Guidelines for Naturopathy Certification and Accreditation

Policy, Purpose, and State Intent

The State adopts a policy to improve the quality and delivery of health care services to the Filipino people through the development of traditional and alternative health care and its integration into the national health care delivery system.
The circular’s purpose is to prescribe implementation procedures for national certification and accreditation under the PITAHC IRR of Republic Act No. 8423.
The circular’s purpose is to enable accreditation of naturopathy training programs, training centers, and centers/facilities to pursue continuous service improvement.
The circular strengthens accountability of all stakeholders in traditional and alternative health care practices.

Key Definitions and Competency Delimitations

Republic Act 8423 refers to the act creating the Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC) to accelerate the development of traditional and alternative health care in the Philippines (also known as Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act (TAMA) of 1997).
Traditional and Alternative Health Care is the sum total of knowledge, skills and practices (other than those embodied in biomedicine) used in prevention, diagnosis and elimination of physical or mental disorders.
Biomedicine is therapy using remedies that produce effects differing from the diseases treated; it is also called allopathy, western medicine, regular medicine, conventional medicine, mainstream medicine, orthodox medicine, or cosmopolitan medicine.
Alternative Health Care Modalities are non-allopathic healing methods that include naturopathy and other named modalities (including homeopathy, acupuncture, massage, chiropractic, nutritional therapy, yoga, tai chi, qi gong, prayer, reiki, pranic healing, mindfulness meditation, biofeedback, hypnosis, dance and other movement therapies, art and music therapy).
Naturopathy is a distinct method of healing based on a philosophy recognizing a self-regulatory, inherent ability for self-healing in all living forms (a “vital force” operating intelligently and orderly); naturopathic approaches aim to support and enhance the body’s own ability to heal itself.
National Certification is a process of issuing certificates requiring education and testing that assures competency of practitioners and trainers, administered by PITAHC and other PITAHC-accredited institutions.
National Registration is a process of issuing certificates of registration requiring education and testing that assures competency of practitioners and trainers, administered by PITAHC and other PITAHC-accredited institutions.
Naturopath is a practitioner of naturopathy not licensed by the PRC to practice medicine as a physician, but who completed the prescribed naturopathy course in a learning institution accredited by the PITAHC National Certification Committee for Naturopathy.
Medical Naturopath is a naturopathy practitioner who has also been licensed by the PRC to practice medicine as a physician.

Coverage: Who the Guidelines Apply To

The guidelines apply to the following accreditation and certification activities:
- Accreditation of Training Programs
- Accreditation of Training Centers for Naturopathy
- Accreditation of Naturopathy Centers/Facilities
- National Certification of Naturopaths
The guidelines expressly define certification categories for practitioners as:
- Certified Naturopath Practitioner (CNP)
- Certified Medical Naturopath (CMN)
Naturopathy service provision is allowed through multiple settings including private practice centers/offices and institutional/organizational settings, as provided in Section 11.
Provisional certification is provided for a specific category of resident Filipino applicants already practicing naturopathy, as provided in Section 12.
Certification of non-Filipino naturopaths is regulated through specific documentary, language, residence, and supervision requirements, as provided in Section 13.

National Certification Committee and Assessments

PITAHC shall form a National Certification Committee for Naturopathy to certify naturopaths and medical naturopaths.
The committee is invited by the PITAHC Director General; invitations are valid for the period indicated and may be renewed by the Director General.
The committee composition includes:
- PITAHC Director General as Ex-officio Chairperson
- Permanent representatives:
  - PITAHC Advocacy and Training Division Chief
  - PITAHC Standard and Accreditation Division Chief
- Sector representatives:
  - Two (2) Medical Naturopaths
  - One (1) Naturopathic practitioner
  - One (1) Representative from an Accredited Naturopathy Training Center/School
  - One (1) Representative from a Naturopathy-related Consumeras Group/Health-Related NGO
The PITAHC Director General appoints the five (5) sectoral representatives; initial terms are two (2) years for three (3) sectoral representatives and one (1) year for two (2) sectoral representatives, with vacancies filled to serve the expired term.
Committee actions are made by majority vote of five (5) representatives from the stated sectors in meetings attended by a majority (3 of 5), subject to ratification and approval of the PITAHC Board; the PITAHC Director General casts the vote in case of a tie with quorum.
The Standard and Accreditation Division serves as committee secretariat.

Committee Powers, Certification Content, and Results

The committee shall:
- Develop and maintain assessments based on competency standards and code of ethics
- Issue naturopathy training policies
- Accredit training programs, centers, schools and centers/facilities for naturopathy
- Administer national certification assessments
- Certify practitioners
- Revoke certification/accreditation of practitioners and naturopathy training centers/schools/centers/facilities
- Reschedule or cancel assessments
- Accommodate candidates with disabilities (differently-abled)
- Uphold the PITAHC Code of Ethics for medical and non-medical naturopaths
- Develop and monitor a databank of practitioners, training centers/schools, and centers/facilities
- Represent interests of both medical and non-medical naturopaths
- Recommend commissioning of research related to naturopathy services and public health impact
- Review advertisement (quad media) of naturopathy practice and services
The National Certification Assessment covers the knowledge and skills for each competency and also covers basic approaches of applied science.
Certified Naturopath Practitioner (CNP) requires achievement of units of competency including:
- Holistic/integrated framework work
- Patient assessment according to a biomedicine framework (including determining referral to a biomedical practitioner without requiring a biomedical assessment)
- Patient assessment according to the Naturopathic framework
- Assisting in naturopathy center/facility administration
- Determining the patient’s naturopathic assessment
- Performing naturopathic therapeutic intervention
- Managing naturopathic center/facility service
- Continuing professional development
Certified Medical Naturopath (CMN) requires achievement of units of competency including:
- Holistic/integrated framework work
- Patient assessment according to a biomedicine framework within a naturopathic environment
- Patient assessment according to the naturopathic framework
- Determining the patient’s naturopathic assessment
- Performing naturopathic therapeutic intervention
- Performing naturopathic-related modalities
- Managing naturopathic center/facility services
- Continuing professional development
National assessment results are only “passed” or “failed.”
Results are published at the bulletin board or publication of PITAHC.

Certification Applicants: Qualifications and Requirements

Candidates for Certified Naturopath (CNP) must:
- Complete the prescribed naturopathy course in a learning institution accredited by the PITAHC National Certification Committee for Naturopathy
- Satisfactorily pass the corresponding naturopathic certification examination
- Be a holder of a valid Certificate of Registration duly issued by the PITAHC National Certification Committee for Naturopathy
The prescribed naturopathy course must be no less than 1500 hours, including no less than 400 hours of supervised clinical training or equivalent of a minimum of two (2) years of full-time study.
The course must include the items stipulated in the PITAHC Competency Standards for Naturopathy.
For Filipino naturopaths trained abroad, applications and portfolios are processed/reviewed and approved upon passing the examination by an authorized component body for this purpose.
Candidates for Certified Medical Naturopath (CMN) must:
- Be a licensed physician of good moral character
- Be a graduate of not less than 1000 hours, including no fewer than 400 hours of supervised clinical training in naturopathy for physicians as a technique for clinical work with:
  - 500 hours (450-600 hours) of Basic Principles and Theories
  - 500 hours (415-550 hours) of Clinical Preceptorship Practice
- Present a certificate for attendance in classroom and clinic settings from an accredited PITAHC training center or school of naturopathy
For Filipino physicians trained abroad, applications and portfolios are processed/reviewed and approved upon passing the examination by an authorized component body for this purpose.
All applicants must submit a duly accomplished Application Form for National Certification Examination with a current photograph.
All applicants must pay all necessary fees.

National Certification Fees and Assessment Venue

An application fee of P500.00 is collected from applicants who comply with requirements for national certification assessment.
For Community Based Health Programs, the national certification application fee is P300.00.
The application fee may be changed at any time upon review by the committee.
The certification assessment for naturopaths is conducted at PITAHC or at other venues determined by the PITAHC Committee.

Accreditation Fees, Validity, and Renewal Penalties

An accreditation fee of P500.00 and an additional accreditation certificate fee of P300.00 are collected for accreditation from applicants who comply with accreditation requirements.
For Community-Based Health Programs, the accreditation fee is P300.00 and the additional accreditation certificate fee is P300.00.
The accreditation fee may be changed at any time upon review by PITAHC.
A renewal accreditation fee of P500.00 and an additional accreditation certificate fee of P300.00 are collected for renewal.
For Community-Based Health Programs, the renewal accreditation fee is P300.00 and the additional accreditation certificate fee is P300.00.
A Certificate of Accreditation is valid for three (3) years, subject to suspension or cancellation for cause determined by PITAHC Committee.
Accreditation must be renewed on or before its expiration date.
The penalty for non-renewal by the Naturopath is P250.00 per year.
The penalty for non-renewal by the Community-Based Naturopath is P75.00 per year.
The penalty fee may be changed anytime upon review by PITAHC.

Naturopath Practice, Provisional Certification, and Non-Filipinos

Certified naturopaths may offer services in settings including:
- Private practice centers and offices
- Health spas and resorts, and cruise ships
- Health clubs and fitness centers
- Nursing homes and hospitals
- On-site in corporate workplaces
Certified practitioners without a permanent center or facility must present an ID or certification issued by PITAHC.
PITAHC grants a provisional certification by waiving requirements and issuing a certificate to a resident Filipino applicant who is already practicing naturopathy and resided in the Philippines at the time of guideline approval, upon evidence satisfactory to the National Certification Committee of successful completion of a PITAHC-approved naturopathy training program, submitted not later than three (3) years upon effectivity of the guidelines.
Non-Filipino naturopath certification requires all of the following:
- Possession of a Philippine passport, residence in the country for not less than 3 years, and securing an Alien Employment Permit from the DOLE
- Satisfaction of IELTS or TOEFL and fluency in Filipino
- Completion of the prescribed naturopathy course in a learning institution accredited/recognized by the PITAHC National Certification Committee for Naturopathy
- Passing of the corresponding naturopathic licensure examination and possession of a valid Certificate of Registration issued by the PITAHC National Certification Committee
- A course duration of no less than 1500 hours, including no less than 400 hours of supervised clinical training or equivalent of a minimum of two (2) years full-time study, including items in the PITAHC Competency Standards for Naturopathy
- Passing a registration/certification examination by an authorized component body
- Submission of:
  - Documentation of licensed/certified practice with a minimum of 100 different patients
  - Licensure/certification years authenticated by the Philippine Consulate from the country of origin
  - Documentation of current active certification authenticated by the Philippine Consulate
- Foreign certified naturopaths must practice under supervision of a Filipino PITAHC-certified Naturopath Practitioner or Certified Medical Naturopaths
Non-Filipino naturopaths issued certification must pay before beginning practice:
- An application fee of US$500.00
- An annual naturopathy certification fee of US$1000.00
- An additional accreditation certificate fee of US$300.00
Non-Filipino naturopaths must submit a renewal form and fee 30 days before the end of the year for the next year.
Non-Filipino naturopath renewal includes:
- A renewal accreditation fee of US$1,000.00
- An additional accreditation certificate fee of US$300.00
Non-renewal by a non-Filipino naturopath triggers a penalty of US$500.00 per month.
Visiting Teachers/Lecturers: A naturopath offered a teaching position in a PITAHC-accredited naturopathy training center may be issued a Limited Certificate, Visiting Professor if the naturopath has:
- At least 5 years experience as a naturopath
- Skills and training equivalent to PITAHC competency standards in naturopathy established to the National Certification Committee’s satisfaction
A Limited Certificate, Visiting Professor allows practice only to the extent incident to and necessary for the approved faculty duties.
The Limited Certificate is granted for two (2) years and may receive a one (1) year extension upon annual review and written request by the training center.
Visiting Professor fees before beginning practice include:
- An application fee of US$500.00
- An annual naturopath certification fee of US$200.00
- An additional accreditation certificate fee of US$500.00
Visiting Professors must submit a renewal form and fee 30 days before the end of the year for the next year.
Visiting Professor non-renewal penalty is US$200.00 per month.
Visiting Professor renewal includes:
- A renewal accreditation fee of US$1 000.00
- An additional accreditation certificate fee of US$300.00.

Grounds for Cancellation, Suspension, or Revocation

Naturopath national certification is subject to cancellation, revocation, or suspension based on:
- Violation of the PITAHC Code of Ethics and Standard of Practice for Naturopaths.

Training Program and Center Accreditation

Training centers offering courses for naturopathy must register course modules based on PITAHC Competency Standard.
Program accreditation requires mandatory compliance with minimum standards for traditional and alternative health care courses, including courses offered by public and private training institutions.
Accreditation applications for naturopathy programs may be filed at PITAHC, where training programs are evaluated and the National Certification Assessment is conducted.
PITAHC must monitor continuous compliance by training centers with minimum requirements and prescribed standards.

Training Center Requirements and Accreditation

Naturopathy training centers must meet requirements on:
- Facilities and Equipment
- Personnel
- A curriculum based on the PITAHC Competency Standard for Naturopathy
For Naturopathy Training Centers, facilities must include:
- One classroom with capacity to accommodate at least 20 persons at any given time
- One prototype assessment/examination room with chairs and tables for students, equipped with instruments such as stethoscope, sphygmomanometer (non-mercurial), thermometer (non-mercurial), weighing scale, and specified tools (including iridology assessment tools and live blood analysis assessment tools)
- One prototype treatment room accommodating at least 10 students at any given time
- Auxiliary rooms including comfort room, dressing room, waiting room, and an administrative office
- A library with books and AV materials relevant to offered courses
- Training materials and equipment based on training standards and course offering
- An original copy of PITAHC Competency Standards of Naturopathy and PITAHC Code of Ethics
For Naturopathy Training Centers, personnel requirements include:
- A full-time training officer who must be at least a college graduate
- Regular staff for the academic training program
- Updated bio-data and valid health certificates for required personnel
- Academic and skills trainers must have passed the PITAHC Training of Trainers Competency Assessment
For Community-Based Naturopathy Training Centers, facilities must include rooms/areas for:
- A classroom accommodating at least 5 persons
- An assessment/examination room for clients equipped with instruments such as stethoscope, sphygmomanometer, thermometer, weighing scale
- A treatment room accommodating at least 5 students
- Auxiliary rooms including comfort/dressing and waiting/administrative office
- A library with books and audiovisual materials relevant to the course offered
- Training materials and equipment based on naturopathy competency standards
- An original copy of PITAHC Competency Standards of Naturopathy and PITAHC Code of Ethics
Community-Based Training Centers must have a training officer/trainer who has passed the PITAHC Training of Trainers Competency Assessment.
A Certificate of Accreditation of a Training Center is issued to an applicant/institution that submits required documents and complies with requirements, including (where applicable) SEC or DTI registration documents, municipal/city permits, proof of premises ownership or lease/rental agreement, list of equipment, fire safety inspection certificates, list of training programs offered, valid health certificates of employees, and a duly accomplished application form.
An initial application fee is required:
- P1,000.00 for Naturopathy Training Centers
- P300.00 for Community-Based Naturopathy Training Centers
PITAHC conducts inspection through a duly authorized quality assessment team after receipt of the applicant’s notice.
If minimum requirements are met, PITAHC issues a Certificate of Accreditation with a PITAHC dry seal.
Grounds for cancellation of training center accreditation include:
- Falsification of documents by any officers or employees
- Failure to maintain standards and requirements for accreditation
A Certificate of Accreditation for a newly accredited Training Center is valid for one (1) year and renewal is annual thereafter, subject to suspension or cancellation for cause determined by PITAHC.
Training Center accreditation is non-transferable.
Training center accreditation fees and certificate fees are:
- For new Naturopathy Training Centers: P10,000.00 for one year plus P300.00 additional accreditation certificate fee
- For Naturopathy Training Center renewal: P3,000.00 for three (3) years plus P300.00 additional accreditation certificate fee
- For new Community-Based Naturopathy Training Centers: P3,000.00 plus P300.00 additional accreditation certificate fee
- For Community-Based Naturopathy Training Center renewal: P1,000.00 plus P100.00 additional accreditation certificate fee
Renewal must be done on or before expiration; penalties apply for non-renewal:
- P500.00 per year for non-renewal by the Naturopathy Training Center
- P150.00 per year for non-renewal by the Community-Based Naturopathy Training Center
Penalty fees may be changed anytime upon review by the PITAHC Committee.

Naturopathy Centers/Facilities Accreditation

Naturopathy centers/facilities must submit requirements for accreditation to PITAHC covering facilities/equipment and personnel.
For Naturopathy Centers/Facilities, required facilities/equipment include:
- Naturopathy treatment rooms with health devices/equipment (including colonic machine and other listed equipment), center supplies, beds designed for naturopathy treatment, communications equipment, naturopathy reference materials, naturopathy posters, patient clinical records based on the naturopathy competency standard, and a logbook of patient visits
- Administrative equipment and materials
- One prototype assessment/examination room with instruments such as magnifying glass and pen lights
- Auxiliary rooms including comfort room, dressing room, and waiting room, plus an administrative office
For Naturopathy Centers/Facilities, required personnel include naturopaths who are:
- PITAHC Certified Naturopathic Practitioners (CNP) or
- PITAHC Certified Medical Naturopaths (CMN)
For Community-Based Naturopathy Centers, required facilities/equipment include a treatment room with specified equipment (including vaporizer, nebulizer, energy machines), supplies, beds, communications, reference materials, charts, patient records based on naturopathy competency standard, logbook of patient/client visits, and auxiliary rooms.
Community-Based centers must have naturopaths who at least are:
- PITAHC-certified Naturopathic Practitioners or
- PITAHC-certified Medical Naturopaths
A Certificate of Accreditation for a Naturopathy Center is issued upon compliance with required documents and payment of required fees, including (where applicable) SEC or DTI registration documents, municipal/city permits, fire safety inspection certificates, and a duly accomplished application form.
Required application fees include:
- P1,000.00 for a Naturopathy Center/Facility
- P300.00 for a Community-Based Naturopathy Center/Facility
PITAHC conducts inspection through a duly authorized quality assessment team after receipt of the applicant’s notice.
PITAHC issues the Certificate of Accreditation with a PITAHC dry seal if minimum requirements are complied with.
Grounds for cancellation include:
- Falsification of documents
- Failure to maintain accreditation standards and requirements
- Illegal and immoral activities
A Certificate of Accreditation for a naturopathy center/facility is valid for two (2) years, subject to suspension or cancellation for cause determined by PITAHC.
Accreditation certificates for centers/facilities are non-transferable.
Accreditation fees for centers/facilities are:
- For accredited Naturopathy Centers/Facilities: P1,500.00 plus P300.00 additional accreditation certificate fee
- For renewal (two years): P1,500.00 plus P300.00 additional accreditation certificate fee
- For Community-Based Naturopathy Centers/Facilities (new): P500.00 plus P100.00 additional accreditation certificate fee
- For renewal (two years): P500.00 plus P100.00 additional accreditation certificate fee
Renewal must be on or before expiration; penalties apply:
- P1,000.00 per year for non-renewal by the Naturopathy Center/Facility
- P300.00 per year for non-renewal by the Community-Based Naturopathy Center/Facility
Penalty fees may be changed anytime upon review by the PITAHC Committee.

Final Rules, Suspension, and Effectivity

All issuances inconsistent with the guidelines are suspended or amended accordingly.
The guidelines take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in the ONAR or Official Gazette, or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Inconsistent issuances are likewise suspended or amended accordingly upon effectivity.