Regulation of Social Work Practice in PH

A Board of Examiners for Social Workers shall be created within sixty days of the Act's approval.
The Board consists of a Chairman and four members appointed by the President with the Commission on Appointments' consent.
Members must be Filipino citizens, at least 30 years old, of good moral character, possess relevant social work degrees, and have requisite professional experience.
Members must not hold faculty positions or pecuniary interests in educational institutions awarding social work degrees.

Administer the provisions of the Act including oath-taking and seal preparation.
Issue, suspend, and revoke registration certificates.
Maintain ethical and professional standards.
Investigate violations, issue subpoenas, and enforce compliance.

Board members serve three-year terms, with initial staggered terms.
Members are compensated ten pesos per applicant examined.
Members can be removed by the President upon recommendation for neglect, incompetence, or unethical conduct after due process.

The Board shall set ethical and professional standards subject to presidential approval.
New rules take effect 30 days post-publication in the Official Gazette.
The Board submits an annual report to the President and Congress detailing activities and recommendations.

Social work practice and appointment require a valid certificate issued by the Board except for certain exempted cases.
Applicants must be Filipino citizens, at least 21 years old, of good health and moral character, hold a bachelor's degree in social work, and complete at least 1,000 practical training hours.
The Board conducts annual written examinations in Manila with prior notice to candidates.
Passing requires a general rating of at least 70% and no score below 50% in any subject.

Successful candidates take a professional oath before practicing.
Certificates bear registrant's name, serial number, issued by the Board and authenticated.
Registration by reciprocity is permitted for foreign-registered social workers under equivalent conditions.
The Board may refuse or revoke certificates for criminal convictions, immoral conduct, incompetence, malpractice, or fraud after due notice and hearing.
Replacement certificates for lost or revoked ones can be issued upon payment and application.

Social Work Agencies must register with the Social Welfare Administration to operate and obtain accreditation.
Existing agencies have one year to secure registration.
Requirements include primary engagement in social work activities, employment of qualified registered social workers, financial transparency, and record-keeping.
Government financial aid is contingent on registration compliance.
Certificates of agencies may be revoked for failure to perform or legal violations.

Unauthorized practice, falsification, impersonation, misuse of certificates, and violation of the Act or Board rules are punishable by fines (PHP 500 to 2,000), imprisonment (1 to 2 years), or both.
Operating without proper registration is similarly penalized.

The Separability Clause ensures validity of the Act if part is declared invalid.
The Repealing Clause annuls conflicting laws or regulations.
The Act takes effect upon approval.