FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 837 
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INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In this age of modern and complex communication technology, the 
detection and prevention of various human communication disorders cannot be 
overly emphasized. Thus, the practice of speech pathology, or any allied medical 
profession devoted to the evaluation, diagnosis, management and cure 0 certain 
communication disorders, specifically in the hearing, language and/or speech 
processes, must be properly developed and, at the same time, regulated. 
This bill seeks to create a Professional Regulatory Board of Speech 
Pathology and defines its function and duties. It also aims to lay the standards for 
the examination, registration and licensing of speech pathologists. 
In a world which puts optimum importance in a person's ability to 
effectively communicate his thoughts and mental processes, the early passage of 
this bill is an imperative. 
Senator 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 
837 
) 
) 
) 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
REGULATING 
PHILIPPINES, 
PURPOSES 
AN ACT 
THE 
PRACTICE 
OF 
SPEECH 
PATHOLOGY 
IN 
THE 
PROVIDING 
FUNDS 
THEREFOR 
AND 
FOR 
OTHER 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
ARTICLE I 
TITLE AND DEFINITION OF TERMS 
SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the "Speech 
Pathology Act of 2010". 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. The State recognizes the important role of 
speech pathologists in nation building and promotes the sustained development 
of a reservoir of speech pathologists whose competence have been determined 
by honest and credible licensure examinations whose standards of professional 
practice and service are world-class and internationally-recognized, globally 
competitive through preventive regulatory measures, programs, and activities 
that foster their continuing, professional growth. 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. -As used in this Act: 
a) The term "speech pathology" shall mean an allied medical profession 
devoted to the evaluation, diagnosis, management and prevention of human 
communication disorder. 
b) The term "speech pathologist" shall mean a person who is registered 
and licensed to practice speech pathology and who holds a valid certificate of 
registration/profesSional license and professional identification card issued by the 
Professional Regulation Commission under the provisions of this Act. 
c) Term "communication disorder" shall mean impairment in the ability to 
(1) receive and/or process symbol systems; (2) represents concepts in systems; 
(3) transmit and use symbol systems. The impairment may be observed in the 
disorders of hearing, language and/or speech processes. 
d) Evaluation" shall mean the global appraisal of the significance and 
implications of a diagnostic assessment that shall include formal and informal 
assessment. 


(e) "Diagnosis" shall mean the act of identifying an abnormality or disorder 
by analyzing the symptoms presented. It may also include a study of the origin 
and development of the symptoms. 
(f) "Language" is any accepted, structured, symbolic system of disorder for 
interpersonal communication composed of sounds arranged in ordered 
sequences or strings that express thoughts, intentions, experiences and feelings 
comprised of phonological, syntactical, and semantic components. 
(g) "Speech" shall mean the medium of oral communication that employs 
a linguistic code (language); through this medium, one can express thoughts and 
feelings and understand those of others who employ the same code. 
ARTICLE II 
THE PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF SPEECH 
. PATHOLOGY 
SEC. 4. Creation and Composition of the Board. Within ninety days 
after the effectivity of this Act, there shall be created the Professional Regulatory 
Board of Speech Pathology, hereinafter referred to as the Board under the 
administrative 
control 
and 
supervision 
of the 
Professional 
Regulation 
Commission, hereinafter referred to as the Commission, to be composed of a 
Chairperson and two members who shall be appOinted by the President of the 
Philippines from the three recommendees for each vacant position chosen from 
the five nominees of the integrated and accredited national organization of 
speech pathologist. 
SEC. 5. Qualifications of the Members of the Board. - To be the 
Chairperson or a member of the Board, one must at the time of higher 
appointment be: 
a) A natural born citizen of the Philippines and an actual resident thereof 
for at least five (5) years before his/her appointment; 
b) A duly registered and licensed speech pathologist holding a· valid 
certificate 
of 
registration/professional 
license 
and 
professional 
identification card, in active clinical practice for the past five (5) years and 
a member in good standing of the accredited integrated national 
organization of speech pathologists prior to his/her appointment, except if 
appointed the first Chairperson/member; 
c) Of good moral character and must not have been convicted of any 
offense involving moral turpitude; and 
d) Must not have pecuniary interest, directly or indirectly, in any school, 
academy, college, university or institution conferring an academic degree 
necessary for administration to the practice of speech pathology or where 
review classes in preparation for the licensure examination are being 
offered or conducted, nor shall he/she be a member of the faculty or of the 
administration thereof at the time of his/her appointment to the Board. 
SEC. 6. Powers and Functions of the Board. - The Board shall have the 
authority to: 
a) Promulgate, administer and enforce rules and regulations necessary for 
carrying out the provisions of this Act; 


b) Administer oaths in connection with the administration of this Act; 
c) Supervise and regulate the registration, licensure and practice of 
speech pathology in the Philippines; 
d) Adopt an official seal of the Board; 
e) Maintain a roster of speech pathologists indicating therein the basic 
information about the registered professionals; 
f) Study the conditions affecting the practice of speech pathology in the 
Philippines and adopt measures for the enhancement of the professional ethical 
and technical standards therein; 
g) Ensure, in coordination with the Commission on Higher Education 
(CHED), that all educational institutions offering speech pathology education 
comply with the policies, standards and requirements of the course prescribed by 
the CHED in the areas of curriculum, faculty, library and facilities; 
h) Prescribe and/or adopt a Code of Ethics and Code of Technical 
Standards for the practice of speech pathology; 
i) Standards for the practice of speech pathology; Issue, reinstate, 
suspend, revoke certificate of registration and/or professional license or cancel 
special permits for the practice of speech pathology; 
j) Prescribe guidelines and criteria in the Continuing Professional 
Education (CPE) program for speech pathologist; 
k) In consultation with the duly accredited organization of speech 
pathologist and the duly recognized association of schools conferring a 
Bachelor's degree in Speech Pathology, prescribe the area of competence to be 
included in the computerized licensure examination and their relative weights, 
determined the syllabi of the subjects, construct the test questions in licensure 
examination, score and rate examination papers; 
I) Hear or investigate any violations of this Act, its implementing rules and 
regulations and the Code of Ethics for speech pathologists, and for this purpose, 
to issue subpoena duces tecum to secure the appearance of the witnesses and 
the production of documents in connection therewith: Provided, that the decision 
of the Board shall, unless appealed to the Commission, become final and 
executory after fifteen (15) days from receipt of the judgment or decision; 
m) Adopt a program for the full computerization of the licensure 
examination; 
n) Grant registration without examination subject to the approval by the 
Commission; 
0) Issue special permits to persons admitted to the practice of speech 
pathology for a specific duration of time, and certificates of recognition for 
advanced studies, researches and accomplishments that contribute to the 
enrichment of the profession; and 
n) Perform such other powers and functions as it may deem necessary to 
carry out the objectives of this Act. 


0) The policies, resolutions, rules and regulations issued or promulgated 
by the Board shall be subject to the review and approval of the Commission. 
SEC. 7. Term of Office. - The Chairperson and members of the Board 
shall hold office for three (3) years after appointment or until their successors 
shall have been appointed and duly qualified; Provided, that members of the first 
Board to be appointed after the approval of this Act shall hold office for the 
following terms: Chairperson for three (3) years, one member for two (2) years, 
and the other member for one (1) years: Provided, further, that the Chairperson 
or any member may be re-appointed for another term of three (3) years but in no 
case shall he/she serve continuously for more than six (6) years. Vacancy in the 
Board shall be filled for the unexpired term only. Each member of the Board shall 
automatically be registered as speech pathologists and issued certificate of 
registration/professional license and professional identification card and shall 
take the proper oath of office prior to assumption. 
SEC. 8. Compensation of the Members "of the Professional 
Regulatory Boards. - The chairperson and members of the Board shall receive 
compensation and allowances comparable to that being received by the 
Chairpersons and members of existing regulatory boards under the Commission 
as provided for in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 9. Suspension and/or Removal of Board Members. -
Any 
member of the Board may be suspended or removed from office for gross 
neglect of duty, incompetence, malpractice, unprofessional ism, immorality, 
unethical or dishonorable conduct, final judgment of crimes involving moral 
turpitude, and manipulation or rigging of the licensure examination results, 
disclosure of secret and confidential information in the examination questions 
prior to the conduct of the said examination or tampering of grades. 
The administrative proceedings shall be heard by the Commission, whose 
recommendation shall be submitted to the Office of the President. During the 
investigation, the respondent shall be placed under preventive suspension by the 
Commission and another designated to fill the temporary vacancy in the Board. 
SEC. 10. Supervision of the Board, Custodian of its Records, 
Secretariat and Support Services. -
The Board shall be 
under the 
administrative supervision of the Commission. All records of the Board, including 
applications for examination, and administrative and other investigative cases 
conducted by the Board shall be under the custody of the Commission. 
The Commission shall d"esignate the secretary of the Board and shall 
provide the secretariat and other support services to implement the provision of 
this Act. 
SEC. 11. Annual Report. - The Board shall submit an annual report to the 
Commission after the close of each calendar year, giving a detailed account of 
the proceedings of the Board during the year and recommending measures to be 
adopted, with the end in view of upgrading and improving the conditions affecting 
the practice of speech pathology in the Philippines. 
ARTICLE III 
LICENSURE EXAMINATION AND REGISTRATION 


SEC. 12. Examination Required. - All applicants for registration for the 
practice of speech pathology shall be required to undergo a licensure 
examination to be given by the Board in such places and dates as the 
Commission may designate subject to compliance with the requirements 
prescribed by the Commission. 
SEC. 13. Qualification for Examination. - In order to be allowed to take 
part in the licensure examination, an applicant must, at the time of filing of higher 
application, establish to the satisfaction of the Board that he/she has met the 
following qualifications: 
. 
a) A Filipino citizen or a foreign citizen whose state/country has reciprocity 
agreement with the Philippines in the practice of speech pathology; 
b) good moral character; 
d) Has not been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude; 
e) A graduate of a Bachelor's degree in speech pathology from a duly 
recognized school, college or university in the Philippines or abroad and 
recognized/accredited by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). 
SEC. 14. Scope of Examination. - The subjects in the licensure 
examination for Speech Pathologists shall cover the following: 
a) Anatomy and physiology of the speech and hearing mechanism 
b) Neurological bases of speech and hearing disorders 
c) Articulation and phonological disorders 
d) Hearing impairment and aural habilitation 
e) Language disorders 
f) Fluency disorders 
g) Voice disorders 
h) Dysphagia 
i) Medical and neurological disorders 
The Board may recluster, rearrange, modify, add or exclude any subject 
as the need arises so as to conform to technological changes. 
SEC. 15. Registration Without Examination as Speech Pathologist. -
A person who possesses the pertinent qualifications required for admission in the 
examination for registration as a speech pathologist pursuant to the provisions of 
this Act may be registered without examination provided the APPLICANT FILES 
WITH THE Board, within three (3) days after the effectivity of the Implementing 
Rules and Regulations, an application for registration and issuance of a 
certificate of registration/professional license and professional identification card 
by submitting credentials showing that the applicant before the effectivity of this 
Act is a bachelor's degree holder of speech pathology from a college or 
university accredited by the CHED, with at least five (5) years of full-time work 
experience in the practice of speech pathology. 
SEC. 16. Ratings in the Examination. - To be qualified as having passed 
the licensure examination for speech pathologists, a candidate must have 
obtained a weighted general average of seventy-five (75%), with no grade lower 
than fifty (50%) in any given subject must take the examination in the subject or 
subjects where he/she obtained a grade below fifty percent (50%) within two (2) 
years from the date of his/her last examination. The topic of subjects retaken 
must have each a rating of no less than seventy-five percent (75%) in order to 
qualify as having passed the examination. 


SEC. 17. Report Ratings. - The Board shall submit to the Commission 
the ratings obtained by each candidate within ten (10) calendar days after the 
examination unless extended for just cause. 
SEC. 18. Oath of Speech Pathologist. - All successful examinees 
qualified for registration and all qualified applicants for registration without 
examination shall be required to take an oath of profession before any member 
of the Board or any authorized officer of the Commission to administer oaths, 
prior to entering into the practice of speech pathology in the Philippines. 
SEC. 19. Issuance of Certificate of Registration/Professional License 
and Professional Identification Card. - A certificate of registration/professional 
license and professional identification card shall be issued to all successful 
examinees and registrants either with or without examination upon compliance 
with all the legal requirements including payment of fees prescribed by the 
Commission. The certificate of registration/professional license shall bear the 
signature of the chairperson of the Commission and the chairperson and 
members of the Board, indicating that the person named therein is entitled to the 
practice of the profession with all the privileges appurtenant thereto. The said 
certificate shall remain in full force and effect until withdrawn, suspended or 
revoked in accordance with this Act. 
A professional identification card bearing the registration number, date of 
issuance, expiry date, duly signed by the chairperson of the Commission, shall 
likewise be issued to every registrant who has paid the prescribed fee. 
SEC. 20. Indication of Certificate of Registration/Professional Tax 
Receipt. - The speech pathologist shall be required to indicate his/her certificate 
of registration/professional license number and date of issuance, including the 
professional tax receipt number on the document he/she signs, uses or issues in 
connection with the practice of his/her profession. 
SEC. 21. Refusal to Register. - The Board shall not register and issue a 
certificate of registration/professional license and professional identification card 
to any person convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction or a criminal offense 
involving moral turpitude or guilty of immoral or dishonorable conduct or to any 
person of unsound mind. In the event of refusal to issue the certificate for any 
reason, the Board shall give the applicant a written statement setting forth the 
reason for such action, which statement shall be incorporated in the record of the 
Board. 
SEC. 
22. 
Revocation 
or Suspension 
of the 
Certificate of 
Registration/professional License and Professional Identification Card and 
Cancelfation of Special Permit. - The Board may, after giving proper notice of 
hearing to the party concemed, revoke the practitioner's certificate of 
registration/professional license or suspend him/her from the practice of his/her 
profession or cancel his/her permit for any of the causes or grounds mentioned in 
Section 21 of this Act or for any unprofessional or unethical conduct, malpractice, 
violation of any of the provisions of this Act, its rules and regulations, the Code of 
Ethics and the Standards for speech pathologists. 
SEC. 23. Reinstatement, Re-issuance or Replacement of Certificate 
of Registration/Professional License. - A person may apply to the Board for 
reinstatement of a certificate of registration/professional license at any time after 
two (2) years from the date of r~vocation of said certificate. The application shall 
be in writing and shall conform with the requirements as provided by the Board. 
No certificate/license shall be reinstated unless the Board is satisfied that a good 


cause exists to warrant such reinstatement. 
SEC. 24. Roster of Speech Pathologist. - The Board shall prepare, 
update and maintain a roster of speech pathologist in coordination with the 
integrated and accredited professional organization, which shall contain the 
name of each registration and issuance of certificates, and other data which the 
Board may deem pertinent. The roster shall be open to the public, copies of 
which shall be mailed to each person listed therein. 
SEC. 25. Issuance of Special/Temporary Permit. - Special/temporary 
permit may be issued by the Board subject to the approval by the Commission 
and payment of the fees the latter has prescribed and charged thereof to the 
following persons: 
a) a foreign speech pathologist called for consultation for a specific 
purpose which, in the judgment of the Board, is essential for the growth of 
the profession: Provided, however, that his/her activities shall be limited 
only to the particular work, for which he/slle is being engaged: Provided, 
further, that he/she is qualified to practice his/her profession in his/her 
state or country. Provided, finally, that there is no Filipino speech 
pathologist qualified for such consultation or specific purpose; 
b) a foreign speech pathologist who is an internationally recognized expert 
or specialist in any branch of speech pathology and his/her service is 
essential for the advancement of speech pathology in the Philippines; and 
c) a foreign speech pathologist to be engaged as professor, lecturer, or 
critic in fields essential to speech pathology education in the Philippines is 
confined to teaching only. 
The permit shall, among other things, include these limitations and 
conditions: for a period of not more than one (1) year subject to renewal, the 
branch or specialty of speech pathology, and the specific place of practice such 
as clinic, hospital, center, school/college/university offering the course of speech 
pathology. The Board, subject to the approval by the Commission, shall prescribe 
rules and regulations on the implementation of this particular section. 
ARTICLE IV 
PRACTICE OF SPEECH PATHOLOGY 
SEC. 26. Scope of the Practice of Speech Pathology. - The Scope of the 
Practice of Speech Pathology shall embrace, but shall not be limited to the 
performance of any of the following: 
a) Screen, identify, assess, diagnose, rehabilitate and prevent disorders of 
speech such as, but not limited to articulation, fluency, voice and 
language; 
b) Screen, identify, assess, diagnose, rehabilitate and prevent disorders of 
oral-pharyngeal functions such as, but not limited to dysphagia and related 
disorders in collaboration with the rehabilitation team; 
c) 
Screen, 
identify, 
assess, 
diagnose 
and 
rehabilitate 
cognitive 
communic.ation systems and provide training in their use; 


d) 
Assess, 
select 
and 
develop 
augmentative 
and 
alternative 
communication systems and provide training in their use; 
e) Screen hearing acuity for the purpose of speech language evaluation 
and aural rehabilitation; 
f) Plan appropriate home programs for patients; 
g) Plan, conduct and evaluate teaching-learning activities for students of 
speech 
pathology 
and 
other 
related 
courses; 
for other 
health 
professionals, patients and their families; 
h) Plan, conduct and evaluate researches in pursuit of new knowledge for 
the growth of speech pathology in the Philippines; 
i) Provide consultancy to government and non-government organization 
regarding the field of speech pathology; and 
j) Perform administrative duties in speech pathology clinics/units in 
hospitals, schools and other rehabilitation centers; 
k) Teaching, lecturing, reviewing subjects given in the licensure 
examination. 
SEC. 27. Prohibition on the Practice of Speech Pathology. - No person 
shall practice or offer to practice speech pathology in the Philippines or offer 
himself/herself as speech pathologist, or use the title, word, letter figure, or an 
sign tending to convey the impression that he/she is a speech pathologist, or 
advertise or indicate in any manner whatsoever that he/she is qualified to 
perform the work of a speech pathologist unless he/she has satisfactorily passed 
the licensure examination given by the Board, except as otherwise provided in 
this Act, and is a holder of a va'lid certificate of registration/professional license 
and professional identification card or a valid temporary/special permit duly 
issued to him/her by the Board and the Commission. 
SEC. 28. Prohibited Acts. - No person shall: 
a) Engage in the practice of speech pathology by representing 
himself/herself as 
a speech 
pathologist without a valid 
certificate of 
registration/professional license or a valid temporary/special permit granted by 
the Board pursuant to this Act; 
b) Practice his/her profeSSion during the period of his/her suspension from 
the practice thereof; 
c) Allow an unqualified person to advertise or to practice the profession by 
using his/her certificate of registration/professional license or temporary/special 
permit; and 
d) Use as his/her own the certificate of registration/professional license or 
temporary/special permit of another. 
SEC. 29. Code of Ethics and Code of Technical Standards for Speech 
Pathologist - The Board shall adopt and promUlgate the Code of Ethics and 
Code of TeChnical Standards for speech pathologist prescribed and issued by 
the integrated and accredited national organization of speech pathologists. 


SEC. 30. Continuing Professional Education (WE) Program. - The 
CPE guidelines shall be prescribed by the Board and promulgated by the 
Commission upon consultation with the Board, which shall consult the integrated 
and accredited organization of speech pathologist, the affiliated association of 
speech pathologists and other concerned sectors. 
SEC. 31. Integration of Speech Pathologist. - All speech pathologists 
shall be integrated into one (1) national organization, which shall be recognized 
by the Board and by the Commission as the one and only integrated and 
accredited association of speech pathologists. A speech pathologist duly 
registered with the Board shall automatically become a member of the integrated 
and accredited association of speech pathologists, and shall receive the benefits 
and privileges appurtenant thereto, upon payment of the required fees and dues. 
Membership in the integrated and accredited association shall not be a bar to 
membership in other associations of speech pathologists. 
SEC. 32. Foreign Reciprocity. - No foreign speech pathologist shall be 
admitted to the examination or be given a certificate of registration/professional 
license and professional identification card or be entitled to any of the privileges 
under this Act unless the country of which he/she is a subject or citizen 
specifically permits Filipino speech pathologists to practice within its territorial 
limits on the same basis as the subjects or citizens of such foreign state or 
country. 
ARTICLE V 
FINAL PROVISIONS 
SEC. 33. Funding Provision. - The Chairman of the Professional 
Regulation Commission shall immediately include in the Commission's programs 
the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be included in the 
annual General Appropriations Acts and thereafter. 
SEC. 34. Penal provision. - Any person who shall violate any of the 
provisions of this Act or any ·of its implementing rules and regulations as 
promulgated by the Board subject to the approval of the Commission shall upon 
conviction, be punished by a fine of not less than Twenty Thousand Pesos 
(P20,000.00) nor more than Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00) or by 
imprisonment of not less than two (2) years nor more than five (5) years, or both, 
at the discretion of the court. 
SEC. 35. Implementing Rules and J<egulations. - To implement the 
provisions of this Act, the Board, Shall, subject to the approval of the 
Commission, promulgate the rules and regulations and the Code of Ethics for 
speech pathologists within sixty (60) days after the constitution of the first Board. 
SEC. 36. Separability Clause. - If any section or provision of this Act 
shall be declared invalid or unconstitutional, such shall not invalidate any other 
section or provision of this Act. 


SEC. 37. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, issuances or 
parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 38. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) 
days following its publication in the Official Gazette or in a major newspaper of 
national circulation whichever comes earlier. 
Approved,