Bahamas Engineers and Architectural Professionals

Bahamas Government Statutes

CHAPTER 200A
PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS

Professional Engineers Act prohibits persons who are not duly registered from practicing engineering in The Bahamas.

PART V
OFFENCES AND PENALTIES
22. (1) No person shall undertake the practice of professional engineering unless he has a valid certificate of registration or a certificate of temporary registration.
(2) No person not being a registered engineer shall —

(a) use a title or description which leads to the belief that he is a registered engineer;
(b) advertise himself as a registered engineer;
(c) act in a manner so as to create or induce the belief that he is a registered engineer;
(d) sign or stamp any plans, drawings, designs or specifications purporting to be acting in the capacity of a registered engineer; or
(e) affix or use in connection with any premises occupied by him, any name, title or description (whether by initials or otherwise) reasonably calculated to suggest that he is a registered engineer.

(3) The provisions of subsection (1) shall not apply to the practice of professional engineering by a person who so practices under the supervision, direction and control of an individual who holds a certificate of registration, or certificate of temporary registration.

CHAPTER 202
PROFESSIONAL ARCHITECTS
Professional Architects Act prohibits persons who are not duly registered from practicing Architecture in The Bahamas.

PART V
OFFENCES AND PENALTIES
23. (1) No person shall use, or cause to be used, or permit the use of any written words, titles, initials or any abbreviation thereof so as to cause any person to believe that he is registered under this Act or that he holds a licence hereunder, or that he is qualified to act as a registered architect unless he is so registered and there is in force in relation to him a valid licence granted in accordance with this Act.
(2) No person shall take or use or affix to or use in connection with any premises occupied by him, any name, title or description (whether by initials or otherwise) reasonably calculated to suggest that he possesses any professional status or qualification as an architect which he in fact does not possess.

CHAPTER 202
PROFESSIONAL ARCHITECTS
Part VI Miscellaneous Provisions of this Act

Section 30: Exemptions from provisions of this Act.
Legal limits on Bahamian citizens and residents on preparation of plans.

(3) Any person who is capable of making plans outlined in subsection (1) and who is not in regular architectural practice may, withthe approval of the Board, make a plan of his own dwelling or other building as a single exercise.
(4) Any citizen of The Bahamas or permanent resident of The Bahamas (as defined in section 2(1) of the Immigration Act) is entitled to make plans and specifications for or supervise the erection, enlargement or alteration of any dwelling unit; shop or restaurant not exceeding one storey in heightor three thousand square feet in area.
(5) Nothing in subsection (1) or (4) shall be construed as authorising —

(a) an architectural technician to make plans and specifications for or to supervise the enlargement or alteration of a building to a size beyond six thousand square feet; or
(b) a citizen or permanent resident of The Bahamas to make plans and specifications for or to supervise the enlargement or alteration of a building to a size beyond three thousand square feet.

Chapter 25
Business Licence Act 2010
Only persons with a valid Business Licence have the legal right to conduct business in The Bahamas.

Part 1- Issuance of Licences and Assessment

3. Licence required to carry on a business
(1) No person shall carry on a business within The Bahamas without the grant of a licence duly issued to him in accordance with the requirements of this Act.

Chapter 191
Immigration
Part VI Residence and Employment in The Bahamas
Persons wishing to enter into gainful employment in The Bahamas must have permission to do so.

29. (1) No person shall engage in any gainful occupation in The Bahamas unless —

(a) he is a citizen of The Bahamas;
(b) he is a permanent resident whose certificate of permanent residence permits him to engage in gainful occupation;
(c) he is within either of the categories specified in paragraph (c) or (d) of subsection (1) of section 20;
(d) he is in possession of a valid permit issued in accordance with the provisions of section 30 permitting him to engage in such occupation;
(e) he is a person or within a category of persons whom the Minister has by order specified as entitled to engage in gainful occupation.

(2) Any person who engages in any gainful occupation in contravention of the provisions of this section shall
be guilty of an offence against this Act.

Chapter 350
National Insurance

Part III Insured Persons and Contributions
Persons operating businesses within The Bahamas need to pay National Insurance.

14. (1) Every person who operates a business shall —

(a) register that business with the Board within ten working days of commencing operations; and
(b) insure all persons employed in that business.

(2) For the purposes of this section, “business” includes a profession, calling, vocation, occupation, trade, manufacture or undertaking of any kind whatever, an adventure or concern in the nature of trade.

15. (1) For the purposes of this Act, contributions shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, be payable by insured persons and by employers.

Value Added Tax
VAT is payable to The Bahamas Government for taxable goods and services

Part II IMPOSITION AND LIABILITY FOR PAYMENT OF VALUE ADDED TAX

4. Imposition of tax

(1) Subject to this Act, there is imposed on and from the date this Act comes into force a tax, called value added tax, chargeable on every —

(a) Taxable supply made by a taxable person; and
(b) Taxable importation made by any person.

(2) A taxable transaction chargeable to tax under both paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (1) is treated as a taxable supply chargeable under paragraph (a).
(3) Value added tax is chargeable at a percentage rate of the value of a taxable supply and taxable importation determined in the manner perscribed by this Act, VAT Riles and the regulations.
(4) A person who is not a taxable person, or who is an unregistered taxable person, must not collect, advertise or quote value added tax in respect of a taxable supply by him to another person.
(5) Notwithstanding any other law, enacted after the enactment or coming into force of this Act —

Vision Statement To operate in an environment where Bahamian consulting firms engaged in the practice of engineering and allied professions have fair and equal access to all opportunities regarding the physical development of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Mission Statement Our mission is to promote the business interests of BEAAP member firms through marketing, networking, and advocacy and to monitor the industry to ensure that the all laws and regulations governing it are strictly enforced.
About Us Bahamas Engineers and Allied Professionals (BEAAP) is a network of professionals in the construction industry in The Bahamas dedicated to providing the best service possible to our clients. We are here to help our clients navigate through the various codes and regulations and ensure that they remain compliant with the laws of the Bahamas. We are aware that there are many persons who look to invest in The Bahamas and need a navigational aid to tell them where to go to first. BEAAP professionals have experience working throughout the islands of The Bahamas and we know what systems are best suited for our environment and can help you select items for longevity and ease of maintainability. BEAAP professionals are registered to practice in The Bahamas. When you engage a registered professional you are protected by the statute laws of the Government of The Bahamas, as registered professionals are required to meet certain minimum standards to be registered and to maintain their registration. If you work with unlicensed individuals you are operating outside of the law and exposing yourself to great risk. By selecting someone from BEAAP you are ensuring that you are working with a registered professional who is licensed to operate a business in the Bahamas, has permission to work, is paying into our social security system (National Insurance) and that when they collect Valued Added Tax (VAT) from you that the funds go to The Bahamas government. Choose BEAAP for compliance and professionalism. Disclaimer: BEAAP is made up of individual firms. Clients should request to see proof of registration. Copies of VAT certificates and National Insurance compliance letters could be requested. The Professional Engineers Board and Professional Architects Board provides a listing of all registered professionals and any information provided can be crossed checked there.
Before Starting Your Project Bahamas Government Statutes CHAPTER 200A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS Professional Engineers Act prohibits persons who are not duly registered from practicing engineering in The Bahamas. PART V OFFENCES AND PENALTIES 22. (1) No person shall undertake the practice of professional engineering unless he has a valid certificate of registration or a certificate of temporary registration. (2) No person not being a registered engineer shall — (a) use a title or description which leads to the belief that he is a registered engineer; (b) advertise himself as a registered engineer; (c) act in a manner so as to create or induce the belief that he is a registered engineer; (d) sign or stamp any plans, drawings, designs or specifications purporting to be acting in the capacity of a registered engineer; or (e) affix or use in connection with any premises occupied by him, any name, title or description (whether by initials or otherwise) reasonably calculated to suggest that he is a registered engineer. (3) The provisions of subsection (1) shall not apply to the practice of professional engineering by a person who so practices under the supervision, direction and control of an individual who holds a certificate of registration, or certificate of temporary registration. CHAPTER 202 PROFESSIONAL ARCHITECTS Professional Architects Act prohibits persons who are not duly registered from practicing Architecture in The Bahamas. PART V OFFENCES AND PENALTIES 23. (1) No person shall use, or cause to be used, or permit the use of any written words, titles, initials or any abbreviation thereof so as to cause any person to believe that he is registered under this Act or that he holds a licence hereunder, or that he is qualified to act as a registered architect unless he is so registered and there is in force in relation to him a valid licence granted in accordance with this Act. (2) No person shall take or use or affix to or use in connection with any premises occupied by him, any name, title or description (whether by initials or otherwise) reasonably calculated to suggest that he possesses any professional status or qualification as an architect which he in fact does not possess. CHAPTER 202 PROFESSIONAL ARCHITECTS Part VI Miscellaneous Provisions of this Act Section 30: Exemptions from provisions of this Act. Legal limits on Bahamian citizens and residents on preparation of plans. (3) Any person who is capable of making plans outlined in subsection (1) and who is not in regular architectural practice may, withthe approval of the Board, make a plan of his own dwelling or other building as a single exercise. (4) Any citizen of The Bahamas or permanent resident of The Bahamas (as defined in section 2(1) of the Immigration Act) is entitled to make plans and specifications for or supervise the erection, enlargement or alteration of any dwelling unit; shop or restaurant not exceeding one storey in heightor three thousand square feet in area. (5) Nothing in subsection (1) or (4) shall be construed as authorising — (a) an architectural technician to make plans and specifications for or to supervise the enlargement or alteration of a building to a size beyond six thousand square feet; or (b) a citizen or permanent resident of The Bahamas to make plans and specifications for or to supervise the enlargement or alteration of a building to a size beyond three thousand square feet. Chapter 25 Business Licence Act 2010 Only persons with a valid Business Licence have the legal right to conduct business in The Bahamas. Part 1- Issuance of Licences and Assessment 3. Licence required to carry on a business (1) No person shall carry on a business within The Bahamas without the grant of a licence duly issued to him in accordance with the requirements of this Act. Chapter 191 Immigration Part VI Residence and Employment in The Bahamas Persons wishing to enter into gainful employment in The Bahamas must have permission to do so. 29. (1) No person shall engage in any gainful occupation in The Bahamas unless — (a) he is a citizen of The Bahamas; (b) he is a permanent resident whose certificate of permanent residence permits him to engage in gainful occupation; (c) he is within either of the categories specified in paragraph (c) or (d) of subsection (1) of section 20; (d) he is in possession of a valid permit issued in accordance with the provisions of section 30 permitting him to engage in such occupation; (e) he is a person or within a category of persons whom the Minister has by order specified as entitled to engage in gainful occupation. (2) Any person who engages in any gainful occupation in contravention of the provisions of this section shall be guilty of an offence against this Act. Chapter 350 National Insurance Part III Insured Persons and Contributions Persons operating businesses within The Bahamas need to pay National Insurance. 14. (1) Every person who operates a business shall — (a) register that business with the Board within ten working days of commencing operations; and (b) insure all persons employed in that business. (2) For the purposes of this section, “business” includes a profession, calling, vocation, occupation, trade, manufacture or undertaking of any kind whatever, an adventure or concern in the nature of trade. 15. (1) For the purposes of this Act, contributions shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, be payable by insured persons and by employers. Value Added Tax VAT is payable to The Bahamas Government for taxable goods and services Part II IMPOSITION AND LIABILITY FOR PAYMENT OF VALUE ADDED TAX 4. Imposition of tax (1) Subject to this Act, there is imposed on and from the date this Act comes into force a tax, called value added tax, chargeable on every — (a) Taxable supply made by a taxable person; and (b) Taxable importation made by any person. (2) A taxable transaction chargeable to tax under both paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (1) is treated as a taxable supply chargeable under paragraph (a). (3) Value added tax is chargeable at a percentage rate of the value of a taxable supply and taxable importation determined in the manner perscribed by this Act, VAT Riles and the regulations. (4) A person who is not a taxable person, or who is an unregistered taxable person, must not collect, advertise or quote value added tax in respect of a taxable supply by him to another person. (5) Notwithstanding any other law, enacted after the enactment or coming into force of this Act —
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