SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
S. B.No.ili40 
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR SONNY ANGARA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
'13 
OCT! 4 P 1 :59 
The Professional Nursing in the Philippines is currently guided by Republic Act No. 
9173, otherwise known as The Philippine Nursing Act of 2002. During the time of its enactment, 
there were only 251 schools offering nursing courses. A decade after, we now have 491 Colleges 
of Nursing. From year 2000-2010, data show a total of 2,668,046 emollees in nursing programs, 
nationwide Witll 491,900 graduates - 365,625 of which, including "repeaters," passed the 
nursing licensure examinations. Over the same period of time, there were only 130,703 nurses 
deployed overseas while the local positions remained at 6S,000. The inadequacies of fue system 
in determining and projecting human resource needs in and out of fue country produced an 
oversupply of registered nurses from 150,000 -180,000 in 2007-2008 to 280,000 in 2008-2009. 
Unfortunately, the number of Filipino nurses has been inversely proportional to the 
quality of education provided by our nursing schools. The Nurse Licensure Exam (NLE) results 
show an alarming decline in the national passing percentage year after year. It reached an all-
time low of 35.26% in the December 2010 NLE wifu only 29,71] passers out of 84,287 examinees. 
Citing the decline in the quality of graduates, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) 
issued Memorandum Order 32-2010 promulgating a moratorium on the opening of all 
undergraduate and graduate programs in Business Administration, Nursing, Teacher 
Education, Hotel and Restaurant Management, and Information Technology effective School 
Year 2010-2011. 
While we have an oversupply of nurses, we are still far from achieving fue ideal nurse to 
patient ratio of 1:4 pel' shift in our hospitals. The Philippine General Hospital has a nurse to 
patient ratio of 1:15-26 pel' shift while Davao del Sur has a province-wide ratio of 1:44-45 per 
shift. Clearly, there is an urgent need for reforms. 
This bill proposes to expand the role and responsibilities of Filipino nurses and equip 
them towards independent practice - from primary health care, to fue more specialized and 
advanced practice of nursing development through the expansion of the scope of nursing 
practice to encompass not only nursing education and services but also include, leadership and 
governance as inherent areas of practice. 
Philippine Nursing must extend beyond institution and employment-based care services 
to help realize access to Universal Health Care. The Nursing Practice must be proactively 
responsive to both local and global demands and developments. 
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 


I 
~IXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
~EPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
~irst Regular Session 
I 
) 
) 
) 
S. B. No. 1840 
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR SONNY ANGARA 
'13 
GCT 14 P 1 :59 
AN ACT INSTITUTING REFORMS TO FURTHER PROTECT AND DEVELOP THE 
NURSING PROFESSION, REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT 
NUMBERED NINETY-ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-THREE, OTHERWISE 
KNOWN AS THE "PHILIPINE NURSING ACT OF 2002." 
Be it enacted in the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
1 
ARTICLE I 
2 
TITLE 
3 
Section 1.Short Title. This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Nursing Practice 
4 
Reform Act of 2013." 
5 
ARTICLE II 
6 
DECLARATION OF POLICY 
7 
8 
Section 2. Declaration of Policy. Public health safety demands a high level of 
9 
c;ompetency among Filipino nurses. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
10 
guarantee universal access to the delivery of basic quality health services through an 
11 
adequate nursing personnel system throughout the country. 
The State recognizes 
12 
~urses as prime movers of national development and contributors to international 
13 
¢ooperation and understanding. 
As such, the State assumes responsibility for the 
14 
protection, improvement and development of the nursing profession by instituting 
, 
15 
measures that will result in relevant and quality nursing practice, humane working 
16 
c:onditions, better career prospects, and a dignified existence for nurses to ensure high 
17 
~evel of wellness and well-being. 
18 
19 
1 


· 
- -----------:--------------------------
1 
ARTICLE III 
2 
DEFINITION OF TERMS 
3 
Section 3. For purposes of this Act, the following terms are hereby defined: 
4 
(a) Nurse - As provided for in this law, a nurse shall refer to a Bachelor of Science in 
5 
Nursing graduate and licensed/registered in the roster of professionals of the 
6 
Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC) to practice the profession of Nursing. 
7 
The nurse may also be referred to as Professional Nurse, Registered Nurse, 
8 
Professional Registered Nurse, or R.N.; 
9 
(b) Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) -
is the government agency 
10 
described under Republic Act No. 8981, hereinafter referred to as the 
11 
"Commission" ; 
12 
(c) Professional Regulatory.Board of Nursing (PRBON) - is the administrative 
13 
body created by law to supervise and regulate the practice of the nursing 
14 
profession in the Philippines. As such, the PRBON shall be the ultimate authority 
15 
in the practice of the profession in the Philippines and shall hereinafter referred 
16 
to as the Board; 
17 
(d) Accredited Professional Organization (APO) - a professional organization of 
18 
nurses duly accredited by the Professional Regulation Commission, hereinafter 
19 
referred to as APO; 
20 
(e) Public Health Institution -
any government-led, owned or controlled 
21 
institutions which pursues and realizes the lofty goals and objectives of 
22 
providing and managing safe, efficient, effective and quality public health 
23 
programs and services and advocacies for health, in all levels of the Health Care 
24 
Delivery System (HCDS), from national to local, which include among others: 
25 
Rural Health Units (RHUs) or Barangay Health Centers; Research Facilities such 
26 
as the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, etc.; Training Resource Facilities 
27 
such as the U.P. College of Public Health; State or Local Colleges and/or 
28 
Universities offering Health-Related Programs; the Department of Health and all 
29 
retained Health Facilities, and the like; 
30 
(f) Certification/Credentialing - a process undertaken by an individual nurse to be 
31 
recognized to practice in a specifically defined profeSSional tract i.e. General 
32 
Nursing, Nursing Specialty/Advanced Practice, Nursing Education, and 
33 
Leadership and Governance. The board confers the certification or credential 
34 
after a validation process based on promulgated guidelines and mechanisms. 
2 


1 
(g) Commission on Higher Education (CHED) - the government agency created to 
2 
lead, promote, and regulate higher/ tertiary education in the Philippines created 
3 
under Republic Act No. 7722, hereinafter referred to as CHED. 
4 
(h) Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) - refers to the tertiary or higher education 
5 
program which provides graduates with a Baccalaureate Nursing Degree and 
6 
shall hereinafter be referred to as BSN. This program is effectively promulgated 
7 
under enabling Policies, Standards, and Guidelines (PSG) issued by the 
8 
Commission on Higher Education (CI-lED). 
9 
10 
11 
ARTICLE IV - Scope of Nursing 
12 
Section 4. Scope of Nursing Practice. 
A person shall be deemed to be practicing 
13 
nursing within the meaning of this Act, when singly or in collaboration with another, 
14 
with compensation or for a fee, when the person assumes any or all of the three roles: 
15 
(1) as a provider of direct client care, (2) as a manager of health programs and health 
16 
services, and (3) as a researcher, that requires the use of nursing knowledge and 
17 
contributes to the development of the profession. Clients include individuals with 
18 
varying age groups, gender and with varied health-illness status, families, population 
19 
groups, and communities in any health care setting. Nursing encompasses care of 
20 
clients in the various stages of human growth and development which covers 
21 
conception, labor, delivery, infancy, childhood, toddler, preschool, school age, 
22 
adolescence, adulthood, and old age. 
23 
24 
Nurses are primarily responsible for the promotion of health and prevention of illness. 
25 
As members of the health team, nurses shall collaborate with other health care 
26 
providers for the promotive, preventive, curative and rehabilitative aspects of care, 
27 
restoration of health, alleviation of suffering, and when recovery is not possible, 
28 
provide end-of-life care. 
29 
30 
In performing independent and collaborative functions, it shall be the duty of the nurse 
31 
to: 
32 
(a) provide nursing care through the utilization of the nursing process. Basic nursing 
33 
care is holistic care which includes but not limited to the provision of physiologic, 
34 
psycho-social, emotional, and spiritual care. This shall comprise any or combination 
35 
of essential primary health care, fhe application of traditional and innovative 
3 


,,' 
1 
approaches, therapeutic use of self, rendering health care techniques and procedures, 
2 
safety and 
comfort 
measures, 
health 
education, 
health 
counseling, 
and 
3 
administration of written prescription for treatment, therapies, oral, topical and 
4 
parenteral medications, perform peripartal care covering pre-intra-postpartum care 
5 
including the performance of internal examination during labor in the absence of 
6 
antenatal bleeding, attend to normal delivery and suturing of perineal laceration and 
7 
immediate care of the newborn; perform perioperative care covering pre-intra-post 
8 
surgical care interventions; care during emergency and disasters; and end-of-life care; 
9 
(b) provide specialized, expanded, and advanced nursing care based on standards 
10 
promulgated by the Board; 
11 
(c) establish linkages, collaborate with community resources and coordinate with the 
12 
health team in any health care setting; 
13 
(d) provide health education and health counseling to empower individuals, families, 
14 
population groups and communities to maintain, attain, restore and sustain optimal 
15 
health and quality of life; 
16 
(e) teach, guide and supervise students in nursing education programs including the 
17 
administration of nursing services in varied settings such as hospitals, clinics, and 
18 
other health industry settings where the practice of the nursing profession exists; 
19 
(f) undertake consultation services and engage in such services that require the 
20 
utilization of knowledge and decision-making skills of a Nurse; 
21 
(g) supervise nursing and ancillary nursing personnel in the delivery of safe and quality; 
22 
healthcare services in varied settings; 
23 
(h) maintain competence by adhering to the national nursing core competency 
24 
standards (NNCCS) and engaging in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) 
25 
and lifelong learning within the context of the national nursing career progression 
26 
program (NNCPP); 
27 
(i) observe at all times, the Code of Ethics for Nurses promulgated by the Board, uphold 
28 
the standards of safe and quality nursing practice, and demonstrate responsible 
29 
citizenship; 
30 
G) Undertake nursing and health human resource development, training, and research 
31 
for continuous quality improvement and evidence-based practice. 
32 
33 
Section 4-A. Nursing Service - refers to the healthcare services provided by nurses in 
34 
accordance with Article IV, Section 4 hereof and adheres to the core competency 
35 
standards prescribed by the Board. Nursing Services include provision of beginning, 
4 


1 
specialized, expanded, and/or advanced practice of nursing including nursing 
2 
management in various healthcare industry settings such as institutions (hospitals, 
3 
clinics, schools, or companies, public health institutions, etc.) or communities where the 
4 
competencies of a nurse are required. 
5 
6 
(A) General Nursing Practice - is the provision, by nurses, of safe, holistic, and 
7 
quality care to individuals, families, population groups, or communities, 
8 
independently, or collaboratively or as part of the healthcare team, who will 
9 
assess, plan, implement, and evaluate evidence-based care provided to 
10 
clients: 
11 
12 
The nurse shall possess the following minimum qualifications: 
13 
(1) Graduated from a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a college or 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
35 
university duly recognized by the CHED; 
(2) Possess a certificate of registration and current professional 
identification card issued by the Commission; 
(3) Physically, mentally, and psychologically fit to practice nursing; 
(4) Not convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude; and 
(5) A member of the APO for nurses. 
(B) Advanced Nursing Practice - is the provision, by nurses, of safe, holistic, and 
quality care to individuals, families, population groups, or communities 
requiring advanced or higher level competencies in the delivery of 
healthcare services independently or collaboratively or as part of the 
healthcare team. 
Advanced Practice Nurses (APN) are nurses with the following 
qualifications over and above the General Practice Nurse requirements: 
(1) A graduate with relevant master's degree from a university duly 
recognized by the CHED; 
(2) Certified/ credentialed based on standards promulgated by the Board; 
(3) Demonstrate the requisite experience in the field of 
specialization/ advance practice. 
(4) Member of the APO and the appropriate PRBON-Recognized Specialty 
Nursing Organization relevant to one's specialty/advance prac.tice; 
5 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
(C) Nursing Service Management - refers to the Management and 
Administration of Nursing Services by Nurses equipped with the necessary 
competencies on governance and leadership characterized to wit: 
(1) First Level Manager, who takes responsibility directly for the physical 
set-up of the unit, structure, and other human resources for healthcare 
provision; 
(2) Middle Level Manager, is responsible for the department or section 
handling more than one or two units, takes care of the financial, logisticS, 
operational functions and others; 
(3) Top Level Manager, oversees all nursing units in terms of financial and 
human resource-requirements for health such as nurses and nursing 
assistances/ adjuncts. 
Nursing Service Managers are nurses with the following qualifications over 
and above the General Practice Nurse requirements: 
(1) For first level managerial position in nursing - 18 units of nursing 
management and clinical subjects in the Master of Arts/Master of Science 
in Nursing, at least three (3) years of clinical/work experience, and 
participated in at least one (1) research project to improve quality of care.; 
(2) For middle level managerial position in nursing -
Masters Degree in 
Nursing and at least three (3) years of clinical/ work experience, two (2) 
years of management experience, and initiated at least one (1) research 
project to improve quality of care; 
(3) For top level managerial position in nursing - Masters Degree in Nursing 
and at least three (3) years of clinical/ work experience and five (5) years 
of management experience; and initiated at least two (2) research projects 
to improve quality of care; 
(4) In all managerial positions - present the necessary Certificate of 
Proficiency (COP) from the Board in observance of the Nursing 
Leadership and Governance Certification Program (Nurse Administrator 
I, Nurse Administrator II, Nursing Administration Specialist); 
6 


· ., 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
(5) Must be a member of good standing of the Accredited Professional 
Organization 
(APO) and the appropriate PRBON-Recognized Nursing organization 
relevant to one's Nursing Management and Leadership Practice. 
The above qualifications shall apply to all nurses occupying managerial 
positions across all health facilities. 
9 
Section 4-B. Nursing Education - refers to the formal learning and training in the 
10 
science and art of nursing provided by higher education institutions (HEIs) duly 
11 
recognized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
3S 
(A) Baccalaureate Nursing Program-refers to the nursing education program 
which envisions providing sound liberal and professional education and 
equips basic nursing students with the necessary competencies for entry-
level safe and quality nursing practice. 
Admission to the baccalaureate nursing program shall require passing a 
National Nursing Admission Test (NNAT). 
The Curriculum and the Related Learning Experiences (RLE) shall be in 
accordance with the National Nursing Core Competency Standards 
promulgated by the Board and implemented through the Policies, Standards 
and Guidelines (PSG) of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). 
(B) 
Graduate Nursing Education Program-refers to the post baccalaureate 
nursing program which builds on the experiences and skills of a nurse 
towards mastery, expertise, and leadership in practice, research, and 
education. It includes a master's degree and doctorate degree in nursing 
founded on the philosophies, scientific body of knowledge and practice. 
Graduate Nursing Education Programs and post-graduate courses shall be 
offered only in colleges with Level III Accredited Baccalaureate Nursing 
Programs in accordance with Commission on Higher Education (CHED) 
Policies, Standards and Guidelines (PSG) on Graduate Education. 
7 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
35 
(C) Qualification of Faculty Members. 
(1) For Baccalaureate Nursing Education - A faculty member in a college of 
nursing, 
teaching professional courses must: 
(a) be a holder of a certificate of registration and a current professional 
identification card issued by the Commission; 
(b) have at least three (3) years of clinical practice in a field of 
specialization; 
(c) a member of good standing in the APO of nurses; 
(d) a holder of a master's degree in nursing education or other allied 
health sciences conferred by a college or university duly recognized by the 
Commission on Higher Education; 
(e) present the necessary Certificate of Proficiency (COP) from the Board 
in observance of the Nursing Education Certification Program. 
(2) For Post-Baccalaureate Nursing Education 
(a) a faculty member teaching Post-Baccalaureate courses must follow 
prescriptions (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e) above; and 
(b) a nurse teaching "professional courses" should preferably be one (1) 
academic degree higher conferred by a college or university duly 
recognized by the Commission on Higher Education. 
(D) Qualification of the Dean- the Dean of the Baccalaureate Nursing Program 
must: 
(1) a holder of a master's degree in nursing. 
(2) a nurse in the Philippines and a holder of a certificate of registration and 
a current professional identification card issued by the Commission. 
(3) have at least three (3) years of clinical practice in a field of specialization. 
(4) have at least three (3) years of nursing education program management 
experience or three (3) years of management in any health-related 
institution. 
(5) undergo progressive training for deans according to set standards and 
possess the necessary COP by the Board in keeping with a Nursing 
Education Certification Program. 
8 


1 
2 
3 
4 
In addition to the requirements for the dean of the Baccalaureate Nursing 
Program, the dean of a Graduate Nursing Program must be a holder of a 
doctorate degree in nursing conferred by a College of University duly 
recognized by the CHED. 
5 
6 
7 
8 
ARTICLE V 
Organization of the Professional Regulatory Board of Nursing 
9 
Section 5. 
Creation and Composition of the Board. There shall be created a 
10 
Professional Regulatory Board of Nursing (PRBON), referred to as the Board, to be 
11 
composed of a Chairperson and six (6) members. They shall be appointed by the 
12 
President of the Republic of the Philippines from among three (3) recommendees per 
13 
vacancy by the Commission, chosen and ranked from a list of five (5) nominees per 
14 
vacancy by the APO of nurses in the Philippines and who possess the qualifications 
15 
prescribed in Section 6 of this Act. 
16 
17 
Section 6. Qualifications of the Chairperson and Members of the Board. The 
18 
Chairperson and members of the Board shall, at the time of their appointment possess 
19 
the following qualifications: 
20 
21 
(1) Be a natural born citizen and resident of the Philippines for the last five (5) years; 
22 
(2) Be a member of good standing of the APO of nurses; 
23 
(3) Be a nurse in the Philippines and a holder of a certificate of registration and a 
24 
current professional identification card issued by the Commission; 
25 
(4) Be a holder of a master's degree in nursing and preferably with a doctorate degre~ 
26 
conferred by a college or university duly recognized by the CHED; 
27 
(5) Have at least ten (10) years of continuous practice of the nursing profession prior to 
28 
appointment, Provided, however, that the last five (5) years shall be in the 
29 
Philippines; and 
30 
(6) Not convicted of any offense involving moral turpitude; 
31 
32 
The membership to the Board shall represent the three (3) major areas of nursing, 
33 
namely: Nursing Education, Nursing Service, and Community Health Nursing. 
34 
9 


1 
. Section 7. Requirements Upon Qualification as Member of the Board of Nursing. Any 
2 
person appointed as Chairperson or member of the Board shall immediately resign 
3 
from any position in any school, college, university or institutions offering Bachelor of 
4 
Science in Nursing and/or review program for the Philippine Nurse Licensure 
5 
Examination or training hospitals or health facilities with nursing affiliates. 
An 
6 
appointee shall not have any pecuniary interest in or administrative supervision over 
7 
any institutions offering Bachelor of Science in Nursing including review classes. 
8 
9 
Section 8. Tenn of Office. The Chairperson and members of the board shall hold office 
10 
for a term of three (3) years and until their successors shall have been appointed and 
11 
qualified: Provided, That the Chairperson and members of the board may be 
12 
reappointed for another term or a maximum of six (6) years. 
13 
14 
Any vacancy in the Board occurring within the term of a member shall be filled for the 
15 
unexpired portion of the term only. Each member of the Board shall take the proper 
16 
oath of office prior to the performance of duties. 
17 
18 
The incumbent chairperson and members of the Board shall continue to serve for the 
19 
remainder of their term under Republic Act No. 9173 or the "Philippine Nursing Act of 
20 
2002" until their replacements have been appointed by the President and shall have 
21 
been duly qualified. 
22 
23 
Section 9. Compensation. The chairperson and members of the Board shall receive 
24 
compensation and allowances comparable to the compensation and allowances 
25 
received by the chairperson and members of other professional regulatory boards. 
26 
27 
Section 10. 
Administrative SuperviSion of the Board, Custodian of its Records, 
28 
Secretariat and Support Services. The Board shall be under the administrative 
29 
supervision of the Commission. All records of the Board, including applications for 
30 
examinations, administrative and other investigative cases conducted by the Board shall 
31 
be under the custody of the Commission. 
The Commission shall designate the 
32 
Secretary of the Board and shall provide the secretariat and other support services to 
33 
implement the provisions of this Act. 
34 
10 


1 
Section 11. Powers and Duties a/the Board. The Board shall supervise and regulate the 
2 
practice of the nursing profession and shall have the following powers, duties and 
3 
functions: 
4 
5 
(a) Ensure the proper conduct of the Philippine Nurse Licensure Examination 
6 
(PNLE) considering the processes and systems of the PRC, which include, but 
7 
not limited to application, test development, examination, correction and release 
8 
of results. The use of appropriate technology I modalities during the conduct of 
9 
the PNLE is encouraged to enhance efficiency while upholding integrity; 
10 
(b) Issue, suspend, revoke or reissue certificates of registration for the practice of 
11 
nursing and ensure the widest publication through electronic and written media; 
12 
(c) Enforce and monitor safe and quality standards of nursing practice in the 
13 
Philippines and exercise the powers necessary to ensure the maintenance of 
14 
efficient, ethico-moral, technical and professional standards in the practice of 
15 
nursing towards optimal health and the common good of the nation; 
16 
(d) Ensure quality nursing education by examining and monitoring higher 
17 
education institutions (HEIs) offering nursing programs and those seeking 
18 
permission to open nursing courses to ensure that the NNCCS are properly 
19 
complied with and maintained at all times. The authority to open and close 
20 
nursing education programs offered by HEI; shall be vested on the CHED, 
21 
subject to nursing practice standards set by the Board; 
22 
(e) Conduct hearings and investigations to resolve complaints against actively 
23 
practicing nurses for unethical and unprofessional conduct and violations of this 
24 
Act, or its rules and regulations and in connection therewith, issue subpoena ad 
25 
testificandum and subpoenll duces tecum to require the appearance of respondents 
26 
and witnesses and the production of documents and penalize with contempt 
27 
persons obstructing, impeding andlor otherwise interfering with the conduct of 
28 
such proceedings, upon application with the Board or the Commission; 
29 
(f) Promulgate a Code of Ethics that is responsive to the needs of the nursing 
30 
profession in coordination with the APO of nurses within one (1) year from the 
31 
effectivity of this Act; 
32 
(g) Institute and regulate the National Nursing Career Progression Program 
33 
(NNCCP) in nursing to ensure quality continuing professional development of 
34 
Filipino nurses, recognize specialty nursing organizations, create the Council for 
11 


1 
Nursing Advancement, Recognition, and Specialization as well as the various 
2 
Nursing Specialty Boards to assist the Board for this purpose; 
3 
(h) Make decisions to influence authorities/ agencies on matters that directly affect 
4 
nurses' welfare; 
5 
(i) Ensure performance of mandated duties and functions with the provision of 
6 
operational resources including human resource, physical space and budget to 
7 
ensure the confidentiality and sanctity of their functions as provided through the 
8 
annual budget of the Commission as promulgated in the General Appropriations 
9 
Act; 
10 
G) Source and utilize funds earmarked for national nursing development; and 
11 
(k) Prescribe, adopt, issue and promulgate guidelines, regulations, measures and 
12 
decisions as may be necessary for the improvement of nursing practice, 
13 
advancement of the profession, and for the proper and full enforcement of this 
14 
Act subject to the review and approval by Commission. 
15 
16 
Section 12. Annual Report. The Board shall, at the close of its calendar year, submit an 
17 
annual report to the President of the Philippines through the Commission giving a 
18 
detailed account of its proceedings and the accomplishments during the year and 
19 
making recommendations for the adoption of measures that will upgrade and improve 
20 
the conditions affecting the practice of the nursing profession. 
21 
22 
Section 13. Removal or Suspension of Board Members. The President may remove or 
23 
suspend any member of the Board, after due process, on the following grounds: 
24 
(a) continued neglect of duty or incompetence; 
25 
(b) commission or toleration of irregularities in the licensure examination; and 
26 
(c) unprofessional, immoral or dishonorable conduct. 
27 
28 
29 
30 
Article VI 
Examination and Registration 
31 
Section 14. Philippine Nurse Licensure Examination (PNLE). All applicants for 
32 
certification of registration to practice nursing shall be required to pass a written 
33 
examination, which shall be given by the Board in such places and dates as may be 
34 
designated by the Commission: Provided, That it shall be in accordance with existing 
35 
PRC law. 
12 


1 
2 
Section 15. Qualifications for Admission to the PNLE. In order to be admitted to the 
3 
examination for nurses, an applicant, from the time of graduation, must file 
4 
immediately an application and establish to the satisfaction of the Board that the 
5 
applicant is: 
6 
(a) 
a citizen of the Philippines, or a citizen or subject of a country which 
7 
permits Filipino nurses to practice within its territorial limits on the same 
8 
basis as the subject or citizen of such country; Provided, That the 
9 
requirements for the registration or licensing of nurses in said country are 
10 
substantially the same as those prescribed in this Act; 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
(b) 
(c) 
of good moral character; and 
a holder of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from a college or 
university that complies with the standards of nursing education duly 
recognized by the CHED. 
16 
Section 16. Scope of Examination. The scope of examination for the practice of nursing 
17 
shall be determined by the Board taking into consideration the core competencies . 
18 
required of nurses considering the objectives of the nursing curriculum in response to 
19 
the needs of society and health industry demands. The PNLE shall be based on a 
20 
competency-based test framework. 
21 
22 
Section 17. Ratings. In order to pass the PNLE, an examinee must obtain a rating of at 
23 
least seventy-five (75%) in all of the tested areas of competencies. If an examinee has a 
24 
rating of less than seventy-five (75%) in any tested area of competency, he/ she shall 
25 
retake the entire PNLE. An examinee shall be given a chance to take the PNLE only for 
26 
a maximum of three (3) times. 
27 
28 
Section 18. Oath of Profession. All successful examinees shall be required to take an 
29 
oath of profession before the Board or any government official authorized to administer 
30 
oaths prior to registration and actual practice of the profession. 
31 
32 
Section 19. Issuance of Certificate of Registration/professional License and 
33 
ProfeSSional Identification Card. A certificate of registration/ professional license as a 
34 
nurse shall be issued to an applicant who passes the examination and upon payment of 
35 
the prescribed fees. Every certificate of registration/ professional license shall show the 
13 


1 
full name of the registrant, the serial number, the signature of the Chairperson of the 
2 
Commission, and the members of the Board. The certificate shall bear the logo of the 
3 
Board and the official seal of the Commission. 
4 
5 
A professional identification card is proof that the holder possesses a valid professional 
6 
license. It is duly signed by the Chairperson of the Commission, bearing the date of 
7 
registration, number and the date of issuance and expiration thereof shall likewise be 
8 
issued to every regish'ant upon payment of the required fees. 
9 
10 
Only upon satisfaction of all registration requirements shall a registrant be allowed to 
11 
affix the initials R.N. after one's name whenever and wherever the signature as nurse is 
12 
required, indicating official performance of duties and functions as a nurse. 
13 
14 
Section 20. Fees for Examination and Registration. Applicants for licensure and for 
15 
registration shall pay the prescribed fees set by the Commission. 
16 
17 
Section 21. Automatic Registration of Nurses. All those whose names appear in the 
18 
roster of "passed examinees" under the PRC Computer Automated System (CAS) and 
19 
procedures shall ipso facto be registered as professional nurses. Same roster of nurses 
20 
. may automatically be used by the APO as basis for enlistment of members following 
21 
APO-specific membership procedures. 
22 
23 
Section 22. Registration by Reciprocity. A certificate of registration/ professional 
24 
license may be issued without examination to nurses registered under the laws of a 
25 
foreign state or country: Provided, That the requirements for registration or licensing of 
26 
nurses in said country are substantially the same as those prescribed under this Act: 
27 
Provided, furtlter, That the laws of such country grant the same privileges to nurses of the 
28 
Philippines on the same basis as the subjects or citizens of such foreign state or country. ' 
29 
30 
Section 23. Practice Through Special/Temporary Permit. 
A special/temporary permit 
31 
may be issued to the following persons based on qualification standards as determined 
32 
by the Board and approved by the Commission: 
33 
14 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
(a) Licensed nurses from foreign countries/ states, whose services are either for a 
fee or free, if they are internationally well-known specialists or outstanding 
experts in any branch or specialty of nursing; 
(b) Licensed nurses from foreign countries/states on medical mission whose 
services shall be free in a particular hospital, center or clinic; 
(c) Licensed nurses from foreign countries/states engaged by colleges or 
universities offering nursing as exchange professors in a branch or specialty 
of nursing; and 
(d) Licensed nurses from foreign countries/state who come to aid during 
declared disasters and calamities. 
12 
Provided, however, that the special/ temporary permit shall be effective only for the 
13 
duration of the project, medical mission or engagement contract. 
14 
15 
Section 
24. 
Non-registration 
and 
Non-Issuance 
of 
Certificates 
of 
16 
RegistrationlProfessional License or SpeciaVTemporary Permit. No person convicted 
17 
by final judgmentof any criminal offense involving moral turpitude or any person 
18 
guilty of immoral or dishonorable conduct or any person declared by the court to be of 
19 
unsound mind shall be registered and be issued a certificate of registration/ professional 
20 
license or a special/ temporary permit. 
21 
22 
The Board shall furnish the applicant a written statement setting forth the reasons for its 
23 
actions, which shall be incorporated in the records of the Board. 
24 
25 
Section 25. Revocation and Suspension of Certificate of Registration/Professional 
26 
License and Cancellation of SpeciaVTemporary Permit. The Board shall have the power 
27 
. to revoke or suspend the certificate of registration/ professional license or cancel the 
28 
special/ temporary permit of a nurse upon any of the following grounds: 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
35 
(a) for any of the applicable causes mentioned in the preceding section; 
(b) for unprofessional and unethical conduct; 
(c) for gross incompetence or serious ignorance; 
(d) for malpractice or negligence in the practice of nursing; 
(e) for the use of fraud, deceit or false statements in obtaining a certificate of 
registration/ professional license or a temporary/special pertuit; 
15 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
(f) for violation of this Act, the rules and regulations, the Code of Ethics for 
nurses and technical standards for nursing practice, the Policies of the Board 
and the Commission, or the conditions and limitations for the issuance of the 
temporary / special permit; or 
(g) for practicing the profession during one's suspension from such practice. 
7 
Provid\'!d, however, that the suspension of the certificate of registration/ professional 
8 
license shall be for a period not exceeding four (4) years. Provided, further, that in cases 
9 
when a certificate of registration/ professional license has been revoked, appeal to the 
10 
Board may be undertaken after four (4) years from the date of revocation. 
11 
12 
Section 26. Re-Issuance of Revoked Certificates and Replacement of Lost Certificates. 
13 
The Board may, after the expiration of four (4) years from the date of revocation of a 
14 
certificate of registration/professional license and upon review of the appeal, for 
15 
reasons of equity and justice, and when the cause for revocation has disappeared or has 
16 
been cured and corrected, upon proper application thereof and the payment of the 
17 
required fees, issue another copy of the certificate of registration/ professional license. 
18 
19 
A new certificate of registration/ professional license to replace the certificate that has 
20 
been lost, destroyed, or mutilated may be issued, subject to the rules of the Board. 
21 
22 
Article VII 
23 
HUMAN RESOURCES FOR HEALTH (HRH) PRODUCTION, UTILIZATION AND 
24 
DEVELOPMENT 
25 
26 
Section 27. Studies and Interventions for Nursing Human Resource Needs, Production, 
27 
Utilization, and Development. The Board shall, in coordination with relevant nursing 
28 
and other government and non-government agencies: 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
35 
(a) conduct studies on health human resource production, utilization and 
development; and 
(b) cause the implementation of HRE development strategies for nurses to 
achieve highly motivated and productive nursing workforce for the 
Philippines. 
16 


1 
Section 28. Nurse-Patient Ratio - Both government and private healthcare institutions 
2 
are hereby mandated to maintain the nurse-patient ratio standard set by the 
3 
Department of Health (DOH) in close collaboration with the Board: 
4 
(1) In hospitals 
- based on the acuity and authorized bed capacity 
5 
(2) In community health - based on need, population, and geography 
6 
(3) In Occupational Setting - based em relevant legal instruments 
7 
(4) In School Health Settings - based on relevant legal instruments 
8 
9 
The basis for the ratio of nurse-to-patient shall be regularly reviewed and updated 
10 
based on current and rational health human resource needs with the end view of 
11 
providing safe and quality care to recipients of healthcare. 
12 
13 
Provided, that the general nurse-patient ratio referred to in this provision does not 
14 
apply to special needs areas, including the ICU, that require a better .nurse-patient ratio. 
15 
16 
Section 29. Institutionalization of a National Nursing Career Progression Program 
17 
(NNCPP). 
There shall be an institutionalized National Nursing Career Progression 
18 
Program as prescribed in Article V, Section 11 (g) of this Act. In the implementation of 
19 
the NNCPP, the Board shall coordinate with the Civil Service Commission (CSC), 
20 
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Health (DOH), 
21 
Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and [any or all] OTH ER RELEVANT 
22 
government 
and 
non-government 
agencies 
for 
the 
effective 
and 
efficient 
23 
implementation of this program, allowing Filipino nurses to move up to varying levels 
24 
of professional nursing practice according to the following progression-tracks: General 
25 
Nursing Practice Track, Nursing Specialty/Advanced Practice Track, Nursing 
26 
Education Track, and Leadership and Governance Track, all geared towards obtaining 
27 
the highest level of standards for the Philippine Nursing workforce for in-country and 
28 
global responsiveness and relevance. 
Towards this end, Nursing Specialty 
29 
Organizations and organized Advanced Practice Nursing groups shall be recognized 
30 
and professional practitioners certified/ credentialed by the Board considering national 
31 
and internationally benchmarked standards of.education and practice. 
32 
33 
For purposes of certification/ credentialing specialized and advanced practice nurses, 
34 
assessment mechanisms, including administration of specialty and advance Board 
35 
Examinations, may be required. The Council referred to in Article V, Section 11 (g) and 
17 


1 
the various Nursing Specialty Boards (NSB) shall be an integral arm of the Board in our 
2 
country's effort to upgrade and continuously upscale the knowledge, skills, and 
3 
professional attitudes and values of our Nurses for domestic and global comparability 
4 
and competitiveness. 
5 
6 
Section 30. Compensation. In order to enhance the general welfare, commitment and 
7 
highest form of professional service to country and people, the minimum base pay of 
8 
nurses working in both public and private health and health-related institutions shall be 
9 
in accordance with prevailing salary standards set by law and shall be regularly 
10 
appraised by Congress of the Republic of the Philippines, cognizant of the professional 
11 
nature and significant national health services contribution rendered by Filipino 
12 
Nurses. 
13 
14 
Section 31. Incentives and Benefits. To the extent possible and as may be provided by 
15 
law, mechanisms shall continuously be explored and systems developed by the proper 
16 
government and non-government agencies and instrumentalities, to provide incentives 
17 
and benefits to Filipino Nurses serving in both government and private sector. The 
18 
Magna Carta for Public Health Workers and the Philippine Labor Code shall also be 
19 
regularly appraised by Congress of the Republic of the Philippines to respond to work 
20 
and life conditions of nurses in the country. 
21 
22 
Section 32. Requirements for Inactive Nurses Returning to Practice. Nurses are deemed 
23 
to be inactive when they are not utilizing nursing competencies as defined in the scope 
24 
of practice hereof for five (5) consecutive years. 
25 
26 
Inactive nurses shall be required to undertake appropriate" assessment mechanisms" to 
27 
determine level of competencies and undergo, as necessary, a refresher course 
28 
following the established mechanisms by the Board for accreditation of the provider 
29 
and the refresher course. 
30 
31 
32 
33 
ARTICLE VIII 
PENAL AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 
34 
Section 33. Prohibition in the Practice of Nursing. A fine of not less than One Hundred 
35 
Thousand Pesos (PhplOO,OO.OO) nor more than Three Hundred Thousand Pesos 
18 


1 
(Php300,OOOO.OO) or imprisonment of not less than one (1) year nor more than six (6) 
2 
years, or both, upon the discretion of the court, shall be imposed upon the following 
3 
classification of offenses: 
4 
5 
(a) Acts prejudicial to the Practice of Professional Nursing: 
6 
1. violations of the Code of Ethics; 
7 
2. violations of the Professional Standards; and 
8 
3. violations of human/ patient's rights. 
9 
10 
(b) Acts by any person practicing nursing in the Philippines within the meaning of 
11 
this Act: 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
1. without a certificate of registration/ professional license and professional 
identification card or special/ temporary permit or without having been 
declared exempt from examination in accordance with the provision of this 
Act; or 
2. whouses a certificate of registration/professional license and professional 
Identification Card or special/temporary permit of another, as his/her own; 
or 
3. 
who 
uses 
an 
invalid, 
suspended, 
or 
revoked 
certificate 
of 
registration/ professional 
license, 
or 
an 
expired 
or 
cancelled 
special/ temporary permit; or 
4. who gives any false evidence to the Board in order to obtain a certificate of 
registration/ professional license, a profeSSional Identification Card or 
special/ temporary permit; or 
5. who falsely poses or advertises as a registered/licensed nurse or uses any 
other means that tend to convey the impression that he/ she is a 
registered/licensed nurse; or 
6. who appends B.s.N., R.N., or any similar appendage to his/her name without 
having been conferred said degree or registration; or 
7. who, as a registered/licensed nurse, abets or assists the illegal practice of a 
person who is not lawfully qualified to practice nursing; 
33 
(c) Any person or chief executive officer of a juridical entity who undertakes in-
34 
service educational program or who conducts review classes for both local and 
19 


1 
foreign examination without permit/ clearance from the Board and the 
2 
Commission; or 
3 
(d) Any person or employer of nurses who violate the minimum base pay of nurses 
4 
and the incentives and benefits that should be accorded them as specified in 
5 
Sections 30 and 31, Article VII of this Act; 
6 
(e) Any person or the Chief Executive Officer of a juridical entity violating any 
7 
provisions of this Act. 
8 
9 
Section 34. Prohibition from Collecting Fees from Volunteer Nurses. All medical 
10 
institutions, government and private, are prohibited from collecting fees in whatever 
11 
form from a volunteer nurse in the course of rendering voluntary health services. 
12 
13 
14 
15 
ARTICLE IX 
Final Provisions 
16 
Section 35. Enforcement of this Act. It shall be the primary duty of the Commission and 
17 
the Board to effectively implement this Act. Law enforcement agencies and officers of 
18 
national, provincial, city or municipal governments shall, upon the call or request of the 
19 
Commission or the Board, shall render assistance in enforcing the provisions of this Act 
20 
and to prosecute any persons violating the same. 
21 
22 
Section 36. Appropriations. 
The chairman of the Commission shall immediately 
23 
include in its program and issue such rules and regulations to implement the provisions 
24 
of this Act, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General 
25 
Appropriations Act. 
26 
27 
Section 37. Implementing Rules and Regulations. 
Within ninety (90) days after the 
28 
effectivity of this Act, the Board and the Commission, in coordination with the 
29 
Accredited Professional Organization (APO) and other Professional Nursing 
30 
Organizations, the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Budget and 
31 
Management (DBM), the Civil Service Commission (CSC), and other concerned 
32 
government agencies, shall formulate the implementing rules and regulations necessary 
33 
to carry out the provisions of this Act. The implementing rules and regulations shall be 
34 
published in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
35 
20 


, , 
1 
Section 38. Separability Clause. If any part of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the 
2 
remaining parts not affected thereby shall continue to be valid and operational. 
3 
4 
Section 39. Repealing Clause. Republic Act no. 9173, otherwise known as the 
5 
"Philippine Nursing Act of 2002" is hereby repealed. All other laws, decrees, orders, 
6 
circulars, issuances, rules and regulations and parts thereof which are inconsistent with 
7 
the amendatory or repealing provisions of this Act are hereby amended, repealed, or 
8 
modified accordingly. 
9 
10 
Section 40. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall rake effective fifteen (15) days after its 
11 
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of general 
12 
circulation. 
13 
14 
Approved, 
21