Continuing Professional Development Act of 2016

CPD Programs in each profession

Section 4 requires formulated and implemented CPD Programs in each of the regulated professions.
Section 4 requires CPD Programs to enhance and upgrade professional competencies and qualifications for practice pursuant to PQF, AQRF, and ASEANMRA.
Section 4 requires CPD Programs to ensure international alignment through career progression mechanisms leading to specialization/sub-specialization.
Section 4 requires CPD Programs to develop quality-assured mechanisms for validation, accreditation, and recognition of formal, nonformal, and informal learning outcomes, including professional work experiences and prior learning.
Section 4 requires CPD Programs to ensure maintenance of core competencies and development of advanced and new competencies to respond to national, regional, and international labor market needs.
Section 4 requires CPD Programs to recognize and ensure the contributions of professionals in uplifting the general welfare, economic growth, and development of the nation.
Section 5 provides that CPD Programs range from structured to nonstructured activities with learning processes and outcomes.
Section 5 lists CPD Program activities as including Formal learning, Nonformal learning, Informal learning, Self-directed learning, Online learning activities, and Professional work experience.

PRC, PRBs, and CPD councils

Section 6 directs the PRC and the Professional Regulatory Boards (PRBs) to undertake overall implementation of CPD Programs.
Section 6 requires the PRC/PRBs to organize CPD Councils for each regulated profession and promulgate guidelines for their operation.
Section 6 requires the PRC/PRBs to review existing and new CPD Programs for all regulated professions.
Section 6 requires the PRC/PRBs to formulate, issue, and promulgate guidelines and procedures for CPD Program implementation.
Section 6 requires coordination with the academe, concerned government agencies, and other stakeholders in implementing CPD Programs and other measures under the Act.
Section 6 requires coordination with concerned government agencies in developing mechanisms and guidelines for granting and transferring credit units earned from learning processes and activities pursuant to the Act.
Section 7 creates a CPD Council in each regulated profession, under the supervision of the concerned PRB.
Section 7 provides that each CPD Council has a chairperson and two (2) members.
Section 7 requires the chairperson to be a member of the PRB chosen by the concerned PRB to sit in the CPD Council.
Section 7 requires the first member to be the president or officer of the AIPO/APO duly authorized by its Board of Governors/Trustees.
Section 7 requires that if the AIPO/APO is absent, the PRB concerned submits within ten (10) working days from notification a list of three (3) recommendees from national professional organizations, and the PRC designates within thirty (30) days from receipt of the list.
Section 7 requires the second member to be the president or officer of the national organization of deans or department chairpersons of schools, colleges, or universities offering the licensure-examination course.
Section 7 requires that if such organization is absent, the PRB concerned submits within ten (10) working days from notification a list of three (3) recommendees from the academe, and the PRC designates within twenty (20) working days from receipt of the list.
Section 7 provides that the chairperson’s term is coterminous with incumbency in the PRB unless sooner replaced by the PRB through a resolution subject to PRC approval.
Section 7 provides that the first and second members have a two (2)-year term unless sooner replaced through a resolution by the concerned AIPO/APO or the organization of deans or heads of departments, and members appointed by the PRC may be replaced before the end of the two (2)-year period upon PRB recommendation through a resolution.
Section 8 requires each CPD Council to ensure adequate and appropriate provision of CPD Programs.
Section 8 requires each CPD Council to evaluate and act on applications for accreditation of CPD Providers and CPD Programs.
Section 8 requires each CPD Council to monitor and evaluate implementation of CPD Programs.
Section 8 requires each CPD Council to assess and/or upgrade criteria for accreditation of CPD Providers and CPD Programs on a regular basis.
Section 8 requires each CPD Council to develop mechanisms for validation, accreditation, and recognition of self-directed learning, prior/informal learning, online learning, and other learning processes through professional work experience.
Section 8 requires each CPD Council to conduct researches, studies, and benchmarking for international alignment of CPD Programs.
Section 8 requires each CPD Council to issue operational guidelines with approval of the PRC and the concerned PRB.
Section 8 authorizes each CPD Council to perform other functions related or incidental to CPD implementation.
Section 9 creates a CPD Council Secretariat at PRC Central and Regional Offices for technical, administrative, and operational support to CPD Councils and PRBs.
Section 9 provides that the CPD Council Secretariat is headed by an Executive Director appointed by the PRC.

Mandatory CPD and credit recognition

Section 10 makes CPD a mandatory requirement for renewal of PICs of all registered and licensed professionals under PRC regulation.
Section 11 requires that all duly validated and recognized CPD credit units earned by a professional be accumulated and transferred in accordance with Pathways and Equivalencies of the PQF.
Section 12 requires the PRC and PRBs, in consultation with the AIPO/APO, the Civil Service Commission (CSC), other concerned government agencies, and industry stakeholders, to formulate and implement a Career Progression and Specialization Program for every profession.
Section 12 provides that the Career Progression and Specialization Program forms part of CPD.
Section 13 requires concerned government agencies and private firms and organizations employing professionals to include CPD as part of their human resource development plan and program.

Funding, implementation rules, and anti-fraud sanctions

Section 14 requires implementation of the Act’s provisions to be immediately included in PRC programs, with funding included in the PRC annual submissions for inclusion in the annual General Appropriations Act.
Section 14 requires that the funding requirement be used for regular operations of the CPD Councils, including monitoring of CPD Program conduct.
Section 14 requires the PRC to review and approve the proposed budget for each CPD Council, considering reasonable expenses for travel, honorarium/allowances, and per diems for attendance at official CPD Council meetings or performance of other related assigned functions.
Section 15 requires the PRC and PRBs to promulgate implementing rules and regulations (IRR) within six (6) months from the effectivity of the Act.
Section 15 authorizes a PRB to prescribe its own requirements or procedure relating to CPD pertinent and applicable to the specific profession, provided it does not contravene the Act or its IRR.
Section 16 provides that fraudulent acts relating to implementation and enforcement of the Act are punishable under the Revised Penal Code, the New Civil Code, and other applicable laws.
Section 16 requires that, in addition to penalties under those laws, a professional adjudged guilty of any fraudulent act relating to CPD be meted with the penalty of suspension or revocation of the PRC Certificate of Registration and/or Certificate of Specialization.
Section 16 requires that if a government official or employee is party to any fraudulent act relating to CPD, the official or employee is subject to administrative penalties under anti-graft laws, the Administrative Code, and the Code of Conduct of Public Officials and Employees.

Final provisions: separability, repeal, and effectivity

Section 17 provides separability: if any part or provision is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions remain in full force and effect.
Section 18 provides a repealing rule: all laws, decrees, executive orders, and other administrative issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the Act are repealed or modified accordingly.
Section 19 provides effectivity: the Act takes effect fifteen (15) days following complete publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines.
The Act was approved on July 21, 2016 and lapsed into law on JUL 21 2016 without the President’s signature in accordance with Article VI, Section 27(1) of the Constitution.