Except as otherwise provided in this title, a person may not practice, attempt to practice, or offer to practice architecture in the State unless licensed by the Board.

Except for a licensed architect who operates a business as a sole practitioner, a person may not operate a business through which architecture is practiced, unless: the business is a corporation, partnership, or limited liability company; and the corporation, partnership, or limited liability company holds a permit issued by the Board.

Unless authorized under this title to practice architecture, a person may not represent to the public, by use of a title, including “architect”, “licensed architect”, or “registered architect”, by description of services, methods, or procedures, or otherwise, that the person is authorized to practice architecture in the State.

Subject to subsection (b) of this section and unless a person holds a permit issued by the Board, the person may not represent to the public, by the use of the titles “architects”, “licensed architects”, or “registered architects”, by the use of the term “architecture”, by description of services, methods, or procedures, or otherwise that the person holds a permit or otherwise is authorized to operate a business through which architecture is practiced in the State. Subsection (a) of this section does not apply to a licensed architect who operates the business as the sole practitioner.

A person who violates § 3-601, § 3-602, § 3-603, or § 3-604 of this subtitle 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. The Board may impose on a person who violates § 3-601, § 3-602, § 3-603, or § 3-604 of this subtitle a penalty not exceeding $5,000 for each violation. In setting the amount of the penalty, the Board shall consider: the seriousness of the violation; the harm caused by the violation; the good faith of the violator; any history of previous violations by the violator; and any other relevant factors. The Board shall pay any penalty collected under this subsection into the General Fund of the State.

If the Board believes that a person has violated § 3-601, § 3-602, § 3-603, or § 3-604 of this subtitle, the Board immediately shall report the alleged violation to the appropriate State’s Attorney or, if the alleged violation affects more than 1 county, to the Attorney General.