QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 9292)
RA 9292 is the “Electronics Engineering Law of 2004.” The State policy is to develop and nurture competent, virtuous, productive and well-rounded Professional Electronics Engineers (PECE), Electronics Engineers (ECE), and Electronics Technicians (ECT) through inviolable, honest, effective, and credible licensure examinations and regulatory measures, continuing professional education, development and growth, ensuring world-class standards of practice and service.
The categories are: (1) Professional Electronics Engineer (PECE), (2) Electronics Engineer (ECE), and (3) Electronics Technician (ECT). These titles are tied to the authorized affixation of the letters “PECE,” “ECE,” and “ECT” respectively.
An ECE’s scope includes application of electronics engineering to a wide range of activities: investigation, analysis, design, specification, procurement, manufacture, installation, testing/control, operation, repair, support, maintenance, and related ICT/computers/networking/hardware-firmware-software development and applications, including teaching/training and licensure examinations. A PECE’s scope includes all of the above plus (a) the sole authority to provide consulting services (as defined in the Act) and (b) the sole authority to sign and seal electronics plans, drawings, permit applications, specifications, reports, and other technical documents prepared by himself/herself and/or under direct supervision.
The ECT scope is non-engineering work related to installation, construction, operation, control, testing/measurements, diagnosis, repair, maintenance, manufacture/production, sales and marketing of electronic components/devices/products/equipment/systems/networks located on land, watercraft or aircraft, and in industrial plants/commercial establishments, including teaching/training in the electronics technician curriculum and licensure examinations.
The Board has a chairman and two (2) members appointed by the President from recommendees chosen and ranked by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC/Commission), which in turn are chosen from nominees submitted by the accredited professional organization.
Among others, the Board implements the Act; administers oaths; adopts an official seal; issues/suspends/revokes certificates and identification cards; maintains a roster; issues special permits to foreign professionals; prescribes licensing requirements and licensure exam syllabi/questions; computerizes exams; grants registration without examination (subject to PRC approval); reviews curricula in coordination with CHED/TESDA; inspects educational institutions; adopts a Code of Ethics and Code of Technical Standards; promulgates rules on scope of practice; administers continuing professional education programs; sets minimum manpower requirements; formulates rules for electronics installations (with DPWH and others); conducts compliance inspections; hears/decides administrative cases, issues subpoenas, and promulgates resolutions/orders subject to appeal to the Commission; submits annual action plans and reports; and performs such other necessary functions.
He/she must be a Philippine citizen and resident for at least five (5) consecutive years; of good moral character and integrity; a holder of a valid certificate of registration and valid PRC professional identification card as a Professional Electronics Engineer qualified to practice as a Professional Engineer in the Philippines; a member in good standing of the accredited professional organization; in active practice for at least ten (10) years; must not have any pecuniary interest in schools offering electronics engineering/technician programs or be faculty/administration there prior to taking the oath; and must not have been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude.
Members hold office for three (3) years from appointment (or until successors are appointed and qualified) and may be re-appointed once for another term. However, a member appointed to fill an unexpired term may be re-appointed more than once, as long as continuous tenure does not exceed six (6) years.
Applicants seeking registration and licensing as Electronics Engineers and Electronics Technicians must undergo required examinations given by the Board, in places/dates designated by the Commission, consistent with RA 8981 (PRC modernization and relevant PRC framework).
(a) For Electronics Engineer: a holder of a BS in Electronics and Communications Engineering or Electronics Engineering, or an equivalent/related engineering course/program recognized by government/state, after completing a resident collegiate course equivalent to a full baccalaureate degree (with minimum requirements as prescribed by the Board). (b) For Electronics Technician: either a graduate of an Associate/Technician/Trade/Vocational electronics course, or an equivalent/related formal/non-formal course/program recognized by the government/state after completing a resident course/program of not less than two (2) years; or completion of at least the minimum third-year equivalent of the relevant BS program per CHED guidelines, or other equivalent/related program as evaluated by the Board.
The exam consists of written tests covering subjects prescribed by the Board but including: Mathematics, Applied Sciences, Engineering Economics, Laws and Ethics, Electronics, Communications, Computers, and Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
To pass, a candidate must obtain at least 70% in each subject. If the candidate passes the majority but has below-70% in other subject(s) not lower than 60%, the candidate may take one removal examination on the failed subject(s). If still below the passing mark in the removal examination, the candidate fails the entire licensure examination.
The Board and Commission shall correct and rate the papers and release results within fifteen (15) days after the examination.
Required: (a) valid certificate of registration and professional identification card as Electronics Engineer; (b) valid/current membership ID from the accredited professional organization; (c) certified experience record of active self-practice and/or employment (government or private) for at least seven (7) years inclusive/aggregate, with at least two (2) years in responsible charge of significant engineering work, from date applicant took oath; and (d) three (3) certifications signed by three (3) PECEs attesting the factuality of the experience record. Special rules apply for E&CE/RA 5734 registrants depending on whether they have been registered/licensed for at least seven (7) years upon effectivity of RA 9292.
Within five (5) years after effectivity of RA 9292, the Board may issue certificates without examination to applicants who prove: (1) graduation of at least a two-year Associate/Technician/Trade/Vocational electronics course as certified by TESDA, or completion of relevant third-year equivalent of a BS program per CHED guidelines, or equivalent/related programs evaluated by the Board; and (2) at least seven (7) years active self-practice and/or employment in government or private sector with details of duties/accomplishments and client/company names. Submissions must be accompanied by certifications from at least three (3) registered PECEs vouching for integrity, technical capability, and good moral character.
No person may offer himself/herself as, or use the titles or any word/letter/sign implying professional status, or advertise qualification to perform professional work, without a valid certificate of registration and professional identification card, except for the exemptions (e.g., foreign professionals under Section 26). Also, practice is a professional service determined on the basis of individual qualifications; firms/corporations cannot be registered/licensed as such for the practice, though registered professionals may form partnerships/associations/corporations among themselves, and each individual member remains responsible for their own acts.
Licensed PECEs must obtain and use a seal bearing their name, registration number, and title. Plans/drawings/permit applications/specifications/reports and other technical documents prepared and/or executed under the PECE’s supervision must be stamped on every sheet/page with the seal, indicating the current PTR number, date/place of payment, and current membership number in the accredited professional organization when filed with government authorities or used professionally.
Penal provisions punish acts such as false/fraudulent statements to obtain registration, using another’s certificate/ID/seal, presenting revoked/suspended certificates, practicing while not duly registered, stamping/sealing after suspension/revocation, improperly signing/sealing work prepared by another without clear indication, signing for work not actually performed, and engaging in illegal wire-tapping/cloning/hacking/cracking/piracy/unauthorized malicious eavesdropping or maintaining an unlicensed/unregistered communications system/device; also any violation of the Act/rules/codes. Penalty range: fine from at least P100,000 to at most P1,000,000, or imprisonment from at least six (6) months to at most six (6) years, or both—depending on court discretion.