Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 5527)
Republic Act No. 5527 is officially titled the Philippine Medical Technology Act of 1969.
Medical Technology is defined as an auxiliary branch of laboratory medicine which involves examination by chemical, microscopic, bacteriologic and other laboratory procedures or techniques to aid the physician in disease diagnosis, study, treatment, and health promotion.
A Medical Technologist is a person who engages in medical technology work under supervision of a pathologist or authorized licensed physician, has passed the prescribed Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology/Bachelor of Science in Hygiene course, and is registered under this Act.
The Council recommends curriculum standards, approves schools, inspects schools, certifies students for internships, recommends refresher courses for failed examinees, and is composed of various officials including the Secretary of Education, Health officials, Board Chair, school deans, and professional association presidents.
The course must be at least four years, including a 12-month satisfactory internship in accredited laboratories, covering subjects such as English, Biochemistry, Anatomy, Microbiology, Pathology, Hematology, Serology, and others related to clinical laboratory methods.
The Board is composed of a Chairman who is a pathologist appointed by the President from the list submitted by the Philippine Society of Pathologists, and two registered medical technologist members appointed from lists submitted by the Philippine Association of Medical Technologists.
Qualifications include being a Filipino citizen, good moral character, a qualified pathologist or registered medical technologist with a B.S. degree, at least ten years practice experience (or five years for first three years), and no interest in any medical technology school.
A person must have a valid certificate of registration issued by the Board, except for exempted persons such as duly registered physicians or authorized foreign medical technologists called in for consultation.
The licensure examination covers Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology and Parasitology, Hematology, Blood Banking and Serology, Clinical Microscopy, and Histopathologic Techniques, weighted accordingly.
Violations such as practicing without registration, fraudulent reports, impersonating registrants, or advertising without a valid certificate are punishable by fines of ₱2,000 to ₱5,000, imprisonment from six months to two years, or both.
At least two Board members and a legal officer conduct administrative investigations, ensuring due process rights. Sanctions include reprimand, suspension (up to two years), or revocation with unanimous vote required for revocation.
Duly registered physicians, foreign medical technologists invited for consultation or teaching, and medical technologists in the US Armed Forces stationed in the Philippines serving only members of those forces.
The roster is a public list containing names, addresses, registration data of medical technologists, maintained by the Board Secretary, to ensure public access to information and aid in regulation and verification.
Applicants must be in good health, of good moral character, and have completed a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology or Hygiene from a recognized school, or be graduates of related paramedical professions with five years experience prior to the Act's passage.