Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 184)
The law is officially known as the "Electrical Engineering Law."
The Board of Electrical Engineering Examiners is composed of a chairman and two members, all appointed by the Secretary of Public Works and Communications.
Members must be Filipino citizens and residents, hold a B.S.E.E. or M.S.B.E. degree or equivalent, be qualified and actively practicing electrical engineers for at least ten years, and must not be faculty members or have pecuniary interests in any electrical engineering school.
The certificates are: (1) Professional electrical engineer, (2) Associate electrical engineer, (3) Assistant electrical engineer, and (4) Master electrician.
Exemptions include officers or employees of the U.S. Army or Navy and employees of the Philippine government practicing electrical engineering for their respective organizations, foreign engineers called for consultation with recognized qualifications, engineering students, apprentices, subordinates under licensed engineers, and persons managing private electric generating plants employing voltages not exceeding 250 volts, subject to periodic inspection.
Practicing electrical engineering without registration is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of one hundred to one thousand pesos, imprisonment for up to three months, or both.
Grounds include conviction of crimes involving moral turpitude, immoral or dishonorable conduct, unsound mind, fraud or deceit in obtaining the certificate, gross negligence, incompetency, or signing/sealing documents not prepared or supervised by the registrant.
Applicants must be at least 25 years old, have good moral character, have completed high school, graduated from a recognized electrical engineering program with four or more years of active responsible practice, or have two years collegiate training plus eight years of responsible practice. Teaching in electrical engineering may qualify as practice.
Yes. Examination fees are 30 pesos for professional, associate, and assistant electrical engineers and 20 pesos for master electricians. Registration fees are 10 pesos for professional, associate, and assistant engineers and 5 pesos for master electricians. Higher fees apply for registration without examination.
Professional electrical engineers may practice the full scope of electrical engineering. Associate electrical engineers can supervise electrical construction, installation, and electric generating plant operation. Assistant electrical engineers can supervise plants using voltages up to 4,800 volts and some installations. Master electricians can supervise plants up to 750 volts and perform electrical wiring and installation work. Specific limits apply for each grade as stated in the law.