AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A MORE RESPONSIVE AND COMPREHENSIVE REGULATION FOR THE REGISTRATION

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of the Electronics Engineering Law of 2004

Definitions and Coverage (Section 3):
- Defines key terms such as electronics, Professional Electronics Engineer (PECE), Electronics Engineer (ECE), Electronics Technician (ECT), electronics and communications engineer, computer, information and communications technology, communications, telecommunications, broadcast/broadcasting, industrial plant, commercial establishment, and consulting services.

Categories of Practice (Section 4):
- Establishes three categories of practice: Professional Electronics Engineer (PECE), Electronics Engineer (ECE), and Electronics Technician (ECT).

Scope of Practice (Section 5):
- Outlines the scope and nature of practice for:
    - Electronics Engineers (Section 5a): Covers work related to electronics, communications, computers, ICT, broadcast, consumer/industrial electronics, and related fields.
    - Professional Electronics Engineers (Section 5b): Same as Electronics Engineers, plus the authority to provide consulting services and sign/seal plans, drawings, and documents.
    - Electronics Technicians (Section 5c): Covers non-engineering work related to installation, operation, repair, and maintenance of electronic components, devices, and systems.

Professional Regulatory Board of Electronics Engineering (Sections 6-12):
- Establishes the Professional Regulatory Board of Electronics Engineering under the Professional Regulation Commission.
- Outlines the Board's composition, powers, functions, qualifications of members, term of office, compensation, removal process, and support services.

Examination, Registration, and Licensure (Sections 13-26):
- Requires licensure examinations for Electronics Engineers and Electronics Technicians, except for certain exemptions (Section 26).
- Specifies qualifications for examinations (Section 14), scope of examinations (Section 15), and passing ratings (Section 16).
- Outlines the process for registration as a Professional Electronics Engineer (Section 18), issuance of certificates and identification cards (Section 19), and registration without examination for Electronics Technicians (Section 20).
- Prohibits issuance of certificates for certain grounds (Section 21) and requires a professional oath (Section 22).
- Allows for revocation, suspension, reinstatement, and replacement of certificates and identification cards (Sections 23-24).
- Requires maintaining a roster of registered professionals (Section 25).
- Provides exemptions from examination and registration for foreign professionals under certain conditions (Section 26).

Practice of the Professions (Sections 27-30):
- Prohibits the unauthorized practice of the professions and use of titles (Section 27).
- Prohibits firms or corporations from practicing the professions, but allows partnerships or associations of registered professionals (Section 28).
- Requires Professional Electronics Engineers to obtain and use a seal on technical documents (Section 29).
- Mandates the adoption of a Code of Ethics and Code of Technical Standards of Practice (Section 30).

Sundry Provisions (Sections 31-34):
- Requires compliance with continuing professional education and development programs (Section 31).
- Establishes an integrated and accredited professional organization for the professions (Section 32).
- Provides for foreign reciprocity in registration (Section 33).
- Requires government positions primarily requiring the services of registered professionals to be filled accordingly within three years (Section 34).

Penal Provisions and Assistance of Law Enforcement Agencies (Sections 35-36):
- Imposes fines of P100,000 to P1,000,000 and/or imprisonment of 6 months to 6 years for various violations (Section 35).
- Requires law enforcement and government agencies to assist in enforcing the law (Section 36).

Transitory and Final Provisions (Sections 37-43):
- Provides for a transition period and appointment of the first Board of Electronics Engineering (Section 37).
- Recognizes vested rights of existing Electronics and Communications Engineers (Section 38).
- Authorizes the Board to adopt implementing rules and regulations (Section 39).
- Appropriates funds for implementation (Section 40).
- Includes separability and repealing clauses (Sections 41-42).
- Sets the effectivity date 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper (Section 43).