Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 10029)
The official title is the "Philippine Psychology Act of 2009."
The primary objective is to regulate the practice of psychology by creating a Professional Regulatory Board of Psychology and to ensure that only competent and qualified individuals practice psychology to protect the public.
The practice of psychology consists of the delivery of psychological principles and procedures to describe, understand, predict, and influence behavior for optimal human growth and functioning, including psychological interventions, assessments, and program development.
A psychologist is a natural person who is duly registered and holds a valid certificate of registration and professional identification card issued by the Professional Regulatory Board of Psychology and the Professional Regulation Commission.
They must be natural-born Filipino citizens, at least 35 years old, of good moral character; hold a doctorate degree in psychology; have at least 10 years of practice and 5 years of teaching experience; be a registered psychologist; not affiliated with any school offering psychology programs; and not convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude.
Board members serve a term of three years and may be reappointed for one additional full term of three years.
Applicants must hold at least a master's degree in psychology from a recognized institution and have completed at least 200 hours of supervised practicum or internship.
The examination covers Advanced Theories of Personality, Advanced Abnormal Psychology, Advanced Psychological Assessment, and Psychological Counseling and Psychotherapy.
A person found practicing without a valid license shall be punished with imprisonment of six months to three years, a fine of P10,000 to P100,000, or both, at the court's discretion.
No, psychologists and psychometricians are granted privileged communication and cannot be examined on such information without the client's consent, and such evidence is inadmissible in any proceeding.