Definitions
- Respiratory Therapy: A specialty involved in treatment and care of cardiopulmonary system patients.
- Respiratory Therapist: A person with a valid registration and professional ID issued by the Board and PRC, licensed to practice in the Philippines.
- Respiratory Therapy Technician: A person with a 2-year associate or certificate in respiratory therapy under supervision of a registered respiratory therapist.
- Accredited Respiratory Training Center: Recognized units or institutions approved by the Department of Health.
- Recognized School of Respiratory Therapy: Academic institutions offering respiratory therapy courses approved by CHED upon Board recommendation.
Professional Regulatory Board of Respiratory Therapy
- Created under PRC supervision, composed of a Chairperson and two members appointed by the President.
- Qualifications include Philippine citizenship, minimum age, registration as respiratory therapist, professional experience, and no conflict of interest.
- Members serve three-year terms, eligible for reappointment but not exceeding six years.
- Compensation comparable to other regulatory boards.
- The Board has powers to promulgate rules, administer exams, issue and revoke certificates, enforce ethical standards, conduct investigations, and coordinate with CHED.
- Board members may be suspended or removed for causes such as gross neglect, malpractice, unethical conduct, or examination manipulation.
- Board under PRC administrative supervision; board records managed by PRC.
- Annual report submission to PRC is required.
Licensure Examination and Registration
- All applicants must pass a Board-administered licensure exam.
- Applicants must be Filipino citizens or foreign nationals meeting reciprocity requirements.
- Must complete 10 months/ 1,500 hours internship under a qualified registered respiratory therapist.
- Must hold a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy from CHED-accredited school.
- Licensure exam subjects cover a broad range of respiratory therapy fields including patient assessment, pathophysiology, mechanical ventilation, and pulmonary rehabilitation.
- Passing requires a general average of at least 75% with no grade below 60% in any subject.
- Registration without exam allowed for persons with specified degrees and extensive experience.
- Certificate of registration and professional identification card issued upon passing exam or registration without exam.
- Oath taking required before practice.
- Registration may be denied for convictions involving moral turpitude or unethical conduct.
- Registrants to indicate registration number and professional tax receipt on documents; use "RTRP" as professional suffix.
- Certificates may be revoked or suspended for violations; reinstatement possible after two years.
- Board maintains a public roster of respiratory therapists.
- Special/temporary permits may be issued to foreign experts and lecturers under specified conditions.
Practice of Respiratory Therapy
- Registered respiratory therapists perform functions under physician direction including tests interpretation, treatment implementation, ventilatory support, pulmonary hygiene, pulmonary rehabilitation, polysomnography assistance, bronchoscopy assistance, research, and education.
- Prohibition against practicing or offering respiratory therapy without valid registration or permit.
- Prohibited acts include unlicensed practice, use of another’s registration, and misrepresentation.
- Health establishments must employ at least three registered respiratory therapists on duty per shift.
- Board adopts a Code of Ethics and sets continuing professional education requirements.
- Integration of all respiratory therapist associations into one accredited national organization.
- Foreign reciprocity clause requires mutual professional practice permission.
Penal Provisions and Other Final Clauses
- Violations subject to fines of at least ₱20,000 or imprisonment of at least six months.
- Implementation funded through the annual General Appropriations Act.
- Board to promulgate implementing rules and Code of Ethics within 90 days after effectivity.
- Act does not affect practice of other legally recognized professions.
- Separability and repealing clauses ensure continued validity of remaining provisions and repeal inconsistent laws.
- Act takes effect 15 days after publication in two major newspapers.