The Civil Engineering Professional Licensure Examination

Republic Act No. 544

(As Amended by R.A. 1582)

An Act to Regulate the Practice of Civil Engineering in the Philippines

ARTICLE I

Section 1. Title of Act.” This Act shall be known as the “Civil Engineering Law.”

Section 2. Definition of Terms.” (b) The term “civil engineer” as used in this act shall mean a person duly
registered with the Board for Civil Engineers in the manner as hereinafter provided.

ARTICLE III

EXAMINATION AND REGISTRATION

Section 8. Examination Requirement.” All applicants for registration for the practice of civil engineering
shall be required to pass a technical examination as hereinafter provided.

Section 9. Holding of Examination.” Examination of candidates desiring to practice civil engineering in

the Philippines shall be given in the City of Manila of each year, provided that such days do not fall on
official holidays, otherwise the examinations shall be held on the days next following.

Section 10. Subjects of Examination.” Applicants for certificate of registration as civil engineer shall be
examined, in the discretion of the Board, on the following subjects: mathematics, including algebra,
plane and spherical trigonometry, analytics, descriptive and solid geometry, differential and integral
calculus, and rational and applied mechanics; hydraulics; surveying, including highway and railroad
surveying; plane, topographic and hydrographic surveying, and advance surveying; design and
construction of highways and railroads, masonry structures, wooden and reinforced concrete buildings,
bridges, towers, walls, foundations, piers, ports, wharves, aqueducts, sanitary engineering works, water
supply systems, dikes, dams and irrigation and drainage canals.

The Civil Engineering Licensure Examination Syllabi

Section 4 of the Civil Engineering Law (Republic Act 544) provides among other things the power to the
Board of Examinees for Civil Engineers to discharge such other powers and duties as may affect the
ethical and technological standards of the Civil Engineering profession in the Philippines.

Section 10 enumerates the subjects in which the applicants for certificates of registration shall be
examined at the discretion of the Board; NOW THEREFORE, the Board of Civil Engineering, RESOLVED, as
it hereby RESOLVES, that the licensure examinations for Civil Engineering shall be in accord with the
following guidelines:

I. Preparation of Examination Questions and Problems.

The following shall be taken into consideration in the preparation of questions and problems:
 a. The areas covered by the examination shall be those included in the topics enumerated in the
syllabus for the particular subject. The examination questions in each subject shall be
comprehensive and well balanced in scope.
b. Questions and answers should relate to matters which are of general applicability in the civil
engineering practice in the Philippines.
c. Questions and answers shall be framed in a clear and concise manner taking into consideration
the degree or level of proficiency for each topic. Instructions or requirements should be clearly
stated.
d. The assigned weight and estimated time for each subject shall be indicated. Whenever
applicable, references shall be made to statements issued by:

a. The Board of Civil Engineering

b. The National Building Code of the Philippines

c. The National Structural Code of the Philippines

d. The National Standards Office

e. The National Water Resources Council

f. The Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers

g. The Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines. In areas not covered by Philippine
sources, references may also be made to the official pronouncement of authoritative standard
setting agencies in the United States (ACI, ASCE, ASHTO, NSC, and UBC), International Building
Officials (IBO), and the International Federation of Engineers (FIDIC) provided these
pronouncements are relevant to Philippine conditions.

e. Electronic and scientific calculators are allowed. However, programmable calculators and
pocket personal computers are not allowed and will be confiscated if brought to the
examination room.

III. CONDUCT OF THE EXAMINATIONS

Unless otherwise officially announced, the examinations shall be totally computerized. The Board shall
provide a minimum of 500 questions for each subject from which the computer of the Commission will
select at random on the day or a few days prior to the examination the questions to be given. The
number of questions for each subject shall not be less than 20 at 4 points each. The maximum number
of questions shall not be more than 100 at 1 point each. The examination shall be closed books and
notes. Examinees shall be given 10 computation and scratch sheets which must be submitted with the
answer sheets.

IV. CHANGES IN THE SYLLABI

The Syllabi can be changed from time to time only with the introduction of the new methods and
technology in civil engineering but not more than once every three years.
Section 12. Qualifications for Examination.” Any person applying for admission to the civil engineering
examination as herein provided shall, prior to the date of the examination, establish to the satisfaction
of the Board that he has the following qualifications:

a. Be at least twenty-one years of age;

b. Be a citizen of the Philippines;

c. Be of good reputation and moral character; and

d. Be a graduate of a four-year course in civil engineering from a school, institute, college or

university recognized by the Government or the State wherein it is established.