Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 9266)
Republic Act No. 9266 is known as "The Architecture Act of 2004."
The State recognizes architects as important in nation building and development and aims to nurture competent, virtuous, productive and globally competitive professional architects through licensure exams and regulatory measures.
"Architecture" is the art, science, or profession of planning, designing, and constructing buildings in their totality, considering their environment according to principles of utility, strength, and beauty.
An architect registered and licensed under this Act, who is directly and professionally responsible for the total design of the project and assumes civil liability for plans, specifications, and contract documents signed and sealed.
Members must be Filipino citizens and residents, holders of a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from recognized institutions, actively practicing architects for at least 10 years, not faculty or financially interested in architecture schools, and not convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude.
A candidate must obtain a weighted general average of 70% with no grade lower than 50% in any subject.
Licensed architects must affix their seal on all architectural plans, drawings, specifications, and all other contract documents prepared by or under their direct supervision.
Offenders may be fined between P100,000 to P5,000,000, or imprisoned from six months to six years, or both, at the court's discretion.
Only Filipino citizens properly registered and licensed as architects may form architectural firms, with registered architects constituting at least 75% ownership and management.
Grounds include neglect of duty, incompetence, violation or tolerance of law violations, final judgment of crimes involving moral turpitude, and manipulation or rigging of licensure exam results.