Using a shield without shield proficiency

[Phasics]

Heh am I late to the party on this one ?

Using a shield without shield prof feat means you take a penalty to your attack and skill move checks.

But a masterwork light shield, or mithral heavy etc have no armor check

therefore no penalty for using them without the feat ?

is that right ?

[Kais86]

For light shields and bucklers, that is correct. With heavy shields you will have to make them of mithril to get the same effect. You pretty much aren't going to do it with a tower shield.

[Austin Morgan]

Almost. Using a shield with proficiency means you don't take the Armor Check Penalty to attacks. You ALWAYS have it to skill checks.

That said, yes, if you have a shield with no ACP you can wield it without proficiency and have no penalty. However, make sure to read the specifics about the shields: most still won't let you wield a weapon or hold an item in that hand, even without the penalty.