Law Summary
Definitions
- Chemistry: Study and analysis of physico-chemical or biochemical properties, including atomic, molecular, and biochemical aspects.
- Registered chemist: Person duly registered and authorized to practice chemistry.
- Registered chemical technician: Person duly registered to perform chemical analysis work.
- Chemical analysis: Includes measurement, methods (e.g., titration, chromatography), determination of components, sample preparation, separation, calculations, computational methods.
- Chemical synthesis: Preparation of compounds from elements or other compounds via chemical or biochemical reactions.
- Chemical laboratory: Facility where chemical analysis or synthesis is performed; includes mobile or field activities, headed by a registered chemist.
Scope of Professional Practice of Chemistry
- Services impacting public interest, safety, legal or regulatory matters.
- Activities for registered chemists include chemical analysis and synthesis, certification, inspection and supervision of laboratories, teaching, consulting, sale and supervision of chemicals and equipment, chemical safety management.
- Board may revise scope to align with profession trends.
Scope of Professional Practice of Chemical Analysis
- Limited to physico-chemical or biochemical analysis, synthesis, and sale of chemicals/equipment under registered chemist supervision.
- Reports must be signed by the chemical technician with license number.
Professional Regulatory Board of Chemistry
- Composed of a Chairperson and two members, appointed by the President from nominees ranked by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).
- Powers include supervising/ regulating chemistry practice, setting and overseeing licensure exams, issuing certificates, managing CPD programs, inspecting labs, adopting codes of ethics, hearing administrative cases, issuing subpoenas, and adopting implementing rules.
Qualifications and Term of Board Members
- Must be Filipino citizen and resident, of good moral character, master’s degree holders in chemistry, registered chemists with 10 years practice, free from conflicts of interest.
- Term of office: Three years, renewable once; initial staggered terms for first Board.
Compensation and Secretariat
- Board members receive compensation comparable to other regulatory boards.
- PRC provides secretariat and keeps all records.
Suspension or Removal of Board Members
- Grounds include gross neglect, incompetence, dishonesty, violation of laws, rigging exams.
- President may remove or suspend upon PRC recommendation after due process.
Annual Reporting and Meetings
- Board submits annual report to PRC.
- Annual meeting with accredited professional organization (APO), educational representatives, and CHED for coordination.
Licensure Examination and Registration
- No practice without a certificate and professional ID card.
- Applicants must pass licensure exams.
Qualifications for Chemist Applicants
- Filipino or reciprocal foreign citizen, good moral character, Bachelor’s in Chemistry or allied field (with 60 units chemistry), no conviction involving moral turpitude.
Licensure Exam Scope for Chemists
- Covers Analytical, Organic, Biochemistry, Inorganic, Physical Chemistry.
- Subject weights 15%-30%.
- Board may revise with consultation; announcements two years prior.
Qualifications for Chemical Technician Applicants
- Filipino or reciprocal foreign citizen, good moral character.
- At least 30 units of undergraduate chemistry including General, Analytical, and Organic Chemistry.
Licensure Exam Scope for Chemical Technicians
- Focus on practical lab work in Analytical and Organic Chemistry with equal weight.
- Board may revise with consultation; announcements two years prior.
Examination Procedures
- Held at least once a year.
- Fee prescribed by PRC.
- Passing grades: General average 70%, no subject less than 50%.
- Passing two subjects in chemist exam qualifies for chemical technician registration.
Exemptions from Examination for Chemists
- Doctoral degree holders in Chemistry from reputable universities may apply without exam upon proof of active practice.
Temporary/Special Permits
- Issued to foreign chemists invited for consultation or projects and foreign professors/lecturers.
- Valid up to three years, renewable.
Professional Oath
- Required prior to certification issuance.
Issuance and Contents of Certificate and ID
- Certificate indicates name, registration number, signatures, and official seals.
- ID valid for 3 years, renewable.
Mandatory Registration Number Indication
- Registered chemists must indicate CR and PTR numbers, issuance and expiry dates on official documents.
Revocation or Suspension of Certificates
- Grounds: Dishonesty, unethical conduct, immorality, criminal conviction, unsound mind.
- Temporary/special permits can be canceled.
- Reissuance possible upon proper petition.
Membership Requirements
- Registered chemists and technicians must maintain membership in the APO.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
- CPD programs prescribed and overseen by the Board, subject to PRC approval.
- CPD Council includes Board member, APO member, academe.
Roster Maintenance
- Commission keeps updated rosters of registered chemists, technicians, and chemical laboratories.
Seal of Registered Chemists
- Seal with name and registration number must be used on official documents.
Foreign Reciprocity
- Foreign chemists’ registration only if reciprocal rights exist for Filipino chemists abroad.
Certificate of Authority to Operate for Entities
- Firms, corporations, government agencies operating chemical labs require Board-issued certificate.
- Practice must be by registered chemists or technicians.
- Responsible officers held liable for violations.
Requirements for Authority to Operate
- Board sets requirements by resolution after consultation.
Penal Provisions
- Illegal practice without valid certificate or ID punishable by imprisonment (1 month to 1 year) or fine (P100,000 to P1,000,000), or both.
- Illegal operations of chemical labs bear similar penalties.
- False and unauthorized documents invalid for legal purposes unless signed and sealed by registered chemist or technician.
Coverage and Allied Professions
- Licensed chemists cannot be prevented from practicing within scope.
- Act does not prevent practice of allied professions provided within their scope.
Employee Benefits and Legal Assistance
- Hazard pay and insurance for chemists exposed to chemicals.
- Legal assistance for chemists and technicians sued for good faith work.
Transitory Provisions
- Incumbent Board continues for two years after effectivity.
- Automatic registration for those registered under previous law.
- Three-year grace period for compliance and teaching qualifications.
- Special permits for teaching do not confer right to practice chemistry professionally.
Final Provisions
- Board to promulgate implementing rules, ethics code within 60 days of approval.
- Appropriations included in General Appropriations Act.
- Separability clause preserving remainder if parts declared invalid.
- Repeals Republic Act No. 754 and conflicting laws.
- Law takes effect 15 days after publication.