Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 9258)
Republic Act No. 9258 is titled the "Guidance and Counseling Act of 2004."
The State declares a policy to promote the improvement, advancement, and protection of the guidance and counseling profession through measures ensuring professional, ethical, relevant, efficient, and effective guidance and counseling services.
Guidance and Counseling is defined as a profession involving an integrated approach to developing a well-functioning individual by helping them utilize their potentials and plan their future in accordance with their abilities, interests, and needs. It includes counseling, psychological testing, research, placement, group process, and human development services.
A guidance counselor is a natural person registered and issued a valid Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card by the Professional Regulatory Board of Guidance and Counseling and the PRC, performing guidance and counseling functions by virtue of specialized training for compensation.
The Professional Regulatory Board of Guidance and Counseling is created under the administrative control of the Professional Regulation Commission to regulate the practice of guidance and counseling.
Members must be Filipino citizens, residents for five years, of good moral character, qualified guidance counselors with valid Certificate of Registration, doctoral degree holders in Guidance and Counseling, with at least 10 years continuous professional practice, and must not be faculty or officers in related educational or professional organizations.
Applicants must be Filipino citizens or foreigners from reciprocating countries, not convicted of offenses involving moral turpitude, and hold a Bachelor's degree in Guidance and Counseling or allied disciplines and a Master's degree in Guidance and Counseling recognized by CHED.
A candidate must obtain a weighted general average of 75% with no grade below 60% in any subject. If below 60% in any subject but overall average is 75% or higher, the candidate must retake the deficient subject and pass with at least 75% within two years.
Any person practicing guidance and counseling without a valid Certificate of Registration, or making false representations, is punishable by imprisonment of 6 months to 8 years and/or a fine of P50,000 to P100,000.
It provides that licensed guidance counselors cannot be compelled to disclose any confidential communication or information acquired from clients without the client's consent, extending this protection to their records and staff. Evidence obtained in violation of this is inadmissible.