QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 10024)
RA 10024 is titled the “Philippine Respiratory Therapy Act of 2009.” It declares the State’s policy to develop and nurture competent, virtuous, productive, well-rounded respiratory therapists with excellent, qualitative, world-class and globally competitive standards of practice, supported by inviolable, honest, effective, and credible licensure examinations and regulatory measures.
Respiratory Therapy is an allied health specialty employed with medical direction in the treatment, management, control, diagnostic evaluation and care of cardiopulmonary deficiencies and abnormalities. A Respiratory Therapist is a holder of a valid certificate of registration and professional identification card issued by the PRB and the PRC, legally qualified to practice in the Philippines. A Respiratory Therapy Technician is registered and issued a certificate of registration and ID, completed a two-year associate/certificate program, and whose assignments are supervised by a registered respiratory therapist, within a hospital or institution of employment.
The Board is created under administrative supervision and control of the PRC. It consists of a Chairperson and two members appointed by the President from among nominees submitted by the integrated professional organization, with three recommendees per appointment position from a list of five nominees.
Members must be natural-born citizens and residents; meet minimum age requirements; be duly registered respiratory therapists with valid certificates; and, for future members, must have relevant degrees/experience requirements (including a Master’s requirement if developed). They must have extensive professional experience and leadership experience; must not be elected officers of the integrated/accredited national organization; must not have been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude; and must have no pecuniary interest in schools/institutions or review centers necessary for admission or licensure review, and must not be faculty/administration at the time of appointment.
Board members serve for three (3) years or until successors are appointed and qualified. For the first Board after approval: the Chairperson serves three (3) years, one member two (2) years, and the other one (1) year. Reappointment is allowed but the whole term must not exceed six (6) years; interim vacancies fill only the unexpired term.
The Board promulgates/enforces rules; administers oaths; studies conditions and adopts measures to enhance the profession and ethical standards (including ocular inspection); ensures compliance of respiratory therapy education with CHED standards; supervises/ regulates registration, licensure, and practice; maintains a roster; issues/reinstates/suspends/revokes certificates; prescribes/adopts Code of Ethics; hears/investigates violations (including subpoena duces tecum); determines examination subjects and processes; grants registration without examination under conditions; issues special permits; prescribes CPE guidelines; and performs other necessary functions. Board policies are subject to PRC review/approval.
Upon recommendation of the PRC after due process and investigation, the President may suspend or remove a Board member for causes such as gross neglect of duty, incompetence, malpractice, unprofessionalism/immorality/unethical or dishonorable conduct, final judgment for crimes involving moral turpitude, rigging/manipulation of licensure results, disclosure of confidential exam information, and tampering of grades.
The applicant must: be a Philippine citizen (or a foreigner from a country that permits Filipino respiratory therapists on the same basis); complete at least ten (10) months internship equivalent to at least 1,500 hours under supervision; be a graduate of a BS Respiratory Therapy from a CHED-recognized/accredited school (local or abroad); have good moral character; and must not have been convicted of an offense 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. The Board may revise/exclude/add subjects subject to PRC approval.
A candidate must obtain a general average of at least 75% with no grade lower than 60% in any given subject.
A person meeting pertinent qualifications may be registered without examination if the applicant files within two (2) years after the Board’s creation, by submitting proof that before the Act’s effectivity the applicant had: a BS Respiratory Therapy degree with at least 10 years work experience; OR a BS allied health degree with at least 10 years work experience; OR non-degree courses such as Certificate/Associate in Respiratory or Pulmonary Therapy with at least 15 years work experience.
The PRC issues the certificate and identification card on recommendation of the Board, upon payment of required fees. The certificate bears the signature of the PRC Chair and Board members’ signatures and official seals, and remains effective until revoked or suspended under the Act. The professional ID includes registration number, issuance date, and expiry, signed by the PRC Chair, and is renewable every three (3) years.
The Board shall not register a successful examinee if convicted by a competent court of a criminal offense involving moral turpitude; found guilty of immoral or dishonorable conduct after investigation; or declared of unsound mind. The reason must be stated in writing.
No person may practice or offer to practice respiratory therapy, represent themselves as a respiratory therapist, use titles/signs implying qualification, or advertise as such unless they have passed the Board licensure examination and hold a valid certificate and professional ID, or a valid temporary/special permit issued by the Board and PRC, as applicable.
Prohibited acts include: practicing/representing oneself without a valid certificate/permit; representing oneself when the certificate/permit is not valid (suspended/revoked/cancelled); allowing others to use one’s credentials to enable unqualified practice; and using another person’s certificate/permit as one’s own.
Hospitals, clinics, home care, medical centers, and similar establishments must employ and station at least three (3) registered respiratory therapists, under direction of a physician, who must be on duty for each shift to ensure services comply with professional standards.
Upon conviction, a violator shall be punished by a fine of not less than P20,000 or imprisonment of not less than six (6) months, at the discretion of the court.