Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 10024)
Republic Act No. 10024 is officially titled as the "Philippine Respiratory Therapy Act of 2009."
The Act recognizes the importance of respiratory therapists in nation building and aims to develop competent, virtuous, productive and well-rounded respiratory therapists through licensure examinations, regulatory measures, and programs fostering professional growth.
Respiratory Therapy is defined as an allied health specialty employed with medical direction for the treatment, management, control, diagnostic evaluation, and care of patients with cardiopulmonary system deficiencies and abnormalities.
A Respiratory Therapist is a person holding a valid certificate of registration and professional identification card issued by the Professional Regulatory Board of Respiratory Therapy and the Professional Regulation Commission, legally qualified to practice respiratory therapy in the Philippines.
The Board is composed of a Chairperson and two members appointed by the President from candidates recommended by the Commission and the integrated professional organization of respiratory therapists.
Members must be natural-born Filipino citizens, at least 35 years old (Chairperson) or 30 years old (members), registered respiratory therapists with valid certificates, holders of a baccalaureate degree in respiratory therapy with professional experience, and must not have conflicts of interest or criminal convictions involving moral turpitude.
Applicants must be citizens of the Philippines (or from countries allowing Filipino therapists reciprocal practice), have completed at least 10 months or 1,500 hours of clinical internship supervised by a registered respiratory therapist, be a graduate of a recognized Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy, have good moral character, and must not have a criminal conviction involving moral turpitude.
The examination covers Patient Assessment and Electrocardiography, Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology, Neonatal and Pediatric Respiratory Therapy, Mechanical Ventilation, Acid-Base Physiology and Blood Gas Interpretation, Airway Care and Management, Pulmonary Function Testing, Pulmonary Rehabilitation, and Oxygen Therapy.
Violators may be fined not less than Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00) or imprisoned for not less than six (6) months, at the discretion of the court.
Prohibited acts include engaging in respiratory therapy without a valid certificate of registration or special permit, misrepresenting oneself as a respiratory therapist during suspension or revocation of registration, allowing others to use one's registration documents, and using certificates of others.
Board members may be suspended or removed by the President upon recommendation of the Commission after due process for offenses such as manipulation or rigging of licensure results and tampering of grades.
Yes, a person can be registered without examination if they apply within two years of the Board creation and demonstrate either a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy with at least ten years of work experience, a degree in allied health professions with ten years' experience, or non-degree respiratory therapy qualifications with at least fifteen years of work experience.
A registered respiratory therapist performs tests and treatments related to cardiopulmonary efficiency, pulmonary function testing, mechanical ventilation, pharmacologic respiratory care, bronchopulmonary hygiene, pulmonary rehabilitation, assists in diagnostic and research procedures, and may teach respiratory therapy subjects under physician direction.
Hospitals, clinics, medical centers, and similar establishments are required to employ at least three registered respiratory therapists per shift under physician supervision to ensure professional standards of service.
Licensed respiratory therapists are authorized to use the suffix "RTRP" which stands for Respiratory Therapist Registered in the Philippines.