Law Summary
Key Definitions
- Practice of Civil Engineering: Consultation, design, planning, supervision in various civil engineering works such as bridges, buildings, flood control, and related structures
- Board: Board of Civil Engineering under PRC supervision
- Commission: Professional Regulation Commission
- Firm: Organization practicing civil engineering with a sole practitioner and employees
- Partnership: Professionally registered group of licensed engineers or architects
- Association: Group operating under co-ownership provisions of the Civil Code
- Sole Practitioner, Partners, Members: Key persons registered with the Board and SEC if applicable
- Registered Civil Engineer: Holder of valid registration and professional ID
- Civil Engineer on Record: Person professionally responsible for project output
- Certificate of Registration: Official document authorizing practice of civil engineering by the firm, partnership or association
- Output of Professional Civil Engineering Services: All professional work products, including digital or printed designs and documents
Registration Procedures
- Existing firms, partnerships, associations must register within 6 months of resolution effectivity
- Newly organized entities must register before commencing civil engineering practice
- Application must be signed by Sole Practitioner (Firm), Managing Partner (Partnership), or President (Association)
- Registration requirements include names, valid licenses, SEC registration for partnerships, office addresses
- Number and type of licensed professionals required vary:
- Firm: Sole Practitioner must be a registered civil engineer
- Partnership: All partners must be registered engineers or architects, with at least two registered civil engineers
- Association: All members must be registered engineers or architects, with at least two registered civil engineers
Foreign Practitioners
- Foreigners with temporary special permits cannot be practitioners, partners, or members
- Foreigners allowed under foreign reciprocity or international treaties may participate as practitioners or partners
Change of Information and Renewal
- Any changes in registration details must be reported within 60 days
- Registration must be renewed every three years
Approval, Issuance, and Reinstatement
- Board reviews applications and recommends approval or denial within 30 days
- PRC issues Certificate of Registration valid for three years
- Applications for reinstatement handled like initial registration if certificate is unrenewed, withdrawn, or revoked
Professional Responsibility
- Sole Practitioner responsible for all work in a Firm
- Designated Partner responsible for partnership project outputs; if none designated, all licensed partners jointly responsible
- Designated Member responsible for association project outputs; if none designated, all licensed members jointly responsible
Dissolution of Entities
- Dissolution must be reported to the Board within 30 days
- Failure to report may result in penalties on Sole Practitioner, partners, or members
Fees
- Initial Registration: PHP 5,000
- Renewal: PHP 3,000
- Reinstatement: PHP 5,000
- Board and PRC may revise fees as needed
Penalties and Administrative Sanctions
- Possible revocation or suspension of registration for:
- Unregistered practice
- Continuing practice after certificate expiration or revocation
- Providing false information
- Misrepresentation in securing registration
- Appeals on Board decisions may be filed with the Commission within 15 days
- Revoked certificates may be reinstated after two years subject to approval
- Violations of Republic Act No. 544 provisions punishable by:
- Fine: PHP 500 to 2,000
- Imprisonment: 6 months to 1 year
- Or both, per court discretion
Separability Clause and Effectivity
- Invalidity of any provision does not affect other provisions
- Rules take effect 15 days after publication in Official Gazette or newspaper of general circulation