Can a corporation be licensed to practice civil engineering?

No. Only individuals can be licensed; firms, corporations, partnerships or associations cannot be licensed to practice civil engineering.

May licensed civil engineers form a firm to offer engineering services?

Yes. Licensed civil engineers may form a firm and register it using the term "Engineers," but the firm must consist only of licensed civil engineers or architects.

Can an architect join a civil engineering firm?

Yes, if the firm uses the name "Engineers and Architects" and the architect only performs architectural work, as defined for architects.

Are members of a civil engineering firm personally liable for their work?

Yes. Each member is responsible for his or her own acts.

When did RA 1582 become effective?

The act took effect upon its approval on June 16, 1956.

Can a non‑licensed person be a partner in a civil engineering firm?

No. Only duly licensed civil engineers or architects may be members or partners of such firms.

RA 1582 - Civil Engineering Law Amendments (1956)

Philippine lawLegal status not independently verified

In brief

AI summary. Verify against the source below.

RA 1582 repeals the old provision that allowed firms to be licensed for civil engineering and instead says only individuals can be licensed. Licensed civil engineers and architects may form firms, but only licensed members may join and each can only do work proper to their profession.

Who it affects: It applies to civil engineers, architects, and any firm, partnership, corporation or association that wishes to practice civil engineering in the Philippines.

Key provisions

Repeal of old rule. Section 1 repeals Section 24 of Republic Act No. 544. [Sec. 1]
Practice is personal. The practice of civil engineering is a professional service that depends on each person's qualifications. [Sec. 1]
No firm can be licensed. No firm, partnership, corporation or association may be registered or licensed to practice civil engineering. [Sec. 1]
Exception for firms of licensed professionals. Licensed civil engineers may, together with other licensed civil engineers or architects, form a firm and register it using the words "Engineers" or "Engineers and Architects". [Sec. 1]
Membership limited to licensed persons. Only duly licensed civil engineers or architects may be members or partners of such firms. [Sec. 1]
Scope of work per profession. Civil engineers in the firm may only perform work proper to civil engineers, and architects may only perform work proper to architects. [Sec. 1]
Individual responsibility. Each member of the firm is personally responsible for his or her own acts. [Sec. 1]
Effective date. The law takes effect as soon as it is approved, which was on June 16, 1956. [Sec. 2]

Common questions

Can a corporation be licensed to practice civil engineering?: No. Only individuals can be licensed; firms, corporations, partnerships or associations cannot be licensed to practice civil engineering. [Sec. 1]
May licensed civil engineers form a firm to offer engineering services?: Yes. Licensed civil engineers may form a firm and register it using the term "Engineers," but the firm must consist only of licensed civil engineers or architects. [Sec. 1]
Can an architect join a civil engineering firm?: Yes, if the firm uses the name "Engineers and Architects" and the architect only performs architectural work, as defined for architects. [Sec. 1]
Are members of a civil engineering firm personally liable for their work?: Yes. Each member is responsible for his or her own acts. [Sec. 1]
When did RA 1582 become effective?: The act took effect upon its approval on June 16, 1956. [Sec. 2]
Can a non‑licensed person be a partner in a civil engineering firm?: No. Only duly licensed civil engineers or architects may be members or partners of such firms. [Sec. 1]

REPUBLIC ACT No. 1582

An Act to Repeal and Replace Section Twenty-Four of Republic Act Numbered Five Hundred Forty-Four, Entitled "An Act to Regulate the Practice of Civil Engineering in the Philippines"

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippine Congress Assembled:

Section 1. Section twenty-four of Republic Act Numbered Five hundred forty-four is hereby repealed, and in lieu thereof, the said section shall provide as follows:

"Sec. 24. The practice of civil engineering is a professional service, admission to which must be determined upon individual, personal qualifications. Hence, no firm, partnership, corporation or association may be registered or licensed as such for the practice of civil engineering: Provided, However, That persons properly registered and licensed as civil engineers may, among themselves or with a person or persons properly registered and licensed as architects, form, and obtain registration of, a firm, partnership or association using the term "Engineers" or "Engineers and Architects," but, nobody shall be a member or partner of such firm, partnership or association unless he is a duly licensed civil engineer or architect, and the members who are civil engineers shall only render work and services proper for a civil engineer, as defined in this Act, and the members who are architects shall also only render work and services proper for an architect, as defined in the law regulating the practice of architecture; individual members of such firms, partnership or association shall be responsible for their own respective acts.

Section 2. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved: June 16, 1956.