Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 4224)
The Board of Medical Education is composed of the Secretary of Education or his authorized representative as chairman; Secretary of Health or authorized representative; Director of the Bureau of Private Schools or authorized representative; chairman of the Board of Medical Examiners or authorized representative; a representative of the Philippine Medical Association; the Dean of the College of Medicine, University of the Philippines; a representative of the Council of Deans of medical schools; and a representative chosen by the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities.
Applicants must have a bachelor of science or bachelor of arts degree or their equivalent including specified subjects such as English (18 units), Latin (3 units), Mathematics (9 units), Philosophy (12 units), Zoology and Botany (15 units), Physics (8 units), Chemistry (21 units), Humanities and Social Sciences (12 units), and Library Science (1 unit), among others. Spanish units are required as provided by law.
The medical course must be at least five years including an eleven-month rotating internship in an approved hospital. Subjects include Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Parasitology, Medicine, Pathology, Gynecology, Ophthalmology, Otology, Rhinology, Laryngology, Pediatrics, Obstetrics, Surgery, Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Legal Medicine including Medical Jurisprudence, and Medical Economics and Ethics.
Candidates must be Filipino citizens or foreign citizens from countries that allow reciprocal practice for Filipinos; be of good moral character; have sound mind; not convicted of offenses involving moral turpitude; and hold the degree of Doctor of Medicine or its equivalent from a government-recognized medical school.
Engaging in the practice for compensation or not by physically examining, diagnosing, treating, operating, or prescribing for any human disease or condition; offering to diagnose or treat through any means of communication; or falsely using the title M.D. after their name.
Exempt persons include medical students serving under supervision without fee, registered dentists, registered masseurs or physiotherapists working under physician's orders, registered optometrists performing fitting or mechanical eye examinations, persons rendering emergency services without payment in areas without medical professionals, persons administering household remedies as classified by Pharmacy Laws, clinical psychologists performing duties under physician's prescription, and prosthetists fitting artificial limbs under supervision.
The Board has six members appointed by the President from a list of up to twelve names approved by the Philippine Medical Association's Executive Council. The members elect their chairman. Vacancies are filled by the President from the submitted list.
Members must be natural-born Filipinos, duly registered physicians, have at least ten years of medical practice, possess good moral character, and not be faculty or financially interested in medical schools at time of appointment. Members serve a term of three years without immediate reappointment and until successors qualify.
Examinees must obtain a general average of at least 75% with no grade lower than 50% in any subject. Answers must be written in English and marked by candidate numbers only. Candidates failing the complete or final exam thrice must take a one-year refresher course before reexamination.
Respondents have the right to be represented by counsel or in person, have a speedy and public hearing, confront and cross-examine witnesses, and all constitutional and procedural rights as guaranteed by the Constitution and Rules of Court.