Declaration of Policy
- State policy to upgrade veterinary medicine practice to protect animal population.
- Recognizes veterinarians’ crucial role in nation-building.
- Promotes development of veterinarians with validated competence via licensure exams.
- Aims for world-class, internationally competitive standards in veterinary practice.
Objectives
- Governs licensure examination administration, veterinarian registration and licensing.
- Supervises and regulates veterinary medicine practice.
- Integrates veterinarians under an accredited professional organization.
- Develops professional competence through Continuing Professional Education (CPE) aligned with PRC guidelines.
Definitions
- "Veterinarian": Registered natural person with a valid Certificate of Registration and Professional ID issued by the Professional Regulatory Board of Veterinary Medicine.
- "Accredited Professional Organization": Veterinary professional body accredited by the Board and the Commission.
Composition of the Board
- Professional Regulatory Board of Veterinary Medicine created under PRC supervision.
- Comprises a chairman and two members, appointed by the President from lists submitted by the Commission and accredited professional organization.
Qualifications of Board Members
- Filipino citizen and Philippine resident for at least 5 years.
- Good health, sound mind, good moral character; no crime involving moral turpitude.
- Registered veterinarian with valid Certificate of Registration and ID card.
- Member in good standing of accredited organization.
- No faculty position or pecuniary interest in veterinary schools.
- Minimum 10 years practice experience.
- Not an officer in accredited organization at nomination.
Term of Office
- Three-year term, reappointment allowed once.
- Member serving last year automatically becomes chairperson.
- Vacancies filled for unexpired term.
- Incumbents before effectivity serve unexpired terms.
Powers, Functions, and Duties of the Board
- Enforce and implement the Act.
- Evaluate applicants' qualifications for exams, registration, special permits.
- Prepare and amend licensure exam syllabi in consultation with CHED and academe.
- Register successful examinees and issue Certificates of Registration.
- Prescribe continuing professional education guidelines.
- Revoke or suspend certificates after due process.
- Adopt Codes of Ethics and Technical Standards.
- Hear and investigate violations; issue subpoenas.
- Recommend curriculum changes to CHED.
- Promulgate necessary rules and regulations.
- Decisions on administrative cases appealable to Commission and then Court of Appeals.
Compensation
- Board members receive compensation comparable to other PRC regulatory boards as per the General Appropriations Act.
Removal of Board Members
- Grounds: neglect of duty, incompetence, ethical violations, exam manipulation, disclosure of exam questions, tampering of grades, criminal conviction involving moral turpitude.
- Removal by President upon Commission recommendation.
Administrative Supervision
- Board under administrative management of PRC.
- PRC holds Board’s records and provides secretariat support.
Annual Report
- Board submits detailed annual report of activities to the Commission.
Licensure Examination Requirements
- Licensure exam required except as otherwise provided.
- Conducted by Board and Commission at designated times and places.
Licensure Exam Subjects
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Veterinary Pharmacology
- Veterinary Medicine (including Ethics, Surgery, Animal Welfare, Jurisprudence)
- Zootechnics (including Animal Behavior, Environmental Health)
- Veterinary Microbiology and Public Health
- Veterinary Physiology
- Veterinary Anatomy
- Veterinary Pathology
- Syllabi may be amended as needed subject to approval.
Applicant Qualifications for Examination
- Philippine citizen or foreigner from reciprocal country.
- Good physical and mental health; good moral character.
- No criminal conviction involving moral turpitude.
- Holder of Veterinary Medicine degree from CHED-accredited institution.
Examination Ratings and Passing Criteria
- Weighted average of at least 75%, with no subject below 60% to pass.
- Re-examination allowed only in subjects failed (<60%).
- Failure to pass re-exam in subject means failure of entire exam.
Issuance of Certificates
- Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card issued upon passing.
- Certificates detail registrant’s name, serial number, issuance date, signatures, and official seals.
Fees
- Examination, registration, and ID card fees prescribed by the Commission.
Oath Taking
- All successful examinees and registrants take professional oath before practice.
Refusal to Register
- Registration denied for criminal conviction for moral turpitude, immoral conduct, unsound mind, or Animal Welfare Act violation.
- Written explanation required.
Revocation, Suspension, and Cancellation
- Grounds include unethical conduct, malpractice, fraud, negligence, substance abuse, aiding illegal practice, false advertising, concealing disease, violation of rules.
- Board has power to revoke or suspend licenses and cancel permits after due process.
Rights of Respondent
- Entitled to counsel, speedy public hearing, confront and cross-examine witnesses.
Administrative Investigation
- Written charges served within 5 days.
- Investigation conducted by Board or designated members/officers.
- Board issues final decision.
Appeals
- Decisions on denial, revocation, suspension, or cancellation appealable to the Commission within 15 days.
- Further appeal to Court of Appeals possible.
Reinstatement
- Application allowed one year after revocation.
- Reinstatement granted only if good cause shown.
Indication on Documents
- Veterinarians must indicate Certificate/ID numbers and Professional Tax Receipt numbers on prescriptions and documents.
Automatic Registration
- Existing veterinarians in the roster automatically registered under this Act.
Practice of Veterinary Medicine Defined
- Persons authorized to practice must use appropriate titles/designations (e.g., DVM, VMD).
- Practice includes diagnosis, treatment, surgery, dispensing remedies, official attestations, veterinary services that impact animal/human health, teaching veterinary clinical subjects.
- Other related tasks as specified by the Board upon recommendation.
Unlawful Practice
- Prohibited to practice without valid Certificate of Registration and Professional ID issued by the Board and Commission.
Foreign Reciprocity
- Foreign applicants must prove reciprocal treatment for Filipino veterinarians in their country.
Roster Maintenance
- Board maintains public roster of veterinarians listing names and addresses.
Penal Provisions
- Penalties apply to unauthorized practice, use of forged certificates, false evidence, impersonation, aiding illegal practice, use of revoked certificates, misuse of titles.
- Punished by fines between ₱50,000 - ₱100,000 and/or imprisonment from 1 to 5 years per offense.
Enforcement
- Commission oversees implementation and enforcement.
- May call upon government agencies for assistance.
Funding
- Commission to include implementation funding in annual General Appropriations Act.
Implementing Rules and Regulations
- Board to promulgate necessary rules within 60 days with Commission approval.
- Rules effective 15 days after publication.
Separability Clause
- If any provision declared unconstitutional, remaining provisions remain valid and effective.
Repealing Clause
- Repeals Republic Act No. 382 and other inconsistent laws, rules, and issuances.
Effectivity
- Act effective 30 days after publication in Official Gazette or newspaper of general circulation.