Title
Creation of Professional Regulation Commission
Law
Presidential Decree No. 223
Decision Date
Jun 22, 1973
Presidential Decree No. 223 establishes the Professional Regulation Commission in the Philippines, granting it the power to enforce laws regulating professions, conduct licensure examinations, and oversee the various Boards of Examiners.
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Composition and Appointment of Commissioners

  • One fulltime Commissioner and two fulltime Associate Commissioners make up the PRC
  • Commissioners appointed by the President for a 9-year term without reappointment
  • Initial terms for first two Associate Commissioners: one for 6 years, one for 3 years
  • Vacancies filled from the most senior Associate Commissioner to serve the unexpired term
  • Qualifications: at least 40 years old, knowledgeable in professional regulation/licensing, minimum 5 years executive or managerial experience

Exercise of Powers

  • The three Commissioners act as a collective body for administrative, executive, and policy-making functions

Compensation

  • Commissioner receives an annual salary of ₱48,000 plus ₱500 transportation and representation allowances
  • Each Associate Commissioner receives ₱36,000 plus ₱350 transportation and representation allowances

Powers of the Commission

  • Administers, implements, and enforces the regulation and licensing of professions and occupations under its jurisdiction
  • Maintains professional and occupational standards and ethics
  • Issues rules, regulations, orders, and administrative issuances necessary to execute its functions
  • Reviews and approves policies and decisions of various Boards of Examiners, with final authority over administrative cases unless appealed within 30 days
  • Conducts licensure examinations, sets schedules and places, appoints supervisors and examiners, authorizes use of facilities
  • Maintains registries of authorized practitioners and issues certificates of registration/licenses
  • Custodian of examination papers, minutes, records, and results
  • Determines and collects examination, registration, and licensing fees subject to Presidential approval
  • Appoints Commission officials and employees, organizes structure without reducing rank, salary or status
  • Recommends appointments to professional Boards from accredited organizations
  • Registers foreign professionals under specific reciprocity conditions and may grant privileges or impose additional requirements
  • Supervises foreign nationals temporarily practicing professions in the Philippines
  • Collaborates with relevant agencies to prescribe or revise collegiate prerequisites for professions
  • Exercises general supervision over professional Boards
  • Promulgates rules and regulations to effectively implement policies
  • Performs other necessary functions to effectively administer professional regulatory laws

Powers, Functions, and Responsibilities of Professional Boards

  • Monitor conditions affecting professions and adopt measures to improve standards
  • Conduct ocular inspections to ensure compliance and assist in policy formulation
  • Investigate violations, issue subpoenas, and compel attendance for hearings
  • Delegate administrative hearings, with certain cases requiring Board member presence
  • Make decisions on administrative cases subject to Commission review
  • Approve registrations without examination subject to Commission review
  • Suspend, revoke, or reissue certificates after due process
  • Prepare licensure exams, score papers, submit results to PRC within 120 days (extendable), and set passing grades where not legislated

Change in Names of Boards

  • Names of Boards changed by removing the word "Examiners"

Transfer of Resources

  • Offices, personnel, funds, records, supplies, equipment, and furniture of existing Boards transferred to the PRC

Repealing Clause

  • Conflicting provisions of Republic Act No. 546 and other inconsistent laws are repealed

Effectivity

  • The Decree takes effect immediately upon signing

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