Question & AnswerQ&A (PRC BOARD OF CIVIL ENGINEERING BOARD Resolution NO. 07, S. 2007)
Section 24, Article V of R.A. No. 544 states that no firm, partnership, corporation, or association may be registered or licensed to practice civil engineering unless composed of persons properly registered and licensed as civil engineers or architects, and that each member shall only perform work proper to their profession.
The practice of civil engineering includes consultation, design, preparation of plans, specifications, estimates, erection, installation, and supervision of the construction of various infrastructure such as streets, bridges, highways, ports, buildings, flood protection, tunnels, and other works requiring civil engineering knowledge.
The Resolution covers registration of Firms, Partnerships, and Associations engaged in the practice of civil engineering and consisting of properly registered and licensed civil engineers and/or architects.
All Partners in a Partnership and Members in an Association must be registered and licensed civil engineers or architects, with at least two Partners or Members being registered and licensed civil engineers.
No, foreigners with only a temporary special permit are not qualified to be Sole Practitioner, Partner, or Member. However, foreigners qualified under foreign reciprocity provisions or international treaties may qualify.
The Certificate of Registration is valid for three (3) years and is renewable every three (3) years upon payment of the prescribed fees.
In a Firm, the Sole Practitioner is responsible; in a Partnership or Association, the designated Civil Engineer on Record is responsible. If none is designated, all registered and licensed civil engineers in the Partnership or Association are jointly and severally responsible.
Penalties include revocation or suspension of the Certificate of Registration and, upon conviction for violating Section 24, Article V of R.A. No. 544, a fine of P500 to P2,000, imprisonment from six months to one year, or both.
The application for initial registration requires a fee of P5,000; renewal requires P3,000; and reinstatement requires P5,000, subject to possible revisions approved by the Commission.