The Maryland Architects Act (MAA) regulates the profession of architects.  The purpose of MAA is to safeguard life, health, public safety, and property and to promote public welfare by regulating architecture.

Pursuant to Md. Business Occupations and Professional  Code Ann. § 3-205, a State Board of Architects (Board) adopts a code of ethics for practicing architecture.  The Board accepts advices from architecture societies and function only pursuant to rules governing the Board.

Md. Business Occupations and Professional  Cod Ann. § 3-302 provides that an individual should be licensed by the Board before the individual starts practicing architecture in Maryland.  A nonresident architect, who meets the requirement for a license because the person is a qualified architect according to the standards set by MAA, can offer to practice architecture in Maryland.  However, the architect should be licensed by the Board before the architect can begin practice in Maryland.

Md. Business Occupations and Professional  Code Ann. § 3-303 provides the requirements to qualify for a license.  An applicant should be an individual with good character and reputation.  The applicant should hold a degree in architecture from a U.S. school of architecture.  The applicant should also hold accredited status from the National Architectural Accrediting Board within 2 years after the applicant’s graduation.  The applicant can also be a graduate from a foreign school of architecture that the Board determines as comparable to an accredited school of architecture in the United States.  A foreign architecture graduate should also have work experience or additional academic training in architecture that the Board considers appropriate.  However, the Board can exempt an applicant from the degree requirements if the applicant has practical work experience and academic training in architecture that the Board considers appropriate.  an applicant should also pass the examination set by the Board.

Pursuant to Md. BUSINESS OCCUPATIONS AND PROFESSIONS Code Ann. § 3-304 an applicant for a license should submit the prescribed application form along with fee to the Board.  The applicant should also pay the examination fee prescribed by the Board.

Pursuant to Md. Business Occupations and Professional  Code Ann. § 3-305 the Board is required to provide notice of the examinations to the applicants.  The notice should consist the time and place; and the subject and method of conduct of the examination.

Pursuant to Md. Business Occupations and Professional  Code Ann. § 3-306 the Board can also award license to a person who is licensed to practice architecture in another state or country, or is certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Board (Council).  However, the Board grants the license to an applicant only if the applicant is of good character and reputation, and pays fees set by the Board.  The applicant should also provide evidence that s/he is adequately qualified according to the standards set by the Board.

Pursuant to Md. Business Occupations and Professional  Code Ann. § 3-307 the Board grants license to a qualified architect.  Md. BUSINESS OCCUPATIONS AND PROFESSIONS Code Ann. § 3-308 provides that the license issued authorizes a licensee to practice architecture in Maryland.

Pursuant to Md. Business Occupations and Professional  Code Ann. § 3-309 when a term of license expires a qualified architect can renew the license.  An application along with the prescribed fee should be submitted to the Board.  If the application for renewal is not made even after notice from the Board, the license can be considered as terminated.  Under Md. Business Occupations and Professional  Code Ann. § 3-309.1, for renewal of license an applicant should have attended a continuing education requirement.

Pursuant to Md. Business Occupations and Professional  Code Ann. § 3-310, an architect can reinstate expired license when the architect submits a reinstatement application to the Board paying the necessary fees.  The architect should meet all conditions set for renewal of a license.  The person should also have attended continuing education requirement.  However, the Board can waive the license fee for reinstatement if the applicant can reasonably prove that s/he did not practice architecture during the period of no license.

Md. Business Occupations and Professional  Code Ann. § 3-311 provides that the Board has the power to deny a license to any applicant, reprimand any licensee, or suspend or revoke a license under certain circumstances.  The circumstances can be as listed:

• The applicant or licensee fraudulently or deceptively obtains or renews for the applicant or licensee or for another.
• The applicant or licensee fraudulently or deceptively uses a license.
• The applicant or licensee is guilty of any fraud, gross negligence, incompetence, or misconduct while practicing architecture.
• The applicant or licensee violates any regulation adopted by the Board, or any provision of MAA.
• The applicant or licensee helps an unauthorized person to practice architecture.
• If the applicant or licensee is convicted of any felony or any misdemeanor that is directly related to the fitness and qualification of the applicant or licensee to practice architecture.

However, instead of or in addition to reprimanding the licensee or suspending or revoking a license the Board can impose a penalty not exceeding $ 5,000 for each violation.  The Board can pay any penalty collected to Maryland General Fund.

Md. Business Occupations and Professional  Code Ann. § 3-312 provides that the Board can deny a license to any applicant, reprimand any licensee, or suspend or revoke a license on a written complaint made to the Board by a member of the Board or any other person.  If the Board finds that a complaint alleges facts that are adequate grounds for action, the Board can act on the complaint.

Pursuant to Md. Business Occupations and Professional  Code Ann. § 3-313, the Board is liable to provide a right to hearing to the individual against whom the complaint is instituted before pronouncing a decision.  However, even after due notice if the individual against whom the action is contemplated fails or refuses to appear, the Board can hear and determine the matter.

Pursuant to Md. Business Occupations and Professional  Code Ann. § 3-501, before a licensed architect issues to a client or submits to a public authority any final drawing, plan, specification, report, or other document required for the issuance of a building permit, the licensed architect who prepared or approved the document shall sign, seal, and date the document.

Md. Business Occupations and Professional  Code Ann. § 3-601 provides that a person can not practice, attempt to practice, or offer to practice architecture in Maryland unless licensed by the Board.

Pursuant to Md. Business Occupations and Professional  Code Ann. § 3-603, a person can not misrepresent to the public, by use of a title, including “architect”, “licensed architect”, or “registered architect”; or by description of services, methods, or procedures, that the person is authorized to practice architecture in Maryland.

Md. Business Occupations and Professional  Code Ann. § 3-605 provides that is a person provides architecture service without license s/he is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $ 3,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or both.