Registration and Examination Framework
- Four registration grades: Professional Mechanical Engineer, Mechanical Plant Engineer, Junior Mechanical Engineer, Certified Plant Mechanic.
- Registration required before practicing mechanical engineering unless exempted.
- Mechanical engineering defined to include a broad range of services including consultation, design, supervision, operation, and maintenance of mechanical projects and plants.
- Mechanical equipment and plants specified; excludes transportation machinery and primarily electrical devices.
- Exemptions provided for certain military personnel, government engineers, short-term foreign consultants, students, and small plants below 20 horsepower.
- Applicants generally required to pass examinations for registration.
Qualifications for Different Grades
- Professional Mechanical Engineer: minimum age 25, good moral character, high school completion, appropriate engineering degree plus four years practice or alternative qualifications.
- Mechanical Plant Engineer: minimum age 23, good moral character, similar educational and practical requirements focused on plant management and operations.
- Junior Mechanical Engineer: minimum age 21, good moral character, graduation from an approved engineering or vocational course plus four years of practice.
- Certified Plant Mechanic: minimum age 18, good moral character, graduation from vocational/trade school with at least one year practice or at least four years practical experience with adequate knowledge and language proficiency.
Examination Procedures
- Examinations held twice yearly with prior notice; scope tailored to the competency required for the specific registration grade.
- Board prepares and publishes examination programs subject to approval.
- Failure on third examination requires a one-year wait before reexamination.
Registration Without Examination (Grandfather Clauses)
- Provided within one year from the Act’s effect for applicants with prior qualifying experience and status, such as passing previous civil service exams or holding earlier licenses.
Certificates, Seals, and Fees
- Certificates issued upon Board recommendation and approval of ratings, bearing signatures and official seal.
- Full rights to practice are conferred while certificates are valid.
- Professional Mechanical Engineers receive a prescribed seal for use on professional documents.
- Fees for examination and registration are fixed by grade.
Refusal, Suspension, and Revocation
- Certificates denied for criminal conviction involving moral turpitude or unsound mind.
- Suspension or revocation grounds include fraud, negligence, incompetency, or unethical conduct.
- Procedures allow for charges by any party or Board’s own initiative; decisions appealable to the Secretary of Public Works and Communications.
Special Permits
- Board may issue special permits for limited practice areas to registered engineers from other boards or those with proven service within the Philippines, subject to conditions and approval.
- Special permits valid for limited duration and may be renewed or revoked.
Prohibitions and Penalties
- Practicing without registration or claiming unauthorized titles is a misdemeanor with fines or imprisonment.
- Unlawful to perform mechanical engineering services beyond one’s registered grade.
Personnel and Operational Requirements
- Mechanical plants required to have registered engineers or mechanics per horsepower rating and shifts.
- Mandatory professional preparation and supervision for construction and installation in plants over 20 horsepower.
Application to Entities and Posting Requirements
- Firms or corporations may engage in mechanical engineering only with properly registered personnel.
- Managers personally liable for violations.
- Certificates of responsible engineers must be posted conspicuously in plants.
Roster and Public Notice
- A biannual roster of registered professionals shall be maintained and disseminated widely.
Foreign Reciprocity
- Foreign engineers permitted registration only if their home country grants reciprocal rights to Filipino engineers.
Enforcement and Legal Assistance
- All law enforcement officers are mandated to enforce the Act.
- The Secretary of Justice serves as legal adviser to the Board.
Non-Affectation of Other Professions
- The Act does not impair the practice of other legally recognized professions.
Appropriations, Severability, and Repealing Clauses
- Budget appropriation provided for implementation.
- Invalidity of any section does not affect remaining provisions.
- Conflicting laws, including prior related laws, are repealed.
Effectivity
- The Act takes effect upon approval, with penalties sections effective one year thereafter.