QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 184)
RA 184 is known as the “Electrical Engineering Law.” It regulates the practice of electrical engineering in the Philippines and provides for the licensing and registration of electrical engineers and electricians.
It is a board created to administer the Act. It consists of a chairman and two members, appointed by the Secretary of Public Works and Communications.
The board may issue, suspend, or revoke certificates of registration; administer oaths; subpoena witnesses; compel production of books/documents in cases of violations; investigate practice conditions; and recommend measures to maintain ethics and standards for public welfare.
A member must be a Filipino citizen and resident; hold the B.S.E.E. or M.S.B.E. (or equivalent); be legally qualified to practice professional electrical engineering for at least 10 years and be in active practice at appointment; and not be a faculty member of an engineering school teaching electrical engineering nor have pecuniary interest in such institution.
The Commissioner of Civil Service is the executive officer. Examination administration is conducted by the Commissioner, and all records/minutes and examination papers are kept by the Bureau of Civil Service.
Professional electrical engineer, Associate electrical engineer, Assistant electrical engineer, and Master electrician.
Unless exempt from registration, no person may practice or offer to practice electrical engineering in the Philippines without first obtaining a certificate of registration from the Board.
A person is deemed practicing if, for compensation or even without it, he renders or offers professional electrical engineering services such as consultation, investigation, valuation, planning, designing or preparing specifications for electrical construction/installation/projects; or takes charge of sale/distribution of equipment requiring engineering calculations; or takes charge of supervising electrical constructions/installation or the operation/tending/maintenance of an electric generating plant.
It is unlawful to use titles (or assume/advertise descriptions) that give the impression one is an electrical engineer (or engaged in practice) unless duly licensed/registered under RA 184. This protects the public from unlicensed practice and misrepresentation.
Examples include: (1) officers/enlisted men of the U.S. Army or Navy (and U.S. federal government employees) while engaged in practice for their government; (2) officials/employees of the Government of the Philippines while engaged in practice for the Philippine government; (3) engineers called in for consultation or for a specific design/installation project limited to that work and legally qualified in their own state/country; (4) engineering students/apprentices under a registered person; (5) persons supervising operation/maintenance of a private generating plant using voltages not exceeding 250 volts, subject to periodic inspection.
It is unlawful for unauthorized persons to draw up plans/designs/specifications. No electrical construction/installation may be undertaken unless plans/specifications are prepared under responsible charge of and signed and sealed by a professional electrical engineer, and a construction permit is secured, and the work is executed under responsible charge/supervision of the authorized license holder(s) or permit holder(s), conforming to applicable requirements.
Waiver of submission of plans may be allowed for (among others) lighting/household appliance installations involving 20 outlets or less; power/heat applications not exceeding 4 kilowatts; or telephone installations, provided the application includes a layout sketch, a list of materials/devices, and a signed statement of conformity with the National Electrical Code as adopted.
Grounds include refusal/inability due to moral turpitude or dishonorable/immoral conduct (for refusal), and for suspension/revocation: use/perpetration of fraud or deceit in obtaining the certificate; gross negligence or incompetency; unprofessional or dishonorable conduct; including specific prohibited conduct such as stamping/sealing documents not prepared or not executed under immediate supervision, or representing supervision without actually doing so. Board action is subject to appeal to the Secretary of Public Works and Communications.
Each grade has an authorized field of action, and it is unlawful to perform services beyond one’s authorized scope unless exempt. Practicing outside the proper grade constitutes violation, and the law imposes penalties for unregistered practice and prohibited acts.
Section 35 penalizes unregistered practice, use of another’s certificate/seal, false evidence, impersonation, using a revoked/suspended certificate, and misrepresentation of being licensed or using titles without a valid certificate—classified as misdemeanor with specified fine and possible imprisonment (up to 3 months). Section 36 further states specific prohibitions by grade/scope and requires proper licensing or exemption.
A firm/partnership/corporation/association may engage only if the practice is carried out by duly licensed and registered electrical engineers of the proper grade or by exempt persons. The manager/administrator/person in charge of business management is personally liable for violations.