RA 10029

New law professionalizes psychologists

By GENALYN KABILING
March 24, 2010, 5:33pm

Individuals planning to offer psychological services must now pass a state licensure examination before they can practice in the country based on Republic Act No. 10029.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has signed into law a measure regulating the practice of psychology and creating a Professional Regulatory Board of Psychology.

Under RA 10029, also known as the Philippine Psychology Act, the state recognizes the important role of psychologists in nation-building and development but also sought to protect the public from inexperienced or untrained individuals from offering psychological services.

“Hence, it shall nurture competent, upright, and assiduous psychologists whose standards of practice and service shall be excellent and globally competitive through the administration of inviolable, effective and credible licensure examinations and the imposition and promotion of regulatory measures, programs and activities that enhance their professional growth and well-being,” the law reads.

The law, signed last March 16, said the Professional Regulatory Board of Psychology, under the administrative control and supervision of the Professional Regulation Commission will be composed of a chairperson and two members appointed by the President with a term of three years.

The Board is empowered to supervise and monitor the registration, licensure, and practice of psychologists and psychometricians in the country. It will also monitor the conditions and circumstances affecting the practice of psychology and psychometrics and adopt measures that would enhance the standards of the profession.

The law also mandated that applicants for registration to practice psychology and psychometrics shall be required to pass a licensure examination.

To pass the licensure exams, a candidate must earn a general average of 75 percent for all subjects, with no grade lower than 60 percent in any given subject.

Exempted from taking the examinations are persons who obtained a doctoral degree in Psychology and had accumulated three years of work experience; obtained a master's degree in Psychology and accumulated five years of work experience; psychologists employed in public and private agencies who have a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and accumulated 10 years of work experience. These applicants, however, must still file with the Board in the next three years an application for registration and issuance of certificate of registration and professional identification card with the necessary credentials.

All successful examinees are required to take an oath to uphold the profession and will receive a certificate of registration and professional identification card.

The Board has the power to suspend or revoke licenses in case of the fraudulent procurement of a certificate of registration and/or professional identification card, or special temporary permit, allowing an unqualified person to practice the profession by using one's license; violation of any provisions of the law; physical or mental incompetence; professional misconduct or negligence in the performance of duties: practicing the profession while on suspension.

RA 10029 also prohibits psychologists and psychometricians from disclosing information and other records of their patients without their consent.

It also restricts licensed psychologists from representing himself to be a licensed psychologist even on suspension, allowing another person to use his license; and giving away false information to the Board to obtain a license. No corporation or entity shall offer psychological services without securing a permit from the Board.

Violators of the law shall be punished with imprisonment ranging from six months to three years, or a fine between P10,000.00 to P100,000, or both at the the discretion of the court.

The law takes effect 15 days following its complete publication in two national newspapers.

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/249405/new-law-professionalizes-psychologists
 
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