News & TipsProfessional Regulatory Board of Electrical Engineering
Resolution No. 01, Series of 2020
Professional Regulatory Board of Electronics Engineering
Resolution No. 01, Series of 2020
Clarifying the Scope of Electrical and Electronics Engineering Practices
The Professional Regulatory Board of Electrical Engineering (PRB-EE) and the Professional Regulatory Board of Electronics Engineering (PRB-ECE), under the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), have jointly issued a resolution to delineate the scope of practice between Electrical Engineering and Electronics Engineering in accordance with their respective regulatory laws.
Legal Foundations
This resolution is based on:
- Republic Act No. 7920 (New Electrical Engineering Law) – Enacted on February 24, 1995, defining the scope of practice for electrical engineers.
- Republic Act No. 9292 (Electronics Engineering Law of 2004) – Enacted on April 17, 2004, governing the practice of electronics engineers.
Scope of Electrical Engineering Practice
Under RA 7920, electrical engineers are authorized to perform:
- Consultation, investigation, and management services requiring electrical engineering knowledge.
- Design and preparation of plans for electric power systems, distribution, transformers, substations, and building wiring.
- Supervision of installation, testing, and commissioning of electrical infrastructure.
- Operation, maintenance, and repair of electrical equipment, including power plants and industrial machinery.
- Teaching of electrical engineering subjects and overseeing the sale/distribution of electrical systems requiring engineering computations.
Scope of Electronics Engineering Practice
As defined by RA 9292, the practice of electronics engineers includes:
- Design, research, development, procurement, manufacturing, installation, and maintenance of electronic devices, systems, and networks.
- Telecommunications, ICT, broadcasting, robotics, avionics, and medical electronics.
- Administration, supervision, and regulatory compliance of electronics engineering activities.
- Teaching and training in electronics engineering subjects.
Addressing Perceived Overlaps in Professional Practice
Concerns regarding the Philippine Electrical Code (PEC) and its references to electronics engineering-related systems were raised, including:
- Fire alarm systems in electrical documents.
- Limitations on electronics systems installations.
- Regulations on fiber optics, CATV, and broadband communication systems.
Following discussions between the PRB-EE and PRB-ECE, it was determined that:
- The PEC should not be misconstrued as the governing law for defining professional practice.
- RA 7920 and RA 9292 remain the authoritative legal references for delineating the respective disciplines.
Resolution and Implementation
The regulatory boards jointly resolved that:
- The legal domain of each profession remains as defined under RA 7920 and RA 9292.
- Encroachments on either profession’s scope will be handled per the administrative and penal provisions of the respective laws.
- Professionals and stakeholders are encouraged to report unauthorized practice to the appropriate regulatory boards for investigation.
This resolution underscores the commitment of PRB-EE and PRB-ECE to uphold professional standards, ensuring compliance with national laws and protecting the integrity of both professions.
Official Signatories
This resolution was officially adopted on November 25, 2020, in Manila, signed by the PRB-EE and PRB-ECE chairpersons and members, and attested by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).
For further details, professionals and stakeholders may refer to the official publication of the resolution or contact the PRC and the Accredited Integrated Professional Organizations (AIPOs) of Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
