reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
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) › § 711r - Intervention by Secretary of Justice

The Board may request the services of the Secretary of Justice with regard to the functions and duties imposed upon him by §§ 711—711z of this title. The Secretary of Justice shall answer the questions asked by the Board and upon its request, shall initiate and process any action or procedure before the courts for the application of §§ 711—711z of this title in which the Board is, or becomes a part thereof.
History —Aug. 12, 1988, No. 173, p. 797, § 20, renumbered as § 25 on Dec. 26, 1997, No. 185, § 26.
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) › § 711s - Official list

The Board shall publish separate lists from time to time, by profession, with the names and addresses of all engineers, surveyors, architects and landscape architects duly certified or licensed by the Board, and shall send copies of these lists to the Secretary of State of Puerto Rico, the College of Engineers and Surveyors of Puerto Rico and the College of Architects and Landscape Architects of Puerto Rico. It may likewise provide a copy of said lists to any person or entity requesting them, provided they are not used for commercial ends or purposes, and that they pay the cost of reproducing them through an Internal Revenue voucher.
Within six (6) months after the effective date of this act, the Board shall publish a complete and separate list, by professions, with the names and addresses of all engineers, surveyors, architects and landscape architects enrolled as such in the Register of the Board, indicating, as the case may be, whether they hold in training certificates or are duly licensed. Likewise, on the date of such a publication, the Board shall remit a copy of said lists, as pertinent, to the College of Engineers and Surveyors of Puerto Rico and to the College of Architects and Landscape Architects of Puerto Rico and thereafter, every six (6) months from the date of the initial publication of said list, it shall send supplementary lists, by professions, of all persons who are subsequently included in the Register of the Board, to said colleges. The College of Engineers and Surveyors of Puerto Rico and the College of Architects and Landscape Architects of Puerto Rico shall, in turn, review said lists and advise the Board, within two (2) months following the date they are received, as to any deviation therein, for their information and corresponding investigation.
History —Aug. 12, 1988, No. 173, p. 797, § 21, renumbered as § 26 and amended on Dec. 26, 1997, No. 185, § 27.
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) › § 711s-1 - Special licenses

The Board may issue special licenses to non-domiciled specialized professionals who hold a license from the territory or country of origin, provided they meet the following requirements:
(1) Be a partner in a professional corporation whose designated managing partner practices in Puerto Rico, belongs to the same professional corporation, holds due membership in a college and practices the same specialized profession as the applicant for the special license.
(2) That the designated managing partner in the professional corporation issues a sworn statement to the effect that he/she made the necessary arrangements and efforts for recruitment and faced difficulties in contracting a specialist in said specialty in Puerto Rico.
(3) The professional specialist shall submit before the Board a sworn statement certifying that he/she is accredited in his/her place of origin, that he/she enjoys a good reputation, and has not violated the laws or code of ethics which regulate the profession, that he/she is not being investigated for these or other similar reasons and that he/she shall obey the laws and regulations of the profession and the laws of Puerto Rico.
(4) The designated managing partner shall be compelled to inform the Board as to the termination of the work or project for which it was required to issue the special license.
(5) The special license shall be issued for the term of one year from its date of issue. Should the project or work be prolonged, the professional specialist shall be compelled to apply for a new special license for an additional term of one year.
History —Aug. 12, 1988, No. 173, p. 797, added as § 27 on Dec. 26, 1997, No. 185, § 28.
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) › § 711t - Reciprocity

The Board, at the request of the interested party and after payment of the fee provided by regulations, may register and issue engineering, surveying, architecture or landscape architecture certificates or licenses to any person who holds a license issued by the competent authority of any state, territory or possession of the United States of America or of any country, provided the requirement are not substantially in conflict with the provisions of §§ 711—711z of this title and whose basic requirements are not less than those specified in the law governing the pertinent register in effect locally at the time in which said certificate is issued. To that effect the applicant must meet the requirements stated in §§ 711—711z of this title and of the state, territory or possession of the United States or the foreign country of which the applicant is a citizen and from whom it has been authorized; and shall, also grant the same rights, with no exceptions whatsoever, to the engineers, architects, surveyors or landscape architects authorized to practice their profession in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The Board may establish reciprocity agreements for the granting of licenses or certificates with other political jurisdictions, which shall be granted through written agreements with the bodies charged with regulating the professions of engineering, architecture, surveying and landscape architecture in the jurisdictions concerned.
In the case of the profession of engineering, an official certificate signed by the Secretary of State or the authorized official of the state, territory of the foreign country concerned shall be required, which shall guarantee the same rights to the professionals of Puerto Rico that are granted to its own citizens.
The clauses and conditions of the reciprocity agreements, as well as the norms and procedures for the application of this section, shall be subject to regulation by the Board.
History —Aug. 12, 1988, No. 173, p. 797, § 22, renumbered as § 28 and amended on Dec. 26, 1997, No. 185, § 29.
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) › § 711u - Exemption from residence requirement

The Board may exempt licensed engineers, architects, surveyors and landscape architects from the residential requirement provided in §§ 711—711z of this title in the following cases:
(a) When the jurisdiction of origin of the professional likewise exempts Puerto Rican professional from said residential requirement.
(b) When the applicant forms an association to practice his/her profession with another architect, landscape architect, engineer or surveyor licensed and domiciled in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, pursuant to the requirements established by the Board through regulations.
The Board shall grant a license to those professionals who are exempted from complying with the residential requirement, and said license shall be conditioned by the requirements of the dispensation under which it is issued and be subject to the special norms established for these cases by the College of Architects and Landscape Architects or the College of Engineers and Surveyors, as the case may be. They shall also be bound to renew said conditioned license annually after paying the corresponding fees.
History —Aug. 12, 1988, No. 173, p. 797, § 23, renumbered as § 29 and amended on Dec. 26, 1997, No. 185, § 30.
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) › § 711v - Renowned professionals

The Board, at its discretion, may grant a license without it being subject to all the provisions of §§ 711—711z of this title, to any engineer, architect, surveyor or landscape architect of renown or international prestige authorized to practice in another jurisdiction, for his/her achievements in the field of engineering, architecture, surveying or landscape architecture, be it in the study, practice or teaching thereof.
History —Aug. 12, 1988, No. 173, p. 797, § 24, renumbered as § 30 and amended on Dec. 26, 1997, No. 185, § 31.
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) › § 711w - Budget

The Board shall annually prepare and submit to the Secretary of State, for the corresponding action, a budget of expenses for each fiscal year. The Board shall likewise submit to the Governor of Puerto Rico and to the Legislature of Puerto Rico, not later than January 30 of each year, a report of all its activities during the corresponding year and of the use given to the operating funds thereof.
History —Aug. 12, 1988, No. 173, p. 797, § 25, renumbered as § 31 and amended on Dec. 26, 1997, No. 185, § 32.
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) › § 711w-1 - Supervision

Any agency, public or private corporation or instrumentality of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico which, as part of its functions, carries out architecture, landscape architecture, surveying or engineering works or projects, shall entrust the direction and supervision of the technical phase of said works or projects to a licensed engineer, architect, surveyor or landscape architect, as the case may be.
History —Aug. 12, 1988, No. 173, p. 797, added as § 32 on Dec. 26, 1997, No. 185, § 33.
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) › § 711x - Professional practice; prohibitions

For the purposes of §§ 711—711z of this title it shall be understood that a person practices the professions regulated thereby when he/she exercises, or offers to exercise the practice of the profession of engineering, surveying, architecture or landscape architecture, or holds office or a position in the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or in the private sector which entails the performance of functions or the classification defined in §§ 711—711z of this title as such a practice; or that through the use of written or spoken words, signs, symbols, cards, printed letterheads, graphics or advertisements of any sort, or by any other physical or electronic means, makes known or gives the impression that he/she is an engineer, architect, surveyor or landscape architect or that in any other form or manner uses any of these four (4) professional terms in connection with his/her name or person.
It shall be illegal for any person to practice or offer to practice engineering, architecture, surveying or landscape architecture in Puerto Rico, or to use or advertise in connection with his/her name any title, word or term, or description, that may give the impression that he/she is an authorized engineer, architect, surveyor or landscape architect, unless he/she is registered as such, pursuant to the provisions of §§ 711—711z of this title, that he/she holds the corresponding license or certificate and 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.
It shall be equally illegal for any natural or juridical person, in addition to what is provided above and, in other acts, to employ, or in any way on his/her own part or through agents, representatives or job solicitors, negotiate or sponsor the employment or services of other persons for the practice of the professions regulated herein unless they are duly authorized under §§ 711—711z of this title or the applicable collegiation laws to exercise the practice of said professions. This provision shall apply to the principal as well as to the agent, representative and job solicitor. Every announcement, circular letter, notice, letter or edict that is posted or publicly circulated, in which the services of these professionals are requested, must clearly state the requirements of holding a certificate or license and being collegiated [sic].
History —Aug. 12, 1988, No. 173, p. 797, § 27, renumbered as § 34 and amended on Dec. 26, 1997, No. 185, § 35.
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) › § 711y - Criminal violations and sanctions

Any person who practices or offers to practice the professions of engineering, architecture, surveying or landscape architecture in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico without being duly authorized pursuant to §§ 711—711z of this title, or uses or attempts to use a professional license, certificate or seal as his/her own, or who presents before the Board or any of the members thereof false or altered evidence to obtain any license or certificate, or for the renewal or reactivation of same, or who passes as a registered professional, or attempts to use a license or certificate which has been revoked, or who violates any of the provisions of §§ 711—711z of this title or its regulations shall incur in a misdemeanor and if convicted, shall be sanctioned with a fine of not less than ten thousand dollars ($10,000); or a jail term of not less than six (6) months, or both penalties, at the discretion of the court. If there are aggravating circumstances, the fixed penalty may be increased up to a maximum of one (1) year.
Any natural or juridical person who knowingly associates with, abets, or favors any other person in the practice of the professions of engineer, architect, surveyor or landscape architect without being duly authorized to practice as such in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico shall incur in a misdemeanor, and if convicted, shall be sanctioned with a jail term which shall not exceed six (6) months, or a fine which shall not exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or both penalties, at the discretion of the court, which may impose the penalty of rendering community services in lieu of the established jail term.
In the case of subsequent convictions the penalty shall be a fine of not less than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), nor more than fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000), or a jail term of not less than six (6) months nor more than one (1) year, or both penalties, at the discretion of the court. When the person convicted is a professional engineer, architect, surveyor or landscape architect, the court shall issue a notification of said conviction to the Board, accompanied by a copy of the judgment.
The Board may resort to the court, on its own initiative or with the corresponding assistance of the Department of Justice of Puerto Rico, in cases of illegal practice of the professions regulated herein, or other violations against §§ 711—711z of this title, as set forth in this section, to obtain the issuing of an order to cease and desist by means of injunction under penalty of contempt against the offenders who commit the criminal conduct herein established.
History —Aug. 12, 1988, No. 173, p. 797, § 28, renumbered as § 35 and amended on Dec. 26, 1997, No. 185, § 36; Dec. 29, 2003, No. 333, § 1.
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) › § 711z - Incorporation of the Code of Ethics

The Board shall include as part of its regulations, and enforce it when called upon to do so, the Code of Professional Ethics adopted by the College of Engineers and Surveyors of Puerto Rico and by the College of Architects and Landscape Architects of Puerto Rico. Said Colleges shall provide the Board with a certified copy of the Code of Professional Ethics that governs them not later than thirty (30) days following the date of approval of this act. Any subsequent amendment or modification to the Code of Ethics shall be notified to the Board together with a certified copy thereof, within fifteen (15) days of its adoption.
History —Aug. 12, 1988, No. 173, p. 797, § 29, renumbered as § 36 and amended on Dec. 26, 1997, No. 185, § 37.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 37 - College of Engineers and Surveyors (§§ 731 — 744) › § 731 - Creation

Those professionals entitled to practice the profession of engineering or surveying in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico are hereby constituted into a legal entity or quasi-public corporation under the name of the College of Engineers and Surveyors of Puerto Rico.
History —May 15, 1938, No. 319, p. 562, § 1; May 8, 1950, No. 244, p. 642, § 1; Sept. 29, 1980, No. 12, p. 977, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 37 - College of Engineers and Surveyors (§§ 731 — 744) › § 733 - Mandatory membership

Upon the holding of the first General Assembly of the College, no person other than a member of the College of Engineers and Surveyors of Puerto Rico may practice the profession of engineer or surveyor in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; it being understood that an engineer or surveyor is any person authorized to practice these professions pursuant to the provisions of §§ 711—711z of this title.
History —May 15, 1938, No. 319, p. 562, § 3; Sept. 29, 1980, No. 12, p. 977, § 3; Aug. 9, 2016, No. 147, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 37 - College of Engineers and Surveyors (§§ 731 — 744) › § 734 - Members

Engineers and surveyors admitted to practice the profession of engineering and surveying in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, who comply with the duties set forth in this chapter, the regulations adopted by the College, and the Rules of Ethics shall be members of the College.
History —May 15, 1938, No. 319, p. 562, § 4; Sept. 29, 1980, No. 12, p. 977, § 4; Aug. 9, 2016, No. 147, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 37 - College of Engineers and Surveyors (§§ 731 — 744) › § 735 - Organization

The destinies of the College shall be governed, in the first instance, by the annual assembly, and in the second instance by its Board of Directors.
History —May 15, 1938, No. 319, p. 562, § 5; Sept. 29, 1980, No. 12, p. 977, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 37 - College of Engineers and Surveyors (§§ 731 — 744) › § 736 - Officials; Board of Directors; Executive Committee

The Board of Directors of the College shall be composed of one President and one Vice President for each profession, and the Presidents of the Chapters and Institutes, as well as the past-president, who shall be an ex-officio member Board until he is substituted by the next outgoing president, but he shall have voice, but no vote. The President and the Vice Presidents shall be elected in the General Assembly. All other Board members shall be elected in the form and manner provided in the bylaws.
The members of the College, through an Assembly, shall determine whether or not they shall opt to exercise their right to elect their board of directors at their convenience, in person or by other means, following the procedure prescribed by the College through regulations. In addition, the College may provide its members, through regulations, with the additional option of casting their vote through any other means determined to ensure the privacy, reliability, confidentiality, secrecy, and validity of said vote. The canvassing of votes by other means shall be conducted at a General Assembly convened for such purposes.
There shall be an Executive Committee to be composed of the Chairman, the Vice Chairmen, the Secretary, the Treasurer, and the Auditor. The Chairman and Vice Chairmen shall be elected at the General Assembly. All other members of the Executive Committee shall be elected by the Board of Directors at its first meeting; in addition, the line of succession to perform the duties of chairman in the case of his temporary or permanent absence shall be elected from among the Vice Chairmen. The functions and duties of the Executive Committee shall be established in the regulations, and the agreements thereof, either by delegation of the Board or on their own motion, shall be referred to the Board of Directors for ratification.
History —May 15, 1938, No. 319, p. 562, § 6; May 7, 1965, No. 7, p. 11; Sept. 29, 1980, No. 12, p. 977, § 6; July 17, 1998, No. 133, § 1, eff. 60 days after July 17, 1998; Aug. 9, 2016, No. 147, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 37 - College of Engineers and Surveyors (§§ 731 — 744) › § 737 - Chapters and institutes

The bylaws shall establish chapters and institutes, which shall be elected or designated to operate and perform their duties in the manner and under the conditions provided in such bylaws.
History —May 15, 1938, No. 319, p. 562, § 7; Sept. 29, 1980, No. 12, p. 977, § 7; Aug. 9, 2016, No. 147, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 37 - College of Engineers and Surveyors (§§ 731 — 744) › § 738 - Bylaws; content

The bylaws shall contain such provisions that have not been contemplated herein including those concerning the functions, duties, and procedures of all its bodies and officers; calls; dates; quorum; form; composition and requirements of the regular annual assembly and special assemblies; meetings of the Board of Directors; election of directors and officers; permanent committees, budgets, investment of funds and disposal of the property of the College; everything concerning the College of Engineers and Surveyors Foundation of Puerto Rico; term of all offices, dismissal of officers, creation of vacancies and manner of filling them, and administrative, dismissal and appeals procedures.
History —May 15, 1938, No. 319, p. 562, § 8; Sept. 29, 1980, No. 12, p. 977, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 37 - College of Engineers and Surveyors (§§ 731 — 744) › § 739 - Dues and changes in dues; inactive members

Every year, all active members shall pay dues on the date, in the installments and under conditions set forth in the bylaws. A change in the dues can be made if it is thus provided by a majority of at least two thirds (2/3) of the membership present at the regular annual assembly of the College. The quorum required to change the dues shall be that determined in the bylaws and any computation needed to make up a quorum shall always take into consideration the total membership of the College; Provided, That in no case it shall be less than two hundred (200) members.
Any member who ceases to practice the profession in order to engage in other activities, to retire from the profession, or to leave Puerto Rico, may continue to be a member under the provisions of this chapter, or may discontinue his membership by means of a sworn application to such effects. Said member not be required to pay dues during the inactivity period; however, he may not avail himself of the benefits enjoyed by the members of the College or practice the profession. Provided, That the application for inactive status shall be forwarded by the College to the Examining Board so that the license or certificate be inactivated during that same period, and the member may not return to the practice of his profession or rejoin the College until his license or certificate is reactivated.
History —May 15, 1938, No. 319, p. 562, § 9; June 18, 1959, No. 52, p. 154; Sept. 29, 1980, No. 12, p. 977, § 9; Aug. 9, 2016, No. 147, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 37 - College of Engineers and Surveyors (§§ 731 — 744) › § 740 - Suspension for failure to pay dues

Any member who fails to pay his dues shall be suspended as such, but he may be reinstated upon payment of the dues owed; provided that his license or certificate is in effect.
History —May 15, 1938, No. 319, p. 562, § 10, eff. 90 days after May 15, 1938; Aug. 9, 2016, No. 147, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 37 - College of Engineers and Surveyors (§§ 731 — 744) › § 741 - Stamps

Every professional engineer or surveyor shall affix to every professional service, plan, document or certificate a five dollar ($5.00) printed or digital stamp or both, that the College shall adopt and issue, in case that said plan, document or certificate involves works or professional services whose value does not exceed nine hundred, ninety-nine dollars ($999); if it exceeds nine hundred, ninety-nine dollars ($999) additional stamps at a rate of one dollar ($1) for every thousand dollars ($1,000) or fraction thereof shall be affixed; Provided, That in the case of works it shall be the cost of construction. Provided, further, That the stamp of the College shall not be required to be attached to professional services, plans, documents, certificates, or other engineering or surveying work that is for public works projects and prepared by professional engineers or surveyors who are employees of any municipality, department or similar body of the Government of Puerto Rico; It being understood, that for the purposes of this exemption, professional engineers and surveyors who, in the preparation of plans, projects, and specifications for public works, act as private professionals, advisors, or consultants engaged in the private practice of their profession and whose compensation is paid on the basis of a fee shall not be considered public employees; and Provided, further, That no Government department, court of justice of Puerto Rico, the Public Service Commission or any other similar body shall approve or consider as valid any plans, documents or certificates of engineering works to which the corresponding stamps of the College have not been affixed.
If the stamps of the College are not affixed to the plans, project or specifications of a public works carried out by means of competitive bidding by any department, bureau, or agency of the Commonwealth or municipal government, or by any agency, authority, or Commonwealth or municipal entity, the corresponding stamps of the College shall be cancelled upon the execution of the contract in accordance with the rate prescribed in this section, and the chief or official in charge of each department, bureau, agency, authority, corporation or entity of the Commonwealth or municipal government is hereby authorized and directed to demand from the contractor the cancellation of the corresponding stamps as provided.
Any certification of a new or existing project, including the basic services or utility certifications, among others, may be signed by a professional engineer.
The amounts collected on account of the foregoing shall be covered into the funds of the College for its use.
History —May 15, 1938, No. 319, p. 562, § 11; Apr. 29, 1939, No. 64, p. 442, § 1; Apr. 25, 1940, No. 68, p. 484, § 1; May 9, 1941, No. 142, p. 888, § 1; May 15, 1943, No. 187, p. 674, § 1; Aug. 9, 2016, No. 147, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 37 - College of Engineers and Surveyors (§§ 731 — 744) › § 742 - Illegal practice of profession; penalties

The College of Engineers and Surveyors, the Board of Examiners of Engineers and Surveyors, any other government or private entity or person of the Commonwealth affected may file a petition for an injunction against any person who practice the profession of engineering or surveying without having a license to do so, or without being a college member, or both. In such case, the plaintiff needs not to show prejudice or irreparable harm. The injunction provided for herein shall not relieve the defendant of being accused of practicing the profession illegally, as provided in §§ 711—711z of this title.
History —May 15, 1938, No. 319, p. 562, § 12; Sept. 29, 1980, No. 12, p. 977, § 10; Dec. 11, 2011, No. 238, § 3; Aug. 9, 2016, No. 147, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 37 - College of Engineers and Surveyors (§§ 731 — 744) › § 743 - Duties and obligations

The College of Engineers and Surveyors of Puerto Rico shall have the following duties and obligations:
(a) To promote the advancement of engineering and surveying in Puerto Rico, and of subsidiary trades and industries.
(b) To determine measures for mutual protection, to tighten the bonds of friendship and fellowship between the members thereof.
(c) To establish relations with similar associations in other countries, within definite rules of solidarity and courtesy.
(d) To cooperate in the enactment of fair and just legislation, especially if related to the professions of engineering and surveying.
(e) To lend support and give the greatest possible thrust to works of all kinds, public as well as private, believing that they are the surest sign of the progress of the country.
(f) To comply with all the provisions of this chapter and other related acts for the purpose of referring to the Secretary of Justice any action involving the illegal practice of these professions, so that he can file the pertinent action.
History —May 15, 1938, No. 319, p. 562, § 13; Sept. 29, 1980, No. 12, p. 977, § 11.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 37 - College of Engineers and Surveyors (§§ 731 — 744) › § 744 - Objections to the use of contributions

College members shall be entitled to object the use given by the College to their contributions, if they believe that such contributions were used to promote activities involving ideological, political, sectarian, labor union, religious, sexist, racists, or class interests. Thus, the College shall establish in its bylaws the rules that shall govern the process to be followed by college members interested in objecting such expenditures, in accordance with the applicable constitutional parameters.
History —May 15, 1938, No. 319, p. 562, added as § 14 en Aug. 9, 2016, No. 147, § 10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 38 - Architects Association (§§ 751 — 763) › § 751 - Creation

Those professionals entitled to practice the profession of architecture are hereby constituted in a legal entity or quasi-public corporation under the name of the Puerto Rico Architects Association which shall be domiciled in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
History —July 6, 1978, No. 96, p. 284, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 38 - Architects Association (§§ 751 — 763) › § 753 - Membership necessary to practice

After the Association’s General Constitutional Assembly is held, no one who is not a member thereof may practice as an architect in Puerto Rico, it being understood that an architect is any person licensed as such by the Board of Examiners of Engineers, Architects and Surveyors of Puerto Rico.
History —July 6, 1978, No. 96, p. 284, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 38 - Architects Association (§§ 751 — 763) › § 754 - Members

All licensed architects admitted to practice the profession of architecture in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico who comply with the duties prescribed by this chapter shall be members of the Association.
History —July 6, 1978, No. 96, p. 284, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 38 - Architects Association (§§ 751 — 763) › § 755 - Organization

The destinies of the Association shall be governed, in the first instance, by the General Convention, and in the second instance by its Board of Directors.
History —July 6, 1978, No. 96, p. 284, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 38 - Architects Association (§§ 751 — 763) › § 756 - Officers

The Board of Directors of the Association shall consist of the following officials: a president-elect, a secretary, a treasurer, an auditor, and three (3) members.
History —July 6, 1978, No. 96, p. 284, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 38 - Architects Association (§§ 751 — 763) › § 757 - Bylaws

The regulations shall contain such provisions that are not herein contained, including those concerning the functions, duties and procedures of all its bodies and officers; summons, dates, quorums, composition and requirements of the regular and special general conventions and the sessions of the Board of Directors; the election of the Directors and Officers; permanent committees; budgets; investment of funds and disposal of the properties of the Association; terms of all officers; creation of vacancies and manner of filling them; administrative, appellative and dismissal procedures.
The regulations shall also provide for the creation of a Joint Committee with the Institute of Engineers and Surveyors, created by §§ 731—743 of this title, with the purpose of regulating the interprofessional relationship between the members of the respective Associations and to formulate the basic principles to rule said committee.
History —July 6, 1978, No. 96, p. 284, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 38 - Architects Association (§§ 751 — 763) › § 758 - Dues; suspension

The members of the Association shall pay annual dues on the date and by installments fixed by regulations. The first dues shall be fixed by provision of the General Constitutional Assembly and in subsequent years said dues shall be determined by majority vote in the Regular Assembly of the Association.
Any member who fails to pay his dues, but in all other respects qualified as a member of the Association, shall be suspended as such, but he may be reinstated upon payment of the dues owed; Provided, That members who are thus suspended may not practice the profession or enjoy the rights and benefits to which the members of the Association are entitled to, during the period of suspension.
History —July 6, 1978, No. 96, p. 284, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 38 - Architects Association (§§ 751 — 763) › § 759 - Duties and obligations

The Puerto Rico Architects Association shall have the following duties and obligations:
(a) To contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of the Puerto Rican community.
(b) To promote the well-being of the Puerto Rican community and watch over its interests.
(c) To promote the beautification and the environmental, physical and social improvement of the Puerto Rican community.
(d) To contribute to the advancement of architecture and related trades and industries in Puerto Rico.
(e) To represent the professional class before the Commonwealth and the Puerto Rican community.
(f) To promote the progress of culture, the arts, social and physical sciences and technology, especially in connection with architecture.
(g) To safeguard the rights and insure that the members fulfill their responsibilities in all that concerns the practice of their profession.
(h) To collaborate with the Legislature and the Government Agencies regarding the regulation of the profession of architecture.
(i) To promote and establish a relationship with the Engineers and Surveyors Institute created by §§ 731—743 of this title through the Joint Committee as established in § 757 of this title and with professional, national and international institutions with similar pursuits within determined rules of courtesy and community of interests.
(j) To advise the Commonwealth on matters of their specialty and render the reports and opinions that the Commonwealth may require.
(k) To perform their duties in committees, render reports, offer counsel, and carry out other actions in adequate representation of the public interest, when these activities are directed to the community and the Commonwealth.
(l) To promote and put into effect the Precepts of Professional Ethics.
(m) To make statements regarding their specialty on matters of public interest.
(n) To keep the spirit of professional self-improvement alive in their members by means of continuing education programs and other programs of professional interest.
(o) To establish and maintain a professional library which will also be open to the general public.
(p) To collaborate with the universities and technological institutions of the country for the advancement of education.
(q) To take cognizance of the outstanding or meritorious professional achievements and the effective collaboration of the members towards the Association, the profession and the Puerto Rican community.
(r) To strengthen the spirit of membership and encourage the development of an extensive and stable professional conscience.
(s) To promote fraternal relationships [among] its members.
(t) To promote any other mechanism that is in harmony with the purposes of the institution and the rights and duties conferred upon it by law.
History —July 6, 1978, No. 96, p. 284, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 38 - Architects Association (§§ 751 — 763) › § 760 - Documentary stamps

Every construction plan or document certified before the corresponding government agency shall bear a seal which shall be jointly adopted and issued by the Architects Association and the College created by §§ 731—743 of this title, at a rate of one dollar ($1) for every thousand dollars ($1,000) or fraction thereof of the cost of the construction project; Provided, That the seal shall take the place of the seal provided in § 741 of this title.
Said seal shall be affixed by the professionals responsible for the design of the various parts of the construction.
When the seals are affixed to the plans of the particular project and presented at any agency, they shall be considered as having been affixed in any other agency of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
No seals shall be required on the plans prepared for the construction of housing with a budget of less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) or for housing improvement projects for low-income families. If said plans or other architectural works are prepared for public works by architects employed by any municipality, department or similar body of the Government of Puerto Rico they shall not be required to affix said seals to the plans. Be it understood, That to the effects of this exemption, those architects who in drawing up plans, projects and specifications for public works act as private professionals, advisors or consultants engaged in the independent practice of the profession and whose remuneration shall be paid on the basis of fees shall not be considered as public employees. No department, agency, instrumentality, municipality or any other similar body shall approve or consider valid any plan, document or certification which does not have the corresponding seals affixed as provided herein.
In all public works adjudicated by means of competitive bidding in any department, agency, instrumentality, municipality or any other similar organism, the corresponding seals shall be cancelled on the plans, projects and specifications according to the rates indicated in this section. The Secretary, chief or official in charge in each department, agency, instrumentality, municipality or any other similar body is hereby empowered and ordered to require the contractor to see that the required seals are cancelled as provided herein; Provided, That the projects of the Urban Renewal and Housing Corporation as well as those agencies that qualify for housing programs shall be exempted from the provisions of this section.
The amounts thus collected shall be deposited in a common fund of the Puerto Rico Architects Association and the College created by §§ 731—743 of this title, and shall be divided between the Association created herein and the College created by §§ 731—743 of this title at a rate of twenty cents ($2) for each dollar ($1) for the former and of eighty cents ($0.80) for each dollar ($1) for the latter, for their respective uses.
History —July 6, 1978, No. 96, p. 284, § 10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 38 - Architects Association (§§ 751 — 763) › § 761 - Destination of funds; transfer

Any funds that the College of Engineers, Architects and Surveyors decides to transfer at the moment of its constitution to the Puerto Rico Architects Association created herein shall be destined, as far as they will go, for life insurance, retirement, disability, pension funds and financial assistance for the members and to acquire physical facilities for their headquarters, as well as adequate equipment to create and operate a library of architecture. The funds so transferred shall be used by the Architects Association solely for the purposes herein provided.
History —July 6, 1978, No. 96, p. 284, § 13.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 38 - Architects Association (§§ 751 — 763) › § 762 - Autonomy

Upon the creation of the Puerto Rico Architects Association, this profession will cease to be a constituent part of the College of Engineers, Architects and Surveyors of Puerto Rico, created by §§ 731—743 of this title.
History —July 6, 1978, No. 96, p. 284, § 16.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 38 - Architects Association (§§ 751 — 763) › § 763 - Construction; consolidated rights

This chapter shall not be interpreted in the sense of extending, providing, reducing or limiting in any way the rights, privileges, powers or prerogatives of the engineers, architects or surveyors of Puerto Rico nor in that of defining or altering the definition of any professions related to it.
History —July 6, 1978, No. 96, p. 284, § 17.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 39 - Board of Accountancy; College of Certified Public Accountants (§§ 771 — 806) › § 771 - Public Accountancy Act of 1945—Short title

Sections 771—789 of this title may be cited as the “Public Accountancy Act of 1945”.
History —May 15, 1945, No. 293, p. 1098, § 1, eff. 90 days after May 15, 1945.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 39 - Board of Accountancy; College of Certified Public Accountants (§§ 771 — 806) › § 772 - Definitions

(1) Board. — Whenever used in §§ 771—789 of this title, means the Board of Accountancy created by § 773 of this title.
(2) State. — Whenever used in §§ 771—789 of this title, includes and means any state, territory or insular possession of the United States or the District of Columbia.
(3) Person. — As used in §§ 771—789 of this title, means a natural person or partnerships, associations, limited partnerships or with limited or organized liability that practice the profession of certified public accountant pursuant to the laws of Puerto Rico or of the states of the Union.
(4) Register. — As used in §§ 771—789 of this title, means the registration, control and supervision file that the Board and the Secretary of State shall keep updated, in which all persons authorized to practice public accountancy shall be registered.
(5) College. — As used in §§ 771—789 of this title, means the College of Certified Public Accountants established pursuant to §§ 793—805 of this title.
(6) Firm. — As used in §§ 771—789 of this title, means a partnership, company, organization, association, enterprise or other commercial, business or professional combination authorized by law to engage in the practice of public accountancy in the Commonwealth or any other State.
History —May 15, 1945, No. 293, p. 1098, § 20, renumbered as § 19 and amended on Apr. 27, 1994, No. 13, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 39 - Board of Accountancy; College of Certified Public Accountants (§§ 771 — 806) › § 775 - Registration

A certified public accountant of another state, possession, territory or political subdivision of the United States, or the holder of a certificate, license or degree authorizing him to practice public accountancy in a foreign country may register with the Board as a certified public accountant of such other state, possession, territory or political subdivision of the United States, or as holding such certificate, license, or degree of a foreign country, provided the Board determines that the qualifications under which the applicant became certified public accountant, or received such certificate, license or degree, were at a level as high as such of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico on the same date, for the granting of the certificate as “certified public accountant”, provided the laws of such state, possession, territory or political subdivision of the United States or foreign country authorize a like register of certified public accountants of Puerto Rico who meet the requirements of such state, possession, territory or political subdivision of the United States or foreign country for the register of certified public accountants. A person so registered may describe himself as a “certified public accountant” of the state which issued his certificate, or may use the title held by him in the foreign country, provided he indicates the country of origin of the title.
History —May 15, 1945, No. 293, p. 1098, § 4; May 8, 1952, No. 208, p. 494; June 20, 1957, No. 81, p. 413, § 1.