Question & AnswerQ&A (PRC BOARD FOR SOCIAL WORKERS Resolution NO. 03)
Republic Act No. 4373, as amended, governs the regulation of the practice of social work in the Philippines.
Yes, Section 11, Article IV of RA No. 4373 requires all applicants for registration as social workers to undergo a written examination except as otherwise specially allowed by the provisions of the Act.
Section 13, Article III of RA No. 4373 provides that the examination for the practice of social work shall consist of a written test, and its scope shall be determined and prescribed by the Board considering the curriculum of all social work courses offered in legally constituted schools in the Philippines.
The Board for Social Workers has the authority to prescribe, adopt, and issue the syllabus for the Social Workers Licensure Examination under its quasi-legislative power provided by RA No. 4373.
The questions are based on the syllabus containing the concepts or topics with the corresponding level of knowledge or proficiency, as required in the adopted syllabus for the licensure examination.
The Board consulted the National Association for Social Work Education, Inc. (NASWEI) in formulating and adopting the examination syllabi.
Prescribed books and readings used in schools/colleges of social work were utilized as guides and references in formulating the syllabi.
The resolution takes effect upon approval by the Commission after fifteen (15) days following its publication in the Official Gazette or any newspaper of general circulation, whichever is earlier, and three (3) months before the scheduled licensure examination.
The Commission issued Memorandum Circular No. 08, Series of 1992, directing all professional regulatory boards to prescribe and adopt syllabi for their licensure examinations.
The resolution will be widely disseminated and circularized to all schools and colleges offering the course of Social Work.