reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 33 - Board of Examiners of Agronomists; Agronomists Association (§§ 621 — 663) › Subchapter I - Board of Examiners of Agronomists (§§ 621 — 633b) › § 633a - Agronomist class and specification

For all legal purposes, the agronomist (ag) class and specification shall be incorporated, which process shall transpire as follows:
(a) The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Human Resources Administration Office shall integrate the agronomist (ag) class specification into the Human Resources Administration System of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and notify all municipal governments, public corporations and Commonwealth agencies, so that the same be incorporated into the Classification and Compensation Plans by modification thereof.
(b) The Department of State, through a public notice, shall make public the agronomist (ag) class specification, for the same to be instituted in the private sector.
(c) The main and suppletory functions of the agronomist (ag) class shall be updated and recognized for employees of the public and the private sectors, pursuant to the provisions of the legislation in effect.
(d) Public and private institutions shall modify, update and recognize the essential specialized professional functions and the relative value of job positions proper to the class, pursuant to the provisions of legislation in effect.
History —Apr. 9, 1941, No. 20, p. 360, added as § 16 on Dec. 13, 2006, No. 265, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 33 - Board of Examiners of Agronomists; Agronomists Association (§§ 621 — 663) › Subchapter II - Agronomists Association (§§ 651 — 663) › § 651 - Creation

The professionals entitled to practice the profession of agronomy in Puerto Rico, provided that the majority of them so agree in a referendum which shall be held for the purpose, as hereinafter provided, are hereby constituted into an artificial entity or quasi-public corporation under the name of Agronomists Association of Puerto Rico, with domicile where the first assembly, specified in § 25 of this Act, may designate.
History —Apr. 9, 1941, No. 20, p. 360, § 15, renumbered as § 18 on Dec. 13, 2006, No. 265, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 33 - Board of Examiners of Agronomists; Agronomists Association (§§ 621 — 663) › Subchapter II - Agronomists Association (§§ 651 — 663) › § 652 - Powers

The Agronomists Association of Puerto Rico shall have power:
(a) To subsist in perpetuity under that name, and to sue and be sued as [a juridical] person.
(b) To possess and use a seal, which it can order at will.
(c) To acquire rights and properties, both personal and real, by donation, legacy, taxes on its own members, purchase, or otherwise; and to possess them, mortgage them, lease them, and dispose of them in any manner.
(d) To appoint its directors and functionaries or officials.
(e) To adopt its bylaws which shall be binding on all its members, as the assembly provided for in § 25 of this act may prescribe, and to amend them in the form and under the requirements established therein.
(f) To protect its members in the exercise of their profession and through the creation of pension funds, insurance systems and special funds or in any other manner to help those persons who retire due to physical disability or old age and the heirs or beneficiaries of deceased persons.
(g) To exercise such incidental powers as may be necessary or advisable for the purposes of its creation and are not in conflict with this chapter.
(h) To adopt or implement the rules of professional ethics which shall govern the conduct of the agronomists.
(i) To receive and investigate complaints lodged under oath, concerning the conduct of agronomists.
(j) To recommend fees, to serve as guidelines, for contracting the professional services of agronomists.
(k) To establish administrative mechanisms to better discharge its functions and represent its members by affiliating institutions and integrating committees.
No organization may be constituted with an equal or similar function to that of the Association. Nonpartisan societies or associations of agronomy professionals shall be registered as entities affiliated to the Association.
History —Apr. 9, 1941, No. 20, p. 360, § 16; June 21, 1971, No. 55, p. 180, § 5; renumbered as § 19 and amended on Dec. 13, 2006, No. 265, § 10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 33 - Board of Examiners of Agronomists; Agronomists Association (§§ 621 — 663) › Subchapter II - Agronomists Association (§§ 651 — 663) › § 652a - Institutional duties

(a) To participate, when so required, in councils or consultant bodies at government level, concerning matters under its professional competency, as well as to foster, promote and publicize the improvement of the practice of agronomy and its continual progress.
(b) To participate, when so required, in the preparation of study plans and collaborate with the learning centers corresponding to the profession.
(c) Assume, within its scope, the representation and defense of the agronomy profession before entities and individuals, when it is understood that institutional professional interests are being affected. To exercise the right to petition, pursuant to the law.
(d) Provide courts and individuals with easy access to the those [sic] Association members that could be necessary to intervene as experts in judicial matters.
(e) To order, within the scope of its competency, the professional activities of Association members, overseeing observance of professional ethics and dignity and of due respect of the rights of individuals, and to exercise disciplinary power in the profession and in the Association.
(f) To organize and offer common activities and services of a professional or technical, cultural or analogous nature that are of interest for Association members of the various specializations of the profession.
(g) To seek harmony, collaboration, fellowship among Association members, by hindering unfair competition among them. To establish an institutional relationship with analogous international associations or societies, pursuant to the applicable reciprocity and courtesy rules.
(h) To adopt measures leading to preventing the entry of unqualified persons into the profession.
(i) To intervene, by means of conciliation or arbitration, in questions which may arise among Association members due to professional motives.
(j) Whichever other functions serve to benefit the general interests of agronomy professionals and to further the improvement of the quality of life for citizens in general.
(k) To take the appropriate, necessary and convenient measures under the law to enforce the duties mentioned herein.
(l) To propitiate the preservation of agricultural high-yield land, overseeing the safety in food supplies and the conservation of natural resources.
History —Apr. 9, 1941, No. 20, p. 360, added as § 20 on Dec. 13, 2006, No. 265, § 11.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 33 - Board of Examiners of Agronomists; Agronomists Association (§§ 621 — 663) › Subchapter II - Agronomists Association (§§ 651 — 663) › § 653 - Membership required for practice

After the first meeting of the directorate of the association is held, no person who is not a member of the association can practice the profession of agronomy in Puerto Rico; and if he practices it, he shall be subject to the penalties prescribed in § 633 of this title.
History —Apr. 9, 1941, No. 20, p. 360, § 17, renumbered as § 21 on Dec. 13, 2006, No. 265, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 33 - Board of Examiners of Agronomists; Agronomists Association (§§ 621 — 663) › Subchapter II - Agronomists Association (§§ 651 — 663) › § 654 - Qualifications for membership

All persons admitted to practice the profession of agronomy in Puerto Rico under the provisions of this chapter and who perform the duties fixed herein shall be members of the Agronomists Association.
History —Apr. 9, 1941, No. 20, p. 360, § 18, renumbered as § 22 on Dec. 13, 2006, No. 265, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 33 - Board of Examiners of Agronomists; Agronomists Association (§§ 621 — 663) › Subchapter II - Agronomists Association (§§ 651 — 663) › § 654a - Roster

The Association shall also keep an Agronomists Roster of individuals authorized to practice the agronomy profession, which shall contain an account, with correlative numbering, of the certifications conferred by the Board. This Roster shall include:
(a) The name, physical and mailing address, and telephone number of the registered professional;
(b) the date on which he/she applied for Association membership;
(c) the dates on which the Examining Board approved his/her application;
(d) the number of his/her license;
(e) his/her higher studies, academic degrees, specialization and experience, when applicable, and
(f) continuing education courses taken.
Agronomists must notify the Association of any change in any of these items within thirty (30) days following said change.
History —Apr. 9, 1941, No. 20, p. 360, added as § 23 on Dec. 13, 2006, No. 265, § 12.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 33 - Board of Examiners of Agronomists; Agronomists Association (§§ 621 — 663) › Subchapter II - Agronomists Association (§§ 651 — 663) › § 655 - Organization

The Agronomists Association of Puerto Rico shall be governed first, by its general assembly and, second, by its directorate.
History —Apr. 9, 1941, No. 20, p. 360, § 19, renumbered as § 24 on Dec. 13, 2006, No. 265, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 33 - Board of Examiners of Agronomists; Agronomists Association (§§ 621 — 663) › Subchapter II - Agronomists Association (§§ 651 — 663) › § 656 - Composition of directorate

The directorate shall be composed as the general assembly may determine and shall be designated thereby.
History —Apr. 9, 1941, No. 20, p. 360, § 20, renumbered as § 25 on Dec. 13, 2006, No. 265, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 33 - Board of Examiners of Agronomists; Agronomists Association (§§ 621 — 663) › Subchapter II - Agronomists Association (§§ 651 — 663) › § 657 - Bylaws

The bylaws of the association shall prescribe whatever has not been prescribed herein, including whatever concerns the functions, duties and proceedings of all its organizations and officials, calls, meeting of the directorate, election of directors and officials, standing committees, budget, expenditure of funds and disposal of property of the association, terms of all positions and declaration of vacancies and method of filling them.
History —Apr. 9, 1941, No. 20, p. 360, § 21, renumbered as § 26 on Dec. 13, 2006, No. 265, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 33 - Board of Examiners of Agronomists; Agronomists Association (§§ 621 — 663) › Subchapter II - Agronomists Association (§§ 651 — 663) › § 658 - Fees

Each year, every active member of the Agronomist’s Association shall pay a fee on the date, the installments, and conditions established through regulations. A change in the amount of the fee may be fixed provided it is approved by a majority of at least two thirds (2 / 3) of the regular annual assembly of the Agronomist’s Association of Puerto Rico. The minimum quorum required to change the amount of the fee shall be established through regulations and a calculation necessary to determine quorum shall take into account the total number of members of the Association; Provided, That at no time shall this number be less than two hundred (200) members.
History —Apr. 9, 1941, No. 20, p. 360, § 22; June 20, 1962, No. 59, p. 129; June 21, 1971, No. 55, p. 180, § 6; Aug. 6, 1999, No. 216, § 1; renumbered as § 27 on Dec. 13, 2006, No. 265, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 33 - Board of Examiners of Agronomists; Agronomists Association (§§ 621 — 663) › Subchapter II - Agronomists Association (§§ 651 — 663) › § 658a - Ethical professional conduct

The Agronomists Association shall oversee observance of the Professional Ethics Code that shall govern the conduct of such professionals. The Association is hereby empowered to establish by regulation the mechanisms it deems appropriate to receive, investigate and question witnesses in relation to complaints lodged concerning the practice and conduct of members in the practice of the profession. Furthermore, the Association shall consider the violations of this chapter and of the Code of Ethics established, investigate cases and determine the course of action. After having offered the interested party or his/her representative the due process of law, the Directive Council of the Association shall resolve pursuant to regulations. In those cases in which grounds are found, it may impose sanctions as pertinent, as well as institute the corresponding procedure for the suspension or cancellation of the license before the Board. In such cases, the Association shall bring and sustain charges.
History —Apr. 9, 1941, No. 20, p. 360, added as § 28 on Dec. 13, 2006, No. 265, § 13.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 33 - Board of Examiners of Agronomists; Agronomists Association (§§ 621 — 663) › Subchapter II - Agronomists Association (§§ 651 — 663) › § 659 - Suspension for nonpayment of dues

Any member who fails to pay his/her dues and who in all other respects is classified as an associate member shall be suspended as such, and his/her case shall be referred to the Board to hear the case and for the suspension and/or cancellation of the license. Provided, That he/she may be reinstated as a member of the Agronomists Association of Puerto Rico and his/her license restituted by means of the payment of the amount owed at the time the same was suspended and/or cancelled.
The Association shall issue a certification attesting to the nonpayment of the annual dues before the Board, which certification shall constitute a determination of fact, sufficient for the Board to take the pertinent action.
In cases involving suspension, the Association shall conduct the corresponding investigation. Once suspension as member of the Association has been decreed, the provisions of § 653 of this title shall apply. As of that moment, the party thus charged may not enjoy or benefit in any way from benefits, activities, or others, provided for agronomy professionals. In these cases, the Association shall submit a report to serve as a complaint before the Board, attesting that the party thus charged had been granted the due process of notice. After this, the Board shall initiate the corresponding cancellation mechanisms. In the cases of license cancellation or revocation, the party thus charged shall be under the obligation to meet payment of the amount owed and corresponding surcharges, in which case the norms of law in effect shall apply and shall be considered as a new license application.
History —Apr. 9, 1941, No. 20, p. 360, § 23; June 21, 1971, No. 55, p. 180, § 7; renumbered as § 29 and amended on Dec. 13, 2006, No. 265, § 14.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 33 - Board of Examiners of Agronomists; Agronomists Association (§§ 621 — 663) › Subchapter II - Agronomists Association (§§ 651 — 663) › § 660 - Cancellation of stamp

It shall be the duty of every agronomist to affix to any official document prepared by him/her, a stamp which the Association shall adopt and issue in the amount of fifty cents ($0.50), which document shall have no legal standing until the aforementioned stamp is affixed thereto. No Government agency, dependency or instrumentality, or court of justice, municipality or corporation of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico shall accept official documents not bearing the corresponding cancellation of the affixed stamp, with his/her seal, signature, and license number.
For the purposes of this chapter, an official document shall be deemed to be any report concerning the rendering of professional services, such as advising, counseling, capacity building, training, teaching, demonstrating, researching, exploring, testing, planning, managing, appraising, pricing, selling, financing, supervising, inspecting, and certifying with regard to public or private services rendered in agriculture or the development of agriculture-related businesses, products, equipment and services; the use of pesticides and weed killers to fight insects and weeds in farms, homes, industries, public thoroughfares or sites, and any other places, to be written in the form of a certification upon which the agronomist shall affix his/her signature, his/her license number and the seal. Through this seal, the Agronomist assumes responsibility for his/her work and guarantees that the process followed in the formulation of said document is compatible with the principles that are generally accepted in the profession.
Any report, expert opinion and other acts proper to Agronomists shall be ruled to be null and void or illegal when issued by persons who are not members of this Association.
It shall be the responsibility of the Agronomists Association of Puerto Rico to inform the agronomists and their employers which reports shall be prepared as certificates. Likewise, it shall be the responsibility of all agronomists to keep a Certification Register. The Association and the Board are hereby empowered to establish the pertinent regulations to that effect.
In the case of those agronomists who are full-time employees and receive a fixed salary either from the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, its agencies, dependencies, instrumentalities, municipalities, or from the private sector, and who, therefore, do not generate income based upon the number of services rendered, the stamps required by this chapter shall be defrayed by said employers.
History —Apr. 9, 1941, No. 20, p. 361, added § 24 [second] on Aug. 5, 1993, No. 42, § 1; renumbered as § 30 and amended on Dec. 13, 2006, No. 265, § 15.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 33 - Board of Examiners of Agronomists; Agronomists Association (§§ 621 — 663) › Subchapter II - Agronomists Association (§§ 651 — 663) › § 661 - Sale of stamps

(a) The Secretary of the Treasury is hereby directed to sell through the Internal Revenue Collectors’ Offices of the Commonwealth, the stamps issued by the Agronomists Association of Puerto Rico pursuant to this chapter.
(b) The Agronomists Association of Puerto Rico shall provide the Secretary of the Treasury, from time to time, with a sufficient number of stamps for the sale thereof, and the Secretary of the Treasury shall liquidate and reimburse to said Association each month the total proceeds of the sale thereof; Provided, That until the liquidation and reimbursement of the total value of the stamps delivered to the Secretary of the Treasury has been verified, both the proceeds of the stamps sold, and the stamps which have not been sold, shall be deemed, for all purposes, to be of the same nature and condition as assets of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in custody of the Secretary of the Treasury.
History —Apr. 9, 1941, No. 20, p. 361, added as § 25 [second] on Aug. 5, 1993, No. 42, § 1; renumbered as § 31 on Dec. 13, 2006, No. 265, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 33 - Board of Examiners of Agronomists; Agronomists Association (§§ 621 — 663) › Subchapter II - Agronomists Association (§§ 651 — 663) › § 662 - Sanctions and penalties

Every agronomist shall cancel this stamp, pursuant to §§ 660 and 661 of this title, on any document prepared or authorized by him/her, which shall bear his/her signature and license number, or in its stead, the stamp with the name, license number and seal.
To that effect, the Association shall establish regulations to formalize monitoring mechanisms to ensure compliance with the processes described above, regulations, revision processes and penalties for noncompliance.
Any agronomist who violates §§ 660 and 661 of this title and who, in the course of monitoring, alternate and/or subsequent procedures, does not correct the deficiencies brought to his/her attention or whose activity shows continuity in violations, shall be under the obligation to pay to the Association a penalty which shall never be greater than one hundred dollars ($100) per violation. In case of recurring noncompliance, the Association may cancel or suspend any license issued under this chapter or admonish the license holder, after having notified the interested party and given him/her the opportunity to be heard.
In those cases in which the employer fails to comply with the obligation imposed under § 660 of this title, the Board may impose a fine of not less than five hundred dollars ($500) nor greater than five thousand dollars ($5,000).
History —Apr. 9, 1941, No. 20, p. 361, added as § 26 [second] on Aug. 5, 1993, No. 42, § 1; renumbered as § 32 and amended on Dec. 13, 2006, No. 265, § 16.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 33 - Board of Examiners of Agronomists; Agronomists Association (§§ 621 — 663) › Subchapter II - Agronomists Association (§§ 651 — 663) › § 663 - Civil immunity

The members of the Board, the Directive Council of the Association and the members of those elected committees created by the Association, shall enjoy civil immunity in terms of liability, when they act in the discharge of the functions and obligations under this chapter and the regulations adopted thereunder.
History —Apr. 9, 1941, No. 20, p. 360, added as § 33 on Dec. 13, 2006, No. 265, § 17.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 35 - Board of Examiners of Engineers, Architects, Surveyors and Landscape Architects (§§ 681 — 711z) › § 711 - General principles

The purpose of §§ 711—711z of this title is to regulate the practice of engineering, architecture, surveying and landscape architecture in Puerto Rico, providing, among other things, for the registration and licensing of the persons qualified as such and for the certification of engineers and surveyors in training and associate, and of architects and landscape architects in training.
In order to protect lives, health and property, and foster the public welfare in general, any person who practices, or offers to practice the professions of engineer, architect, surveyor or landscape architect in the public sector or in private enterprises in Puerto Rico, shall be bound to present certifying evidence that he/she is authorized pursuant to §§ 711—711z of this title to exercise the profession of engineer, architect, surveyor or landscape architect in Puerto Rico, that he/she is registered in the official Register of the Board and that he/she is an active member of the College of Engineers and Surveyors of Puerto Rico or the College of Architects and Landscape Architects of Puerto Rico, as the case may be.
History —Aug. 12, 1988, No. 173, p. 797, § 2; Dec. 26, 1997, No. 185, § 2; Dec. 7, 2007, No. 180, § 1, eff. Dec. 31, 2007.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 35 - Board of Examiners of Engineers, Architects, Surveyors and Landscape Architects (§§ 681 — 711z) › § 711c-1 - Professional Revalidation [Evaluation] Committee

The Board of Examiners of Engineers and Surveyors shall create a Professional Revalidation [Evaluation] Committee, made up of members of its Board of Examiners for the drafting of a professional revalidation for computer engineers.
Said Committee shall submit to the Board of Examiners of Engineers and Surveyors, where there shall be a computer engineer, a professional revalidation bill for computer engineers no later than six (6) months after this act becomes effective, for evaluation and future administration. Provided, That those computer engineers who have already graduated shall be granted the license, if they can prove that they have five (5) years or more of experience and that they have passed the general revalidation examination.
History —Aug. 12, 1988, No. 173, p. 797, added as § 5-A on July 25, 2000, No. 138, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 35 - Board of Examiners of Engineers, Architects, Surveyors and Landscape Architects (§§ 681 — 711z) › § 711c-2 - Powers

The Board shall have the power to:
(a) Possess and use a seal, which may be altered at its will.
(b) To adopt and promulgate any rules, and regulations deemed necessary to implement §§ 711—711z of this title; to comply with its duties under the latter; to establish the form and manner for the standard evaluation of the experience of professionals in training who apply for certification based upon experience as associate engineers or surveyors, as the case may be; to establish those continuing professional education requirements deemed necessary for renewing professional licenses or certificates; and to establish the procedures for handling matters, provided these rules and regulations are not incompatible with the laws in effect, the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the laws and treaties approved by the United States of America.
In the promulgation and adoption of its regulations, the Board shall comply with the provisions of §§ 2101 et seq. of Title 3, known as the “Uniform Administrative Procedure Act”. Likewise it shall notify all professional colleges in writing of every transaction or effort made to such effect.
(c) Resort, motu proprio or through the Secretary of Justice, to any Part of the Court of First Instance to enforce the provisions of §§ 711—711z of this title or of the regulations promulgated pursuant thereto. The Secretary of Justice shall provide, at the request of the Board, the legal assistance needed to accomplish said purposes.
(d) Order the appearance and testimony of witnesses and require the presentation of any papers, books, documents or other evidence deemed necessary for the purposes of its investigation, for the fulfillment of its functions and the duties imposed by §§ 711—711z of this title.
Should a duly summoned witness fail to appear to testify or to present the evidence required, or should he/she refuse to answer any question with regard to any study or investigation conducted pursuant to the provisions of §§ 711—711z of this title, the Board may resort, on its own or through the Secretary of Justice, to any Part of the Court of First Instance of Puerto Rico and require its assistance in obtaining the testimony of the witness or the production of the evidence required, as the case may be. The Secretary of Justice shall provide the legal assistance needed to accomplish the purpose thereof at the request of the Board.
History —Aug. 12, 1988, No. 173, p. 797, added as § 6 on Dec. 26, 1997, No. 185, § 6; Dec. 7, 2007, No. 180, § 4, eff. Dec. 31, 2007.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 35 - Board of Examiners of Engineers, Architects, Surveyors and Landscape Architects (§§ 681 — 711z) › § 711c-3 - Immunity from civil liability

The members of the Board of Examiners of Engineers, Architects, Surveyors and Landscape Architects, of the Governing Boards of the College of Architects and Landscape Architects, and the College of Engineers and Surveyors, and of those commissions created by said Governing Boards or by said Colleges, shall be immune from civil liability when performing their powers and obligations granted by §§ 711—711z of this title in support of the Board of Examiners or their respective colleges. They shall also enjoy immunity from civil liability, as established in §§ 711—711z of this title, provided these functions are related to the implementation of administrative procedures or the procedures for handling complaints on ethics delegated to the professional colleges.
History —Aug. 12, 1988, No. 173, p. 797, added as § 7 on Dec. 26, 1997, No. 185, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 35 - Board of Examiners of Engineers, Architects, Surveyors and Landscape Architects (§§ 681 — 711z) › § 711d - Minutes and archives

The Board shall keep a book of the minutes of all details of its meetings, its procedures, decisions and resolutions. It shall likewise organize its archives in such a way that all its documents, files and accounts [are] kept in accordance with §§ 1001—1013 of Title 3.
History —Aug. 12, 1988, No. 173, p. 797, § 6, renumbered as § 8 on Dec. 26, 1997, No. 185, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 35 - Board of Examiners of Engineers, Architects, Surveyors and Landscape Architects (§§ 681 — 711z) › § 711e - Examinations

The Board shall offer licensure examinations at least once a year to determine the capacity of every applicant who meets the requirements established in this §§ 711–711z of this title for the issuing of certificates or licenses to practice the profession of engineer, surveyor, architect or landscape architect, as the case may be.
Any person who does not pass the licensure examination on the first attempt shall have the opportunity to retake said examination five (5) months after the date of the first examination. Those persons who fail on two (2) consecutive occasions shall be entitled to retake the examination, provided they meet the requirements established by the Board in its regulations for such purposes. Engineers and surveyors shall take both the fundamentals and the principles and practice exams.
The Board may offer the fundamentals exams to engineering or surveying students who need fewer than thirty-two (32) credit hours to complete graduation requirements. The pertinent procedure shall be established in the regulations of the Board.
The engineering, surveying, architecture and landscape architecture examinations shall be conducted in accordance with the rules established by the Board and shall include those matters, subjects and skills it may deem convenient for evaluation purposes.
The regulations of the Board shall provide for the applicant to receive an orientation, prior to appearing for the examination, that will familiarize him/her with the revalidation procedure, the norms that govern its administration, the type of examination and the method of evaluation thereof. To such effect, the Board shall prepare and publish a handbook containing the above information and shall make copies available to the persons allowed to take the revalidation examination upon the payment of a ten-dollar ($10) Internal Revenue voucher.
The Board may revise the cost of this revalidation handbook from time to time, based on the expense incurred in its preparation and publication, but the amount to be charged shall not exceed the real cost of such expense.
The Board shall adopt standards to guarantee that those persons who fail any revalidation examination have the right to examine their answer sheet, receive a breakdown of the points obtained per question, discipline or subject matter, as the case may be, and request the reconsideration of the grade obtained in their examination. The type and form of the examination shall be according to the provisions of the regulations of the Board.
History —Aug. 12, 1988, No. 173, p. 797, § 7, renumbered as § 9 and amended on Dec. 26, 1997, No. 185, § 9; Aug. 20, 2012, No. 190, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 35 - Board of Examiners of Engineers, Architects, Surveyors and Landscape Architects (§§ 681 — 711z) › § 711f - Register

The Board shall also maintain an official register containing a list with the correlated numbers of the licenses granted to authorize the practice of the professions of licensed engineer, architect, surveyor and landscape architect; a second list, likewise containing the correlated numbers of the certificates granted to engineers, architects, landscape architects and surveyors in training or associates; a third list of those professionals who due to their retirement from the practice of their profession have chosen to inactivate their license or certificate but who, pursuant to the provisions of § 711g-1 of this title, have requested from and been granted by the Board, the title of retired licensed, associate or in training engineer, surveyor, landscape architect or architect.
This Register shall include:
(a) The name and residential and mailing address of the professional registered therein.
(b) The date of the application.
(c) The profession to which he/she belongs.
(d) The number of his/her certificate or license.
(e) The examinations taken and passed.
(f) Evaluation of training and experience, where applicable.
(g) Dates on which the Board has taken the corresponding action regarding the application.
(h) Any other information the Board may deem pertinent.
History —Aug. 12, 1988, No. 173, p. 797, § 8, renumbered as § 10 and amended on Dec. 26, 1997, No. 185, § 10; Dec. 7, 2007, No. 180, § 5, eff. Dec. 31, 2007.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 35 - Board of Examiners of Engineers, Architects, Surveyors and Landscape Architects (§§ 681 — 711z) › § 711g-1 - Retired engineer, architect, surveyor or landscape architect

Any licensed or in training professional or associate, who because of his/her retirement from the practice of his/her profession wishes to inactivate his/her license or certificate but who wishes to continue enjoying all other benefits granted by said condition, including that of membership in the College, shall file a sworn application with the Board, should he/she not apply personally, in which he/she must provide evidence of his/her retirement from the practice of his/her profession and of his/her desire to remain enrolled in the Register of the Board as retired engineer, architect, surveyor or landscape architect, as the case may be. The Board, after verifying the contents of said application, shall proceed to inactivate the license or certificate of the professional concerned and in its place shall proceed to enroll the applicant in the Register of Retired Professionals.
Said enrollment and registration does not authorize the retired professional to practice his/her profession, although the latter may continue using the title of engineer, surveyor, architect or landscape architect, as the case may be, adding the word “retired” after the same, and may also retain his/her membership in his/her professional College by faithfully complying with the laws governing said College, which shall adjust his/her dues so as to take into consideration his/her status as retired professional, and of the regulations promulgated pursuant to the same.
History —Aug. 12, 1998, No. 173, p. 797, added as § 12 on Dec. 26, 1997, No. 185, § 12; Dec. 7, 2007, No. 180, § 7, eff. Dec. 31, 2007.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 35 - Board of Examiners of Engineers, Architects, Surveyors and Landscape Architects (§§ 681 — 711z) › § 711h - Issuance of license

Any person who meets the licensing requirements established in §§ 711—711z of this title and in its regulations, shall be enrolled in the register which the Board shall maintain for such purposes, and the latter shall issue the corresponding license authorizing the licensed engineer, architect, surveyor or landscape architect to practice his/her profession, as the case may be, pursuant to the scope established in § 711b of this title.
Any license issued by the Board shall bear the full name of the person to whom it is issued, and its corresponding serial number and date of issue and expiration, and it shall be signed by the Chairperson of the Board and the Secretary of State or his/her representative, under the seal of the Board.
History —Aug. 12, 1988, No. 173, p. 797, § 10, renumbered as § 13 and amended on Dec. 26, 1997, No. 185, § 13.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 35 - Board of Examiners of Engineers, Architects, Surveyors and Landscape Architects (§§ 681 — 711z) › § 711i - Issuing of certificates

Any person who meets the requirements established in §§ 711—711z of this title and its regulations to be certified as engineer, surveyor, architect, or landscape architect in training or associate, as the case may be, shall be entered in the register kept by the Board to such effects, which shall issue a certificate to him/her accrediting him/her as an engineer, architect or surveyor in training or associate, as the case may be.
Every certificate issued by the Board shall bear the full name of the person to whom it is issued, the serial number of his/her certificate, the issue and expiration date of the certificate and the signatures of the Chairperson of the Board and the Secretary of State or his/her authorized representative, under the Seal of the Board.
History —Aug. 12, 1988, No. 173, p. 797, § 11, renumbered as § 14 and amended on Dec. 26, 1997, No. 185, § 14; Dec. 7, 2007, No. 180, § 8, eff. Dec. 31, 2007.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 35 - Board of Examiners of Engineers, Architects, Surveyors and Landscape Architects (§§ 681 — 711z) › § 711j - Examination, reexamination, certificate and licensing fees

The fees to be paid for issuing certificates or licenses, due to the inactivity, renewal or reactivation of the same, and for the examinations and reexaminations required in §§ 711—711z of this title, shall be those that the Board shall determine from time to time and through regulations, taking into account the existing costs and the laws and regulations that may apply. The Board shall carry out a public hearings process as provided by §§ 2101 et seq. of Title 3, known as the “Uniform Administrative Procedure Act”, every time it decides to change the fees to be paid.
The fees established through regulations shall be paid through an internal revenue voucher upon filing the application for a certificate, license or examination, as the case may be, with the Board.
The Board shall not return any amount of money to the applicant who fails his/her examination or desists from his/her application.
The application for a license or a certificate shall be made on the forms furnished by the Board for such purpose, on which there shall be adequate blank spaces for the applicant to enter his/her personal data, the information concerning his/her academic education, experience, if any, and the persons whom the Board may ask for references of the applicant.
The fees collected for the services of the Boards regulated herein shall be separated by the Treasury Department through an account with the figures for the income of the Examination Board, using adequate accounting methods, to be used thereby in the financing of their respective budgets.
History —Aug. 12, 1988, No. 173, p. 797, § 12, renumbered as § 15 and amended on Dec. 26, 1997, No. 185, § 15; Mar. 27, 1999, No. 104, § 1; Dec. 7, 2007, No. 180, § 9, eff. Dec. 31, 2007.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 35 - Board of Examiners of Engineers, Architects, Surveyors and Landscape Architects (§§ 681 — 711z) › § 711k - Seals

Any professional who holds a license issued by the Board shall affix a specially designed seal or stamp approved by the Board, should it be required, on every graphic or written professional document issued or authorized by him/her, including specifications, mensurations, reports, designs, plans and other similar documents, whether prepared for the Government or the private sector. Said seal or stamp shall bear the full name of the professional, the profession he/she practices, his/her condition as a licensee, the number of his/her license and the inscription “Puerto Rico”. The professional shall also sign the document concerned in his/her own hand. It shall be illegal to sign, seal or stamp any document with said seal and signature during the term of suspension or inactivity of a license and after the date of expiration or permanent cancellation thereof. For all legal purposes said seal shall be deemed to be a public seal authorized by §§ 711—711z of this title.
On affixing the seal and signature on any document of this type, the professional certifies that said work was performed by him/her or that its technical phase was under his/her control and supervision. The performance of said work shall not be interpreted to be of a restrictive nature, since it is acknowledged that professional endeavors may be based on, and/or include elements or details involving the workmanship of others or library or data base research not directly produced by the professional.
When filing plans, each particular sheet shall be sealed and signed by the professional or professionals who participated in their preparation. In the case of those professionals who render services through a partnership, or through a professional corporation, each sheet shall be sealed and signed by the professionals who participated in its preparation and in addition, the person responsible for the case shall sign and seal the first page or title page of the same. The Board shall determine the manner in which the cybernetic and digitalized signatures and seals shall be accepted so as to comply with this section.
History —Aug. 12, 1988, No. 173, p. 797, § 13, renumbered as § 16 and amended on Dec. 26, 1997, No. 185, § 16.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 35 - Board of Examiners of Engineers, Architects, Surveyors and Landscape Architects (§§ 681 — 711z) › § 711n - Certificates or licenses—Denial, suspension, revocation or cancellation

The Board may deny, suspend, revoke or cancel the license or certificate of any applicant or holder with the affirmative vote of five (5) of its members, for:
(a) Incurring fraud or deceit in order to be enrolled in the Register of the Board.
(b) [Gross] negligence, incompetence, or reproachable conduct in the practice of his/her profession.
(c) Having violated the Code of Professional Ethics of the College of Engineers and Surveyors of Puerto Rico or the College of Architects and Landscape Architects of Puerto Rico, as the case may be, or for having violated the laws under which said professional institutions were created.
(d) Committing fraud or deceit in the practice of his/her profession or being convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor implying moral turpitude.
(e) Signing or stamping with his/her seal any plan, blueprint, drawing, specifications, studies, mensuration or any other instrument of professional service which was not prepared by him/her or under his/her direct supervision and responsibility, or in which the names of persons who are not duly authorized to practice these professions in Puerto Rico appear with the title of engineer, architect, landscape architect or surveyor.
(f) Helping, hiring, counseling, inciting or in any other way facilitating the practice of engineering, architecture or surveying to any person who is not authorized to practice these professions in Puerto Rico, pursuant to §§ 711—711z of this title.
(g) Making use of his/her license or certificate to practice his/her profession in Puerto Rico during the time said license or certificate is inactive, cancelled or suspended, or during the term its holder has been suspended from the practice thereof by virtue of the application of other laws.
(h) Willfully or negligently evading compliance with any law, order, code or regulation of the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or any of its instrumentalities, public corporations or municipalities that rule the design, certification, inspection and supervision of construction works.
(i) Passing him/herself off as a licensed engineer, architect, surveyor or landscape architect when only holding a certificate as engineer or architect, surveyor or landscape architect in training or associate.
(j) Having had his/her professional license or certificate revoked, suspended or cancelled in any other jurisdiction in which he/she was authorized to practice his/her profession, when the reason for the revocation, suspension or cancellation of his/her license or certificate in said jurisdiction is one of those provided in this section.
History —Aug. 12, 1988, No. 173, p. 797, § 16, renumbered as § 19 and amended on Dec. 26, 1997, No. 185, § 19; Dec. 7, 2007, No. 180, § 12, eff. Dec. 31, 2007.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 35 - Board of Examiners of Engineers, Architects, Surveyors and Landscape Architects (§§ 681 — 711z) › § 711o - Certificates or licenses—Reissuance

The Board may re-register and issue a new certificate or a new license to any person whose corresponding registration has been cancelled in its registers with the favorable vote of not less than seven (7) of its members and for justified reasons stated for the record. The reissuance of certificates or licenses shall also be subject to the provisions of the regulations of the Board. The Board shall immediately notify its action to the professional college concerned, with a copy of its record.
History —Aug. 12, 1988, No. 173, p. 797, § 17, renumbered as § 20 and amended on Dec. 26, 1997, No. 185, § 20.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 35 - Board of Examiners of Engineers, Architects, Surveyors and Landscape Architects (§§ 681 — 711z) › § 711q-1 - Professional associations

The practice of the profession of engineering, architecture, surveying and landscape architecture under a trade name or professional association shall be allowed provided all members or principals of said entity hold a license in their respective professions and are enrolled in the corresponding Register of Professional Associations.
History —Aug. 12, 1988, No. 173, p. 797, added as § 22 on Dec. 26, 1997, No. 185, § 23; Dec. 7, 2007, No. 180, § 14, eff. Dec. 31, 2007.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 35 - Board of Examiners of Engineers, Architects, Surveyors and Landscape Architects (§§ 681 — 711z) › § 711q-2 - Professional corporations

The corporate practice of the engineering, architecture, surveying and landscape architecture professions shall be allowed provided that all the shareholders are licensed in their respective professions and that said corporation is organized as a professional corporation pursuant to the provisions of §§ 711—711z of this title or §§ 2601 et seq. of Title 14, known as the “General Corporation Law of Puerto Rico”.
History —Aug. 12, 1988, No. 173, p. 797, added as § 23 on Dec. 26, 1997, No. 185, § 24; Dec. 7, 2007, No. 180, § 15, eff. Dec. 31, 2007.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 35 - Board of Examiners of Engineers, Architects, Surveyors and Landscape Architects (§§ 681 — 711z) › § 711q-3 - Professional practice, professional associations

It shall likewise be illegal for any association or group of professionals to use the words “engineer,” “surveyor,” “architect,” or “landscape architect” or any other word derived therefrom in conjunction with a partnership or corporate name.
History —Aug. 12, 1988, No. 173, p. 797, added as § 24 on Dec. 26, 1997, No. 185, § 25.