§153. Board; disciplinary actions; revocation; suspension; probation; reprimand; admonishment; fine

A. The board may participate in a proceeding to revoke, rescind, or suspend the certificate of, place on probation, reprimand, admonish, or fine in an amount not to exceed five thousand dollars per violation, any registrant or certificate holder found by the board to have committed any of the following acts:

(1) Engaging in any fraud, deceit, gross incompetence, dishonesty, misrepresentation, misconduct, or gross negligence in the practice of architecture.

(2) Affixing his seal, stamp, or name to any specification, drawing or other related document which was not prepared by him or under his responsible supervision and control, or permitting his seal, stamp, or name to be affixed to any such document.

(3) Using his seal or stamp or engaging in any other act constituting the practice of architecture at a time when his certificate of registration is suspended or revoked, or at a time when his current renewal has not been obtained in accordance with the law.

(4) Conviction of a felony, in which case a certified copy of the record of conviction shall be conclusive evidence of such conviction.

(5) Wilfully misleading or defrauding any person employing him as an architect.

(6) Violating the provisions of this Chapter or any lawful rule or regulation adopted by the board pursuant to law.

(7) Practicing any fraud, deceit, material misstatement, or perjury in applying for a certificate of licensure or registration or in taking any examination or in applying for any renewal certificate provided for in this Chapter.

(8) Being convicted of a crime or entering a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to any criminal charge an element of which is fraud or which arises out of such individual's practice of architecture, in which case a certified copy of a record of conviction shall be conclusive evidence of such conviction.

(9) The refusal of the licensing authority of another state, territory, or district of the United States to issue or renew a license, permit, or certificate to practice architecture, or the revocation or suspension or other restriction imposed on a license, permit, or certificate issued by such licensing authority, on the grounds other than non-payment of a registration fee; provided that the reason for the action taken by the other licensing authority was recognized by the Louisiana board as a ground for the disciplinary action taken.

(10) Providing false testimony before the board.

(11) Failing to provide, within thirty calendar days of mailing the notice by certified mail, information requested by the executive director as a result of a formal complaint to the board alleging a violation of this Chapter.

(12) Using any advertising or solicitation which is false or misleading.

B. Each day that a violation under Subsection A occurs shall be considered a separate violation.

C. The board may suspend, refuse to renew, or revoke a certificate of, place on probation, reprimand, admonish, or fine in an amount not to exceed five thousand dollars, any foreign or domestic corporation if one or more of its officers, directors, employees, agents, or representatives has violated any of the above provisions.

D. In addition to any other action, the board may assess all reasonable costs incurred in connection with a disciplinary proceeding, including investigator fees, stenographer fees and attorney fees, and court costs as a condition of probation or reinstatement of any certificate or registration suspended or revoked pursuant to this Section.

E. The disciplinary action assessed shall be published in the annual Roster of Architects and may be released to other professional organizations relating to architecture or to the news media.

F. Proceedings under this Section shall be begun by any person filing a written complaint with the board against the registrant or certificate holder in the form of a sworn affidavit. The board, upon its own motion, may investigate the actions of any registrant or certificate holder and file a complaint against him.

G. If in the opinion of the board, a hearing is warranted, a time and place for the hearing of the charges shall be fixed by the board. A copy of the complaint shall be sent by the board to the registrant or certificate holder against whom a complaint has been filed at his last known address by registered or certified mail at least thirty days prior to the hearing together with a notice of the time and place of the meeting of the board at which the complaint shall be heard. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Subsection the board may summarily suspend a license if it finds that public health, safety, or welfare imperatively requires emergency action and incorporates a finding to that effect in its order, as authorized by R.S. 49:961(C). Any summary suspension shall be for a maximum period of thirty days.

H. At the hearing the registrant or certificate holder against whom a complaint has been filed shall have the right to cross-examine witnesses against him, to produce witnesses in his defense, and to appear personally or by counsel.

I. If the accused person or business entity fails or refuses to appear, the board may proceed to hear and determine the validity of the charges.

J. No disciplinary action shall be taken hereunder unless a quorum of the board is present at the hearing.

K. If the board determines to suspend the certificate of licensure or registration of any registrant or certificate holder, it shall fix the duration of the period of the suspension. If the board determines to issue a fine against the registrant or certificate holder, it shall fix the amount of such fine.

L. The executive director of the board shall give written notice of its action by registered or certified mail to the registrant or certificate holder against whom the complaint was filed at his last known address.

M. The board may require the production of books, papers, or other documents and may issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses to testify and to produce any relevant books, papers, or other documents in their possession before the board in any proceeding concerning any violation. The subpoenas shall be served by the sheriff of the parish where the witness resides or may be found. If any person refuses to obey any subpoena so issued, or refuses to testify or to produce any books, papers, or other documents required to be produced, the board may present its petition to the district court of the parish in which that person was served with the subpoena setting forth the facts. The court shall then issue a rule to that person requiring him to obey the subpoena or show cause why he fails to obey it. Unless that person shall show sufficient cause for failing to obey the subpoena, the court shall direct him to obey the subpoena and, upon his refusal to comply, he shall be adjudged in contempt of court and punished therefor, as the court may direct.

N. Any registrant or certificate holder who has been subjected to disciplinary action by the board shall have the right to appeal to the district court of the parish in which the hearing was held. The appeal shall be governed by the Administrative Procedure Act R.S. 49:950 et seq.

O. The board shall have the power to issue a new certificate of registration or license, change a revocation to a suspension, or shorten a period of suspension, or otherwise amend any disciplinary action taken hereunder upon satisfactory evidence that proper reasons for such action exist. Any person whose certificate of registration or license has been suspended shall have his certificate of registration or license automatically reinstated by the board at the end of his period of suspension upon payment of the renewal fee. No delinquent fee shall be charged for reinstatement of certificate of registration or license under the provisions of this Chapter.

Acts 1983, No. 472, §1; Acts 1991, No. 418, §1.