Board of Electrical Engineering Examiners
- Created within 30 days post-approval.
- Composed of a chairman and two members appointed by the Secretary of Public Works and Communications.
- Powers include issuing, suspending, revoking certificates, administering oaths, subpoena powers.
- May recommend measures to maintain ethics and standards to safeguard public welfare.
Qualifications and Tenure of Board Members
- Must be Filipino citizens and residents.
- Hold B.S.E.E., M.S.B.E., or equivalent degree.
- At least 10 years of active professional practice.
- Cannot be faculty or financially interested in schools teaching electrical engineering.
- Members serve three-year terms staggered initially.
- Removal for neglect, incompetency, or dishonorable conduct with due process.
Board Administration and Compensation
- Commissioner of Civil Service is executive officer and designates board secretary.
- Records and exams kept by Bureau of Civil Service.
- Board members compensated per applicant examined or registered.
Rulemaking and Reporting
- The Board may adopt rules with approval.
- May include penal provisions for violations punishable by fines or imprisonment.
- Required to submit annual reports to Secretary of Public Works and Communications.
Registration and Grades
- Four grades of certificates: Professional Electrical Engineer, Associate Electrical Engineer, Assistant Electrical Engineer, Master Electrician.
- Registration mandatory unless specifically exempted.
Definitions Relevant to Electrical Engineering Practice
- Practice includes consultation, design, supervision, sale or distribution of electrical equipment requiring engineering principles.
- Terms defined for electric supply equipment, utilization equipment, generating plant, supply lines, substations, capacities, and voltages.
Exemptions from Registration
- US military and federal employees practicing for US Government.
- Philippine government employees practicing for the government.
- Foreign engineers called for limited consultation or projects, provided qualifications meet or exceed the Act's.
- Special technical officers, professors, apprentices, and trainees.
- Operators of private electric generating plants under 250 volts with mandated inspection.
Examination Requirements
- Required for all applicants except those exempted.
Qualifications for Each Grade
- Professional Electrical Engineer: Age 25+, good moral character, degree plus either 4 years practice or 2 years training with 8 years practice.
- Associate Electrical Engineer: Age 25+, good moral character, degree plus 2 years practice or 8 years practice without degree but with competence.
- Assistant Electrical Engineer: Age 23+, good moral character, degree.
- Master Electrician: Age 23+, good moral character, vocational electrical course plus 3 years practice or high school plus 5 years practice.
Examination Process
- Held twice annually in Manila and other suitable locations.
- Written or printed notice given 30 days before exam.
- Scope varies per grade; includes fundamental electrical engineering subjects and National Electrical Codes.
Reporting, Reexamination, and Registration Without Examination
- Ratings reported within 120 days; subject to Secretary's approval.
- Applicants failing thrice must wait one year before reexamination.
- Certificates issued without exam to certain qualified persons, including members of first board and those meeting experience and prior qualification requirements.
Certificate Issuance and Seal
- Certificates issued with full registrant’s name, serial number, signatures, and official seal.
- Seal required to be affixed on professional documents by professional electrical engineers.
- Unauthorized use of seal or certificate is unlawful.
Fees
- Examination fees: 30 pesos (Professional, Associate, Assistant Engineers), 20 pesos (Master Electrician).
- Registration fees: 10 pesos (Professional, Associate, Assistant Engineers), 5 pesos (Master Electrician).
- Higher registration fee applies for registration without examination.
Refusal, Suspension, and Revocation of Certificates
- Refusal if convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude, immoral conduct, or unsound mind.
- Suspension/revocation for fraud, negligence, incompetency, unprofessional conduct after notice and hearing.
- Appeals to Secretary of Public Works and Communications.
- Grounds include improper signing/sealing or misrepresentation of supervisory capacity.
Reissue of Certificates and Replacement of Lost Certificates
- Reapplication allowed after one year of revocation with possible exemption from exam.
- Replacement certificates issued for lost/destroyed documents for a fee.
Special Permits
- Issued for specific projects or tasks to registered engineers or foreign engineers with proper proof of competence.
- Valid only for the specified activity.
- May be suspended, revoked, or reissued.
- One special permit per person at a time with a fee.
Prohibited Acts and Penalties
- Practicing without registration or exemption.
- Using another person’s certificate or seal, false evidence, impersonation.
- Use of revoked or suspended certificates.
- Unlawful use of titles conveying registration.
- Violations punishable by fine (100 to 1000 pesos), imprisonment (up to 3 months), or both.
Field of Practice by Grade
- Professional engineers: Full scope practice.
- Associate engineers: Supervision of electrical constructions, operations, sales.
- Assistant engineers: Supervising operations of plants up to 4800 volts, wiring, and installations.
- Master electricians: Supervising operations of plants up to 750 volts; wiring and utilization equipment.
- Special permits cover some utilities and dangerous voltage equipment.
Personnel Requirements in Electric Generating Plants
- Plants must have qualified resident engineers or permit holders according to voltage levels.
- Additional personnel required for efficient operation and public safety.
Plans, Permits, and National Electrical Code Application
- Only authorized persons may prepare electrical plans and supervise construction.
- Construction requires signed and sealed plans and permits.
- Exceptions for minor household and telephone installations under specified conditions.
- Various government agencies have enforcement responsibilities depending on the installation type.
Practice by Firms and Corporations
- Allowed if carried by duly licensed and registered individuals.
- Management held personally liable for violations.
Posting Certificates
- Certificates must be displayed conspicuously at electric generating plants or establishments.
Roster and Public Access
- Annual roster of registered electrical personnel by Commissioner of Civil Service.
- Roster distributed to departments, mayors, public agencies, and upon request.
Foreign Reciprocity
- Foreign engineers admitted only if their countries grant reciprocal rights to Filipino engineers.
Enforcement and Legal Assistance
- National and local law officers must prosecute violations.
- Secretary of Justice to advise and assist the board legally.
Non-Interference with Other Professions
- Law does not affect practice of other legally recognized professions.
Appropriations and Repeal
- Initial appropriation of 2000 pesos for implementation.
- Conflicting laws and ordinances including earlier Act 2985 repealed.
Effectivity
- General effectivity upon approval.
- Sections on penalties and prohibited acts effective one year after enactment.