14th CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
1st Regular Session 
1 
Intraduced by Senator Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The fact of contemporq He, as well as the demands of a rapidly developing 
society, exerts a great amount of pressure on individuals. From the enclaves of the 
affluent to the hoveIs of the marginalized, such pressures lead to stress, the seeming 
inability or incapacity to cope; the rise in aberrant behavior that, in turn, contributes 
to the rise of criminality; other dysfunctional behaviors that betray the need to 
enhance the nation's program for mental health and emotional well-being, and other 
patterns that do not contribute to the development of the human potential. 
Such a situation requires the equal need to further the cause of the science of 
psychology, a vastly important are a in medical and social science. As a discipline, 
psychology provides us with a glimpse, if not an in-depth understanding of human 
behavior. it is a tool by which we can understand how persons are able to cope with 
or manage stress; how individuals can adequately adapt or adjust to shifts in their 
everyday Iife and living; how aberrant behaviors can be offset so as to create 
humane and just social order; and how the human potential for growth and 
development can be dxinced. 
Institutions and organizations have recognized the vital role of psychology. As a 
result, corporations and government institutions are now able to create programs 
that address stress and other hazards in the workplace. 
Schools and other 
institutions of learning are able to put into place counseling programs that enhance 
the learner's intellectual and emotional stability. Penal institutions likewise are able 
to draw on psychology's vast resources in order to prepare inmates for their 
eventual reintegration into society. 
Yet for all its signscance and advances, psychoIogy has remained unregulated. 
This situation lends itself to a situation where persons who are ill-prepared or 
inadequateIy trained are allowed to function either as psychologists or 
psychomebicians. In the interest of the field of psychology and the public welfare, 
this biII regulating the practice of psychology and creating for the purpose a 
psychology board is therefore hereby proposed. 
The biIl seeks to set a national standard for the practice of psychology by: 
1. Creating a psychoIogy board tasked to oversee the practice of the 
profession as well as to issue licenses to its practitioners; 


2. Defining the scope of psychological services as well as psychologists and 
3. Setting the criteria or qualification for the licensure of practitioners of the 
psychometricians; 
profession; 
4. Mandating the criteria for the granting of such licenses; and 
5. Prescribing penalties for violators of the provisions of the Act. 
The passage of this measure will serve to strengthen the psychology profession, 
uplift its standards, and safeguard the interest of the public as social developments 
envelop them. It wiII also spur the deveIopment of the science that seeks to facilitate 
the wholeness of the person. 
In this regard, early approval of the bill is earnestly requested. 
&/LJ 
A UILINO Q. PIMENTEL, JR. 


14'h CONGRESS OF THE I?EEpUBLIC ) 
OF THE PI-IILIPRJGS 
1 
1st Regularsession 
) 
S E N A T E  
Irrtraduced by Smutor Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr. 
AN ACT 
TO REGULATE THE PRACTICE OF PSYCHOLOGY, CREATING FOR THIS 
PURPOSE A PSYCHOLOGY BOARD 
SECTION 1. flb#&k~. - This Act shall govern: (a) the supervision, control 
and regulation of the practice of psychology as a separate profession in the 
Philippines; and (b) the &ensure of psychologists and the certification of 
ps ychometrists. 
. - As used in this Act: 
SE@I?ON2. 7 
(a) "Practice of Psychotogy" refers to the rendering or offering of any 
psychological service to individuals or groups, organizations or to the public in 
general. The pradice of psychology does not include teaching, prescribing drugs, 
. .. 
performing surgery or administering medical treatment; 
(b) "PsychalogicaI Service" consists of or requires the application of 
psychological principles and procedures for the purpose of understanding, 
predicting and influencing the behavior of individuals or groups in order to assist in 
the attainment of optimal human growth and functioning. The application of 
psychological principles and procedures includes, but is not limited to, 


interviewing, counsefig and psychotherapy directed to deviant behaviors which 
are not organicalty caused; administering, scoring and psychologically interpreting 
instruments of the assessment and evaluation of mental abilities, aptitudes, personal 
characteristics, emotions and motivations; and assessment or diagnosis or 
dysfunction; personnel selection; planning and evaluation; the use of industrial 
organization psychoIogy in human resource training and development, 
organizational development, and career development; teaching of psychology; and 
training and research 
(c) "licensed PsychoIogist" means a person to whom a license has been issued 
to render psychological services pursuant to the provisions of this Act; 
(d) "Certified Psychometrist" means a person whose functions are supervised 
by a licensed psycholo@€ and are limited to the following services: administering, 
scoring and interpreting standardized psychological tests for mental ability, 
achievement, aptitude, interest, attitudes and personality characteristics, and to 
whom a certificate has been issued pursuant to the provisions of this Act. 
. .  
. .  . 
SECTION 3. 
rind 
. - TO 
implement the provisions of this Act, there is hereby created a Psychology Board 
which shall be composed of a Chairperson and four (4) members representing the 
varied specializatioii and sectors of the profession, who shall be appointed by the 
President of the Philippines from a list of recognized psychologists nominated by 
the different psychological associations of the Philippines, colleges, universities and 
institutions and subject to confirnation by the Commission on Appointments, and 
who at the time of their appointment they are: 
(a) Citizens and residents of the Philippines; 
(b) At 'teast forty (40) years of age; 


(c) Of good moral chmcter; 
(d) Hoiders of at least a master's degree in Psychology conferred by a duly 
recognized university, college or school; 
(e) With at least ten (1Q) years of practice in the Philippines in a duly 
recognized institution, clinic, or center, or teaching experience in psychology for the 
same period of time; 
Q Licensed psychologists, except in the case of the members of the first 
Board, who shag automaticaIIy be conferred professional licenses in psychology 
upon appamtment ta the Board; 
(g) Not members of the faculty of any university, college, institute or school 
within two (2) years immediately preceding their appointment where the regular 
course of their profession is taught or review classes conducted; 
(h) Not. financially interested, directly or indirectly, in any university, college, 
instihrte or school where the regular course of their profession is taught or review 
classes conducted; and 
(i) Not elected officers of any professional association or organization of their 
profession or federation or its equivalent; Provided, That quaIifications (g), (It), and (i) 
are not required of members of the first Board but upon taking their oath they shall 
resign as members in the said faculty, and they shall divest themselves of their 
financial interest in the said institution and officership in the said organization. 
SEcEzCtIv4. 
. 
I - The members of the Board shall hold office 
for a term of three (3) years or until their successors shall have been appointed and 
duly qualified: PF&&~, That the members of the first Board shall hold office for the 
following terms: the Chairman for three (3) years; two members for three (3) years; 
and two other members for two (2) years, which shall be specified in their 
appointmenk. Thereafter, the chairmanship shall be determined on the basis of 


seniority in the appointment. Any vacancy occurring within the term of a member 
shall be fiff ed for the unexpired portion of the term only. 
SECTlON5. 
. - The Board shall hold a regular annual 
meeting and at least dvee (3) regular meetings a year at such times as the rules of 
the Board may provide. Special meetings may also be held upon the call of the 
Chairman or request by a majority of the Board. Reasonable notice of all meetings 
shall be given in the manner prescribed by the rules of the Board. A quorum of the 
Board shaU cansist of a majority of its members. 
SECFION 6. Eowers rind &&ES * . - The Board shall have the following 
powers and duties: 
(a) Administer and enforce the provisions of this Act and promulgate rules 
and regulations or amendments thereto; 
(b) Authorize expenditures necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act 
from funds made available to the Board in accordance with law; 
(c) Fw and revise the schedule of fees for licensing of psychologists and for 
the certification of psychometrists in accordance with the rules and regulations of 
the Professional ReguIations Commission; 
(d) Designate the dates or the period within which applications for 
examination may be received and to transmit to the office of the Civil Service 
Commission the names of eligible applicants for examination; 
(e) Prepare, administer and grade such examinations for applicants, as 
required by this A&; 
(8 Keep a record of action taken on all applicants for licensure and 
certification; the names of all persons licensed or certified; actions involving 
suspension, revocation or denial of license or certification; recommendations for 


reciprocity, receipt and disbursement of any monies and such matters that may be 
required by law; 
(g) Pmmulgak a set af ethicat and professional standards for the practice of 
psychology in the Philippines and cause the same to be published and disseminated 
accordingly; 
(h) Issue permits to and exercise visitorial powers over agencies, institutions, 
associations, corporations, and partnerships to verify that the persons practicing 
psychology therein are licensed psychologists and certified psychometrists; and that 
they posses the necessary instruments and facilities in carrying out their functions; 
fi) Paform such &her functions and duties as it may deem necessary to carry 
out the objectives of this Act. 
SEffIUN7. 
. - The Chairman and members 
of the Board shall be entitled to such compensation and allowances as may be 
provided by Iaw tothe Chairman and member of other professional boards. 
SECTION 8. -
.
 
- Any member of the Board may 
after due pacess of law be suspended or removed from office for cause, such as 
gross neglect of duty, incompetence, malpractice, unprofessionalism, immorality, 
unethical or &honorable conduct. 
SECTION 9. 
qximmm3. - Any person may take the 
psychologist licensure examination scheduled by the Board after furnishing 
satisfactory evidence of the following qualifications: 
(a) A citizen and resident of the Philippines; 
@) At feast twenty-one (21) years of age; 


(e) Of good mora1 character; 
(d) A holder of at feast a Master's degree in Psychology from a duly 
recognized university, college or school; and 
(e) Not being otherwise disqualified under this Act. 
. .  
* 
SECTIONXI. 
. - Any person may apply to take 
the examination for psychometrists by furnishing evidence satisfactory to the Board 
that the applicant is: 
(a) A citizen and resident of the Philippines; 
(b) At feast twenty-one (21) years of age; 
(e) Of good moral character; 
(d) A graduate with a bachetor's degree in psychology from a duly 
recognized university, coilege or school; and 
(e) Not being otherwise disqualified under this Act. 
SECTION 11. Ercepfirut. - The license/certificate requirements shall not 
apply to any student enrolled in a practicum course in Psychology under the 
supervision of a licensed psychologist. 
SECTION 12. 2 
. - A person who 
possesses the qualifications required for admission in the examination for license as 
a psychologists pursuant to the provisions of this Act may be granted a license 
without examination provided the applicant files with the Board, within one (1) year 
after its creation, an application for the issuance of a license by submitting credential 
showing that the applicant: 
(a) Is a holder of a doctoral degree in Psychology and has at least three (3) 
years of teackiig experience in Psychology, or has full-time work experience in the 


practice of psychology in the Philippines; or 
(b) Hoids a masteral degree in Psychology, and has at least five (5) years of 
teaching experience in Psychology, or full-time work experience in the practice of 
psychology in the Philippines; or 
(c) In the case of a bachelor’s degree holder in Psychology, has been the head 
or assistant head of a psychological office, department or section, with at least ten 
(10) years of full-time work experience in the practice of Psychology in the 
Philippines. 
SECTION 13. TPfirPrnnial ro&,&&hnfnv 
P- 
’ 
. - A person who 
possesses the qualifications required for admission in the examination for 
certification as a psychometrist may be granted a certificate without examination, 
provided the applicant files with the Board, within one (1) year after its creation, an 
application for the issuance of such certificate by submitting credentials showing 
that the appricant holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and has at least two (2) 
years of teaching experience in Psychology or full-time work experience in the 
practice of psychometry in the Philippines. 
SECTION 14. lZ&qx&+ 
thP F umimtkm. - The Board shall fix the passing 
grade for the scheduIed examination. 
. - The Board shall submit 
SECTION 15. &pod ~f Ro- 
the names and ratings of all examinees to the Civil Service Commission and the 
Professional Regulation Commission and publish the names of all successful 
examinees. 
.
.
 
SECTION 16. 
p
w
 
. - All successful 


examinees for licensure and certification shall be required to take an oath of office at 
such place and time as the Board may schedule, or before any member of the Board 
in the event of failure to paficipate in the mass oath taking, or before any person 
authorized to administer oaths, prior to entering into the practice of psychology in 
the Philippines. 
. .  
SECTION 17, 
. - Licenses or certificates 
shall be issued by the Board to all successful examinees upon compliance with the 
requirements that may be provided by the Board. 
. .  
SECTION18. 
. - A candidate who 
fails in three (3) consecutive examinations may be allowed to take another set of 
examinations only after he/she submits to the Board a certification from a 
university, college or school that the candidate has re-enrolled in and has been 
credited with at least twelve (12) units in psychology. 
SEC'MON19. 
' . - A license may be issued without 
examination to a psychologists licensed under the law of any foreign state or 
country: Provided, That the requirements for licensing of psychologists in such 
foreign state or country are substantially the same as those provided in this Act and 
that the laws of said state or country grants a reciprocal privilege to Filipino 
psychologists. 
. .  
SECTION 20. 
- 
qf Rxs . - Fees paid to the Board, as 
required by this Ad, shall be non-refundable. 


certificates shall be renewable every three (3) years and shall be considered renewed 
only upon payment of the corresponding fees as may be fixed by the Board and 
upon fulfillment of the continuing education requirements. 
SECTION 22. 
. .  
:
- The application for the issuance of a 
license or certificate may be denied, or a license or certificate duly issued may be 
suspended or revoked, if it is shown that the applicant or holder thereof has: 
(a) Been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude; 
(b) Secured a license or a certificate by fraud or deceit; 
(c) Not attended officially-sanctioned, seminars, conferences, conventions or 
schooling and siinilar gatherings for the required number of hours to qualify for the 
renewal of license practice; 
(d) Allowed an unqualiied person to advertise or to practice the profession 
by using the license or certificate of the applicant; 
(e) Violated or conspired to vioIate any provisions, rules and regulations, or 
code of ethics promulgated by the Board; 
(f) Been found by the Board to be physically or mentally incompetent to teach 
or render psychological services with reasonable skill and safety to his/her clients; 
(g) Been found guilty of professional misconduct or negligence in the 
performance of his/her duties as a psychoIogist/psychomehist; and 
(h) Has been found @ty 
of any unethical practice of psychology as may be 
defined by the Board. 
The Board shall not refuse to grant, revoke or suspend the license or 
certificate of any person €or any of the reasons herein provided until after sworn 
charges against such person shall have been filed and heard in a public hearing, or, 
upon request, a closed-door hearing. 


SECTION 25. RPinsfntanPnt . - A person may apply to the Board for 
reinstatement of a license or certificate after one (1) year from the date of revocation 
of said license or certificate. The application shall be in writing and shall conform to 
the requirements as provided by the Board. No license or certificate shall be 
reinstated Untess the Board is satisfied that a good cause exists to warrant such 
reinstatement. 
. .  
.
.
 
SECTION 24. lllghtc to P-fnr 
P
e
n. 
- A licensed psychologist or certified psychometrist who is allowed 
to practice psychology in accordance with this Act cannot, without the consent of 
the client, be examined as to any communication or information which was acquired 
whiIe attending to such client. The protection accorded herein shall also extend to 
the records and secretary or clerk of such psychologist or psychometrist who may 
not be examined concerning any fact the knowledge of which has been acquired in 
such capacity without the consent of the client and the employer. 
. .  
SECTION 25. -. 
- 
(1) No person shall: 
(a) Engage in the practice of psychology by representing himself or herself as 
psychologist or psychometrist without a Iicense or certificate granted by the Board 
pursuant to this Act; 
(b) Represent himself or herself as a licensed psychologist or certified 
psychometrist during the time that his or her license or certificate has been 
suspended or revoked; or 
(c) AlIow anybody to use his or her license as a psychologist or his or her 
certificate as a psychometrist to enable such individual to engage in the practice of 


psychology. 
(2) No corporation, partnership, association or entity shall operate a psychological 
office, center, clinic, or otherwise engage in the practice of psychology without 
securing a permit from the Board, The permit shall be issued only after the Board is 
satisfied that such establishment is properly manned by a duly licensed 
psychologist, certified psychometrist and equipped with sufficient and adequate 
psychologicai instruments and facilities. 
SECTION26. PerrraEtieS . - Any person who violates any provision of this Act 
shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than three (3) years nor more than 
eight (8) years, or a Tie of not less than Ten thousand pesos (Pl0,OOO.OO) but not 
more than Fifteen thousand pesos (15,000.00), or both at the discretion of the Court. 
SECTXON27. mfih.lrrtinn . - The Board may initiate action to enjoin, restrain, 
and prosecute any unlicensed or uncertified individual, corporation, association, 
partnership or entity operating or engaging in the practice of psychology, in 
violation of this Act. 
.. 
SECTION 28. 
. - In case any provision of this Act is 
found to be unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder thereof which are not affected 
by such dedarafion shall remain in force and effect. 
SECTION 29. 
. - All laws, decrees, order, rules or 
regulations which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly. 


SECTION 30. E#ectU2ity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
following its complete publication in the Ofin'ul Gazette or in two (2) national 
newspapers of general cixcufation. 
Approved,