PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 1

MODULE 1: Republic Act 9266 - Architecture Act of 2004

Republic Act No. 9266 – an act providing for a more reponsive 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.

ARTICLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1. Short title – Architecture Act of 2004
• signed by former Gloria Macapagal Arroyo announced in UAP National
Convention (2004)
Section 2. Statement of Policy
• the state recognizes the importance of Architects in nation building and
development. Hence, it shall develop competent Architects through licensure
examination.
Section 3. Definition of Terms
1. Architecture - is the art, science or profession of planning, designing and
constructing buildings in their totality taking into account their environment in
accordance with the principles of utility, strength and beauty (Vitruvius).
2. Architect - means a person professionally and academically qualified,
registered and licensed under R.A. No. 9266 with: Certificate of
Registration and Professional Identification Card from the PRC which is
the Satellite offices.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF AN ARCHITECT

• Architect-of-record - means the architect registered and licensed under
R.A. No. 9266, who is directly and professionally responsible for the total
design of the project for the client and who shall assume the civil liability for
the plans, specifications and contract documents he/she has signed and
sealed.
a. Liable under the law on the plans, specifications,
desigs and everything you prepared.
b. means an architect registered and licensed under this Act, who is
directly and professionally responsible and liable for the construction
supervision of the project.
• Architecture-in-charge-of-construction
c. Liable under the law to build or construct the building accompliance
with the floor plan design by the architect of record.
 d. who supervised the work in construction, check kung nasusunod yung
plano and the construction method is accurate.
• Consulting Architect
e. Professionally and academically qualified with exceptional or
recognized expertise or specialization in any branch of architecture.

3. General Practice of Architecture - means the act of planning and architectural

designing, structural conceptualization, specifying, supervising and giving
general administration and responsible direction to the erection, enlargement
or alterations of buildings and building environments and architectural design
in engineering structures or any part thereof.
4. Scope of the Practice of Architecture - encompasses the provision of
professional services in connection with site, physical and planning and the
design, construction, enlargement, conservation, renovation, remodeling,
restoration or alteration of a building or group of buildings.
5. Structural Conceptualization - means the act of conceiving, choosing and
developing the type, disposition, arrangement and proportioning of the
structural elements of an architectural work.
a. Structural conceptualization is not the one who compute the
measurements of beam and columns of the rebars but locating the
position or structure of the columns
b. Architects tell Engineers what type of structural system is they prefer,
if you want posts or not, if you want to use thin or thick.
c. Some architects doesn’t allow or allow the engineers to locate their
columns. Architects is recommended to put columns once they send it
to an Engineer (kung gaano kalaki or kaliit).
6. Architectural Firm – ownership and means a sole proprietorship to BPI, a
partnership or a corporation to SEC registered with the proper government
agencies.
7. Authorship - refers to the author or authors of a set of architectural plans or
specifications who are in charge of their preparation, whether made by them
personally or under their immediate supervision.
a. Architects allow to send it to AutoCAD operator but the Architect is still
the one who owns the project or the author who sketch it. Operator are
only the one who transfer it to AutoCAD.
8. Service Agreement – any form of agreement between the client and the
architect. It means a duly notarized written contract or equivalent public
instrument stipulating the scope of services and guaranteeing compensation
of such services to be rendered by an architect.
 9. Integrated and Accredited Professional Organization - means the existing
official national organization of all architects of the Philippines.
10. Continuing Professional Development refers to a sustaining and progressive
learning process that maintains, enhances, or increases the knowledge and
continuing ability of Architects.
a. Different methods of acquiring additional knowledge even if you are an
architect in a convention, there are some CDP points need to acquire
to renew the license. UP gives seminar convention and worth CDP
points though it was hold, it is normall conduct in Manila but it is under
research since there is some disadvantage to some probincial areas.

ARTICLE 2. PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF ARCHITECTURE (BOA)

Section 4. Creation and Composition of the Professional Regulatory Board - created a
Professional Regulatory Board of Architecture composed of a chairman and two (2)
members appointed by the President of the Philippines from a lists of three (3)
recomendees chosen from a list of five (5) nominees for each position submitted to the
PRC by IAPO.
Section 5. Qualifications of Members of the Professional Regulatory Board.
Citizen and resident of the Philippines
• Holder of a degree in Bachelor of Science in Architecture (local or abroad-CHED
accredited
• Architect with a valid Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification
card and active practitioner of architecture for at least ten (10) years
• Not an AR faculty or reviewer. Has stopped teaching/resigned for 5yrs.
• Never been convicted of any crime
Section 6. Term of office - 3 years
Section 7. Powers and Functions of the Board
1. Prescribe and adopt the rules and regulations necessary for carrying out the
provisions of this Act
2. Supervise the registration, licensure and practice of architects
3. Administer oaths
4. Issue, suspend, revoke, or reinstate the Certificate of Registration and the
Professional Identification Card
5. Adopt an official seal of the Board.
6. Monitor the conditions affecting the practice of architecture and adopt such
measures (Overlapping practices between civil engineers and architects that civil
engineers are still allowed to sign on architectural drawings).
7. Adopt the Code of Ethical Conduct and Standards of Professional Practice 9.
Hear and decide administrative cases (File a case to an architects).
 8. Prescribe guidelines for the Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
program.
9. Prepare syllabi of the subjects for examinations, prepare questions, administer,
correct and release results of licensure examination
10. Approve, issue, limit or cancel temporary or special permit to practice
architecture.
Section 9. Grounds for Suspension or Removal of Members of the Board.
11. Neglect of duty or incompetence
12. Violation of tolerance of the violation of this Act, or its implementing rules and
regulations or the Code of Ethical Conduct and Standards of Professional
Practice
13. Final judgment of crimes involving moral turpitude.
14. Manipulation or rigging of the architecture licensure examination results,
disclosure of secret and confidential information in the examination questions
prior to the conduct of the said examination or tampering of grades.

ARTICLE 3. EXAMINATION, REGISTRATION AND LICENSURE

Section 12. Examination Required. - All applicants for registration must take a licensure
examination.
Section 13. Qualifications of Applicant for Licensure Examination
1. Filipino citizen or a citizen of a foreign country qualified to take the
examination as provided for in this Act
2. Of good moral character
3. Graduate of Bachelor in Architecture and 2 years diversified architectural
experience certified by an Architect. Master's Degree - 1 yr.
4. Not been convicted of any criminal offensive involving moral turpitude.
Section 14. Subjects for Examination (3 Days of Board Exams)
1. History and Theory of Architecture; Principles of Planning and Architectural
Practice
2. Structural Design, Building Materials, and Architectural Specifications, and
Methods of
 Construction and Utilities
3. Urban Design and Architectural Interiors (Buildings laws specifically on
development controls)
4. Architectural Design and Site Planning.
Section 15. Rating 70% general average with no grade lower than 50%
Section 16. Report of Rating - within 30 calendar days
Section 17. Oath-successful examinees must take an oath.
Section 18. Issuance of certificates of Registration and professional
• Identification card: Certificare indicates mat me person ic entinea to the practice of
architecture unless withdrawn, suspended or revoked.
 • PRC card signed by an architect, legal cara to now people

Section 19. Roster of Architects – a roster showing the names and place of business of
all registered professinal architects shall be prepared and updated by the board and
copies of theoref shall be made available to any party as may be deemed necessary.

Section 20. Seal, Issuance and Use of Seal - registrant's name, registration number and
title "Architect", Architect must seal all architectural plans, drawings, specifications and all
other contract documents prepared by or under his her direct supervision.
1. Architect must obtain seal and stamp plans and specifications, Unlawful to seal if
certificate has expired or has been revoked.
2. Architectural plans and specifications not signed and sealed by an Architect shall
not be accepted in securing Building Permit.
3. Unlawful to sign and seal architectural plans and specifications prepared under
another Architect's supervision.
4. Drawings and specifications duly signed and sealed are the intellectual properties
of the Architect. Without Architect's consent. unlawful to copy for use in the
repetition of buildings.
5. All architectural plans, designs specifications, drawings and architectura
documents shall bear the seal and signature only of an Architect.

Section 21. Indication of Certificate of Registration/Professional

Identification Card and Professional Tax Receipt. - The architect shall be required to
indicate his/her Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card, its date of
issuance and the duration of validity, including the professional tax receipt number, on
the documents he/she signs, uses or issues in connection with the practice of his/her
profession.

Section 22. Refusal to Issue Certificate of Registration and Professional

Identification Card - shall not issue
Certificate and Card to person who: Falsely sworn or misrepresented himself in his
application Convicted by a court a criminal offense Guilty of immoral and dishonorable
conduct (Unsound mind).

Section 23. Suspension and Revocation of Certificates of Registration - grounds under

Section 22, use of fraud obtaining a certificate, gross negligence or incompetence,
unprofessional or dishonorable conduct such as:
1. Signed and sealed plans not prepared by him or under his direct supervision
2. Paid bribe to secure Certificate
3. falsely impersonated a practitioner, or former practitioner of alike or different name
4. Abetted in the practice of architecture any person not duly authorized to practice
architecture in the Philippines
5. Openly solicited projects by actually undertaking architectural services without a
valid service agreement or has allowed himself/herself to be exploited by
undertaking architectural services without a valid service agreement.
 6. Violated any provision of this Act, its implementing rules and regulations, the Code
of Ethical Conduct and Standards of Professional Practice.

Section 24. Re-issurance or Replacement of Revoked or Lost Certificates of Registration

Professional Identification Card or Special Temporary Permit – the board A new
Certificate and PRC (Professional Identification Card), special permit replace those which
have been lost, destroyed may be re-issued upon payment of the required fees.
➢ Professional Identification Card or special/temporary permit, and upon application
and for reasons deemed proper and sufficient, reinstate the validity of a revoked
Certificate of Registration and in so doing may, in its discretion, exempt the
applicant from taking another examination.

ARTICLE 4. PRACTICE OF ARCHITECTURE

Section 25. Registration of Architects Required. - No person shall practice architecture or
use the title architect unless he has received a Certificate of Registration and Professional
Identification Card.
➢ A foreign architect or any person not authorized to practice architecture in the
Philippines, who shall stay in the country and perform any of the activities
mentioned in Sections 3 and 4 shall be deemed engaged in the unauthorized
practice of architecture.

Section 26. Vested Rights - All architects register time this law takes effect shall
automatically be registered.

February 27, 2023 (Monday)

Section 27. Reciprocity Requirements. - A person who is not a citizen of the Philippines
at the time he/she applies to take the examination shall not be allowed to take the
licensure examination unless he/she can prove, in the manner provided by the Rules of
Court that, by specific provision of law, the country of which he/she is a citizen, subject or
national either admits citizens of the Philippines to the practice of the same profession
without restriction or allows them to practice it after passing an examination on terms of
strict and absolute equality with citizens, subjects or national of the country concerned,
including the unconditional recognition of prerequisite degrees/diplomas issued by the
institutions of learning duly recognized for the purpose by the Government of the
Philippines.

Section 28. Continuing Professional Development (CPD). - To promote public interest

and to safeguard life, health and property, all practicing architects shall maintain a
program of continuing professional organization shall have the responsibility of
developing a continuing professional development program for architects. Other entities
or organizations may become CPD providers upon accreditation by the Board.

Section 29. Prohibition in the Practice of Architecture and Penal Clause. - Any person
who shall practice or offer to practice architecture in the Philippines without being
registered/licensed and who are not holders of temporary or special permits in
accordance with the provisions of this Act, or any person presenting or attempting to use
as his/her own the Certificate of Registration/Professional Identification Card or seal of
another or temporary or special permit, or any person who shall give any false or forged
evidence o any kind to the Board or to any member thereof in obtaining a Certificate of
Registration/Professional Identification Card or temporary or special permit, or any person
who shall falsely impersonate any registrant of like or different name, or any person who
shall attempt to use a revoked or suspended Certificate of Registration/Professional
Identification Card or cancelled special/temporary permit, or any person who shall use in
connection with his/her name or otherwise assume, use or advertise any title or
description tending to convey the impression that he/she is an architect when he/she is
not an architect, or any person whether Filipino or foreigner, who knowingly allows the
use, adoption, implementation of plans, designs or specification made by any person,
firm, partnership or company not duly licensed to engage in the practice of architecture,
or any person who shall violate any of the provisions of this Act, its implementing rules
and regulations, the Code of Ethical Conduct and Standards of Professional Practice, or
any policy of the Board and the Commission, shall be guilty of misdemeanor and charged
in court by the Commission and shall, upon conviction be sentenced to a fine of not less
than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) but not more than Five Million pesos
(P5,000,000,00) or to suffer imprisonment for a period not less than six (6) months or not
exceeding six (6) years, or both, at the discretion of the Court.

Section 30. Prohibition in the Practice of Architecture. - Any person or entity, whether
public or private, Filipino or foreigner, who/which shall entice, compel, coerce, require or
otherwise force an architect registered and licensed under this Act to undertake/perform
any service under the general practice of architecture as defined under this Act, without
first executing a written contract/service agreement, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and
shall, upon conviction be sentenced to a fine of not less than Two hundred thousand
pesos (P200,000.00) or to suffer imprisonment for a period not exceeding six (6) years,
or both, at the discretion of the Court.

Section 31. Liability of Representatives of Non-Registered Persons. - It shall be unlawful

for any person or firm or corporation to seek to avoid the provisions of this Act by having
a representative or employee seek architectural work in their behalf, unless and until,
such persons have duly qualified and are duly registered/licensed, otherwise, both those
represented and representative, the employer and the employee shall be deemed guilty
of violation of this Act. Solicitation of architectural work shall be construed as offering to
practice architecture and shall be unlawful for any non-registered and unlicensed persons
to do so.

Section 32. Signing of Architectural Plans, Specifications and Other Contract Documents.
- It shall be unlawful for any architect to sign his/her name, affix his/her seal, or use any
other method of signature or architectural plans, specifications or other contract
documents made under another architect's supervision, unless the same is made in such
manner as to clearly indicate the part or parts of such work actually performed by the
former; and shall be unlawful for any person, except the Architect-of record shall be fully
responsible for all architectural plans, specifications, and other documents issued under
his/her seal or authorized signature.

The Board shall make all the necessary rules and regulations with regards to the signing
and sealing of drawings, specifications, reports, and other documents.

Section 33. Ownership of Plans, Specifications and other Contract Documents. -

Drawings and specifications and other contract documents duly signed, stamped or
sealed, as instruments of service, are the intellectual property and documents of thr
architect, whether the object for which they are made is executed or not. It shall be
unlawful for any person to duplicate or to make copies of said documents for use in the
repetition of and for other projects or buildings, whether executed partly or in whole,
without the written consent of architect or author of said documents.

All architects shall incorporate this provision in all contract documents and other
instruments of service.

Section 34. Non-Registered Person Shall Not Claim Equivalent Service. - Persons not
registered as an architect shall not claim nor represent either services or work as
equivalent to those of a duly qualified registered architect, or that they are qualified for
any branch or functions of function of architectural practice, even though no form of the
title "Architect" is used.

Section 35. Positions in Government Requiring the Services of Registered and Licensed
Architects. - Within (3) years from the effectivity of this Act, all existing and proposed
positions in the local and national government, whether career, permanent, temporary or
contractual and primarily requiring the services of an architect shall be filled only by
registered and licensed architects.

Section 36. Collection of Professional Fees. - It shall be unlawful for any unregistered
person to collect a fee for architectural services except as an employee collecting a fee
as representative of a Registered Architect.

Section 37. Limitation to the Registration of a Firm, Company, Partnership, Corporation

or Association. - The practice of architecture is a professional service, admission to which
shall be determined upon the basis of individual personal qualifications. However, a firm,
company, partnership, corporation or association may be registered or licensed as such
for the practice of architecture under the following conditions:

(a) Only Filipino citizens properly registered and licensed as architects under this Act may,
among themselves, or together with allied technical professionals, form and obtain
registration as a firm, company, partnership, association or corporation for the practice of
architecture;
(b) Registered and licensed architects shall compose at least seventy-five percent (75%)
of the owners, shareholders, members incorporators, directors, executive officers, as the
case may be;

(c) Individual members of such firm, partnership association or corporation shall be

responsible for their individual and collective acts as an entity and as provided by law;

(d) Such firm, partnership, association or corporation shall be registered with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and Board.

Section 38. Coverage of Temporary/Special Permits - Foreign nationals who have gained
entry in the Philippines to perform professional services as architects or consultants in
foreign-funded or assisted projects of the government or employed or engaged by Filipino
or foreign contractors or private firms, shall, before assuming the duties, functions and
responsibilities as architects or consultants, secure a special/temporary permit from the
Board subject to approval of the Commission. To practice his/her profession in connection
with the project to which he/she was commissioned: Provided, That a foreign national or
foreign firm, whose name or company name, with title architect, architectural consultant,
design consultant, consultant or designer appear on architectural plans, specifications
and other related construction documents, for securing buildings permits, licenses and
government authority clearances for actual building project construction in the Philippines
and advertisement and billboards for marketing purposes, shall be deemed practicing
architecture in the Philippines, whether the contract for professional services is
consummated in the Philippines or in a foreign country: Provided, further, That the
following conditions are satisfied as follows:

(a) That he/she is a citizen or subject of a country which specifically permits Filipino
professionals to practice his/her profession within their territorial limits, on the same basis
as the subjects or citizens of such foreign state or country;

(b) That he/she is legally qualified to practice architecture in his/her own country, and that
his/her expertise is necessary and advantageous to our country particularly in the aspects
of technology transfer and specialization;

(c) That foreign nationals shall be required to work with a Filipino counterpart and shall
also be responsible for public utilities and taxes due to the Philippine government, relative
to their participation in, or professional services rendered to the project, in accordance
with the established implementing rules and regulations providing for the procedure for
the registration and/or issuance of temporary/special permits to foreign architects allowed
by law to practice their profession in the Philippines by the Board of Architecture and the
accredited professional organization; and

(d) Agencies, organizations or individuals, whether public or private, who secure the
services of foreign professional authorized by law to practice in the Philippines for reasons
aforementioned, shall be responsible for securing a special permit from the Professional
Regulation Commission (PRC) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)
pursuant to PRC and DOLE rules.

Section 39. Liability Insurance of a Person or Entity Allowed to Practice under a

Temporary/Special Permit. - Foreign nationals, including former Filipinos wanting to
engage in the general practice of architecture as defined in Section 3 (c) of this Act must
secure locally their professional liability insurance or malpractice insurance or their
acceptable equivalent in bond form commensurate with the nature and magnitude of their
project involvement and their compensation the implementing rules and regulations for
such a requirement for practice shall be implemented by the Board in consultation with
the integrated and accredited professional organization of architects within six (6) months
from the effectivity of this Act.

ARTICLE V – FINAL PROVISIONS

Section 40. Integration of the Architecture Profession. - The Architecture profession shall
be integrated into one (1) national organization which shall be accredited by the Board,
subject to the approval by the Commission, as the integrated and accredited professional
organization of architects: Provided, however, That such an organization shall be
registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as a non-profit, non-stock
corporation to governed by by-laws providing for a democratic election of its officials. An
architect duly registered with the Board shall automatically become member of the
integrated and accredited professional organization of architects and shall receive the
benefits and privileges provided for in this Act upon payment of the required fees and
dues. Membership in the integrated and accredited professional organization of architects
shall not be a bar to membership in other associations of architects.

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 integrated and accredited professional organization, shall adopt and
promulgate such rules and regulations, Code of Ethical Conduct and Standards of
Professional Practice, to carry out the provisions of this Act and which shall be effective
fifteen (15) days following their publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) major daily
newspapers of general circulation.

Section 42. Appropriations. - The Chairperson of the Professional Regulation

Commission shall immediately include in the Commission programs the implementation
of this Act, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations
Act.

Section 43. Act Not Affecting Other Professionals. - This Act shall not be construed to
affect or prevent the practice of any other legally recognized profession.

Section 44. Enforcement of the Act. - It shall be the primary duty of the Commission and
the Board to effectively enforce the provision of this Act. All duly constituted law
enforcement agencies and officers of national, provincial, city or municipal government or
of any political subdivision thereof, shall, upon the call or request of the Commission or
the Board, render assistance in enforcing the provisions of this Act and to prosecute any
person violating the provisions of the same. The Secretary of Justice or his duly
designated representative shall act as legal adviser to the Commission and the Board
and shall render legal assistance as may be necessary in carrying out the provisions of
this Act.

Any person may bring before the Commission, Board or the aforementioned officers of
the law, cases of illegal practice or violations of this Act committed by any person or party.

The Board shall assist the Commission, Board or the aforementioned officers of the law,
cases of illegal practice or violations of this Act committed by any person or party.

The Board shall assist the Commission in filing the appropriate charges through the
concerned prosecution office in accordance with law and the Rules of Court.

Section 45. Separability Clause. - If any clause, provision, paragraph or part hereof shall
be declared unconstitutional or invalid, such judgment shall not affect, invalidate or impair
any other part hereof, but such judgment shall be merely confined to the clause, provision,
paragraph or part directly involved in the controversy in which such judgment has been
rendered.

Section 46. Repealing Clause. - Republic Act No. 545, as amended by Republic Act No.
1581 is hereby repealed and all other laws, orders, rules and regulations or resolutions
or part/s thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

Section 47. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen 15 (5) days following its
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
 Code of Ethics for Architects
THE ARCHITECT’S RESPONSIBILITIES
IN RELATION TO THE PEOPLE

1. STATEMENT: The Architect is engaged in a profession which carries with it civic responsibilities towards the
public, whether such responsibilities are the natural outcome of good citizenship or of his professional pursuit or
whether they partake of informative and educational matters or of his normal, good public relations.

1-a The Architect shall seek opportunities to be of co0nstructive service in civic and urban affairs
and to the best of his ability advance the safety, health and well-being of the people and the
community as well as the promotion, restoration or preservation of the general amenities and
other examples of historic and architectural heritage of the nation.

1-b The Architect shall promote the interest of his professional organization and do his full part of
the work to enhance the objectives and services of the organization. He should share in the
interchange of technical information and experience with the other design professions and the
building industry.

1-c The Architect as a good citizen shall abide and observe the laws and regulations of the
government and comply with the standards of ethical conduct and practice of the profession in
the Philippines. He shall at no time act in a manner detrimental to the best interest of the
profession.

1-d The Architect shall not use paid advertisement nor use self-laudatory, exaggerated or
misleading publicity. However, the presentation of factual materials, verbal or visual, of the
aims, standards and progress of the profession through literature or by industrious application
of his work and services which tend to dignify the professional or advance public knowledge of
the Architect’s function in society may be presented through any public communication media.

1-e The Architect shall not solicit nor permit to solicit in his name, advertisements or other support
towards the cost of any publication presenting his work. He should refrain from taking part in
paid advertisement endorsing any materials of construction or building equipment.

1-f The Architect shall not mislead the public through advertisements, signs or printed matter citing
his professional specializations unless such qualifications are well known facts or sanctioned by
professional consensus and years of experience.

THE ARCHITECT’S RESPONSIBILITIES

IN RELATION TO HIS CLIENT

2. STATEMENT: The Architect’s relation to his Client is depended upon good faith. To insure the continued
existence of such state of good relationship, the Architect’s position carries with it certain moral obligations to
his Client and to himself.

2-a The Architect may introduce to a prospective Client the professional services he is able to
perform provided it is limited to presentation of examples of his professional experience and
does not entail the offering of free preliminary sketches or other services without the benefit of
an agreement with the Client for legitimate compensation.
2-b The Architect shall acquaint or ascertain from the Client at the very inception of their business
relationship, the exact nature and scope of his services and the corresponding professional
charges.

2-c The Architect shall advise a Client against proceeding with any project whose practicability may
be questionable due to financial, legal or arresting or exigent conditions, even if such advice
may mean the loss of a prospective commission to the Architect.

2-d The Architect shall explain the conditional character of estimates other than estimates
submitted in the form of actual proposals by contractors and in no case shall be guarantee any
estimates or cost of the work. Neither shall he mislead his Client as to probable cost of the work
in order to secure a commission.

2-e The Architect shall consider the needs and stipulation of his Client and the effects of his work
upon the life and well-being of the public and the community as a whole, and to endeavor to
meet the aesthetic and functional requirements of the project commensurate with the Client’s
appropriation.
 2-f The Architect shall charge his Client for services rendered, a professional fee commensurate
with the work involved and with his professional standing and experience based upon the Basic
Minimum Fee prescribed under the “Standards of Professional Practice” of the “Architect’s
National Code”.
2-g The Architect shall not undertake, under a fixed contract sum agreement, the construction of
any project based on plans prepared by him. He may in certain cases, undertake the
construction of a project even when the plans were prepared by him provided it is undertaken in
conformity with the conditions set forth under sections covering “Construction Services”
“Comprehensive Services” or “Design-Build Services” of the document on “STANDARDS OF
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE.”

2-h The Architect shall be compensated for his services solely through his professional fee charged
directly to the Client. He shall not accept nor ask for any other returns in whatever form from
any interested source other than the Client.

2-i The Architect shall be free in his investments and business relations outside of his profession
from any financial or personal interests which tend to weaken and discredit his standing as an
unprejudiced and honest adviser, free to act in his Client’s best interests. If the Architect has
any business interest which will relate to, or affect the interest of his Client, he should inform his
Client of such condition or situation.
2-j The Architect shall include in his agreement with the Client a clause providing for arbitration as
a method for settlement of disputes.

THE ARCHITECT’S RESPONSIBILITIES

IN RELATION TO THE CONTRACTOR

3. STATEMENT: The Contractor depends upon the Architect to safeguard fairly his interests as well as those
of the Client.

3-a The Architect shall give the Contractor every reasonable aid to enable him to fully understand
the contents of the Contract Documents by furnishing clear, definite and consistent information
in all pertinent contract documents to avoid unnecessary mistakes that may involve extra costs
to the Contractor.

3-b The Architect shall not knowingly call upon the Contractor to correct or remedy oversights or
errors in the Contract Documents to the Contractor’s financial disadvantage.

3-c The Architect shall immediately upon his personal knowledge and inspection, reject or
condemn materials, equipment or workmanship which are not in conformity with the Contract
Documents in order not to cause unnecessary delay and additional expense to the Contractor.

3-d The Architect shall not, at any time or circumstance, accept free engineering services, or
receive any substantial aid, gifts, commissions, or favors from any Contractor or subcontractor
which will tend to place him under any kind of moral obligation.

3-e The Architect shall, upon request by the Contractor, promptly inspect each phase of the work
completed and if found according to the terms of the Contract Documents issue the
corresponding Certificates of Payment and the Final Certificate of Completion, respectively, to
the Contractor.

THE ARCHITECT’S RESPONSIBILITIES

IN RELATION TO MANUFACTURERS,
DEALERS, AND AGENTS.

4. STATEMENT: An exchange of technical information between Architects and those who supply and handle
building materials or equipment is necessary and therefore encouraged and commended. However;

4-a The Architect shall not avail or make use of engineering or other technical services offered by
manufacturers, or suppliers of building materials or equipment which may be accompanied by
an obligation detrimental to the best interest of the Client or which may adversely affect the
Architect’s professional opinion.

4-b The Architect shall not at any time receive commissions, discounts, fees, gifts or favors from
agents or firms handling building materials or equipment which may place him in a reciprocal
frame of mind. He may however, accept market discounts which shall be credited to the Client.
 THE ARCHITECT’S RESPONSIBILITIES
IN RELATION TO HIS COLLEAGUES
AND SUBORDINATES

5. STATEMENT: The Architect has moral responsibilities towards his profession, his colleagues and his
subordinates.

5-a The Architect shall not render professional services, without compensation except for small
civic or charity project. He shall neither offer nor provide preliminary services on a conditional
basis prior to definite agreement with the Client for the commission of the project.

5-b The Architect shall not knowingly compete with other Architects on the basis of differences of
professional charges, nor use donation as a device for obtaining competitive advantage except
for worthy civic or religious projects. Neither shall he submit solicited or unsolicited sketches or
drawings in competition with other Architects unless such competitive arrangements are
conducted substantially under the terms of the UAP Architectural Competition Code

5-c The Architect shall not under any circumstances nor through any means seek commissions
already known to him as previously endowed to another Architect, whether such endowment
has been definitely agreed upon or still in the process of negotiation.

5-d The Architect shall not, in any case, enter as a competitor in any Architectural Competition
when he has direct relations with the formulation of the Program thereof or when he has been
engaged to act as Professional Adviser or Juror for such competition. Neither shall the Architect
accept and act as professional adviser or juror in any architectural competition when he has
had any information or has reviewed or assisted in the preparation of any competition design
entered. Nor shall an Architect, retained as professional adviser in a competition, accept
employment as an Architect, retained as professional adviser in a competition, accept
employment as an Architect for that competition project except as Consulting Architect.

5-e The Architect shall not undertake a commission for which he knows another Architect has been
previously employed until he has notified such other Architect of the fact in writing and has
conclusively determined that the original employment has been terminated and has been duly
compensated for.

5-f The Architect shall not undertake a commission for additions, rehabilitation or remodeling of
any erected structure undertaken previously by another Architect without duly notifying him of
the contemplated project even when the Owner is no longer the same. When the greater mass,
area or design of the original structure is substantially maintained the new Architect should limit
his advertisement or claim only to the extent of the work done to the structure. Architects are
enjoined to preserve or restore as much as possible especially the few and remaining historic
examples of our architectural heritage affecting his phase of practice.

5-g The Architect shall not knowingly injure falsely or maliciously, the professional reputation,
prospects or practice of another Architect.

5-h The Architect shall refrain from associating himself with or allowing the use of his name by any
enterprise of doubtful character or integrity.

5-i The Architect shall not affix his signature and seal to any plans or professional documents
prepared by other persons or entities not done under his direct personal supervision.

5-j The Architect shall inspire the loyalty of his employees and subordinates by providing them with
suitable working conditions, requiring them to render competent and efficient services and
paying them adequate and just compensation therefore. He shall tutor and mentor the young
aspirants towards the ideals, functions, duties and responsibilities of the profession.

5-k The Architect shall unselfishly give his share in the interchange of technical information and
experience among his colleagues and young aspirants and do his part in fostering unity in the
fellowship of the profession.

5-l. He shall unselfishly give his time and effort to the advancement of the profession through his
active and personal commitment and involvement with the accredited professional organization
for architects.
WHEREAS R.A. No. 545, "An Act to Regulate the Practice of Architecture in the Philippines", requires the
examination, certification, and registration of qualified applicants for the practice of the architectural profession;

WHEREAS the same R.A. No. 545 delineates the various subjects to be covered in the examination for
licensure in architecture;

WHEREAS the Professional Regulation Commission has issued policies and directives in licensure
examinations:

(1) MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 8, Series of 1992, (2) Res. No. 265, Series of 1993, (3) MEMORANDUM
CIRCULAR
NO. 93-03, Series of 1993, and (4) MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 93-04, Series of 1993, all of which provide
for the adoption of a syllabus for every subject in the licensure examinations;

WHEREAS every adopted syllabus, which contains the various concepts, principles, and application thereof,
shall be the basis for the examination questions that will be inputted into the test question bank;

WHEREAS after consultation with the various schools of architecture in the Philippines, the Department of
Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), and the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP), the Board of
Architecture formulated a set of syllabi for the various examination subjects in architecture;

WHEREAS the Board of Architecture consulted the Council of Deans and the Heads of Architectural Schools of
the Philippines and the United Architects of the Philippines for the final adoption of the syllabi.

NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to its quasi-legislative (rule-making) power under Sec. 8, Art. I of R.A No. 545,
the Board hereby RESOLVED, as it now so RESOLVES, to adopt the syllabi, of the subjects in the Architecture
Licensure Examination appearing in Annex A.

FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution, upon its approval by the Commission, shall be effective after
fifteen (15) days following its publication in the Official Gazette or any newspaper of general circulation,
whichever is earlier.

FINALLY, RESOLVED, that this Resolution be disseminated to all recognized schools offering the course of
architecture and other concerned entities.

Done in the City of Manila, this 26th day of January 1995.

JOSE MACARIO B. DE LEON

Chairman

EDILBERTO F. FLORENTINO JOSEFINA M RAMOS

Member Member

Attested to:

CARLOS G. ALMELOR
Secretary, Regulatory Boards

Approved:

HERMOGENES P. POBRE
Commission Chairman

MARIANO A. MENDIETA ARMANDO C. PASCUAL

Associate Commissioner Associate Commissioner