SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) veh
Third Regular Session ) ;
SENATE 18 JUL 26 P1205
s.No.__ 1892
Introduced by Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes Vv &
AN ACT

PROFESSIONALIZING THE PRACTICE OF AUDIOLOGY AND CREATING FOR
THIS PURPOSE A PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF AUDIOLOGY,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, UPGRADING AUDIOLOGIC
EDUCATION, INTEGRATING AUDIOLOGISTS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

An audiologist is a healthcare professional who specializes in the identification and
assessment, habilitation and rehabilitation of balance and hearing problems, as well as
prevention of hearing loss. The role of audiologists in safeguarding and enhancing the health
and general physical well-being of the citizenry is undeniably important.

However, despite this recognition, the government, particularly the health sector, has not
given much emphasis on audiology as a profession and as a component of the primary health
care system. This non-recognition, as well as the lack of formal training institutions, has
discouraged citizens to venture into the field of audiology, or if they do so, they eventually
seek employment outside the country.

In this regard, this bill seeks to professionalize the practice of audiology and to create a
Professional Regulatory Board of Audiology. Furthermore, it seeks to promote and increase
the competence of audiologists by institutionalizing preventive regulatory measures,
programs and activities that will foster their continuing professional growth.

In view of the forgoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought.

éonb Sonal an
ANTONIO “SONNY” F.'TRILEANES IV

Senator



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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Third Regular Session )
SENATE 18 JUL 26 P1206
sno, 1892
te,
Introduced by Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV.
AN ACT

PROFESSIONALIZING THE PRACTICE OF AUDIOLOGY AND CREATING FOR
THIS PURPOSE A PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF AUDIOLOGY,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, UPGRADING AUDIOLOGIC
EDUCATION, INTEGRATING AUDIOLOGISTS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

ARTICLE I
TITLE, DECLARATION OF POLICY, DEFINITION OF TERMS

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Audiology Act of 2018”

SEC. 2. Declaration of State Policy. ~ The State recognizes the essential role of
audiology as a profession in safeguarding and enhancing the health and general physical
well-being of the citizenry. Audiologic services shall therefore be promoted as a regular
component of the primary health care system.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act, the following terms shall be
defined as follows:

(@) “Audiology” refers to the science and art of hearing, whether normal or disordered, as
a fundamental component of human communicatory behavior; the development and
application of effective strategies leading to optimal use of sensory and oral
expressive skills in hearing-impaired children and adults; analyzing and evaluating the
auditory function through behavioral and physiologic tests; selecting, prescribing and
dispensing hearing aids, auditory assistive devices and their accessories and solutions,
and similar appliances and devices; counseling regarding educational, social or
vocational concerns that may occur as a consequence of hearing impairment; and
implementation of programs for hearing conservation, and for the prevention of
reduced auditory function; and other preventive or corrective measures or procedures
for the aid, correction, habilitation, rehabilitation or relief of human hearing, or to
attain optimum audition and comfort;

(b) “Audiometry” refers to the measurement of hearing, including many procedures and
tests used to define the type, degree, and communicative consequences of hearing
loss; utilizing clinical hearing tests to evaluate sensitivity and discrimination (acuity)

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aspects of audition; including, but not limited to tone and speech audiometry based on
behavioral responses, electrophysiologic procedures, acoustic-immitance measures,
loudness recruitment, loudness adaptation, and tests of central auditory dysfunction;

(0) “Audiologist” refers to a natural person who, having satisfactorily completed an
academic program leading to at least a master’s degree in audiology or its equivalent
or higher degree, inclusive of at least 300 hours of supervised clinical experience,
followed by the equivalent of six months full-time professional experience under the
supervision of a certified audiologist, has passed the national Board Examination in
Audiology administered by the Board of Audiology, herein after called the board, and
has been granted a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in audiology and
registered with the Professional Regulation Commission herein after called the
commission; as being qualified to practice Audiology in the Philippines;

(d) “Audiologist in good standing” refers to a registered audiologist who is authorized to
practice the profession in the Philippines by virtue of a valid certificate of registration
and a valid professional license issued by the commission for the purpose;

(©) “Audiometrist” refers to a natural person who has satisfactorily completed the
required training and clinical experience for audiometrist as determined by the
department of education, Commission on higher education and the board of
audiology. As such, he/she shall be authorized to do any of the following, Provided,
that such shall at all times be conducted under the supervision of a licensed
audiologist : (1) Administering audiometric examination, including, but not limited to,
tone and speech audiometry based on behavioral responses, acoustic immitance
measure, loudness recruitment and loudness recruitment, and loudness adaption; (2)
Interpreting result of the same and preparing a written report on these result: and (3)
Counseling and provision of Non- Medical and Non-Surgical amplification devices;
Provided, Further, that such duties may only be performed on clients between the age
of seven (7) and fifty (50) years old.

(f) Audiometrist in good standing” refers to a qualified audiometrist , who by virtue of a
valid certificate of accreditation in audiometry issued by the Board of Audiology for
the purpose, is authorized in the limited practice of audiometry in the Philippines
under the supervision of an Audiologist in good standing;

(g) “Certificate of registration” refers to a document signed by the Chair of the
Commission and by all members of the Board of Audiology and bearing its seal,
issued to an applicant who has satisfied the requirements for the practice of audiology.
It shall serve as proof that the registrant is qualified to practice the respective
professions in the Philippines;

(h) “Professional license” refers to a renewable card, issued by the PRC to a registered
audiologist, indicating that he / she is competent and authorized to practice audiology
in the Philippines. Until the loss of its validity or its expiration, such license shall
serve as evidence that its bearer is an audiologist or audiometrist in good standing;



(i) “Certificate of Accreditation” refers to a document signed by all members of the
Board and bearing its seal, issued to an applicant who has satisfied the requirements
for the limited practice of audiometry in the Philippines under the supervision of an
Audiologist in good standing. It shail serve as proof that the person is accredited for
the limited practice of audiometry in the Philippines under the supervision of an
Audiologist in good standing;

() “Code of professional ethics” refers to a set of standards relating to the conduct,
integrity and moral duties of audiologists,.as prescribed by the duly integrated and
accredited national organization of audiologists, and adopted and promulgated by the
Board upon approval by the commission.

ARTICLE IL
THE PRACTICE OF AUDIOLOGY

SEC. 4. Scope of Practice of Audiology. ~ Any of the following acts constitute the

practice of Audiology:

(a) The analysis and evaluation of human auditory function through the employment of
clinical subjective (behavioral) and objective (physiologic) procedures and tests to
measure hearing and define the type, degree, and communicative consequences of
hearing loss; including the use of specific instruments, tools, equipment, implements,
aids, apparatuses, machines, exercises and related devices, for the purpose of
determining the condition, sensitivity and discrimination (acuity) of human hearing to
correct and improve the same when not medically or surgically treatable, in
accordance with subsections (b), (c), and (d) hereof;

(b) The selection, prescription and dispensing of hearing aids, auditory assistive devices
and their accessories and solutions, and supplies for the purpose of correcting and
treating defects, deficiencies and abnormalities of audition that are not medically or
surgically treatable;

(©) The use of educational techniques to enhance visual perception of speech (speech
reading) and to improve auditory discrimination, developing and maintaining optimal
speech and voice skills; conduct of auditory exercises and hearing habilitation and
rehabilitation, the provision of other measures, devices and procedures to aid, correct,
habilitate, rehabilitate or relieve abnormalities of human audition and attain optimum.
audition and comfort except those that should be medically or surgically provided;

(@) The counseling of patients regarding educational, social or vocational concems that
may occur as a consequence of hearing impairment; and implementation of programs
for hearing conservation, and for the prevention of reduced auditory function;

(©) The establishment of offices, clinics, and similar places where audiologic services are
offered; and

(f) The collection of professional fees for the performance of any of the acts mentioned
in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (4) of this section.



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SEC. 5. Prohibition Against the Unauthorized Practice of Audiology. — No person
shall practice audiology as defined in Section 3 of this Act nor perform any of the acts
constituting the practice of audiology as set forth in Section 4 hereof, without having been
first admitted to the practice of this profession under the provisions of this Act and its
implementing rules and regulations; Provided, That this prohibition shall not apply to
regularly licensed and duly registered physicians who have received post-graduate training in
the diagnosis and treatment of hearing disorders and ear diseases; Provided, however, That
the examination of the human ear and auditory apparatus by duly registered physicians in
connection with the physical examination of patients shall not be considered as practice of
audiology; Provided, further, That the evaluation and management of speech’ and voice
functions and dysfunctions by speech pathologists, therapists and phoniatrists shall not be
considered as the practice of audiology; Provided, further, That public health workers and
health care providers trained and involved in the government's "Universal Newborn Hearing
Screening Program for the Prevention, Early Diagnosis and Intervention of Hearing Loss" or
Republic Act No. 9709 and other hearing conservation programs may conduct only specific
hearing acuity tests and hearing screening; Provided, finally, That audiometricians in good
standing may only perform their limited duties and services under supervision of an
audiologist in good standing,

SEC. 6. Disclosure of Authority to Practice. - An audiologist shall be required to
indicate his or her professional license number and the date of its expiration in the documents
he or she issues or signs in connection with the practice of his or her profession. He / she
shall also display his or her certificate of registration in a conspicuous area of his or her clinic
or office.

ARTICLE IIT
THE PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF AUDIOLOGY

SEC. 7. The Professional Regulatory Board of Audiology. - There is hereby created
a Professional Regulatory Board of Audiology, hereinafter referred to as the Board,
composed of five (5) members who shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines,
upon the recommendation of the PRC, from a list of ten (10) nominees submitted by the duly
integrated and accredited national organization of audiologists, the Philippine Society of
Audiology.

SEC. 8. Qualifications of Members of the Board. — At the time of their respective
appointments, the members of the Board including the Chairperson, must be:

(a) A citizen of the Philippines and resident of the Philippines for the last five (5) years;

(b) A duly registered audiologist in good standing holding a valid Certificate of
Registration: Provided, however, That in the case of the first members of the Board
of Audiology, they shall be issued Certificates of Registration as Audiologists without
prior examination;

(©) A person who has not been convicted by any competent court of an offense involving
moral turpitude.



(d) A person who has been in active practice of the profession for at least ten (10) years
prior to his or her appointment: Provided, That for purposes of creating the initial
Board, active practice of the profession for at least five (5) years prior to his or her
appointment will suffice; Provided further, That a person who is a member of the
faculty, whether full time, part time or lecturer of any school, college or university
where a regular course in audiology is taught, or who has any pecuniary interest,
directly or indirectly, in such an institution must forego his or her membership in said
faculty or relinquish his or her interests in said institution before or upon taking his or
her oath as a member of the Board; Provided, finally, That an incumbent officer of
the Philippine Society of Audiology or any audiologic association is disqualified from
concurrently being appointed to or serving in the Board.

SEC. 9. Term of Office. - The members of the Board shall hold office for a non-
renewable term of five (5) years, starting on the date of appointment and until their
successors shall have been appointed; Provided, however, That the first appointees to the
Board shall hold office as follows: the chairperson for five (5) years and the four (4) other
members for fixed terms of four (4), three (3), two (2), and one (1) year/s, such that the term
of one member shall be due to expire every year. Thereafter, one member shall be appointed
for the full term every year and such member, in the last year of his or her term, shall
automatically become the chairperson of the Board. Vacancies brought about by reasons
other than expiration of term shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term only.

SEC. 10. Removal or Suspension of Board Members. ~ Any member of the Board,
after_having been given the opportunity to defend himself or herself in a proper
administrative investigation conducted by the PRC, may be removed by the President of the
Philippines for neglect of duty, incompetence, malpractice, or unprofessional, unethical,
immoral or dishonorable conduct. During the process of investigation, the President of the
Philippines may suspend such member under investigation for a period of not more than sixty
(60) days and appoint a temporary member in his place.

SEC. 11. Compensation of Board Members, ~ The members of the Board shall each
receive compensation in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Professional
Regulatory Commission.

SEC. 12. Functions and Powers of the Board. — The Board is hereby vested with
authority to:

(a) Promulgate the rules and regulations for the practice of audiology, subject to the
approval of the PRC and in accordance with the provisions of this Act;

(b) Administer and enforce the rules and regulations specified in the preceding sections;
(©) Determine, prepare, adopt, issue or amend the syllabi and contents of, and questions

for licensure examinations, adopt measures to ensure the integrity thereof, correct and
rate the examination papers and submit the results thereof to the PRC;



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(d) Formulate and oversee, in consultation and coordination with the PRC, guidelines for
the proper conduct of licensure examinations and the registration of audiologists as
well as the accreditation of audiometricians;

(€) Issue, suspend, revoke and reissue certificates of registration of qualified audiologists
and renew their professional licenses and issue, suspend, revoke and reissue
certificates of accreditation of audiometricians;

(f) Impose reasonable requirements and conditions, such as attendance in continuing
education activities and programs, for the renewal of an audiologist's license to
practice and for the purpose of upgrading the professional competence of audiologists
and audiometricians;

(g) Maintain a registry of audiologists and audiometricians in good standing;

(h) Adopt, promulgate and disseminate the Code of Ethics for the practice of audiology in
the Philippines;

(i) Administer oaths in connection with the implementation of this Act;

() Conduct hearings and investigations to resolve complaints against practitioners of
audiology for malpractice, unethical and unprofessional conduct, and violations of
this Act or its implementing rules and regulations, and in connection therewith, issue
subpoena ad testificandum and subpoena duces tecum and punish with contempt
persons obstructing, impeding and/or otherwise interfering with the conduct of such
proceedings;

(k) Conduct ocular inspections of establishments and/or premises where audiologic
services are offered to ascertain that professional standards are complied with;

() Upon application, to issue an order enjoining or abating the illegal practice of
audiology by unqualified persons;

(m)Impose fines and penalties, after due process and in accordance with the provision of
this Act, for causes provided for by law or by the rules and regulations promulgated
therefor;

(n) Evaluate periodically the status of audiologic education and recommend and/or adopt
measures to upgrade and maintain its high standards; and,

(0) Study the conditions affecting the practice of audiology in all parts of the Philippines,
and, whenever necessary, adopt such measures as may be deemed proper for the
maintenance of good ethics and high professional standards of audiologic practice.

SEC. 13. Quorum in Board Meetings, ~ The attendance of three (3) members shall
constitute a quorum for the Board to officially transact business.



SEC. 14. Votes Required in Administrative Cases. — To render a decision in an
administrative case for unethical practice, malpractice, immorality, dishonesty, and related
charges affecting the professional fitness and integrity of an audiologist or audiometrician,
the vote of three (3) members must be obtained; Provided, That in case members are
disqualified to vote by virtue of their relation to or interest in any of the parties or voluntarily
inhibits themselves from participating in the proceedings, the Board shall designate, with the
approval of the Commission, an audiologist in good standing who is respected in the
audiologic community for their probity and integrity to sit in the Board, participate in the
proceedings and vote on the case.

SEC. 15. Supervision of the Board and Custody of its Records. ~ The members of the
Board shall be under the general supervision of the PRC. All records, including examination
papers, examination results, minutes of deliberations, records of administrative cases and
investigation of the Board shall be kept by the said Commission.

SEC. 16. Annual Report. ~ The Board shall, at the end of each calendar year, submit
to the Commission an annual report of its activities and proceedings during the year, Other
information or data may be requested by the Commission as often as may be necessary and
practicable.

ARTICLE IV
THE AUDIOLOGY BOARD EXAMINATIONS

SEC. 17. Licensure Examination Requirement. - Every applicant seeking to be
registered as an audiologist shall undergo an examination as provided in this Act.
Examinations for the practice of audiology or limited practice of audiometry in the
Philippines shall be given by the Board at least once every year in such places and dates as
the PRC may designate.

SEC. 18. Scope of Examination, - The Board of Audiology shall prescribe the scope
and prepare the contents of the licensure examinations. In the discharge of this function, the
Board shall take into account recent developments in audiology and audiometry as well as the
academic standards imposed by the Commission on Higher Education on educational
institutions which offer a course in audiology.

SEC. 19. Qualifications of an Applicant for the Licensure Examinations. — An
applicant for the licensure examination for Audiology shall meet the following qualifications:

(@) Must possess Philippine citizenship;
(b) Must be of good moral character;

(©) Must hold a degree of Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in
Audiology or its equivalent or higher degree (such as Master in Clinical Audiology,
M.Clin.Aud.; Master of Audiology, M.Aud.; Doctor of Audiology, Au. D.; Doctor of
Philosophy in Audiology, PhD; or Doctor of Science in Audiology, D.Sc.) obtained
from a school, college, university or institution duly accredited or recognized by the
government, with coursework inclusive of the following minimum basic subject

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areas: mathematics; human biology; chemistry; biochemistry; physics; psychology;
sociology; history, English and Filipino; and the following Audiology Major Subject
areas: anatomy and physiology of speech and hearing; basic acoustics for speech and
hearing; introduction to disorders of speech and hearing processes (pathophysiology);
introduction to audiology, hearing loss and audiometry; normal speech and language
acquisition and development; introduction to language and communication disorders;
psychology of language; clinical methods in audiology; aural habilitation,
rehabilitation and amplification; Philippine sign language; audiology ethics and
jurisprudence; audiology economics and practice management; environmental and
public health audiology; pediatric audiology; audiology practicum one and two and
audiology research methods; and

(@) Must not have been convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude by a court of
competent jurisdiction

SEC. 20. Ratings in the Examination. - To pass the licensure examination, a
candidate for audiologist must obtain a passing rating of seventy-five percent (75%) in each
subject given during the examination: Provided, however, That an examinee who obtains a
passing rating in the majority of the subjects but obtains a rating in other subjects below
seventy-five percent (75%) but not lower than sixty percent (60%), shall be allowed to take
one removal examination on the subjects where the passing rating was not obtained:
Provided, further, That should an examinee fail to obtain a passing rating in the removal
examination, the examinee shall be considered as having failed the entire licensure
examination: Provided, finally, That any candidate who fails to pass the examination in three
(3) successive attempts shall not be admitted in the fourth examination unless he or she could
present to the Board a certification that the examinee had enrolled and undergone within the
year preceding, a pre-board review course from a review center duly recognized by the
Commission.

SEC. 21. Report of Rating. - The Board and the PRC shall correct and rate the
licensure examination papers and shall release the examination results within ten (10) days
from the date of the examination.

ARTICLE V
REGISTRATION AND LICENSURE OF AUDIOLOGISTS

SEC. 22. Oath. — All successful examinees shall be required to take their oath before
the Board or before any person authorized to administer oaths prior to the issuance of the
certificate of registration: Provided, however, That the applicant is not disqualified under any
of the provisions of Section 24 hereof.

SEC. 23. Disqualification. — The following applicants shall not be allowed to take
their oath as audiologists nor issued certificates of registration:

(a) Those who do not possess the qualifications set forth in Section 19 of this Act;

(b) Those who fail to pass the Audiology Board licensure examination;



(©) Those who have been convicted by final judgment of any crime involving moral
turpitude by any court;

(@) Those who have been found guilty by the Board of immoral or dishonorable conduct;
and,

(e) Those who have been declared to be of unsound mind.

Such fact of disqualification shall be communicated by the Board to the applicant by written
statement, which statement shall form part of the records of the Board.

SEC. 24. Registration. - The PRC shall register successful examinees who have
taken their oath and thereafter grant them professional licenses to practice audiology. The
certificate of registration shall be considered as evidence that the registrant is qualified to
practice audiology in the Philippines.

SEC. 25. Registration without Taking Licensure Examination, ~ A person who
possesses the pertinent qualifications listed below pursuant to the provisions of this Act may
be registered without examination:

(a) Was a doctoral, masters or bachelors degree holder in Audiology from a recognized
institution with at least three (3) years of teaching Audiology courses and/or
audiology practice in the Philippines for the same period; or,

(b) Was a PRC duly-registered Doctor of Medicine in the Philippines and fully certified
Diplomate of the Philippine Board of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery with at
least five (5) years clinical experience in the practice of audiology in the Philippines;
or,

(©) Had passed at least eighteen (18) units of tertiary level (doctoral, masteral or
baccalaureate) courses in Audiology and had at least seven (7) years of clinical
experience in audiology: Provided, That the applicant files with the Board within
three (3) years after its creation, an application for registration, issuance of a
Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card by submitting
credentials showing that the applicant was a member of good standing in the
Philippine Society of Audiology for three years before the effectively of this Act.

SEC. 26. Accreditation. ~ The Board of Audiology shall grant certificates of
accreditation for the limited practice audiometry to successful examinees. It shall serve as
proof that the person is accredited for the limited practice of audiometry in the Philippines
under the supervision of an Audiologist in good standing.

SEC. 27. Revocation of Certificates and Suspension of Professional Licenses. - The
Board may, after giving proper notice and hearing to the party concemed, revoke an
audiologist's certificate of registration or suspend his or her license to practice for any
unprofessional or unethical conduct, malpractice, or violation of any of the provisions of this
Act or its rules and regulations, or upon the conviction of the audiologist of a crime involving
moral turpitude. The same applies to an audiometrician's certificate of accreditation.



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SEC. 28. Appeals. - The revocation of a certificate or suspension of a professional
license by the Board shall become final unless appealed to the PRC within fifteen (15) days
from receipt of the decision.

SEC. 29. Reinstatement, Reissuance or Replacement of Certificates. - The Board
may, upon application and for reasons deemed proper and sufficient, reinstate any suspended
certificate of registration or accreditation, or issue another certificate in lieu of one previously
revoked, and in so doing it may, in its discretion, exempt the applicant from taking another
examination.

A new certificate to replace any certificate lost, destroyed or mutilated may be issued
subject to the rules that may be implemented by the Board.

SEC. 30. Renewal of Professional Licenses. ~ All licenses shall be renewable every
three (3) years and shall be considered renewed only upon satisfying the requirements
imposed by the Board, such as attendance in continuing education programs and payment of
the corresponding fees as may be fixed by the Board in accordance with the schedule of fees
fixed by the PRC.

ARTICLE VI
AUDIOLOGIC EDUCATION

SEC. 31. The Technical Panel on Audiological Education. - To attain the objective
of upgrading Audiologic education in the Philippines, the Commission on Higher Education,
pursuant to Section 12 of Republic Act No. 7722 shall, within sixty (60) days after the
approval of this Act, convene and organize a technical panel on audiologic education. For
this purpose, senior practitioners, specialists, academicians in the field of audiology and a
representative from the Philippine Society of Audiology as the accredited national
organization of audiologists shall be appointed and tapped to assist in the following:

(a) Setting a minimum standard curriculum for the study of audiology to be implemented
in all schools offering audiology as an undergraduate course and degree;

(b) Establishing teaching standards, including the qualifications of members of the
faculty of schools and colleges of audiology;

(©) Monitoring the progress of the program on the study of audiology and undertaking
measures or the attainment of a high quality of audiologic education in the country;
and,

(@ Evaluating periodically the performance of educational institutions offering
audiologic education for the purpose of granting accreditation and incentives as well
as for the imposition of sanctions when warranted.



ARTICLE VII
PROHIBITED ACTS AND PENALTIES

SEC. 32. Prohibited Acts. ~ The following acts are prohibited:

(a) Giving false or forged evidence of any kind to the Board or to any member thereof for
the purpose of obtaining a certification of registration or a professional license;

(b) Assumption, use or advertisement by a person, not holding a valid certificate of
registration and a valid professional license in accordance with this Act, of a
description, in connection with his name or title, tending to convey the impression
that he or she is a duly registered audiologist;

(c) Any form of advertisement in media outlets giving information and impression to the
public that the particular audiologist is better than the others, is collecting lower
professional fees or selling cheaper hearing aids or devices:

(4) Engaging in unauthorized practice of audiology as defined in Section 5 of this Act;
and,

(©) Violation by any person, whether natural or juridical, of any of the provisions of this
Act and the rules and regulations promulgated for its effective implementation.

SEC. 33. Penal Provisions. - The commission of any of the prohibited acts listed in
the immediately preceding section shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than one
(1) year but not more than eight (8) years, or a fine of not less than Fifty Thousand pesos
(P50,000.00) but not more than One Hundred Thousand pesos (P100,000.00), or both, at the
discretion of the court.

In addition, the administrative penalties specified in Section 27 hereof shall be imposed
whenever applicable (Check does this refer to Section 28).

If the violation is committed by an association, partnership, corporation or any other
institution, the managing officers and other persons responsible for its commission shall be
liable for the penalties provided for in this Act.

ARTICLE VIII
PROFESSIONAL AND ETHICAL STANDARDS

SEC. 34. Foreign Reciprocity. — No foreigner shall be admitted to the audiology
board examinations unless he or she proves in the manner prescribed by the Rules of Court
that by specific provision of law, the country of which he / she is a citizen, subject or
national, either admits Filipino citizens to the practice of audiology without restriction, or
allows them to practice audiology after an examination on terms of strict and absolute
equality with citizens, subjects or nationals of said country, including the unconditional
recognition of prerequisite degrees prescribed by the Commission on Higher Education;
Provided, however, That the Board, upon approval by the PRC, may grant a special permit to
a foreign audiologist to practice the profession in this country whether or not reciprocity

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exists between his or her country and the Philippines and under such conditions as ‘may be
determined by the Board, if such foreigner is internationally known to be an outstanding
expert in the profession or a well-known specialist in any of its branches, and that his or her
services will promote the advancement of the profession in the Philippines. The Board is also
hereby authorized to prescribe, upon approval by the PRC, additional requirements or grant
certain privileges to foreigners, seeking registration in the Philippines if the same privileges
are granted to or some additional requirements are required of citizens of the Philippines in
acquiring the same certificate in his country.

SEC. 35. Rules and Regulations. — The Board shall set professional standards for the
practice of audiology in the Philippines and adopt such rules and regulations as may be
necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act, subject to the approval of the PRC. Such
standards, rules and regulations shall take effect thirty (30) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or any newspaper of general circulation.

SEC. 36. Integration of Audiologists. ~ In order for every audiologist to contribute to
his or her profession and to bear his or her share of professional responsibilities, all
audiologists shall be encouraged to join and be integrated into one national organization, the
Philippine Society of Audiology, which shall be recognized by the Board and the PRC.
Every audiologist, upon registration with the Board, may become a member of the integrated
national organization. Those who have been registered with the Board before the effectivity
of this Act may register as members of the integrated organization within three (3) years after
said effectivity.

SEC. 37. Purposes. — The integrated national organization of Audiologists —
Philippine Society of Audiology shall promulgate the Code of Ethics for the practice of the
profession, define the professional responsibilities of its members, ensure adherence to said
professional ethics and responsibilities, improve the standards of the profession and enable all
audiologists to discharge their public responsibility more effectively.

SEC. 38. Membership Fees and Dues. — All members shall be subject to the payment
of reasonable fees and dues for the effective discharge of the purposes of the integrated
national organization, the Philippine Society of Audiology. An audiologist shall receive the
benefits and privileges appurtenant to his or her membership only upon payment of the
required membership fees and dues.

SEC. 39. Other Organizations. — The integration of audiologists into one national
organization - the Philippine Society of Audiology, shall not prohibit the creation of other
associations of audiologists organized by individual audiologists themselves.

SEC. 40. Code of Professional Ethics. — The Board shall adopt the Professional Code

of Ethics promulgated by the integrated national organization of audiologists — the Philippine
Society of Audiology; Provided, That such Code provides that it is the duty of an audiologist
to:

(a) Consider as his or her primary responsibility the auditory welfare of the public;

(b) Promote the best possible standards of professional care;



(c) Enhance continuously his or her theoretical and practical proficiency;

(d) Render his or her services with equal diligence to all, regardless of race, creed or
status;

(e) Respect the confidential nature of information concerning those he or she serves; and,
(f) Refer for medical or other professional attention where the need is indicated.

The Board shall also distribute the Code of Ethics of the Audiologic Profession in the
Philippines to all new audiologists during their oath taking.

Any act or omission which violates this Code shall be considered as unethical conduct
and shall be suspended or prohibited from the practice of audiology, in accordance with
Section 28 of this Act.

ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SEC. 41. Funding Provisions. — The Chairperson of the Commission shall include in
the Commission’s programs the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be
included in the General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 42. Assistance of Law Enforcement Agency. ~ Any law enforcement agency
shall, upon call or request of the Commission or the Board, render assistance in enforcing this
Act, including all the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder by prosecuting the
violators thereof in accordance with law and the Rules of Court.

SEC. 43. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days after the
effectivity of this Act and subject to the approval of the Commission, the Board shall
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations, in coordination with the integrated and
accredited professional organization (the Philippine Society of Audiology), to implement the
provisions of this Act, which shall be effective after fifteen (15) days following its
publication in the Official Gazette or two Philippine newspapers of general circulation.

SEC. 44. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act shall at any time be
found to be unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder thereof not affected by such declaration
shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 45. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, rules or regulations inconsistent
with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 46. Effectivity Clause, — This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days
following its complete publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,