The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) Board of Electrical Engineering is implementing a sweeping reform of the specialization and licensure system for the profession, with a proposed “Grandfather Clause” to recognize veteran experts, Board Member Hon. Jaime V. Mendoza announced in a recent address.
Core Details of the Reform:
The central plan involves moving beyond the basic professional license (P.E.). The Board has formalized eight (8) major specializations, including Power System Planning, Power System Operation, and Electrical Design, each with sub-fields like generation, transmission, distribution, and marine systems.
A key obstacle has been the lack of a formal pathway for existing professionals. To solve this, the Board is developing an initiative, likened to a “Grandfather Close” (Grandfather Clause), targeted for implementation next year. This would allow seasoned industry experts to be recognized as specialists without examination, based on their proven track records.
Concurrently, the Board has agreed to create a professional portfolio pathway for specialization. This system would rely on industry-validated expertise and would not require a new exam for qualified veterans.
Implementation & Call for Collaboration:
Mendoza emphasized that the Board itself will not directly award specialist status. Instead, it will rely on training modules and internship programs to be developed by current industry experts. He issued a direct call to action for professionals to help build these training frameworks for future specialists.
“The Board lays down the policy and resolutions. We know who the experts are in the industry… you, the experts, will now create the training module,” Mendoza stated.
Challenges and Context:
The speech candidly addressed significant challenges:
- Bureaucratic Delays: Accreditation and civil service processes can stall progress for 6 to 12 months.
- Licensure Rigor: Mendoza highlighted that the electrical engineering licensure process—requiring professional experience, a technical report, and an interview—is more comprehensive than in other engineering fields.
- Board Responsibilities: He countered perceptions of an easy role, detailing demands such as crafting licensure exams, responding to “internet disability” issues, and participating in legislative hearings in Congress.
Hon. Jaime V. Mendoza, the PRC Board Member for Electrical Engineering, is a veteran of the sector. His distinguished career includes 25 years at the National Electrification Administration, consultancy work for the World Bank, and academic roles. He placed 9th in the 1982 Electrical Engineering board exams.
Mendoza, who is approaching his 20th anniversary on the PRC Board, framed the reforms as part of building a lasting legacy for the profession. He concluded by stressing the core values needed for progress: “time, talent, resources, pro bono work, and, above all, trust among practitioners.”
What’s Next: Stakeholders in the electrical engineering community are expected to engage with the PRC Board as it finalizes the resolutions for the specialization framework and the grandfather clause mechanism in the coming year.
