Objectives
- Regulate licensure examination, registration, and licensing of geologists.
- Supervise and control geology practice.
- Develop geologists' professional competence through continuing education.
- Integrate the geology profession.
Definition of Terms
- "Practice of Geology": Providing geological services for or without compensation.
- "Board": The Professional Regulatory Board of Geology.
- "Accredited Professional Organization (APO)": The recognized geology organization accredited by the Board and PRC.
- "Continuing Professional Education (CPE)": Knowledge and skills acquired after initial registration to enhance competence.
Scope of Practice
- Includes geological survey, resource exploration, geohazard studies, hydrogeology, lab studies, environmental assessment, teaching geology, and other Board-determined geological activities.
- Board can modify the scope after consulting APO and academe.
Creation and Composition of the Board
- Composed of a chairman and two members appointed by the President.
- Members must be recommended by the Commission from APO nominees.
- Board is under the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).
Powers and Duties of the Board
- Regulate the geology profession and evaluate licensure applicants.
- Prescribe licensure exam subjects and syllabi.
- Issue certificates of registration, professional IDs, and special permits.
- Investigate violations and conduct inspections.
- Coordinate with CHED to inspect geology educational programs.
- Adopt IRR, Code of Ethics, and professional standards.
- Hear administrative cases and impose penalties.
- Administer oaths, issue subpoenas, and submit annual reports.
- Prosecute criminal violations.
- Prescribe CPE guidelines.
Qualifications and Terms of Board Members
- Must be Filipino citizens, geology degree holders, registered geologists with at least 10 years practice.
- Should have no conflict of interest with educational institutions or review centers.
- Term of 3 years, renewable once, max 6 years.
Registration and Licensure Examination
- Applicants must pass a licensure exam covering General Geology, Petrology and Mineralogy, and Applied Geology.
- Exams held at least annually at locations chosen by PRC.
- Applicants must have government-recognized geology degree and good moral character.
- Minimum passing grade: 70% general average and at least 50% per subject.
- Fees prescribed by PRC.
Issuance of Registration and Specialization Certificates
- Certificates issued to successful candidates (or exempted doctorate holders).
- Professional ID cards issued and renewed every 3 years with CPE compliance.
- Specialization certificates issued to geologists with documented expertise in specific geology fields.
Seal and Fees
- Registered geologists must use an official seal on professional documents.
- Registration fees payable to PRC.
Temporary/Special Permits for Foreign Geologists
- Issued for consultation, academic purposes, or under reciprocal agreements.
- Practice limited to specific works authorized.
- Foreigners must secure Board permit before arriving; alien employment permits require this.
Registration Refusal and Revocation
- Grounds for refusal include conviction for moral turpitude, immoral conduct, violation of examination rules, or unsound mind.
- Certificates may be suspended or revoked for fraud, incompetence, immorality, illegal practice, or impaired capacity.
- Administrative process applies for hearings and investigations.
Practice Regulations and Integration
- Only licensed geologists may practice.
- Practicing geologists at enactment are grandfathered.
- Foreign geologists subject to reciprocity rules.
- Registered geologists must indicate registration details on professional documents.
- Geology profession integrated into one national APO.
Penal Provisions
- Unauthorized practice or impersonation punishable by fines from PHP 10,000 to PHP 1,000,000 and/or imprisonment of 1 month to 5 years.
Enforcement and Administrative Provisions
- Board and PRC lawyers prosecute violations.
- Other government authorities support enforcement.
- Adoption of IRR, Code of Ethics, and professional standards is mandated.
- Funding included in the General Appropriations Act.
Transitory and Miscellaneous Provisions
- Existing registered geologists to register under new law.
- Faculty teaching geology must be registered within five years.
- Current Board members serve as interim until new Board established.
- Repeals former RA 4209 and inconsistent laws.
- Separability clause maintains validity of unaffected sections.
- Effectivity 15 days after publication.
This comprehensive summary presents the key provisions, scope, definitions, regulatory framework, licensing process, discipline, and penalties under the Act governing the practice of geology in the Philippines.