Article 11 of the Saudi Engineering Professions Law

This is the main penalties article, and all of its penalties are without prejudice to any more severe penalty in other laws. It falls into two groups:

First: a fine of up to SAR 1,000,000 for anyone who:

• Practiced any engineering profession without professional accreditation, or during its suspension, or after its striking-off.
• Practiced, as an engineering office or company, any engineering profession without a license or after its cancellation.
• Employed an unaccredited engineering practitioner to carry out engineering work knowing that he was unaccredited.

Second: imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year and a fine of up to SAR 1,000,000, or either of them, for anyone who:

• Provided information that does not match the truth, or used unlawful means, that resulted in professional accreditation or a license, or led to the renewal of either, or to his obtaining a professional grade.
• Used any means of promotion or advertising likely to suggest that he is entitled to practice an engineering profession without the necessary license or accreditation.
• Impersonated one of the professional grade titles granted to accredited persons.

Procedure: the Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecution carries out the investigation and prosecution of these violations, and the competent court hears them and applies their penalties.

The text sets maximum limits, and the court determines the penalty within them. Other violations are heard by a committee formed by the Minister under Article 12, and if they are coupled with a violation under this article they are referred for investigation and prosecution and heard by the court. Anyone facing an accusation under this article should consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases.