Definitions of Key Terms
- Communication disorder: Impairment in receiving, processing, representing, or transmitting symbolic systems; includes hearing, language, and speech disorders.
- Diagnosis: Identification of communication or swallowing abnormalities by symptom analysis.
- Evaluation: Overall appraisal of diagnostic significance, using formal and informal methods.
- Language: Structured symbolic interpersonal communication systems.
- Speech: Oral communication medium expressing thoughts and feelings using linguistic codes.
- Speech language pathologist: Registered and licensed professional with a valid certificate issued by the Board and Commission.
- Speech language pathology: Allied health profession focused on evaluation, diagnosis, management, and prevention of communication and swallowing disorders.
- Swallowing disorder: Difficulty managing solid or liquid bolus during feeding stages.
Creation and Composition of the Regulatory Board
- Professional Regulatory Board of Speech Language Pathology created within 90 days of enactment.
- Composed of a chairperson and two members appointed by the President from nominees by the Accredited Integrated Professional Organization (AIPO).
Qualifications of Board Members
- Natural-born Filipino resident for at least five years.
- Registered and licensed speech language pathologist with five years of active practice (except initial appointees).
- Good moral character and no convictions involving moral turpitude.
- No direct or indirect pecuniary interest in schools offering relevant degrees or review classes.
Powers and Functions of the Board
- Enforce rules and regulations for the Act.
- Administer oaths, supervise registration and licensure, and maintain professional rosters.
- Coordinate with CHED ensuring educational institutions' compliance.
- Adopt a Code of Ethics and standards for practice.
- Oversee examinations, issue, suspend, or revoke registration certificates.
- Investigate violations, issue subpoenas, hear cases, and grant registration without examination.
- Issue certificates for advanced studies and perform other necessary duties.
Term, Compensation, and Suspension of Board Members
- Terms: Three years, with staggered initial terms and maximum of six continuous years.
- Board members receive compensation comparable to other regulatory boards.
- Grounds for suspension or removal include neglect, malpractice, examination manipulation, unethical conduct.
- Administrative proceedings carried out by the Commission with preventive suspension during investigations.
Administrative Supervision and Record Custody
- Board under supervision of the Professional Regulation Commission.
- Records and cases custody with the Commission.
- Commission provides secretariat and support services.
Annual Report
- Board submits yearly report on activities and recommendations to the Commission.
Licensure Examination
- Mandatory examination for all applicants except those qualified for registration without examination.
- Qualifications include Philippine citizenship or reciprocal foreign citizenship, good moral character, and recognized bachelor's degree.
- Examination covers comprehensive topics related to anatomy, neurological bases, disorders, interventions, and professional ethics.
- Board may modify examination scope and subject weights as needed.
Registration Without Examination
- Applicants with recognized degrees before the Act's effectivity who are AIPO certified may register without examination if they apply within one year after implementing rules.
Examination Rating and Registration Process
- Passing requires a 75% general weighted average with no subject score below 50%.
- Board reports ratings within ten days post-examination.
- Registrants must take the oath of profession before practice.
- Certificates and professional IDs issued upon compliance with requirements and fees.
Professional Documentation Requirements
- All professional documents must indicate registration number, validity dates, and income tax registration.
Grounds for Refusal and Revocation
- Registration refused for convictions involving moral turpitude, immoral or dishonorable conduct, or mental incompetence.
- Certificate may be suspended or revoked for unprofessional conduct, malpractice, or violations of the Act or Code of Ethics.
Reinstatement and Roster Maintenance
- Certificate reinstatement possible after two years, subject to Board approval.
- Suspended practitioners reinstated upon proof of fitness.
- Board maintains and updates a roster of registered speech language pathologists with pertinent data.
Special Temporary Permits
- Issued to qualified foreign experts for consultation, teaching, or specialization under strict limitations.
- Permits valid for one year, renewable, and specify scope and place of practice.
- Board prescribes implementing rules for this permit.
Certificates of Recognition
- Guidelines established for recognizing advanced studies, research, and accomplishments enhancing the profession.
Scope of Practice
- Covers evaluation, diagnosis, management, and prevention of communication and swallowing disorders.
- Involves working with other professionals, families, and communities.
- Includes training, teaching, research, consultancy, and educational roles.
Employment and Practice Restrictions
- Positions requiring speech language pathology services to be filled only by licensed professionals within one year.
- Unlicensed persons are prohibited from practicing or representing themselves as speech language pathologists.
- Advertising or use of certificates by unqualified persons is prohibited.
Code of Ethics and Professional Standards
- Board adopts a Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice in consultation with the AIPO.
Professional Integration
- Speech language pathologists integrated into one national professional organization (AIPO) with mandatory membership upon registration.
- Membership in the AIPO does not bar other professional affiliations.
Foreign Reciprocity
- Registration and privileges for foreign practitioners depend on reciprocity agreements with their home countries.
Non-Interference with Other Professions
- The Act does not affect the practice of other legally recognized professions.
Funding and Implementation
- Commission Chair includes Act implementation in programs funded by the General Appropriations Act.
- Board to promulgate implementing rules and Code of Ethics within six months.
Penal Provisions
- Violations punished by fines between PHP 20,000 to PHP 50,000, imprisonment from 2 to 5 years, or both.
Separability and Repealing Clauses
- Invalid provisions do not affect the remainder of the Act.
- Inconsistent laws and issuances repealed or modified accordingly.
Effectivity
- The Act takes effect fifteen days after publication in the Official Gazette or newspaper of general circulation.