“AN ACT TO REGULATE THE PRACTICE OF

ARCHITECTURE IN THE PHILIPPINES”

I. COORDINATING BODY
II. OVERVIEW / SYNOPSIS
III. SELECT SECTIONS + INTRODUCTION TO SPP
IV. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
V. REFERENCE DOCUMENTS FOR FURTHER STUDY
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 TASK FORCE R.A. 9266

E.O.OLONAN R. S. SAC E.M.C. A.E.DORIA C.L.ONG

Honorary Chairman Proj. Director FLORENTINO Secretary Treasurer
Deputy Proj. Director

PARTNERS:
• INFORMATION AND DISSEMINATION EUGENE G. GAN, FUAP
Chairman
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
COMMISSION ON EDUCATION
COMMISSION ON CONVENTIONS AND CONFERENCES

• MONITORING
COMMISSION ON GOVERNMENTAL & EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

• IMPLEMENTATION FERNANDO L. SANTOS, FUAP MIGUEL R. CALUZA, FUAP

Member Member
COMMISSION ON INTERNAL AFFAIRS
COMMISSION ON PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
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REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9266
SHORT TITLE:
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A MORE RESPONSIVE
AND COMPREHENSIVE REGULATION FOR THE
REGISTRATION, LICENSING AND PRACTICE OF
ARCHITECTURE, REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 545, AS AMENDED,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "AN ACT TO REGULATE
THE PRACTICE OF ARCHITECTURE IN THE
PHILIPPINES,” AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
H. No. 5389 (OCT. 2002)
S. No. 2710 (JAN. 2004)
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9266
SYNOPSIS:
Article I – GENERAL PROVISIONS
Answers: “What is the code all about?”

Article II – PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF ARCHITECTURE

Answers: “What is the PRBOA/PRB-ARC and their functions?”

Article III – EXAMINATION, REGISTRATION AND LICENSURE

Answers: “What are the qualifications/requirements for ALE and the
processes involved thereafter?”

Article IV – PRACTICE OF ARCHITECTURE

Answers: “What are the legalities of the architecture practice?”
 REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9266
Article I – GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 1 – Short Title
Section 2 – Statement of Policy
Section 3 – Definition of Terms

Article II – PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF ARCHITECTURE

Section 4 – Creation and Composition of the Professional Regulatory Board
Section 5 – Qualifications of Members of the Professional Regulatory Board
Section 6 – Term of Office
Section 7 – Powers and Functions of the Board
Section 8 - Administrative Supervision of the Board, Custodian of its
Records, Secretariat and Support Services
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9266
Article II – PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF ARCHITECTURE
Section 9 - Grounds for Suspension or Removal of Members of the Board
Section 10 – Compensation and Allowances of the Board
Section 11 – Annual Report

Article III – Examination, Registration and Licensure

Section 12 – Examination Required
Section 13 – Qualification of Applicant for Examination
Section 14 – Subjects for Examination
Section 15 – Rating in the Licensure Examination
Section 16 – Report of Ratings
Section 17 – Oath
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9266
Article III – Examination, Registration and Licensure
Section 18 – Issuance of Certificates of Registration and
Professional Identification Card
Section 19 – Roster of Architects
Section 20 – Seal, Issuance and Use of Seal
Section 21 – Indication of Certificate of Registration/Professional
Identification Card and Professional Tax Receipt
Section 22 – Refusal to Issue Certificate of Registration and
Professional Identification Card
Section 23 – Suspension and Revocation of Certificates of Registration,
Professional Identification Card of the Special/Temporary
Permit
Section 24 – Re-issuance or Replacement of Revoked or Lost Certificates
of Registration, Professional Identification Card or
Special and Temporary Permit
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9266
Article IV – Practice of Architecture
Section 25 – Registration of Architects Required
Section 26 – Vested Rights
Section 27 – Reciprocity Requirements
Section 28 – Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Section 29 – Prohibition in the Practice of Architecture
and Penal Clause
Section 30 – Prohibition in the Practice of Architecture
Section 31 – Liability of Representatives on Non-Registered Persons
Section 32 – Signing and Sealing of Architecture Plans, Specifications,
Architectural Permit and Other Contract Documents
Section 33 – Ownership of Plans, Specifications and Other
Contract Documents
 REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9266
Article IV – Practice of Architecture
Section 34 – Non-Registered Person shall not claim equivalent service
Section 35 – Positions in Government Requiring the Services of
Registered and Licensed Architects
Section 36 – Collection of Professional fees
Section 37 – Limitation to the Registration of a Firm, Company,
Partnership, Corporation or Association
Section 38 – Coverage of Temporary/Special Permits
Section 39 – Liability Insurance of a Person or Entity Allowed to
Practice under a temporary/Special Permit
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9266
Article IV – Practice of Architecture
Section 40 – Integration of the Architecture Profession
Section 41 – Implementing Rules and regulations
Section 42 – Appropriations
Section 43 – Act not affecting other professionals
Section 44 – Enforcement of the Act
Section 45 – Separability Clause
Section 46 – Repealing Clause
Section 47 - Effectivity
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ART. II SEC. IV
Article II – PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF ARCHITECTURE
Section 4 – Creation and Composition of the Professional Regulatory Board

The Board of Architecture is a collegial body under the

supervision and administrative control of the Commission (PRC)

 Composed of a Chairman and two (2) members

 Appointed by the President of the Philippines or
 Nominated by IAPOA and recommended by PRC
ART. II SEC. V
Article II – PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF ARCHITECTURE
Section 5 – Qualifications of Members of the Professional Regulatory Board

 Citizen and resident of the Republic of the Philippines

 Holder of BS degree in Architecture
 With a valid Certificate of Registration (COR) and Professional Identification Card
(PIC)
 Active Practitioner of architecture for at least ten (10) years
 Not a member or a former member of the faculty of any school or review institution
 No pecuniary interest in such institution unless he/she had officially resigned
from such an institution has completely stopped teaching, advising or reviewing
activities for at least five (5) years prior to the nomination.
 Has never been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude.
ART. II SEC. VII
Article II – PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF ARCHITECTURE
Section 7 – Powers and Functions of the Board

 Prescribe and adopt rules and regulations necessary for carrying out the provisions
of the Act.
 Supervise the registration, licensure and practice of architects.
 Issue, suspend, revoke, or reinstate the Certificate of Registration and the
Professional Identification Card for the practice of the architecture profession.
 Hear and decide administrative cases involving violations of the Act, its IRR, the
Code of Ethical Conduct and SPP.
 Prescribe guidelines for the Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
 Approve, issue, limit or cancel temporary or special permit to practice
architecture.
ART. III SEC. XIII
Article III – EXAMINATION, REGISTRATION AND LICENSURE
Section 13 – Qualification of Applicant for Examination

 Filipino citizen or a citizen or foreign country qualified to take the

examination as provided for in this act.
 Has is of good moral character.
 Holder of a degree of BS in Architecture conferred by any school,
accredited by CHED.
 Has a specific record of at least two (2) years or equivalent of
diversified architectural experience duly certified by a RLA.
(minus 1 year if MA degree holder)
 Has not been convicted of any criminal offense.
ART. III SEC. XX
Article III – EXAMINATION, REGISTRATION AND LICENSURE
Section 20 – Seal, Issuance and Use of Seal

 Duly licensed architect shall affix the seal prescribed by the Board
bearing the registrant’s name, registration number and title “Architect” on
ALL architectural plans, drawings, specifications and all other contract
documents prepared by or under the RLA’s direct supervision.

 Architectural plans and specifications shall be stamped with said seal.

 ALL architectural plans, designs, specifications, drawings

and architectural documents shall bear the seal and signature

ONLY of the ARCHITECT.
ART. III SEC. XIV
Article III – EXAMINATION, REGISTRATION AND LICENSURE
Section 14 – Subjects for Examination

 History and Theory of Architecture; Principles of

Planning and Architectural Practice
 Structural Design, Building Materials, Architectural
Specifications, and Methods of Construction and Utilities
 Urban Design and Architectural Interiors
 Architectural Design and Site Planning
ART. III SEC. XV
Article III – EXAMINATION, REGISTRATION AND LICENSURE
Section 15 – Rating in the Licensure Examination

 Must obtain a weighted general average of

seventy percent (70%)
 With no grade lower than fifty percent (50%)
in any given subject
ART. IV SEC. XXIX
Article IV – PRACTICE OF ARCHITECTURE
Section 29 – Prohibition in the Practice of Architecture and Penal Clause

The following shall be guilty of misdemeanor and charged in Court by the

Commission:
 Person/s who shall practice or offer to practice architecture without being:
• registered/licensed under the Act.
• a holder of temporary or special permits to practice.
 Person/s who shall give any false or forged COR / PIC / Temporary or Special
Permit
 Person/s who shall falsely impersonate any registrant.
 Person/s who shall attempt to use revoked or suspended COR / PIC / Temporary
or Special Permit.
ART. IV SEC. XXIX
Article IV – PRACTICE OF ARCHITECTURE
Section 29 – Prohibition in the Practice of Architecture and Penal Clause

 Upon conviction, violators will be sentenced to a

fine of not less than Php 100,000.00 but not more

than 5,000,000.00 or to suffer imprisonment for a

period not less then (6) months or not exceeding

(6) years or both at the discretion of the Court

ART. IV SEC. XXX
Article IV – PRACTICE OF ARCHITECTURE
Section 30 – Prohibition in the Practice of Architecture

 Any person who shall require an architect to

undertake any service without first executing a
service agreement, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor
and shall be fined of not less than Php 200,000.00 or
to suffer imprisonment for a period not exceeding (6)
years.
ART. IV SEC. XXXVII
Article IV – PRACTICE OF ARCHITECTURE
Section 37 – Limitation to the Registration of a Firm, Company, Partnership,
Corporation or Association
Corporations may be registered under the following conditions:
 Only Filipino citizens, together with allied technical
professionals, may form registration as a firm, company,
partnership, corporation, association or corporation for the
practice of architecture.
 Architects shall compose at least seventy (75%) of the
population.
 Must be registered with SEC and PRB-ARC / PRBOA.
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REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9266
SPP INTRODUCED:
Standards of Professional Practice (SPP) is a required
document under Sec. 41 of R.A. 9266 which states that:

SECTION 41. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within

sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act, the
board, subject to the approval of the Commission and in
coordination with the IAPO, shall adopt and promulgate
such rules and regulations, Code of Ethical Conduct and
Standards of Professional Practice, to carry out the
provision of this Act and which shall be effective in
fifteen (15) days following their publication in the
Official Gazette or in two (2) major daily newspapers of
general circulation.
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9266
SPP DOCUMENTS:
 SPP No. 201 Pre-Design Services
 SPP No. 202 Regular Design Services
 SPP No. 203 Specialized Architectural Services
 SPP No. 204-A Full Time Supervision Services
 SPP No. 204-B Construction Management Services
 SPP No. 205 Post-construction Services
 SPP No. 206 Comprehensive Architectural Services
 SPP No. 207 Design-Build Services
 SPP No. 208 Architectural Design Competition
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Q:
Does a registered and Yes, an architect
must be both
licensed architect mean licensed and
one and the same? registered.
Q:
Can the architect-of-
Yes, the “architect-
record be held liable of-record” shall be
under Article 1723 of the held liable under
Article 1723 of the
New Civil Code of the New Civil Code of
Philippines? the Philippines.
Q:
No, the “architect”
Can the term “architect” is a generic word
and “architect-of-record” while “architect-of-
record” is a specific
be used interchangeably? function of a
professional
architect.
Q:
If there are two architects on
a certain project, the
“architect-of-record” and It will depend on
the investigation.
“architect-in-charge” of
construction, the building
collapses, who is more
liable? Can one sue the
liable party?
Q: A change was made
Why was “structural because, essentialy
the architect does the
designing” as part of the conceptualization or
qualitative aspect of
practice of architecture the structural design
changed to “structural and NOT the
quantitative analysis
conceptualization”? and computation; it is
our allied
professionals who
does the job.
Q: Yes, however, a
Can foreign architect foreign architect shall
secure locally their
practice architecture professional liability
insurance or
in the Philippines? malpractice insurance
or their acceptable
equivalent in bond
commensurate with
the magnitude of their
project.
Q:
Is it unlawful for any other
allied profession to sign on
architectural plans, designs,
specifications, drawings and
documents in behalf of the
Architect?
Yes, all architectural
plans, designs,
specifications, drawings
and architectural
documents shall bear
the seal and signature
only of the Architect.
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 WEBSITE: https://www.united-architects.org/

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