Objectives and Scope
- Governs licensure examinations, registration, and licensing of veterinarians.
- Oversees supervision and regulation of veterinary practice.
- Promotes integration of veterinarians under an accredited professional organization.
- Advances continuing professional education (CPE) in accordance with Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) guidelines.
Definitions
- "Veterinarian" means a natural person registered and issued valid certificates by the Professional Regulatory Board of Veterinary Medicine.
- "Accredited Professional Organization" refers to a professional veterinary group accredited by the Board and the Commission.
Professional Regulatory Board of Veterinary Medicine
- Composed of a chairman and two members, appointed by the President from nominees submitted by the accredited veterinary organization and the Commission.
Board Member Qualifications
- Must be a Filipino citizen, resident for five years, with good health, moral character, no criminal conviction involving moral turpitude.
- Must be a registered veterinarian with valid credentials, member in good standing of the accredited organization, with at least ten years of practice.
- Cannot be faculty/staff of any veterinary education institution or an officer of any veterinary professional organization at time of nomination.
Board Term and Succession
- Members serve a term of three years, reappointment possible once.
- Member serving last term year automatically becomes chairman.
- Vacancies filled for unexpired term.
Powers and Responsibilities of the Board
- Implement provisions of the Act.
- Determine qualifications of applicants for examination and registration.
- Prepare and amend licensure syllabi in consultation with CHED, academe, and professional organization.
- Register successful examinees and issue Certificates/Professional IDs.
- Prescribe CPE guidelines.
- Revoke or suspend licenses for due cause.
- Adopt and enforce Code of Ethics and Technical Standards.
- Hear and investigate violations with subpoena powers.
- Review and enhance veterinary practice conditions.
- Recommend course prescriptive changes to CHED.
- Promulgate necessary rules and administrative orders.
- Decisions subject to PRC review and appealable to Court of Appeals.
Board Compensation and Removal
- Compensation aligned with other regulatory boards.
- Members removable by the President upon PRC recommendation for neglect, incompetence, ethical breaches or exam manipulation.
Administrative Supervision
- Board under administrative supervision of PRC.
- PRC custody of all Board records.
- PRC provides secretariat and support.
Annual Reporting
- Board submits a detailed annual report to PRC with activities and recommendations.
Examination and Registration
- Licensure examination is mandatory to practice veterinary medicine.
- Examination subjects include Veterinary Parasitology, Pharmacology, Medicine, Zootechnics, Microbiology, Physiology, Anatomy, and Pathology.
- Board may modify subjects subject to PRC approval.
- Applicants must be Filipino or foreigners with reciprocal practice rights, in good moral character and health, and hold a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from CHED-accredited institutions.
- Examination ratings are announced within ten days.
Passing Criteria
- Must obtain 75% weighted average with no rating below 60% in any subject.
- Re-examination allowed in failed subjects only.
Certificate and Fees
- Certificates and Professional Identification Cards issued upon passing or registration without exam.
- Fees prescribed by the Commission.
Oath and Registration Refusal
- Successful candidates must take a professional oath before practicing.
- Registration can be denied for criminal convictions, immoral conduct, court declarations of unsound mind, or violations of the Animal Welfare Act.
Revocation and Suspension
- Grounds include ethical violations, incompetence, fraud, substance abuse, aiding illegal practitioners, false advertising, concealing disease outbreaks, violation of professional rules.
- Due process with notice and hearing rights guaranteed to respondents.
Administrative Investigation and Appeals
- Investigations conducted by the Board or designated officers.
- Decisions on revocation, suspension, refusal are final unless appealed to PRC within 15 days, and further appeal to Court of Appeals.
Reinstatement
- Allowed after one year from revocation upon satisfying Board requirements and Commission approval.
Indications on Documents
- Veterinarians must indicate their certificate and tax receipt numbers on professional documents.
Automatic Registration
- Existing veterinarians listed in the roster are automatically registered under the Act.
Practice of Veterinary Medicine
- Titles such as D.V.M., V.M.D., or "Veterinarian" must be used by licensed practitioners.
- Activities include diagnosis, treatment, surgery, prescription, health certification, technical services affecting animal and human health, teaching veterinary subjects.
- Board may specify other veterinary work.
Unlawful Practice
- Unauthorized practice without valid registration and identification is prohibited.
Foreign Reciprocity
- Foreign applicants must prove reciprocal practice rights from their country.
Roster Maintenance
- Board keeps and makes public the roster of veterinarians upon request and fees.
Penal Provisions
- Penalties include fines from ₱50,000 to ₱100,000 and/or imprisonment from 1 to 5 years for unauthorized practice, falsification, impersonation, illegal assistance, misuse of revoked licenses, or false advertising.
Enforcement and Funding
- PRC responsible for enforcement, investigative assistance, and coordination with government agencies.
- Implementation funding included in annual General Appropriations Act.
Rulemaking and Implementation
- Board to promulgate implementing rules within 60 days, effective 15 days after publication.
Separability and Repealing Clauses
- Invalid provisions declared unconstitutional do not affect remaining parts.
- Repeals Republic Act No. 382 and other inconsistent issuances.
Effectivity
- Act takes effect 30 days after official publication.