Regulation of Occupational Therapy Practice

Occupational Therapy focuses on enabling people to participate in daily activities by adapting tasks or environments.
Practice includes interventions in self-care, work, play, leisure across lifespan.
Occupational Therapist is a licensed professional, duly registered under this Act.

A regulatory Board composed of one chairperson and two members appointed by the President.
Members must be competent occupational therapists of recognized standing nominated by the professional organization.

Promulgate and enforce rules for occupational therapy practice.
Supervise registration and licensure; administer examinations.
Maintain professional roster and issue, revoke or suspend licenses and special permits.
Collaborate with CHED for educational standards compliance.
Adopt Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
Investigate violations, hold hearings, issue subpoenas.
Prescribe continuing professional development guidelines.
Computerize licensure examination process.

Must be Filipino residents, licensed occupational therapists with at least five years of practice.
Must be of good standing, no criminal records involving moral turpitude.
Cannot have pecuniary interest in occupational therapy education institutions.
Terms last three years, with limited consecutive terms, and can be removed for cause such as neglect, malpractice, unethical conduct.

Board members receive compensation comparable to other regulatory boards.
Board under administrative supervision of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).
PRC maintains records and provides secretariat support.

Board submits detailed annual report to the PRC summarizing activities and recommendations for profession enhancement.

Must pass licensure examination administered by the Board under PRC supervision.
Applicants must be Filipino citizens or foreigners with reciprocity, graduates of recognized occupational therapy programs, and of good moral character.

Covers occupational therapy theories, growth and development, occupational practice across lifespan, adult and pediatric dysfunction, psychosocial and community practice, professional ethics, management, and research.
Board may revise subjects and weights to align with current developments.

Passing requires a general average of 75% with no sub-rating below 60%.
Certificate of registration and license issued upon passing and payment of fees.
Licensed therapists shall use "OTRP" initials after their names.

Refusal if convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude, immoral or dishonorable conduct, or unsound mind.
Revoked licenses may be reinstated after two years with Board discretion on examination requirements.
Replacement certificates available for lost or damaged licenses.

Licensed occupational therapists must take an oath before practice.
Required to indicate registration number and license validity when signing professional documents.

Board may suspend or revoke licenses for violations of the Act, ethical breaches, malpractice, or unprofessional conduct after due process.
Maintains and updates a publicly accessible roster of licensed occupational therapists.

Issued to foreign occupational therapists under specific conditions:
- Consultation for essential national purposes.
- Free services in needed settings.
- Recognized experts contributing to the profession.
Permits valid up to one year with conditions on practice scope and location.

Board adopts Code of Ethics developed by the accredited professional organization.
Mandatory continuing professional development (CPD) for practicing therapists.
CPD Council may be created by the Board to oversee the program.

Integration of all occupational therapists into a single national organization accredited by the Board and Commission.
Automatic membership for currently registered practitioners upon fee payment.
Membership in the organization is non-exclusive.

Foreign occupational therapists granted licensure only if their country grants similar privileges to Filipino therapists.

Violations punishable by fines from P20,000 to P50,000 or imprisonment from two to five years, or both.

PRC Chairman to include the Act's implementation in budget programs.
Board to promulgate implementing rules, including ethical standards within 60 days of effectivity.

Existing joint physical therapy and occupational therapy board to function until new Board is constituted.
Separability clause to preserve remaining provisions if any part declared invalid.
Repeals inconsistent laws including provisions of Republic Act No. 5680.
Act takes effect fifteen days after publication in official gazette or newspapers.