Statement of Policy
- Recognizes architects' importance in nation building.
- Aims to nurture competent, productive, and globally competitive architects.
- Ensures excellent licensing exams and regulatory measures.
Definitions
- Architecture: Art and science of planning, designing, and constructing buildings taking utility, strength, and beauty into account.
- Architect: Professionally qualified and licensed individual with responsibility for sustainable habitat development.
- Architect-of-record: Responsible for total project design and liable for the signed documents.
- Architect-in-charge of construction: Responsible for construction supervision.
- Consulting Architect: Specialist with recognized expertise.
- General Practice of Architecture: Covers planning, designing, structural conceptualization, supervision, and administration.
- Scope includes architectural services from design, consultation, construction, restoration, lighting, acoustics, conservation, teaching, and CAD.
- Structural Conceptualization: Development and arrangement of structural elements with safety and aesthetics.
- Architectural Firm: Registered business entity comprising licensed architects.
- Authorship: Creator(s) of architectural plans.
- Board: Professional Regulatory Board of Architecture.
- Commission: Professional Regulation Commission.
- Service Agreement: Notarized contract guaranteeing compensation for architectural services.
- Integrated and Accredited Professional Organization: Official national architects' organization.
- Continuing Professional Development (CPD): Process to maintain and enhance architects' competence.
Professional Regulatory Board of Architecture
- Created as a collegial body with a chairman and two members appointed by the President.
- Members must be Filipino, hold an architecture degree, be licensed, have 10 years' experience, and not be affiliated with teaching institutions currently or recently.
- Term: 3 years with possible reappointment; staggered initial terms.
- Powers include prescribing rules, supervising licensure, issuing/suspending certificates, adopting ethical codes, hearing cases, preparing exams, and overseeing education standards.
- Board is under administrative supervision of the Commission, which holds records and provides secretariat support.
- Members may be suspended or removed for neglect, violations, moral turpitude crimes, or exam fraud.
- Compensation comparable to other regulatory boards.
- Annual reporting to the Commission required.
Examination, Registration, and Licensure
- Licensure examination required for all applicants.
- Applicant must be Filipino or eligible foreigner, good moral character, holder of recognized BS Architecture degree, with at least 2 years practical experience certified by a licensed architect.
- Master's degree holders may receive credit for experience.
- Exam subjects include history, theory, planning, structural design, materials, urban design, interiors, architectural design, and site planning.
- Passing grade: 70% general average with no subject below 50%.
- Results reported within 30 days; successful candidates take a professional oath.
- Certificates and Professional ID cards issued, valid until suspended or revoked.
- Roster of registered architects maintained.
- Seal required on all architectural documents, identifying registrant and ensuring authenticity.
Practice of Architecture
- Only registered and licensed architects may practice, use "Architect" title, and prepare architectural plans.
- Foreign architects must secure temporary/special permits; unauthorized practice is penalized.
- Architects registered at enactment are automatically registered.
- Reciprocity required for foreigners applying for licensure.
- Continuing Professional Development mandatory to maintain competency.
- Unauthorized practice, false use of registration, impersonation, or document forgery carries fines and imprisonment.
- Contractual agreement required before architects render services; violations penalized.
- Solicitation of architectural services by unregistered persons prohibited.
- Signature and seal use regulated; architect-of-record responsible.
- Architectural plans are intellectual property; unauthorized copying prohibited.
- Non-registered persons must not claim equivalence to licensed architects.
- Government architectural positions to be filled only by registered architects within 3 years.
- Only licensed architects may collect fees for architectural services.
- Firms must be composed majority by licensed architects; registered with SEC and Board.
- Foreign nationals engaged in architecture must secure special permits and liability insurance.
Final Provisions
- Architecture profession integrated into one national organization accredited by Board and Commission.
- Board to promulgate rules, ethical conduct, and standards within 60 days of effectivity.
- Funding included in annual General Appropriations Act.
- Law does not affect other professions.
- Enforcement by Commission and Board with assistance from law enforcement; legal assistance by Secretary of Justice.
- Invalid provisions do not affect remainder of the law.
- Previous conflicting laws repealed.
- Effectivity within 15 days of publication.