1. Please describe in general terms the structure and organisation of this professional service and how it is being regulated in your economy. For instance, whether it is regulated by law, professional self-regulation, or a combination of both, whether it is centralised or decentralised, etc.

Functional Description of the Subject Professional Service

A person is deemed to be in the practice of electrical engineering when he renders or offers to render professional electrical engineering service in the form of:

1. Consultation, investigation, valuation and management services requiring electrical engineering knowledge;
2. Design and preparation of plans, specifications and estimates for electric powers systems, power plans, power distribution system including power transformers, transmissions lines and network protection, switchgear, building wiring, electrical machines, equipment and others;
3. Supervision of erection, installation, testing and commissioning of power plans, substation, transmission lines, industrial plans and others;
4. Supervision of operation and maintenance of electrical equipment in power plants, industrial plants, watercrafts, electric locomotives and others;
5. Supervisions on the manufacture and repair of electrical equipment including switchboards, transformers, generators, motors, apparatus and others;
6. Teaching of electrical engineering professional subjects; and
7. Taking charge of the sale and distribution of electrical equipment and systems requiring engineering calculations or applications of engineering data. (Section 2 (a), RA No. 7920)

The Board of Electrical Engineering under the PROFESSIONAL REGULATION COMMISSION (PRC) is in charge with the Licensing and Regulation of the Profession. It is regulated by Law particularly REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7920 otherwise known as "NEW ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING LAW".

2. Please describe the range of the activities regularly practised by the professionals in this sector in your economy.

As defined in No.1

3. Which of these activities are regulated in your economy?

If the activity concerned involves a practice of profession as described in the Board Law, then such is regulated by the Professional Regulation Commission.

4. Please list the professional bodies concerned. Are they recognised by law as a regulatory, licensing or disciplinary body for the professional services in your economy, or are these functions performed by other institutions? Please specify.

Each profession has an Accredited Professional Organization. In the case of Electrical Engineers, the accredited professional organization is the Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineer(IIEE). It is the government through the PRC which regulates and licenses the respective profession and not the accredited professional organization.

 

II. Qualification Requirements

5.What are the qualification requirements for individual practitioners in your economy in terms of:

1. professional education (e.g. university/higher education degree, post-graduate education). Please specify which level(s) is/are regarded as professional education stage;
   
2. professional examination;
   
3. experience, practice and training; and
   
4. language skills?

In addition, please specify the number of years/months required for each of the above, as well as the availability of alternative routes (e.g. degree route and non-degree route) to achieve the qualifications required. If different qualification requirements exist for different activities or types of work, please specify.

Professional Education

I. Professional Electrical Engineer

Distinct Qualification Requirements

1. He is a citizen of the Philippines
2. He is of good reputation with high moral values
3. He has not been finally convicted by the court of an offense involving moral turpitude

Minimum Education Requirement

1. He is a holder of the degree of Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) from a university, school, college, academy or institute duly constituted, recognized and accredited by the Philippine government.

II. Registered Electrical Engineer

Distinct Qualification Requirements

1. He is a citizen of the Philippines
2. He is at least twenty-one (21) years of age
3. He is of good reputation with high moral value
4. He has not been finally convicted by the court of an offense involving moral turpitude

Minimum Education Requirement

1. He is a holder of Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) from a university, school, college, academy or institute duly constituted, recognized and accredited by the Philippine government.

III. Registered Master Electrician

Distinct Qualification Requirements

1. He is a citizen of the Philippines
2. He is at least eighteen(18) years of age
3. He is of good reputation with high moral values
4. He has not been finally convicted by the court of an offense involving moral turpitude

Minimum Education Requirement

1. He has any of the following technical backgrounds:
2. Has completed at least three (3) years of a five year Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) program or a three-year course in electrical engineering technology from an engineering school recognized by the Philippine government and, in addition, has a subsequent specific record of one(1) year practice in electrical wiring and installation, operations and maintenance of utilization devices and equipment; or
3. Has graduated form a two-year electrician’s course of instruction from a vocational or trade school recognized by the Philippine government and, in addition, has at least two(2) years of apprenticeship after completion of the course instruction on electrical installation, operation and maintenance of utilization devices and equipment; or
4. Has completed a one-year electrician’s course of instruction from a vocational school recognized by the Philippine government and, in addition, has at least three(3) years of apprenticeship after completion of the course of instruction on electrical installation, operation and maintenance of utilization devices and equipment; and
5. Has completed a four-year high school education or its equivalent and, in addition, has a subsequent specific record of at least five(5) years of apprenticeship in electric wiring, installation, operation and maintenance of utilization devices and equipment. (Section 16,17,18 of RA No. 7920)

Professional Examination

The Board of Electrical Engineering shall determine and prepare the contents of the examination to qualify as electrical engineers. The examination is given twice in a calendar year. The examination shall be in writing.

Experience

No experience, practice, training is necessary to qualify for Registered Electrical Engineer and Registered Master Electrician. But for registered Professional Electrical Electrician, there is must be a four (4) years or more active practice reckoned from the date of his registration as a registered electrical engineer.

Language Skills

None, but the English Language is the medium used in the examination.

6. Are there any other qualification requirements apart from those set out in Q.5 above (e.g. minimum age, registration with a professional body, restriction on the scope of practice, place of origin/citizenship/residency requirements) whether there are any pre-conditions in order to enter into professional education, examination, practice and training mentioned in Q.5 above? Please specify.

None

 

III. Qualification Procedures

7. Are the professional examinations conducted at regular intervals? Please specify frequency, the fees charged, if any, and any differences in practice adopted by individual provinces/states.

The professional examination is conducted twice in a calendar year. The examination fee is six hundred pesos (P600.00).

8. What are the procedures involved in order to qualify as a professional in the subject sector, including the approving authorities involved, their respective requirements, and the timing that need to be observed? How long does it normally take to complete the procedures?

Procedures

1. Unless otherwise directed, the application and all other papers supporting an applicant’s qualifications must be filed with the Commission not later than twenty days before the first day of the examinations. If filed through the mail, the same must be received at least twenty days before the start of the examinations. The Board concerned, subject to review by the Commission shall satisfy itself that each applicant possesses the necessary qualifications.
2. The examination fee ( P 600.00 ) must be paid to the Cashier of the Commission upon the filing of the application.
3. An applicant whose application has been duly approved shall be issued a Notice of Admission and shall be given detailed instructions on how the examinations shall be conducted.

 

IV. Recognition Arrangements

9. Are there any mechanisms (e.g. automatic recognition or mutual recognition arrangements at governement level or between professional bodies) to take account of qualifications, experience, expertise, licence etc acquired or obtained by foreign professionals in another economy? Please explain the mechanism and specific requirements.

No foreign engineer shall be admitted to take a board examination, be given a certificate of Registration, or be entitled to any of the rights and privileges under this Act unless the country of which he is a subject or a citizen specifically permits Filipino engineers to practice within its territorial limits on the same basis as the subjects or citizens of such country. (Section 38, RA No. 7920)

Exemption from Examination and Registration

Examination and registration shall not be required of foreign electrical engineers, erection/commissioning/guarantee engineers employed as technical consultants by the Philippine government or by private firms, for which the pertinent professional society certifies that no qualified Filipino professional is available, or foreign electrical installers for the erection and installation of a special project or for any other specialized work, subject to the following conditions:

1. That the above-mentioned foreign professionals are legally qualified to practice their profession in their own country in which the requirements are qualifications of obtaining a license or certificate of registration are not lower than those specified in this Act;
2. That the scope of work to be performed by said foreign professionals shall be limited only to the particular work for which they were contracted;
3. That prior to commencing work, the foreign professional shall secure a special permit from the PRC;
4. That said foreign professional shall not engage in private practice on their own account;
5. That for every foreign professional contracted pursuant to this section, one Filipino understudy who is registered under the provisions of this Act shall be employed by the private firm utilizing the services of such foreign professional for at least the duration of the alien expert’s tenure with said firm: and
6. That the exemption herein granted shall be good only for six(6) months; renewable for another six(6) months at the discretion of the Board: Provided, That in case the foreign professional ceases to be employed in accordance with this section and engages in an occupation requiring registration as electrical engineer, such professional must be registered under the provisions of this Act.

 

V. Licensing Requirements

(a) For Individuals

10. Apart from the qualification requirements mentioned above, what are the licensing requirements for individuals in your economy, for example?

• membership of a professional body
• registration with the relevant ministry or any other institution
• absence of criminal record
• taking of an oath
• minimum age
• subscription to a professional indemnity insurance (including any minimum specification)
• place of origin/citizenship/residency requirements
• other (please specify)

If different licensing requirements exist for different activities, please specify.

As prerequisite for registration as professional electrical engineer, registered electrical engineer, and registered master electrician, the applicant registered shall comply with the following requirements:

a. Professional Electrical Engineer

For the purpose of confirming the service record and clarifying the technical report submitted by the applicant for registration as a professional electrical engineer, an oral examination or interview shall be conducted on the following documents to be submitted to the Board:

1. Certified experience record from the date applicant took oath as a registered electrical engineer indicating the inclusive dates, companies work for, description of specific responsibilities, significant accomplishments as well as the name position of immediate supervisors;
2. Technical paper covering an evaluation, an analysis or a critical discussion of an electrical engineering project or subject, on one or several technical aspects such as: design, construction, installation, commissioning, testing, operation, maintenance, repair, research and the like. The technical paper shall be supported by engineering principles and data. Published or unpublished scientific paper or treatise on electrical engineering theories and applications may be considered as complying with the requirement;
3. Three(3) certifications signed by three(3) professional electrical engineers to the effect that the experience record submitted by the applicant is factual and that the technical paper submitted was actually prepared by the applicant.

The applicant must obtain passing marks on the experience record and on the technical report in order to qualify for registration as a professional electrical engineer.

b. Registered Electrical Engineer

The applicant shall pass a written examination on different subject or group of subjects as follows:

1. Mathematics
2. Engineering Science and Allied subject
3. Electrical Engineering professional subjects

The passing general weighted average rating shall be seventy percent(70%) with no grade below fifty percent(50%) in any group of subjects listed above.

The examination question on the foregoing subject shall cover only basic theories and principles, and shall exclude question based on experience and trade practices. The number of questions shall be such the examinations can be finished in three (3) consecutive eight-hour days.

c. Registered Master Electrician

The applicant shall pass a written examination on the different subjects or group of subjects as follows:

1. Technical Subjects
2. Philippine Electrical Code, Parts 1 & 2

Issuance of Certificate of Registration

The registration of professional electrical engineer, registered electrical engineer and master electrician commences from the date his name is entered into the roll of registrants or licensees for his profession. Every registrant who satisfactorily met all the requirements specified in this Act, upon payment of the registration fee, shall be issued a certificate of registration. The certificate shall remain in full force and effect until withdrawn, suspended or revoked in accordance with law.

Every certificate of registration shall show the full name of the registrant with a serial number, and shall be signed by the members of the Board and duly authenticated by the seal of the Board.

All registrants under this Act shall be required to take a professional oath before the Board or before any person authorized to administer oaths, before commencing the practice of the profession.

Period of validity of a Professional license

The statement of the period of validity of the professional license declares the payment of the annual registration fees for three (3) years and/or compliance with the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) and the validity of the Certificate of registration.

The license unless sooner revoked or suspended for cause, shall be valid up to the licensee’s birth date in the year indicated and shall be renewed thereafter but not later than the twentieth day of the month following the date of expiration. Otherwise penalties shall be imposed.

11. Are there any requirements, including place of origin/citizenship/residency requirements, that need to be fulfilled in order to be eligible for membership of the relevant professional body(ies). Please specify.

Membership to professional bodies is the main concern of the respective accredited professional organization (APO). Qualification and requirements for membership are provided by the APO’s.

(b) For Firms (Including Regulations Governing Establishment)

12. Are professional firms regulated? If yes, are there any specific licensing requirements, for example,

• minimum capital
• minimum/maximum number of partners
• membership of a professional body
• incorporation or registration with the relevant ministry or any other institution
• professional indemnity insurance
• requirements regarding natural persons carrying out professional services on behalf of the firm, including any restrictions on foreign firms employing local professionals
• requirements regarding ownership (voting rights) of the firm, including place of origin / citizenship / residency requirements of board of directors and restrictions on partnership with local firms.
• requirements regarding management/administration of the firm, including place of origin / citizenship / residency requirements of board of directors, minimum number/percentage of local directors, managers etc.
• other (please specify)

If different requirements exist for different activities, please specify.

The practice of electrical engineering is a professional service admission to which is based on individual and personal qualifications. Hence, no firm or corporation may be registered or licensed as such for the practice of electrical engineering.

However, persons properly qualified and licensed as professional electrical engineers may, among themselves, form a partnership, association and collectively render electrical engineering service. Individual members of such partnerships or associations shall be responsible for their own respective acts. (Section 35, RA No. 7920)

Professional firms are regulated by another government agency specifically the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and not by the Professional Regulation Commission.

13. Are there any restrictions on the form in which one can establish (e.g. partnership, incorporation, other)? Please specify.

Not Applicable

14. Are there restrictions on the ability of locally established firms to develop international relations (e.g. membership of an international network, association of partnership with foreign firms, etc)? Please specify.

Not Applicable

15. Is the use of international or foreign firms names restricted? Please specify.

The use of international or foreign firm names is regulated by another government agency and not by the Professional Regulation Commission.

 

VI. Licensing Procedures (For Both Individuals and Firms)

16. What are the procedures required for application for licence or renewal of licence, including the authorities involved, and their respective requirements (including documentation)? How long does it normally take to complete the procedures? Please specify in case of difference between individuals and firms.

An application for license may be filed at any time of the year.

The procedures required, including the authorities involved, and the respective requirements , including documentation for Licensing, are as follows ;

a. Registration of New professionals

Requirements:

1. Duly accomplished oath forms
2. Documentary stamp
3. 1 "x 1" picture
4. 2 x 2 picture and one documentary stamp for the board certificate
5. Special Power of Attorney if filed by the representative

Procedure:

1. Present duly accomplished oath form at the designated window for verification of records. ( For those who are residing or employed abroad, oath must be administered by the Philippine Consul).
2. Payment of the prescribed fees (P600.00)
3. Register at the designated window of the respective profession

b. Renewal of professional License

Requirements:

1. Duly accomplished renewal form
2. Expired professional license (if available)
3. Certificates of Seminar on Continuing Professional Education (CPE)
4. Renewal fees
5. Authorization letter if filed by the representative

Procedure:

1. Proceed to the Continuing Professional Education Council (CPEC) for the evaluation and authentication of the Seminar certificates and the issuance of the CPE certificates
2. Submit duly accomplished renewal form at the designated window for the profession, together with the CPE Certificate issued by the CPEC Councils.
3. Payment of renewal fees at the Cashier
4. Return to the same window at the Registration Division
5. Claim ID License at designated time

It takes a day for the filing of application for license. The issuance of the license is one month after the filing of the application.

 

VII. Regulations Governing Entry and Temporary Stay of Natural Persons for the Purpose of Supplying the Professional Services

17. Is the entry and stay of professionals subject to labour market tests or any other restrictions? Please specify.

No foreign electrical engineer shall be admitted to examination , be given a certificate of registration or be entitled to any of the rights or privileges under the Board of Electrical Engineering law unless the country of which he is a citizen specifically permits Filipino electrical engineers to practice within its territorial limits on the same basis or citizens of such country (Section 42 CA 294 on Foreign Reciprocity).

The entry and stay of professionals are subject to the labor market tests and other restrictions, to wit:

Article XII, Sec. 14 of the Philippine Constitution provides that the practice of profession in the Philippines shall be limited to Filipino citizens save in cases prescribed by law.

To operationalize these Constitutional provisions, Article 40 of the Labor Code, as amended, provides that: Any alien seeking admission to the Philippines for employment purposes and any domestic or foreign employer who desires to engage an alien for employment in the Philippines shall obtain an employment permit from the department of Labor and Employment. The employment permit may be issued to a non-resident alien or to the applicant employer after a determination of the non-availability of a person in the Philippines who is competent, able and willing at the time of application to perform the services for which the alien is desired.

Republic Act No, 5181 requires three (3) years of residence in the Philippines before a foreigner can practice his profession.

 

VIII. Professional Ethics

18. What activities/disciplines are subject to professional ethical codes? Please specify the main policy objectives of these codes.

The practice of electrical engineering is subject to professional ethical code. An electrical engineer should observe a System of moral principles and values, not in passive recognition, but as a set of dynamic standards to guide his conduct and way of life.

19. Which body or institution develops this code and monitors its implementation? What are the consequences in case of breach of the ethical code by a professional or a firm?

The Board of Electrical Engineering developed this code and monitors its implementation through the PRC. A violation or breach of the ethical code is a ground for the revocation or suspension of a professional license.

20. Are there restrictions on marketing, solicitation, advertising?

An electrical engineer should only advertise his work or merit in a simple manner and avoid any practice that will discredit or do injury to the dignity and honor of his profession.

21. Are there restrictions on fee-setting (specific activities, minimum/maximum levels imposed, indicative scale, etc)?

An electrical engineer should not accept compensation from more than one interested party for the same professional service pertaining to the same work, without the consent of all affected party.

An electrical engineer should not be financially interested in the bids of a contractor on competitive work for which he expects to be employed as an engineer, unless he has the consent of his client of employer.

An electrical engineer should not compete with another Engineer on the basis of compensation for particular work by means of underbidding, after the results of a public bidding are announced.

 

IX. Appeal Mechanisms and Dispute Resolution Procedures

22. Do individuals or firms have the right to appeal if their application is rejected or their licence is withdrawn?

Individuals have a right to appeal to the Commission if their application is rejected or their license is withdrawn by the Board.

23. Which body or institution is responsible for the resolution of disputes?

The body or institution responsible for resolution of the dispute is the Board of Electrical Engineering.

24. Please provide a summary of the mechanism/procedures and a list of relevant legislation/regulations.

Procedure for Dispute Resolution

1. Administrative investigations shall be conducted by the Board of Electrical Engineering or any of its members as may be designated by the Chairman, or may be conducted by a legal hearing officer of the Professional Regulation Commission.
2. Decisions shall be promulgated by a majority of the members of the Board.
3. The decision shall be final and executory unless it is appealed by the respondent to the Commission within fifteen (15) days from the receipt of such decision. The Board or Commission’s decision is appealable by the respondent to the Court of Appeals in accordance with the procedure under the Rules of Court.

 

X. Contact Points

25. Please provide contact details (name, address, fax, telephone,email address, etc) of the persons who can provide information on each of the professional services.

Office of the Executive Director
Professional Regulation Commission
P. Paredes Street cor. Morayta Street,
Sampaloc, Manila, Philippines
Telephone No. 735-14-91

International Affairs Division
Professional Regulation Commission
P. Paredes Street cor. Morayta Street,
Sampaloc, Manila, Philippines
Telephone No. 735-12-48

 

XI. Additional Information

26. Is it possible to obtain information on the regulatory regimes of the professional services concerned through web-sites, journals, brochures or the appropriate authorities? What sort of information is included? Please give details.

Information on the regulatory regimes of the professional services concerned may be obtained through journals, and brochures provided by the Professional Regulation Commission.