Republic Act 9266 – Architecture Act of 2004

200 vocabulary flashcards summarizing key terms, roles, provisions, penalties and professional concepts found in Republic Act 9266 (Architecture Act of 2004).

Architecture Act of 2004

The popular name of Republic Act No. 9266 regulating the practice of architecture in the Philippines.

Republic Act No. 9266

A 2004 law providing comprehensive regulation for the registration, licensure and practice of architecture.

State Policy (Architecture)

Mandate to nurture competent, virtuous, productive and globally competitive Filipino architects.

Architecture (legal definition)

Art, science and profession of planning, designing and constructing buildings in their totality with utility, strength and beauty.

Architect

A person professionally and academically qualified, registered and licensed under RA 9266.

Architect-of-record

Licensed architect directly responsible for the total design and civil liability of a project.

Architect-in-charge of construction

Licensed architect directly responsible and liable for construction supervision of a project.

Consulting Architect

Registered or permitted architect with exceptional or recognized expertise or specialization.

General Practice of Architecture

Planning, designing, specifying, supervising and directing erection or alteration of buildings and environs.

Scope of Practice

Professional services involving site planning, design, construction, enlargement, conservation, renovation and related activities.

Structural Conceptualization

Conceiving, choosing and developing structural elements of an architectural work with safety, cost, function and aesthetics.

Architectural Firm

A sole proprietorship, partnership or corporation registered with government agencies for architectural practice.

Authorship (plans)

Responsibility of the architect(s) who prepared architectural plans or specifications.

Professional Regulatory Board of Architecture

Collegial body under PRC that regulates the architecture profession.

Professional Regulation Commission (PRC)

Government agency supervising professional boards, including architecture.

Service Agreement

Duly notarized contract stipulating scope and compensation for architectural services.

Integrated & Accredited Professional Organization (IAPOA)

Official national organization of all Filipino architects accredited under RA 9266.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

Sustaining learning process that maintains or enhances architects’ knowledge and ability.

DTI (Department of Trade and Industry)

Government department referenced for business registration of architectural entities.

SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission)

Agency that registers partnerships and corporations, including architectural firms.

Creation of the Board (Sec 4)

Establishes a three-member Professional Regulatory Board of Architecture within six months of the Act’s effectivity.

Board Member Citizenship

Each Board member must be a Filipino citizen and resident.

Board Member Degree

Must hold a BS Architecture degree recognized by CHED.

Ten-Year Practice Requirement

Board members must be active practitioners for at least ten years before appointment.

Faculty Disqualification

Board members cannot be faculty of architecture schools or review centers for five years prior to nomination.

Board Term of Office

Three-year term, renewable once; staggered for first appointees.

Powers of the Board

Includes rule-making, licensure, supervision, oath administration and disciplinary functions.

Code of Ethical Conduct

Standards of professional practice prescribed and adopted by the Board.

CPD Guidelines (Board)

Board prescribes continuing professional development program in consultation with IAPOA.

Exam Syllabi Authority

Board prepares, issues or amends licensure exam syllabi and questions.

Temporary/Special Permit Authority

Board may approve, issue, limit or cancel permits for foreign architects.

CHED Coordination Duty

Board ensures architecture programs meet CHED policies and standards.

Licensure Exam Computerization

Board adopts a program for full computerization of examinations.

Grounds to Remove Board Member

Neglect, violations, moral turpitude or exam manipulation can cause suspension or removal.

Annual Report (Board)

Yearly detailed account of Board proceedings submitted to PRC.

Licensure Examination Requirement

All applicants must pass a PRC-given exam to register as architects.

Exam Applicant Citizenship

Must be Filipino or from a country with reciprocity for architects.

Good Moral Character (Exam)

Required personal trait for examination eligibility.

Diversified Experience

At least two years’ practical architectural work certified by a registered architect.

Master’s Degree Credit

Holders of a Master’s in Architecture may credit one year toward practical experience.

Licensure Exam Subjects

History/Theory, Structural & Materials, Urban/Interiors, and Architectural Design & Site Planning.

Passing Rating

70 % weighted average with no grade below 50 % per subject.

Report of Ratings

Board submits examinee ratings to PRC within 30 days and mails results to candidates.

Architect’s Oath

Successful examinees take an oath before practicing.

Certificate of Registration (COR)

Document attesting entitlement to practice architecture until withdrawn, suspended or revoked.

Professional Identification Card (PIC)

ID bearing registration number and expiry date issued upon payment of fees.

Roster of Architects

Official list of registered architects prepared and updated by the Board.

Architect’s Seal

Authorized stamp bearing name, registration number and title 'Architect' affixed on documents.

Seal Design Approval

Seal design must be authorized by the Board.

Stamping Requirement

All plans and specifications prepared by a registrant must bear the seal during the certificate’s validity.

Government Approval Restriction

Officials may not accept architectural documents not signed and sealed by a licensed architect.

Partial Work Signature Rule

Architects may only sign for the portion of work they actually performed.

Architectural Documents as IP

Plans and specifications are the architect’s intellectual property; duplication without consent is illegal.

Registration Details on Documents

Architect must indicate COR, PIC and professional tax receipt numbers on signed documents.

Refusal to Issue COR

Board may deny registration for fraud, moral turpitude conviction or unsound mind.

Suspension/Revocation Grounds

Fraud, misconduct, aiding unlicensed practice and other violations can void licenses.

Reissuance After Revocation

COR/PIC may be reinstated after two years for proper reason, possibly without re-examination.

Mandatory Registration to Practice

No one may practice or claim to be an architect without COR and PIC.

Vested Rights

Architects registered before RA 9266 retain registration under the new law.

Reciprocity Requirement

Foreigners may take exam only if their country offers equal practice rights to Filipinos.

Purpose of CPD

Protects public interest and safeguards life, health and property.

Unlicensed Practice Penalty

Fine of ₱100 000–₱5 000 000 and/or 6 months–6 years imprisonment.

Service Agreement Requirement (Sec 30)

Enticing an architect to work without a written contract is punishable by up to ₱200 000 fine and 6-year imprisonment.

Representative Liability

Both employer and unlicensed representative soliciting work are liable under Sec 31.

Signing Restrictions (Sec 32)

Unlawful to sign/ seal documents made under another architect unless clearly indicating own portion.

Ownership of Plans (Sec 33)

Documents remain the author-architect’s property even if project is unbuilt.

No Claim of Equivalency

Unregistered persons cannot claim their services equal to a registered architect’s work.

Government Positions for Architects

Within three years, all public posts requiring architectural services must be filled by licensed architects.

Professional Fee Collection

Only registered architects may collect fees for architectural services.

Architectural Firm Registration

Firms may register if 75 % owners and officers are Filipino licensed architects.

Individual & Collective Liability

Members of an architectural entity are responsible for collective acts.

SEC Registration of Firms

Architectural entities must register with the SEC and the Board.

Temporary Permit Coverage

Foreign architects must secure a special permit before rendering services in the Philippines.

Filipino Counterpart Requirement

Foreign architects must work with a Filipino counterpart and pay local taxes.

Agency Responsibility for Permits

Entities hiring foreign architects must secure PRC and DOLE permits.

Liability Insurance (Foreign)

Foreign practitioners must obtain local professional liability insurance or equivalent bond.

Professional Integration

All Filipino architects become members of a single accredited national organization (IAPOA).

IAPOA SEC Status

Integrated organization must be a non-stock, non-profit corporation registered with SEC.

Automatic Membership

Registered architects automatically belong to the integrated organization upon paying dues.

Multiple Association Membership

IAPOA membership does not bar joining other architectural groups.

Democratic Elections (IAPOA)

By-laws must provide for democratic selection of organization officials.

Implementing Rules & Regulations (IRR)

Board, PRC and IAPOA issue rules within 60 days, effective after publication.

Appropriations (Sec 42)

Funding for RA 9266 implementation is included in the General Appropriations Act.

Non-interference Clause

RA 9266 does not affect the legally recognized practice of other professions.

Law Enforcement Assistance

All law-enforcement agencies must aid PRC and Board in enforcing RA 9266.

Secretary of Justice Role

Acts as legal adviser and provides assistance in enforcing the Act.

Public Reporting of Violations

Any person may report illegal practice to PRC, Board or law officers.

Board Assistance in Prosecution

Board helps file charges against violators through proper prosecution offices.

Duplication Ban (Documents)

Copying architectural documents for reuse without consent is unlawful.

Unregistered Fee Collection Ban

Non-architects cannot collect professional fees except as employees of a registered architect.

Filipino Ownership Requirement

Architects must comprise at least 75 % of ownership in firms.

SEC & Board Registration of Firms

Condition for partnerships/corporations to practice architecture legally.

Unauthorized Foreign Practice

Foreigners practicing without permit are deemed engaged in unauthorized practice.

Penalty Range for Illegal Practice

Fines up to ₱5 M and imprisonment up to 6 years for violations.

Penalty for Forced Work without Contract

Fine not less than ₱200 000 or imprisonment up to 6 years.

Representative/Employer Liability

Both parties guilty when unlicensed persons solicit architectural work.

Solicitation Equals Practice

Seeking architectural projects constitutes offering to practice architecture.

Seal Responsibility

Architect-of-record is fully responsible for documents under his seal.

Roster Availability

Board makes the list of architects accessible when necessary.

License Issuance Fee

COR and PIC are released upon payment of prescribed PRC fees.