# Professional Regulation Commission

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC; Filipino: Komisyon sa Regulasyong Pampropesyonal) is a three-member commission attached to Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). Its mandate is to regulate and supervise the practice of professionals (except lawyers, who are handled by the Supreme Court of the Philippines) who constitute the highly skilled manpower of Philippines. As the agency-in-charge of the professional sector, the PRC plays a strategic role in developing the corps of professionals for industry, commerce, governance, and the economy.

## History

On June 17, 1950, the Office of the Board of Examiners was created through Republic Act No. 546 on June 17, 1950, under the supervision of the Civil Service Commission.
The Office of Board Examiners would later be renamed as Professional Regulation Commission through Presidential Decree No. 223 on June 22, 1973, which was signed by President Ferdinand Marcos. The first PRC Commissioner, Architect Eric C. Nubla assumed office on January 2, 1974.
The PRC Coat-of-Arms designed by the Heraldry Commission was officially adopted on February 1, 1974. The Commission made its offices at the burned Civil Service Commission building at P. Paredes Street in Manila. The structure later became the PRC Main Building. The PRC began issuing certificates of registration in Filipino with English translation.
In the same year, also saw the computerization of the database of registered professionals with the assistance of the National Computer Center. The Implementing Rules and Regulations of Presidential Decree 223 are promulgated on December 9 of that year.
In 1975, PRC began issuing computer-printed registration cards with one-year validity. PRC starts accrediting professional organizations.
On December 5, 2000, President Joseph Estrada signed the Republic Act No. 8981, known as the PRC Modernization Act of 2000. The Implementing Rules and Regulations of the act were adopted on February 15, 2001.

## Functions
### Executive

Administer, implements, and enforces the regulatory policies of the national government, including the maintenance of professional and occupational standards and ethics and the enforcement of the rules and regulations relative thereto.

### Quasi-Judicial

Investigates cases against erring examinees and professionals. Its decisions have the force and effect of the decisions of a court of law, with the same level of authority as a Regional Trial Court. After the lapse of the period within which to file an appeal, Commission decisions become final and executory.

### Quasi-Legislative

Formulates rules and policies on professional regulation. When published in the official gazette, these rules have the force and effect of law.

## Mandate

Republic Act 8981, otherwise known as the "PRC Modernization Act Of 2000", mandates the following:
* Institutionalization of centerpiece programs
   * full computerization
   * careful selection of Professional Regulatory Board members, and
   * monitoring of school performance to upgrade quality of education
* Updating of organizational structure for operational efficiency and effectiveness;
* Strengthening of PRC's enforcement powers, including regulatory powers over foreign professionals practicing in the country;
* Authority to use income for full computerization; and
* Upgrading of compensation and allowances of Chairperson to that of a Department Secretary and those of the Commissioners to that of Undersecretary.

## Regulated professions

Under the Commission are the forty-three (43) Professional Regulatory Boards which exercise administrative, quasi-legislative, and quasi-judicial powers over their respective professions. The 43 PRBs which were created by separate enabling laws, perform these functions subject to review and approval by the Commission:
* Prepare the contents of licensure examinations. Determine, prescribe, and revise the course requirements
* Recommend measures necessary for advancement in their fields
* Visit / inspect schools and establishments for feedback
* Adopt and enforce a Code of ethics for the practice of their respective professions
* Administer oaths and issue Certificate of Registration
* Eligibility to Work at any Government offices whether National or Local.
* Investigate violations of set professional standards and adjudicate administrative and other cases against erring registrants
* Suspend, revoke, or reissue Certificate of Registration for causes provided by law

### Professional Regulatory Boards

Agriculture
* Agriculture
Architecture and Design
* Architecture
* Interior Design
* Landscape Architecture
* Master Plumbing
Business
* Accountancy
* Real Estate Services
Communication and Information Science
* Library Science
Education
* Professional Teaching
Engineering
* Aeronautical Engineering
* Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
* Chemical Engineering
* Civil Engineering
* Electrical Engineering
* Electronics and Communications Engineering
* Geodetic Engineering
* Mechanical Engineering
* Metallurgical Engineering
* Mining Engineering
* Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
* Sanitary Engineering
Health Sciences
* Dentistry
* Medical Technology
* Medicine
* Midwifery
* Nursing
* Nutrition and Dietetics
* Occupational Therapy
* Optometry
* Pharmacy
* Physical Therapy
* Radiologic Technology and X-ray Technology
* Respiratory Therapy
* Speech-Language Pathology
Natural Sciences
* Chemistry
* Environmental Planning
* Fisheries Technology
* Food Technology
* Forestry
* Geology
* Veterinary Medicine
Public Administration
* Customs brokerage
Social Sciences
* Criminology
* Guidance Counselor
* Psychology
* Psychometrics
* Social Work

## Accredited Professional Organization (APO)

Agriculture
* Philippine Association of Agriculturists, Inc. (PAA)
Architecture and Design
* National Master Plumbers Association of the Philippines (NAMPAP)
* Philippine Association of Landscape Architects (PALA)
* Philippine Institute of Interior Designers (PIID)
* United Architects of the Philippines (UAP)
Business
* Philippine Association of Realty Consultants and Specialists (PARCS)
* Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA)
Communication and Information Science
* Philippine Librarians Association, Inc. (PLAI)
Engineering
* Geodetic Engineers of the Philippines (GEP)
* Institute of Electronics Engineers of the Philippines, Inc. (IECEP)
* Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines, Inc. (IIEE)
* Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers (PIChE)
* Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE)
* Philippine Society of Agricultural Engineers (PSAE)
* Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers (PSME)
* Philippine Society of Mining Engineers (PSEM)
* Philippine Society of Sanitary Engineers (PSSE)
* Society of Aerospace Engineers of the Philippines (SAEP)
* Society of Metallurgical Engineers of the Philippines (SMEP)
* Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SONAME)
Health Sciences
* Integrated Midwives Association of the Philippines (IMAP)
* Integrated Philippine Association of Optometrists, Inc. (IPAO)
* Nutritionist-Dietitians' Association of the Philippines (NDAP)
* Philippine Association of Medical Technologists (PAMET)
* Philippine Association of Radiologic Technologists (PART)
* Philippine Association of Speech-Language Pathologists (PASP)
* Philippine Dental Association (PDA)
* Philippine Medical Association (PMA)
* Philippine Nurses Association (PNA)
* Philippine Pharmacists Association, Inc. (PPHA)
* Philippine Physical Therapy Association (PPTA)
Natural Sciences
* Geological Society of the Philippines (GSP)
* Integrated Chemists of the Philippines (ICP)
* Philippine Institute of Environmental Planners (PIEP)
* Philippine Society of Fisheries, Inc. (PSF)
* Philippine Veterinary Medical Association (PVMA)
* Society of Filipino Foresters (SFF)
Public Administration
* Chamber of Customs Brokers (CCB)
* Philippine Association of Community Development (PACD)
Social Sciences
* Philippine Association of Social Workers, Inc. (PASWI)
* Philippine Guidance Counseling Association, Inc. (PGCA)
* Professional Criminologist Association of the Philippines (PCAP)
* Psychological Association of the Philippines (PAP)

## Outstanding Professional of the Year Awards (OPYA)

The Professional Regulation Commission annually awards outstanding professionals in field clusters:
* Business, Education and Social
* Engineering
* Health and allied
* Technology.
Notable recipients of awards have included:
* Josefa Jara Martinez (Social Worker of the Year, 1978).