to such person.  However, the board shall not take such action until the expiration of one year after the date of such order.

Pursuant to Idaho Code § 54-310, any person who shall aid and abet the unlicensed practice of, architecture, or who shall advertise as an architect or put forth any card, sign or other device which would lead the public to believe that he is qualified to practice architecture, without first securing an architect’s license, or who shall violate any of the provisions of the chapter, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be fined in any sum not less than $ 100 and not more than $ 500, or suffer imprisonment for a period not exceeding three months, or both.

Pursuant to Idaho Code § 54-315, the board or any resident citizen may maintain an action in equity to enjoin perpetually any person, firm, company, corporation or partnership from persisting in the doing of any acts constituting a violation of the chapter.  The board or resident citizen can file a complaint in the district county in which said act or acts or some of them are claimed to have been or are being committed.  The court, if satisfied that the acts complained of have been or are being committed may issue a temporary writ enjoining the defendant from the commission of any such act or acts pending final disposition of the cause. If at the trial the commission of said act or acts be established, and the court further finds that it is probable that defendant will continue therein or in similar violations, the court shall enter a decree perpetually enjoining the defendant from thereafter committing said or similar acts.