Law Summary
Definition of Key Terms
- Accreditation: Formal approval for three years upon meeting requirements.
- Certificate of Accreditation: Issued by PRC upon meeting requirements and Board endorsement.
- Certificate of Registration (CoR) and Professional ID Card (PIC): Documents signifying professional registration and licensure.
- APO: Accredited Professional Organization with voluntary membership.
- AIPO: Accredited Integrated Professional Organization with mandatory membership, mandated by law.
Accreditation of Professional Organizations (APO) – Qualifications
- Established to promote welfare and advancement of professionals in one discipline.
- Open membership to all registered professionals of the discipline without discrimination.
- Registered as a non-stock, non-profit corporation with the SEC and BIR.
- Membership must include at least 50% plus one of registered professionals with valid PICs.
APO – Disqualifications
- Acts inimical to the profession or members.
- Non-compliance with lawful orders of the Board or PRC.
- Failure to comply with government regulatory policies.
- Discriminatory membership policies.
- Other similar offenses.
APO – Documentary Requirements for Accreditation
- Notarized petition affirming qualifications and absence of disqualifications.
- Secretary’s certificate or Board resolution authorizing representative.
- List of officers and members with PICs and registration details.
- SEC and BIR certificates, Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws, audited financial statements.
- Payment of prescribed fees.
- Soft copy submissions allowed for certain documents.
Renewal of APO Accreditation
- Petition affirming continued purpose and membership threshold.
- Updated corporate documents and member information.
- Same documentary requirements in form and deadlines as initial accreditation.
Accreditation of Integrated Professional Organizations (AIPO)
- Articles of Incorporation must mandate integration into one national organization per Professional Regulatory Law (PRL).
- Must be a non-stock, non-profit corporation duly registered with SEC and BIR.
- Membership threshold similar to APOs (50%+1 with valid PICs).
- Subject to same disqualifications and documentary requirements as APOs.
Processing and Validity of Accreditation
- Boards evaluate applications and forward endorsement or resolution within 30 days.
- PRC issues resolution and publishes accreditation in general circulation newspaper at applicant’s expense.
- Certificate of Accreditation valid for three years.
- Processing fee prescribed for initial and renewal applications.
Rights and Privileges of Accredited Organizations
- Represent their profession in various capacities including nominee submission, awards, and councils (e.g., CPD Council, ASEAN documentation).
- Participate in oath-taking ceremonies and professional monitoring committees.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Define and uphold professional responsibilities and ethics.
- Improve standards in collaboration with Boards and PRC.
- Propose policies for improvement of the profession.
- Ensure welfare and harmonious relationships among members.
- Report violations of the Professional Regulatory Law for prosecution.
- Submit annual reports including audited financial statements, General Information Sheets (GIS), and achievement reports.
Election Monitoring and Notification
- Must notify PRC of national election schedule 30 days prior.
- PRC may monitor elections via representatives, who shall report on proceedings.
Grounds for Suspension or Cancellation
- Loss of qualifications or failure to serve professional interests.
- Failure to maintain required membership percentage.
- Acts harmful to members or profession.
- Non-submission of required annual reports.
- Non-compliance with lawful Board or PRC orders.
- Suspension or cancellation decisions are final and effective after publication.
Effects of Expiration and Accreditation Changes
- Non-renewal results in loss of rights and privileges.
- New accreditation confers full rights and is valid for three years.
- Amendments to Professional Regulatory Laws do not affect incumbent organizations holding valid accreditation.
- PRC may appoint interim APO/AIPO when appropriate.
Investigation Procedures
- Administrative investigations are summary and governed by PRC rules.
- PRC or Boards may investigate and compel testimony or production of relevant documents.
Organizational Dispute Resolution
- PRC may mandate conciliation or mediation to resolve disputes affecting accreditation status.
Final Provisions
- Accredited organizations retain previous accreditation numbers.
- Invalid provisions do not affect the rest of the rules.
- Previous resolutions are repealed to the extent they conflict.
- The rules take effect 15 days after publication.