RA 7920: Electrical Engineering Law

• The lesson covers the regulation for the practice, licensing, and registration of electrical engineers and electricians

RA 7920: New Electrical Engineering Law

• This Act is known as the "New Electrical Engineering Law."
• "Practice of electrical engineering” is rendering professional electrical engineering service:
  • Consultation, investigation, valuation, and management requiring electrical engineering
  • Design/preparation of plans, specifications, and estimates
  • Supervision of erection, installation, testing, and commissioning
  • Supervision of operation and maintenance
  • Supervision of manufacture and repair
  • Teaching professional subjects
  • Sale and distribution of electrical equipment using engineering calculations
• "Electric supply equipment” produces, modifies, regulates, or controls electric energy supply.
• "Electric plant” is an establishment or system modifying electric energy.
• "Power plant design" is planning, specifying, coordinating electrical equipment layout in power plants/substations.
• "Substation” includes buildings/rooms housing accessible electrical supply equipment connected to transmission/distribution lines.
• “Electrical system design” involves choosing electrical systems, planning protection, control, monitoring, coordination, and interlocking.
• “Voltage” represents the highest potential difference between two circuit conductors in volts.
• "kVA" is the installed alternating current (AC) capacity of plants/equipment/loads in kilovolt-amperes.
• "kW" is the installed direct current (DC) capacity on watercraft in kilowatts.
• "Utilization equipment” refers to energy-consuming equipment.
• "Industrial plant or factory" is manufacturing/assembly plants where electrical machinery is installed.
• “Commercial establishments” include department stores, supermarkets, malls etc used for business or profit.
• "Institutional buildings" include schools, hospitals, museums, display centers and government buildings.
• "Watercraft” is a waterborne unit designed with an electric plant.
• "Electric locomotive" is a power plant on wheels in the railroad industry.

Board of Electrical Engineering

• The Board of Electrical Engineering is a collegial body under the Professional Regulations Commission.
• The Board consists of a chairman and two members.
• All are appointed by the President of the Philippines.
• They are chosen from nominees associated with electrical engineers and allied fields.
• The Board exercises executive/administrative, quasi-legislative, and quasi-judicial powers.
• The Board supervises and regulates electrical engineering practice in the Philippines.
• It evaluates applicant qualifications for registration/permits
• They prepare exams, prescribe syllabi, formulate questions, and process/rate exams, and submit results to the PRC.
• The Board prescribes/revises requirements/subjects for licensure exams, subject to Commission approval.
• It registers successful applicants and issues certificates/licenses.
• They can issue special permits to foreign electrical engineers/electricians for specific projects/timeframes.
• The Board looks into conditions affecting the profession, adopts enhancement measures, and inspects registrant workplaces.
• The Board authorizes accredited electrical engineering associations to assist.
• They must promulgate rules, regulations, and a code of ethics.
• The Board investigates violations of the Act, rules, ethics, and administrative policies.
• It issues subpoenas to secure attendance/documents.
• They may delegate investigation to a chairman/member/PRC attorney.
• The Board renders decisions on preliminary inquiries and administrative cases, which become final after 15 days, subject to appeal.
• After notice and hearing, the Board can cancel exam papers, ban examinees, refuse registration, reprimand, suspend, or revoke certificates
• The Board administers oaths for administration, implementation, or enforcement of the Act.
• They submit annual reports to the Commission.
• The Board may prosecute violators of the Act/rules.
• Adopt an official seal.
• The Board coordinates with the Commission/DECS in prescribing, amending, and revising courses.
• They prescribe CPE program guidelines for electrical engineers/electricians.
• The Board performs other necessary functions and duties
• Board policies/resolutions are subject to commission review, and decisions are subject to appeal.
• Each Board member must be a natural-born Filipino citizen and resident of the Philippines for at least five consecutive years
• They must be at least 35 years old, with integrity
• Have no final conviction for offenses involving moral turpitude
• Hold a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) degree from an accredited Philippine institution
• Must be a professional electrical engineer with a valid registration and license
• Have practiced electrical engineering for at least 10 years, with a sworn statement
• Not be an official/faculty member of an institution conferring a BSEE
• They cannot have a pecuniary interest or connection to a review center for licensure exams
• Board members hold office for a three-year term and may be reappointed once.
• They must take an oath of office.
• The President fills vacancies from a list of Commission recommendees
• Board members can be removed by the President for neglect of duty, incompetence, malpractice, or irregularities.
• The Chairman and Board members receive a minimum monthly compensation of P12,000.00.
• The chairman receives 10% more, subject to increases or modifications.
• The Commissioner is the executive officer of the Board.
• They designate a subordinate officer as secretary/custodian of records.

Examination and Registration

• All electrical engineering applicants must pass a technical examination.
• A valid certificate of registration and professional license are required.
• Exam applicants must pay fees prescribed by the Commission
• 90% goes to Commission programs, and 10% to continuing education/research.
• All applicants for registration/licenses must pay prescribed fees and fines.
• 50% of collections go to commission programs, and 50% to supervisory/regulatory functions.
• Foreign electrical engineers employed as consultants by the government or private firms may be exempt from examination/registration.
• This is if a professional society confirms no qualified Filipino professional is available.
• This is only if they are legally qualified in their home country
• The scope of work is limited to specific projects
• The foreign professional must have a special permit from the Commission
• They may not engage in private practice
• A Filipino understudy must be employed for the alien expert's tenure with the firm
• Exemption is valid for six months, renewable once.
• It is only for cases that the foreign professional ceases to be employed in accordance with this section.
• Engineering students/apprentices under supervision don't require registration.
• Those supervising private electric generating sets not exceeding 250V/50 kVA also don't require registration.
• The owner/operator must have the set inspected yearly by a professional electrical engineer.
• Exams should be given twice a year.
• The Board schedules interview/oral exams only at the Commission office.
• Notice of admission should be issued at least ten days before exams.
• Applicants for Professional Electrical Engineer registration must:
  • Be a citizen of the Philippines
  • Have good moral character
  • Not be convicted
  • Hold a BSEE degree
  • Be a registered electrical engineer with a valid certificate/license and four years of active practice
• Applicants for Registered Electrical Engineer Examination must:
  • Be a citizen of the Philippines
  • Be at least 21 years old
  • Have good reputation
  • Not have been convicted
  • Be a BSEE degree holder
• Applicants for Registered Master Electrician Examination must:
  • Be a citizen of the Philippines
  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Have a good reputation
  • Not have been convicted
  • Have completed at least three years of a BSEE program or a three-year course, and have a 1 year of experience
  • Or completed a two-year electrician's course with two years of apprenticeship
  • Or completed a one-year electrician's course with three years of apprenticeship
  • Or completed a four-year high school education with five years of apprenticeship
• Professional electrical engineer applicants will submit an experience record and technical paper for oral examination/interview.
• Registered electrical engineer applicants must pass a written exam covering Mathematics (25%), Engineering Sciences (30%), and Electrical Engineering subjects (45%).
  • The passing rate is 70% with no grade below 50%.
• Registered master electrician applicants must pass a written examination
  • Technical subjects such as Ohm's Law, electrical machines, control equipment and electrical components
  • The Philippine Electrical Code, Parts 1 and 2
  • The number of test questions shall be such that the examinations can be finished in one (1) eight-hour day.
  • The relative weights shall be fifty percent (50%) for technical subjects and fifty percent (50%) for Philippine Electrical Code.
  • The passing general average rating shall be seventy percent (70%) with no grade below fifty percent (50%) in any subject.
• The Board shall report ratings within 150 days after completion.
• Applicants are allowed to retake failed subjects
  • When he shall obtained an average grade of seventy percent (70%) in the subject/s repeated, he shall be considered to have passed his licensure examination.
• All successful candidates must take a professional oath.
• Registration commences when the name is entered in the roll of registrants.
• Registrants will be issued a certificate of registration showing the registrant's name and serial number.
• Professional licenses are signed by the commissioner, bearing the necessary dates and registration number.
• Registrants must have paid the annual registration fees for three consecutive years and complied with CPE requirements, unless exempted.
• The CPE shall be prescribed and promulgated by the Board.
• The electrical engineering professions will be integrated into one national organization recognized by the Board.
• Every professional, registered engineer/electrician, upon registration, becomes a member of the integrated national organization
• All licensed professional electrical engineers may obtain a seal prescribed by the Board.
• Documents prepared by the licensee must be stamped with this seal.
• Registrants must indicate their registration/professional license number, date registered, and date of expiry on documents.
• The Board cannot register individuals convicted of criminal offenses, immoral conduct, or unsound mind.
• The Board must provide applicants with a written statement explaining refusals.
• A year after the Board's decision, it may recommend the issuance of a certificate of registration to the applicant.
• The Board can revoke certificates, suspend practice, or reprimand registrants for cause.
• Grounds include fraud, gross negligence, or incompetence.
• It's sufficient for revocation/suspension if a professional engineer has signed/sealed work not prepared or supervised by them or represented that they had supervised/managed without having done so.
• The decision of the board 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.
• Anyone can file charges against a licensee.
• The respondent has the right to a public hearing and to confront witnesses.
• The Board may reissue revoked certificates after one year, subject to Commission approval.
• A new certificate may be issued to replace lost/destroyed ones

Sundry Provisions Relative to the Practice of Electrical Engineering

• The field of practice for a professional electrical engineer includes the sole authority to seal electrical plans.
• It also allows practice in their full scope as defined in the Act.
• The registered electrical engineer's field of practice includes supervision of electrical equipment operation/maintenance.
• This includes switchboards, power transformers, generators, motors, apparatus, and others
• The selling of electrical equipment and systems that require engineering calculations or application of engineering data.
• A registered master electrician's practice includes installation, wiring, operation, maintenance, and repair in various settings.
• For installations exceeding 500 kVA or 600 V, work shall be supervised by a professional/registered electrical engineer.
• No one can practice electrical engineering without a certificate and professional license.
• The exception is that provided for in Section 14 .
• No one shall use another's certificate/license/seal or give false evidence to obtain a certificate/license, or falsely impersonate a registrant
• It is also prohibited to attempt to use a revoked/suspended certificate/license or use a description implying professional status without proper credentials, or sign documents on behalf of a professional electrical engineer.
• Every electric/industrial plant, including buildings, watercrafts, requires a complement of professional/registered engineers/master electricians.
• Electric plants with generating capacity and employing voltages of any standard rating need a professional/registered electrical engineer. For capacities up to 500 kVA and voltages up to 600 V, one registered master electrician is needed
• Industrial plants/factories/buildings with connected Kva load and employing standard voltages require a professional/registered electrical engineer. Up to 500 Kva and 600 V, one registered master electrician is sufficient
• Watercrafts/electric locomotives with any size and voltage must have a professional/registered electrical engineer. Up to 500 Kva/Kw and 600 V, one registered master electrician is sufficient
• The aforementioned situations require additional qualified personnel to ensure safety
• Exceptions to the section include installations with connected loads of 50 kVA or less and voltages that are no more that 250V
• Their maintenance and repair shall be under the charge of a duly registered personnel
• There must a yearly inspection that is certified by a professional electrical engineer, a registered electrical engineer, or a registered master electrician
• Unauthorized individuals cannot prepare electrical plans, valuations, or specifications.
• Installations require plans signed/sealed by a professional electrical engineer and a construction permit.
• Work must be done under the Electrical Code, supervised by qualified engineers/electricians.
• Firms and corporations cannot be registered/licensed as electrical engineers.
• Qualified electrical engineers may form partnerships/associations.
• The owner/manager must post certificates of employed engineers/electricians in a conspicuous place.
• Certificates of specialty shall be issued by the Board to professional electrical engineers, per specialty.
• A foreign engineer cannot take a board examination/be registered unless their country permits Filipino engineers to practice there.
• All officers of the law enforce this Act.
• The Secretary of Justice advises the Board.
• Violators of the Act are guilty of misdemeanor and face fines and/or imprisonment.
• The incumbent chairman and two members of the Board remain until replaced.
• Associate/assistant electrical engineers can register as registered.
• Master electricians will be issued new certificates.

Final Provisions

• Republic Act No. 184 and conflicting laws are repealed or amended.
• If any part of this Act is unconstitutional, the remainder is unaffected.
• This Act takes effect 30 days after publication in the Official Gazette or a general circulation newspaper.