Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 9266)
The short title of Republic Act No. 9266 is "The Architecture Act of 2004."
The State recognizes the importance of architects in nation building and development and shall develop and nurture competent, virtuous, productive, and well-rounded professional architects whose standards of practice and service are excellent, qualitative, world-class and globally competitive through licensure examinations and regulatory measures.
Architecture is the art, science or profession of planning, designing and constructing buildings in their totality taking into account their environment, in accordance with the principles of utility, strength and beauty.
An architect is a person professionally and academically qualified, registered and licensed under the Act with a Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card issued by the Professional Regulatory Board of Architecture and the Professional Regulation Commission, responsible for advocating fair and sustainable development, welfare and cultural expression of society's habitat.
The architect registered and licensed under the Act, directly and professionally responsible for the total design of the project for the client and who assumes civil liability for the signed and sealed plans, specifications and contract documents.
The Board prescribes rules necessary to carry out the Act, supervises registration and practice of architects, administers exams, issues certificates, adopts ethical codes, hears administrative cases, monitors professional standards, approves temporary permits, ensures educational compliance, and promotes professional growth.
The members are appointed by the President of the Philippines from nominees submitted by the integrated and accredited professional organization of architects. They must be Filipino citizens, holders of a B.S. Architecture degree, registered architects with at least ten years' practice, not faculty or financially interested in architecture schools, and of good moral character.
Applicants must be Filipino citizens or foreigners qualified under the Act, of good moral character, holders of a B.S. Architecture degree from a recognized institution, with at least two years of diversified architectural experience certified by a licensed architect, and not convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude.
The exam covers History and Theory of Architecture; Principles of Planning and Architectural Practice; Structural Design, Building Materials, Architectural Specifications, Methods of Construction and Utilities; Urban Design and Architectural Interiors; and Architectural Design and Site Planning.
A candidate must obtain a weighted general average of at least seventy percent (70%), with no grade lower than fifty percent (50%) in any given subject.
Such persons shall be guilty of misdemeanor and upon conviction be fined not less than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000) but not more than Five million pesos (P5,000,000), or imprisoned for not less than six months and not exceeding six years, or both, at the court's discretion.
Foreign architects must secure a special or temporary permit from the Professional Regulatory Board of Architecture and the Professional Regulation Commission, satisfy conditions on reciprocity, be legally qualified to practice in their country, work with a Filipino counterpart, and comply with insurance and tax obligations.
A duly licensed architect must affix the official seal bearing their name, registration number, and the title "Architect" on all architectural plans, drawings, specifications, and contract documents prepared by or under their direct supervision.
No, it is unlawful to duplicate or copy architectural plans, specifications, or documents for use in other projects without the written consent of the architect or author of the documents.
Grounds include neglect of duty or incompetence, violation or tolerance of violations of the Act or ethical codes, final judgment of crimes involving moral turpitude, and manipulation or tampering of licensure examination results.
The Board may suspend or revoke the architect's Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card after notice and hearing. The affected party may appeal to the Commission whose decision is final.
Yes, an architect duly registered with the Board shall automatically become a member of the integrated and accredited professional organization of architects upon payment of required fees and dues.
Within three years of the law's effectivity, all existing and proposed local and national government positions that primarily require the services of an architect shall be filled only by registered and licensed architects.
Any person or entity compelling an architect to perform services without a written contract shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined not less than Two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000), or imprisoned for not exceeding six years, or both, at the court's discretion.