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Board of Architecture seeks sustained funding, warns of licensing-system upgrade costs
Summary
The State Board of Architecture asked lawmakers for full funding of a modest FY27 request of $368,123 and flagged an anticipated one-time licensing-system modernization cost of roughly $25,000, while describing recent rule changes to ease interstate practice.
John Cothern, executive director of the State Board of Architecture, told the committee the agency’s FY27 request is modest and focused on maintaining services and staff pay. "We have requested $368,123 for fiscal year 2027," Cothern said, adding that most of the board’s revenue comes from out-of-state licensees.
Cothern described recent regulatory changes intended to facilitate interstate practice, including amendments permitting nonresident architects to serve as consultants when a Mississippi-licensed architect remains architect of record, and allowing off-site drafting under specified responsible-control criteria. He also identified pending legislation—introduced as House Bill 346—that would let landscape architects hold ownership interest in firms offering architectural services while preserving personal liability for negligent acts. The board emphasized customer service metrics (99% customer satisfaction for FY25 and 98% of completed applications processed within three weeks) and noted that a licensing-system modernization could add a minimum one-time cost of about $25,000. Cothern requested full funding despite a Joint Legislative Budget Committee recommendation for a decrease.
The board’s presentation closed with an offer to answer questions; a board member praised staff performance during the Q&A. The committee did not take a vote during this session, and Cothern said the board will continue to seek proposals for the licensing-system upgrade.
