2021 New Mexico Statutes
Chapter 61 - Professional and Occupational Licenses
Article 15 - Architects
Section 61-15-1 - Purposes of the act. (Repealed effective July 1, 2024.)

In order to safeguard life, health and property and to promote public welfare, any person practicing architecture in this state shall be required to submit evidence that he is qualified to practice and shall be registered as provided in the Architectural Act [61-15-1.1 NMSA 1978]. It shall be unlawful for any person to practice architecture in this state unless that person is duly registered or exempt under the provisions of the Architectural Act.

History: Laws 1931, ch. 155, § 1; 1939, ch. 82, § 1; 1941 Comp., § 51-1401; 1953 Comp., § 67-12-1; 1987, ch. 282, § 1.

Delayed repeals. — For delayed repeal of this section, see 61-15-13 NMSA 1978.

Cross references. — For engineering practice, see 61-23-1 NMSA 1978 et seq.

The 1987 amendment, effective June 19, 1987, deleted the Subsection A designation at the beginning, substituted "in the Architectural Act" for "and from six months after the passage of this act" at the end of the first sentence, and in the second sentence inserted "or exempt" following "is duly registered" and substituted "the Architectural Act" for "this act except as hereinafter provided" at the end.

Registration not required for licensed engineers. — Professional engineers licensed under 67-21-1 to 67-21-25, 1953 Comp. (now repealed) (now Section 61-23-1 NMSA 1978 et seq.), need not secure registration under this act. They are authorized to draw plans and construct buildings and to do many acts similar to those of registered architects. The two laws are similar, but need not be read together, since they are each for the purpose of regulating separate and distinct professions in which the actual practice calls for doing similar acts. 1939 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 39-3205 (rendered prior to enactment of Engineering and Land Surveying Practice Act).

Registration and residence prerequisites to county employment. — A county may not employ an architect who is not a resident of New Mexico and who has not obtained state registration. 1947 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 47-5072.

Law reviews. — For note, "Police Power and the Design of Buildings," see 5 Nat. Res. J. 122 (1965).

For article, "Constitutional Limitations on the Exercise of Judicial Functions by Administrative Agencies," see 7 Nat. Res. J. 599 (1972).

Am. Jur. 2d, A.L.R. and C.J.S. references. — 5 Am. Jur. 2d Architects § 1 et seq.

Failure of architect to procure license as affecting validity or enforceability of contracts, 30 A.L.R. 851, 42 A.L.R. 1226, 118 A.L.R. 646.

Architect's or engineer's compensation as affected by inability to carry out plan or specifications at amount satisfactory to employer, 127 A.L.R. 410.

Responsibility of one acting as architect for defects or insufficiency of work attributable to plans, 25 A.L.R.2d 1085.

What amounts to architectural or engineering services within license requirements, 82 A.L.R.2d 1013.

Architect's liability for personal injury or death allegedly caused by improper or defective plans or design, 97 A.L.R.3d 455.

6 C.J.S. Architects § 4.