1
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 
Introduced by HON. CIRIACO B. GATO, JR. MD, FPSO-HNS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
“No Filipino shall be deprived of a functioning sense of hearing and 
balance” – vision of the Philippine National Ear Institute, University of the Philippines - 
National Institutes of Health.
Hearing and balance disorders are forms of disability that limits a person’s 
interaction with each other and with the environment. The ability to adequately hear, and 
effectively speak allows smooth communication with one another, in a highly interactive 
society. The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that, in 2050, over 900 
million people around the world will have disabling hearing loss. Disabling hearing loss 
indicates that a person’s hearing threshold is above 40dB, which indicates that these 
people will have difficulty hearing speech sounds during conversations, and would need 
some form of hearing technology to access speech sounds. It is estimated that 
approximately 360 million people all over the world have disabling hearing loss, or 5% of 
the world’s population (1). Of these, 32 million are reported to affect children, and 60% of 
these cases could have been prevented (1). Furthermore, WHO data indicated that one 
third of adults 65 years or older have hearing loss. US statistics indicated that of the half 
million American with severe to profound hearing loss, 54% of them are senior citizens, 
and 38% are people in the working age group (2). 
In the Philippines, a nationwide prevalence study on hearing loss in 2005 found 
8.8% of the population have hearing impairment, which roughly translates to 8 million 
Filipinos needing audiological services. Of these, 36% have bilateral hearing loss (3). 
Prevalence studies on congenital hearing loss in the Philippines which formed the basis 
of the establishment of the Philippine National Ear Institute under the National Institutes 
of Health, University of the Philippines (R.A.9245) and the Universal Newborn Hearing 
Screening and Intervention Act (R.A.9709), showed that 1.6 per 1000 babies are born 
deaf. 
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March 14, 2022
10:47 am


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The large number within a constantly growing Philippine population warrants recruitment 
and equitable distribution of a critical amount of competent and ethical professionals, 
with skills in providing services and capacity building within local communities on hearing 
and balance health care.   
Integral to hearing health care, audiologists are important adjuncts of medical 
professionals by assisting in the prevention, identification, diagnosis and treatment of 
hearing, balance and other auditory disorders. Efficient and accurate screening and 
diagnosis of hearing and balance impairment is necessary to institute an effective 
treatment plan. 
The science of audiology began as early as the Greek civilization, flourishing with 
the introduction of various methods of hearing measurement equipment in the 1920s and 
1930s, but gained formality post World War 2 with an increased number of hearing loss 
due 
to 
acoustic 
trauma, 
and 
noise-induced 
hearing 
loss 
from 
heightened 
industrialization. The 1st World Congress of Audiologists was held as early as in 1948, 
and with the phoniatrists, in 1974. This has led to a revolution to address hearing 
impairment in society, moving on to restoring hearing with the introduction of cochlear 
implants or the “bionic ear”. As the care for persons with hearing and vestibular 
impairments became sophisticated, and with a significant number of the populace 
becoming at risk, a need for professionalizing the practice of audiology, with teaching, 
training and monitoring of audiologists became inevitable (4).
In the Philippines, the practice of audiology was pioneered by ear, nose, throat 
professionals who initially trained abroad, and together with those who were trained 
locally, established hearing centers in various parts of the country. As the practice of 
audiology is highly technology-dependent, services were offered together with 
departments of ear nose throat in hospitals, and/or privately-owned hearing centers, with 
varying methods, competencies and outcomes, sometimes unfortunately unsatisfactory. 
Through the initiative of various institutions like the University of Santo Tomas and the 
University of the Philippines Manila, in partnership with the Audiology program of the 
Macquarie University in Australia, the two schools offered master’s degree course in 
Clinical Audiology in 1999, and began slowly to address the lack of trained audiologists 
in the country. 
As of April 2020, data from the Association of Clinical Audiologists of the 
Philippines revealed that there were 258 clinical audiologists who finished the locally 
available master’s degree in Clinical Audiology, with 120 practicing in the Philippines. 
Considering the total Philippine population of 109,035,343 (5), the ratio of audiologist to 
the 
population 
is 
1 
per 
900,000. 
This 
however, 
excludes 
the 
practicing 
audiometrician/audiometrist trained by ENT specialists, serving their health facilities 
and/or communities. Hopefully, with the filing of this bill, audiological services may be 
available and accessible to vulnerable populations nationwide.




1
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
 Third Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO.  
     Introduced by HON. CIRIACO B. GATO, JR. MD,FPSO-HNS
AN ACT
REGULATING THE PRACTICE OF AUDIOLOGY AND AUDIOMETRY, CREATING 
FOR THIS PURPOSE A PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF AUDIOLOGY, 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, INTEGRATING AUDIOLOGISTS, AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:
ARTICLE I
TITLE, DECLARATION OF POLICY, DEFINITION OF TERMS SECTION 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Audiology and Audiometry 
Act of 2022.”
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – The State recognizes the essential role of 
audiology as a profession in safeguarding and enhancing the quality of life, and 
general well-being of the citizenry. Audiologic services shall therefore be promoted 
as a regular component of the primary health care system.
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act, the following terms shall be 
defined as follows:
a) “Audiology” refers   to   the   profession   that   caters   to   the   prevention,
conservation, assessment, and management of hearing, balance, and other
related disorders, as a fundamental component of human functions such as
communication, development of speech and language, and postural stability
that affect an individual’s physical, social, educational, and occupational well- 
being, and quality of life.
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b) “Audiometry” refers the measurement of hearing, including procedures and tests
used to define the type, degree, and communicative consequences of hearing loss;
utilizing clinical hearing tests to evaluate sensitivity discrimination (acuity) aspects
of audition; including but not limited to tone and speech audiometry, electro
physiologic procedures, acoustic-immittance measures, and tests of central
auditory processing;
c) “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 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 registered and licensed audiologist, and has
passed the National Board Examination in Audiology administered by the the
Professional Regulatory Board of Audiology under the Professional Regulation
Commission of the Republic of the Philippines. As such, he/she is authorized to
conduct the entirety of the practice of audiology as defined in Article II Section 4;
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;
e)
“Audiometrist” refers to a natural person who has satisfactorily completed the
required training and clinical experience for audiometrists as determined by the
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: Administering
audiometric  examination,  including  but  not  limited  to,  (1) conduct of tone and
speech audiometry, acoustic immittance measures, (2) assist the audiologist in
vestibular, pediatric, and electrophysiologic assessment;
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;


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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 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 the
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
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;
j)
“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.


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        ARTICLE II
THE PRACTICE OF AUDIOLOGY
SECTION 4. The Scope of the Practice of Audiology. – Any of the following acts 
constitute the practice of Audiology:
a) The assessment of human auditory and vestibular function through the
employment of clinical subjective (behavioral) and objective (physiologic)
procedures and tests to describe the etiology, degree, and deduce potential
communicative consequences of hearing loss; including the use of specific
instruments, and techniques, for the purpose of determining the condition,
sensitivity and discrimination (acuity) of human hearing and balance, and to
provide audiologic management of the same, in accordance with subsections
(b), (c), and (d) hereof;
b) The selection, prescription, and dispensing of hearing aids, assistive listening
devices, implantable hearing devices, and their accessories and solutions,
and supplies for the purpose of correcting and treating defects, deficiencies
and abnormalities of audition.
c) The use of educational techniques; conduct of auditory/vestibular training and
hearing habilitation and rehabilitation, the provision of other measures,
devices,  and  procedures  to  aid,  correct,  habilitate  or  relieve  problems  of
human  audition  to  obtain  optimal  audition  and  comfort  except  those  that
should be medically or surgically provided;
d) The counseling of patients regarding concerns that occur as a consequence
of hearing and/or balance impairment; and implementation of programs for
hearing conservation, and for the prevention of reduced auditory function;
e) The establishment of offices, programs, clinics, and similar places and
platforms 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 (d) of this section.
SECTION 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


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SECTION  6.  Disclosure  of  Authority  to  Practice.  –  An  audiologist  shall  be 
required to indicate his or her professional license number in the documents he or 
she issues or signs in connection with the practice of his/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 III
THE PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF AUDIOLOGY
SECTION 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 Accredited Integrated Professional Organization (AIPO) of 
Audiology,
SECTION 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  and  licensed  audiologist  in  good  standing;  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;
c) A person who has not been convicted of 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 institution must
forgo 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 AIPO or any
audiologic association is disqualified from concurrently being appointed to or
serving in the Board.


6
SECTION 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.
SECTION 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 
such investigation for a period of not more than sixty (60) days and appoint a 
temporary member in his place.
SECTION 11. Compensation of Board Members. – The members of the Board 
shall receive compensation in accordance with  the  rules and  regulations of the 
Professional Regulatory Commission.
SECTION 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;
c)  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;
d)  Formulate and oversee, in consultation with the PRC, guidelines for the 
proper conduct of licensure examinations and the registration of audiologists 
as well as the accreditation of audiometrists;
e)  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 audiometrists;


7
f)
Impose reasonable requirements and conditions, such as attendance in 
continuing education activities and program, for the renewal of an 
audiologist’s license to practice and for the purpose of upgrading the 
professional competence of audiologists and audiometrists;
g)  Maintain a registry of audiologists and audiometrists 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;
j)
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;
l)
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 high standards; and
o)  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.
SECTION 13. Quorum in Board Meetings. – The attendance of three (3) members 
shall constitute a quorum for the Board to officially transact business.
SECTION 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 


8
case members are disqualified to vote by virtue of their relationship 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, and 
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.
SECTION 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.
SECTION 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 
LICENSURE EXAMINATIONS
SECTION 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, 
platforms, and dates as PRC may designate.
SECTION 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 as 
well as the academic standards imposed by the Commission on Higher Education on 
educational institutions which offer a course in audiology.
SECTION 19. Qualifications of an Applicant for the Licensure Examinations for 
Audiologists. – An applicant for the licensure examination for Audiologist shall meet 
the following qualifications:
a)  Must possess a Philippine citizenship;
b)  Must be of good moral character;
c)  Must hold a graduate degree (such as Master of Clinical Audiology; Master 
of Audiology; Doctor of Audiology; or Doctor of Philosophy in Audiology,) 
obtained from a school, college, university or institution duly accredited or 
recognized by the Commission on Higher Education, with coursework 


9
inclusive of the following minimum basic subject areas: anatomy and 
physiology of hearing and balance; acoustics, assessment methods; 
pediatric/adult aural re/habilitation; audiologic disorders; aural habilitation, 
rehabilitation and amplification; introduction to communication options; 
audiology ethics and jurisprudence; audiology economics and practice 
management;   environmental   and   public   health   audiology;   clinical 
audiology practicum; and audiology research methods
d)  Must not have been convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude by a 
court of competent jurisdiction.
SECTION 20. Qualifications of an Applicant for the Licensure Examinations for 
Audiometrists.  - An applicant for the licensure examination for Audiometrists shall 
meet the following qualifications:
a)  Must possess a Philippine citizenship;
b)  Must be of good moral character;
c)  Must hold at least a bachelor’s degree in Audiology
d)  Must not have been convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude by a 
court of competent jurisdiction
SECTION. 21. 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 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 examine 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 re-enrolled and undergone with the year 
preceding, a pre-board review course from a review center duly organized by the 
Commission.
SECTION. 22. Report of Rating. – 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.


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ARTICLE V
REGISTRATION AND LICENSURE OF AUDIOLOGISTS
SECTION. 23. 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.
SECTION. 24. 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;
c)  Those who have been convicted by final judgment of any crime involving 
moral turpitude by any court;
d)  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.
SECTION. 25. 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.
SECTION. 26. Registration without Taking Licensure Examination for 
Audiologists. – A person who possesses the pertinent qualifications listed below 
pursuant  to  the  provisions  of  this  Act  may  be  registered  without  examination 
Provided, That the applicant files with the Board within three  (3) years after its 
creation, an application for registration and issuance of certificate of registration and 
professional identification card by submitting credentials satisfactory to the Board 
that the applicant had, on or prior to the effectivity of this act, was a graduate degree 
holder in Audiology from a recognized institution   with at least one year of 
accumulated experience.


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SECTION. 27. Registration without Taking Licensure Examination for 
Audiometrists. – A person who possesses the pertinent qualifications listed below 
pursuant  to  the  provisions  of  this  Act  may  be  registered  without  examination 
Provided, That the applicant files with the Board within three (3) years after its 
creation, an application for registration and issuance of certificate of registration and 
professional identification card by submitting credentials satisfactory to the Board 
that  the  applicant  had,  on  or  prior  to  the  effectivity  of  this  Act,  fulfilled  the 
requirements under either subparagraphs (a) or (b) herein:
a)  Had passed at least eighteen (18) units of tertiary level (doctoral, masteral 
or baccalaureate) courses inclusive of clinical practicum in audiologic 
assessment in Audiology;
b)   Had at least seven (7) years of clinical experience in audiometry
SECTION. 28. Accreditation. – The Board of Audiology shall grant certificates of 
accreditation for the limited practice of audiology and audiometry to successful 
examinees. It shall serve as proof that  the  person  is accredited  for the  limited 
practice of audiology and audiometry in the Philippines under the supervision of an 
Audiologist in good standing.
SECTION.  29.  Revocation  of  Certificates  and  Suspension  of  Professional
Licenses. – The Board may, after giving proper notice and hearing to the 
partyconcerned, 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.
SECTION. 30. Appeals. – The revocation of a certificate of 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.
SECTION. 31. 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.


12
SECTION.  32.  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 corresponding fees as may be fixed by the 
Board in accordance with the rules of fees fixed by the PRC.
ARTICLE VI AUDIOLOGY 
EDUCATION
SECTION. 33. 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 the undergraduate course 
and degree;
b) Establishing teaching standards, including the qualifications of members of 
the faculty of schools and colleges of audiology;
c) Monitoring the progress of the program on the  study  of  audiology  and 
undertaking measures for the attainment of a high quality of audiologic 
education in the country; and
d) Evaluating periodically the performance of educational institutions offering 
audiologic education for the purpose of granting accreditation and incentives 
as well as for the impositions of sanctions when warranted.
ARTICLE VII 
PROHIBITED ACTS AND PENALTIES
SECTION. 34. 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 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 


13
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;
d)  Engaging in unauthorized practice of audiology as defined in Section 5 of 
this Act; and,
e)  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.
SECTION. 35. 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) years but not more than eight (8) years, or a 
fine of not less than Fifty Thousand pesos (Php 50,000.00) but not more than One 
Hundred Thousand pesos (Php 100,000.00) or both at the discretion of the court.
In addition, the administrative penalties specified in Section 27 hereof shall be 
imposed whenever applicable.
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 penalties provided for in this Act.
ARTICLE VIII 
PROFESSIONAL AND ETHICAL STANDARDS
SECTION. 36. 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 special permit to a foreign audiologist to practice the 
profession in this country whether or not reciprocity 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 


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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.
SECTION.  37.  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.
SECTION. 38. Integration of Audiologists and Audiometrists. – In order for every 
audiologist and audiometrists to contribute to his or her profession and to bear his or 
her share of professional responsibilities, all audiologists and audiometrists shall be 
encouraged to join and be integrated into the AIPO, which shall be recognized by the 
Board and the PRC. Every audiologist and audiometrist, upon registration with the 
Board before the effectivity of this Act may register as members of the integrated 
organization within three (3) years after said effectivity.
SECTION. 39. Purposes. – The AIPO shall promulgate the Code of Ethics for the 
practice of profession, define the professional responsibilities of its members, ensure 
adherence to said professional ethics and responsibilities, improve the standards of
the profession and enable audiologists to discharge their public responsibility more 
effectively.
SECTION. 40. 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 AIPO. An audiologist shall receive the benefits and privileges appurtenant to his 
or her membership only upon payment of the payment of the required membership 
fees and dues.
SECTION. 41. Code of Professional Ethics. – The Board shall adopt the 
Professional Code of Ethics promulgated by the AIPO; 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;


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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 and audiometricians 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 34 of this Act.
ARTICLE IX MISCELLANEOUS 
PROVISIONS
SECTION. 42. 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.


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SECTION. 43. Assistance of Law Enforcement Agency. – Any law enforcement 
agency  shall,  upon  call  or  request  of  the  Commission  of  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.
SECTION. 44. 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 AIPO, 
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.
SECTION. 45. 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.
SECTION. 46. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, rules or regulations 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly.
SECTION. 47. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following 
its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,