Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 8495)
The title of Republic Act No. 8495 is the "Philippine Mechanical Engineering Act of 1998."
The practice of mechanical engineering includes consultation, valuation, investigation and management services requiring mechanical engineering knowledge; engineering design and preparation of plans, specifications and project studies for mechanical equipment or processes; management or supervision of erection, installation, testing, commissioning, operation, tending or maintenance of mechanical equipment or processes; management of manufacture, sale, supply or distribution of mechanical equipment; teaching of mechanical engineering professional subjects; and employment in government requiring professional mechanical engineering knowledge.
Certificates of registration for the practice of mechanical engineering are of three categories: (a) Professional Mechanical Engineer, (b) Mechanical Engineer, and (c) Certified Plant Mechanic.
The applicant must be a Filipino citizen, not convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude, hold a valid certificate of registration as a registered mechanical engineer with a professional license, graduate of an approved mechanical engineering course, have at least four years of active mechanical engineering practice, and be attested competent by at least two professional mechanical engineers.
The Board is composed of a Chairman and two members appointed by the President of the Philippines from a list of three recommendees for each position submitted by the Professional Regulation Commission, which in turn are chosen from nominees by the accredited association of mechanical engineers in the Philippines.
A candidate must obtain an average rating of 70% on all subjects with no rating below 50% in any subject to pass the examination.
No, the practice of mechanical engineering is a professional service determined by personal qualifications. Firms, companies, partnerships, associations or corporations cannot be registered or licensed to practice mechanical engineering, though they may be formed by licensed engineers for corporate purposes, with restrictions on membership and services rendered.
Violators of this Act may be penalized with a fine from Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) up to Two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00), imprisonment from six months up to three years, or both at the discretion of the court, in addition to administrative sanctions.
Grounds include fraud or deceit in obtaining registration, gross negligence, incompetence, unprofessional or dishonorable conduct, violations of the Code of Ethics, and other causes specified in the Act, with proper notice and hearing.
The owner or person in charge of mechanical works, projects, or plants of 100 kw or more must conspicuously post the original certificates of registration of the engineers and certified plant mechanics employed, in a frame protected by transparent glass or equivalent.