Section 7Sec./Art. 7

Powers and Functions of the Board. - The Board shall exercise the following specific powers, functions and responsibilities:

(a) Prescribe and adopt the rules and regulations necessary for carrying out the provisions of this Act;

(b) Supervise the registration, licensure and practice of architects;

(c) Administer oaths in connection with the administration of this Act;

(d) Issue, suspend, revoke, or reinstate the Certificate of Registration and the professional Identification Card for the practice of the architecture profession;

(e) Adopt an official seal of the Board;

(f) Monitor the conditions affecting the practice of architecture and adopt such measures as may be deemed proper for the enhancement and maintenance of high professional, ethical and technical standards of the profession;

(g) Prescribe and/or adopt the Code of Ethical Conduct and Standards of Professional Practice;

(h) Hear and decide administrative cases involving violations of this Act, its implementing rules and regulations, the Code of Ethical Conduct and Standards of Professional Practice, and for this purpose, to issue subpoena ad testifcandum and subpoena duces tecum to secure the appearance of witnesses and the production of documents in connection therewith: Provided, That the decision of the Board shall, unless appealed to the Commission, become final and executory after fifteen (15) days from receipt of notice of judgment or decision. The decision of the Commission may be appealed to the Court of Appeals in accordance with the procedure under the Rules of Court;

(i) Prescribe guidelines for the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program in consultation with the integrated and accredited professional organization of architects: Provided, That the attendance to said CPD shall not be a mandatory requirement for the renewal of a professional license;

(j) Prepare, adopt, issue or amend the syllabi of the subjects for examinations by determining and preparing questions which shall be within the scope of the syllabi of the subject for examination as well as administer, correct and release the results of the licensure examinations;

(k) Approve, issue, limit or cancel temporary or special permit to practice architecture;

(l) In coordination with the CHED, ensure that all higher educational instruction and offerings of architecture comply with the policies, standards and requirements of the course prescribed by the CHED in the areas of curriculum, faculty, library and facilities;

(m) To adopt a program for the full computerization of the licensure examination; and

(n) Discharge such other duties and functions as may be deemed necessary for the enhancement of the architecture profession and the upgrading, development and growth of the architecture education.

The policies, resolutions, rules and regulations, issued or promulgated by the Board shall be subject to review and approval of the Commission. However, the Board's decisions, resolutions or orders rendered in administrative cases shall be subject to review only if on appeal.