Laws to regulate architects, engineers in the works [DRAFT LAWS]

As part of efforts to modernise the territory’s construction quality and legislation, architects and engineers practising in the Virgin Islands may soon be required to be licensed locally.

Two draft laws — the Architects Registration Act and the Engineers Registration Act —each call for a registration board made of one VI government representative and several experienced professionals currently practising in the territory, explained Deputy Director of Public Works Jose deCastro at a public meeting Wednesday.

Mr. deCastro, who is also the chief architect at the Public Works Department, said the draft was modelled on similar acts passed recently in Belize, Barbados and St. Kitts and Nevis.

“We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel here,” Mr. deCastro said.

Aside from licensing architects and engineers, the board will be tasked with several other duties: arranging any necessary exams, issuing licence renewals, disciplining professionals who don’t follow established standards, and advising the Ministry of Communications and Works on “matters of professional concern.”

See drafts of the two acts below:

 

See the July 31, 2014 issue for full coverage.

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