1
Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Nineteenth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _____ 
Introduced by Representative Rudys Caesar G. Fariñas I 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This proposed measure seeks to develop competent, productive, and well-
rounded nurses through education, training, licensure examinations, regulatory 
measures, programs, and activities. Among the salient provisions of the bill are 
the following items, among others: 
•
Education and training requirements to become a licensed nurse. These
requirements include completing the necessary degree program in
nursing, passing the national licensure exam, and completing ongoing
continuing education requirements to maintain licensure.
•
Licensure or Certification Processes for obtaining and renewing a license
or certification to practice nursing. Including demonstrating a certain level
of competency and maintaining continuing education requirements.
•
The bill also establishes standards of professional conduct for nursing,
outlining the ethical principles and behaviors of individuals practicing in
this profession. These standards include guidelines on handling
professional misconduct.
Overall, the purpose of the bill is to regulate the profession of nursing to ensure 
that patients receive safe and effective care from qualified professionals who 
adhere to established standards of practice and conduct. 
Hence, this representation seeks the passage of this measure.   
RUDYS CAESAR G. FARIÑAS I 
February 21, 2023
1:50 pm
7258


 2
Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Nineteenth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _____ 
Introduced by Representative Rudys Caesar G. Fariñas I 
     AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A COMPREHENSIVE NURSING LAW, 
PROMOTING A MORE RESPONSIVE AND EFFECTIVE HEALTH 
CARE SYSTEM, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
ARTICLE I 
1 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
2 
3 
SEC.1.Title. This Act shall be known as the " New Philippine Nursing 
4 
Practice Act”. 
5 
6 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. In pursuit of the constitutional precept 
7 
that Health is a right of every Filipino, it is hereby declared the policy of the 
8 
State to uphold the welfare of healthcare workers as an important objective 
9 
towards achieving the goals of universal health care in the country. It is likewise 
10 
declared as the policy of the State to uphold the dignity of nurses, to accord 
11 
them the respect befitting the service they render to the nation, and to improve 
12 
the practice of the nursing profession by instituting measures to ensure their 
13 
professional growth, promote comprehensive and relevant nursing practice 
14 
standards, and provide  just and humane working conditions in every health 
15 
facility, institution, or establishment in order to ensure their well-being and the 
16 
health and safety of the public.. Nurses comprise a great majority of the 
17 
healthcare workers both in the institutional and community levels. Thus, the 
18 
State recognizes nurses as prime movers of national development and 
19 
contributors to international cooperation and understanding. 
20 
21 
The State furthermore, recognizes the necessity of implementing an 
22 
adequate 
and 
comprehensive 
Nursing 
Human 
Resource 
for 
Health 
23 
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3
Management System (NHRHMS) throughout the country in order to adequately 
1 
deliver accessible, affordable, and quality health care. 
2 
 
3 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. As used in this Act: 
4 
a) Accredited Professional Organization (APO) refers to the national 
5 
professional organization of nurses duly accredited by the Professional 
6 
Regulation Commission (PRC); 
7 
b) Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) refers to the baccalaureate program 
8 
that provides sound and liberal education that equips graduates with 
9 
competencies for registration as a professional and is the sole required academic 
10 
standard for entry into nursing practice in the Philippines, in accordance with 
11 
the appropriate qualification framework. The BSN program is effectively 
12 
promulgated under Memorandum Order No. 15, series of 2017, on the Policies, 
13 
Standards and Guidelines for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program 
14 
prescribed and issued by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED); 
15 
c) Career Progression and Specialization Council for Nursing (CPSCN) refers 
16 
to the body deputized by the Professional Regulation Commission  to develop  
17 
standards of practice for each nursing-level standards, establish mechanisms 
18 
and criteria for credentialing of specialty organizations and interest groups, 
19 
certification of individuals at different levels of Post Baccalaureate nursing and 
20 
advanced practice, for recommendation to the Board; 
21 
d) Career Progression and Specialization Program for Nurses (CPSPN) refers 
22 
to the Program recognized by the PRC and the Board involving the progressive 
23 
transfer of knowledge and skill for the various levels of the nursing, practice the 
24 
system of credentialing specialty organizations and interest groups, and the 
25 
certification of individuals at different levels of practice; 
26 
e) Certification refers to the process of validating achievements through a 
27 
variety of measures and assessment strategies to confirm or attest to the 
28 
competency of an Advance Practice Nurse (APN) upon completion of a specialty 
29 
program or Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program, or both.  The 
30 
certification is issued by the Board and the PRC upon the endorsement of the 
31 
specified recognized and credentialed specialty organization in accordance with 
32 
the PSG;  
33 
f) Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) refers to the highest nursing administrative 
34 
and clinical official in healthcare facilities. The CNO is responsible for leading 
35 
and coordinating an organization's nursing services and its daily operation. The 
36 
CNO is the primary spokesperson for nurses in the facility and must be a 
37 
registered nurse; 
38 
g) Clinical Practice refers to professional practice rendered in any healthcare 
39 
setting whether in the private or public sector; 
40 
h) Credentialling refers to the formal recognition of a specialty organization 
41 
or interest group conferred by the PRC and the Board, upon the 
42 
recommendation of the CPSPN, after complying with the policies, standards and 
43 
guidelines issued by the Board; 
44 
i)      Decent Work refers to aspirations by people in their working lives. It 
45 
involves opportunities for productive work that delivers a fair income, affords 
46 
security in the workplace, social protection for families, better prospects for 
47 
personal development, psychological well-being, opportunities for social 
48 
integration, including the freedom for people to express their concerns and   
49 
organize and participate in decisions that affect their lives, and promotes 
50 
equality of opportunity or treatment regardless of ethnicity, gender, position, or 
51 
religion; 
52 
j)      Expanded Role refers to the broadening of the roles of an APN by virtue 
53 
of the nurse's expertise and the scope of nursing practice. An APN has a 
54 
recognized autonomous role within a specialized field of practice; 
55 


 
 
 
4
k)     Geographically-Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) refer to 
1 
barangays specifically disadvantaged due to the presence of both physical 
2 
and socio-economic factors; 
3 
l)     Healthcare Facility refers to a public or private institution, 
4 
establishment or clinic devoted primarily to the provision of services that include 
5 
the following: nursing, health promotion, prevention of illness, diagnosis, 
6 
treatment, rehabilitation, and palliation of individuals suffering from illness, 
7 
disease, injury or disability, or deformity, or in need of obstetrical, psychiatric 
8 
or other medical and nursing care, and includes hospitals, barangay health 
9 
centers, and other clinics; 
10 
m) Individual-based Health Services refer to services which can be accessed 
11 
remotely or within a health facility that focuses primarily on treating individuals; 
12 
n) National Chief Nursing Officer (NCNO) refers to the highest-ranking 
13 
nursing official of the Department of Health (DOH) whose main function is to 
14 
promote safe nursing and quality standards and implement nursing policies for 
15 
both the public and private sectors. The responsibility of the NCNO is to assist 
16 
the government to achieve the health goals of the country through expert advice 
17 
based on timely accurate local data and national and international evidence, 
18 
and by promoting quality nursing standards in the nursing profession and the 
19 
healthcare industry; 
20 
o) Nurse refers to a person duly registered and licensed to practice the 
21 
nursing profession, with all the rights and privileges appurtenant thereto; 
22 
p) Nursing care refers to the physiological, psychological, spiritual, social 
23 
and emotional care, essential health care, safety and comfort measures, and 
24 
health teachings; execution of health care techniques and procedures and 
25 
traditional and innovative approaches to individuals, families, population 
26 
groups and communities, from conception to death; 
27 
q) Nursing Human Resource for Health Management System (NHRHMS) 
28 
refers to an organized human resource management and development 
29 
information system based in the DOH and directed by the NCNO, that provides 
30 
meaningful data used to support policies affecting nurses and nursing; 
31 
r) Nursing practice refers to various stages of development towards the 
32 
promotion of health, prevention of illness, health care techniques and 
33 
procedures, restoration of health, alleviation of suffering, and end-of-life care. It 
34 
encompasses the care of clients in various stages of human growth and 
35 
development from conception, labor, delivery, infancy, childhood, toddler, pre-
36 
school, school age, adolescence, adulthood to old age, be it performed 
37 
independently or collaboratively with other professions. 
38 
s) Nursing Service refers to an office within a public or private healthcare 
39 
institution, responsible for administrative and clinical supervision of nurses and 
40 
nursing personnel, headed by a CNO; 
41 
t) Patient Acuity refers to the intensity of care provided to a patient by a 
42 
registered nurse, or the use of patient classification systems that can forecast 
43 
patient care requirements for nursing care and are therefore vital in the 
44 
management of nursing personnel; 
45 
u) Philippine Professional Nursing Practice Standards (PPNPS) refers to the 
46 
authoritative statements of the core competencies and duties that all registered 
47 
nurses, regardless of role, designation, or specialty, are expected to perform. 
48 
The PNPS  promotes, guides, and directs professional practice; 
49 
v) Philippine Professional Nursing Roadmap (PPNR) refers to a program 
50 
towards good governance of the nursing profession, the goal of which is to 
51 
develop and promote a culture of excellence and dynamic leadership in 
52 
Philippine nursing. The PPNR is anchored on five initiatives: collaborative 
53 
partnership, competency enhancement, linkages, social impact, embedding the 
54 
core values and positive qualities of the Filipino nurse; 
55 


 
 
 
5
w) Population-based Health Services refer to interventions such as health 
1 
promotion, disease surveillance, and vector control, which have population 
2 
groups as recipients; 
3 
x) Positive practice environment refers to a practice setting that promotes 
4 
economic welfare, professional autonomy, job satisfaction and retention of 
5 
nurses 
by 
ensuring 
safe 
staffing, 
managerial 
support, 
professional 
6 
development, occupational safety and psychological health and prevention of 
7 
workplace violence to promote patient and nurse safety; 
8 
y) Precarious work refers to working conditions which are contingent, 
9 
atypical or non-standard.  It is usually characterized by characterized by 
10 
uncertainty and instability in one’s employment status, such as when there is 
11 
a threat of change or diminution in one’s rank or position, or when there is 
12 
ambiguity in the employee-employer relationship, lack of access to social 
13 
protection benefits usually associated with employment, low pay and 
14 
substantial legal and practical obstacles to joining a trade union in order to avail 
15 
of the right to bargain collectively;  
16 
z) Primary Care refers to initial-contact, continuous, comprehensive and 
17 
coordinated, and culturally appropriate care that is accessible at the time of 
18 
need, including a range of services for all presenting conditions, and the ability 
19 
to coordinate referrals to other health care providers in the health care delivery 
20 
system, when necessary;  
21 
aa) 
Public Health Institution (PHI) refers to any government-led, owned, 
22 
or controlled institution which pursues and realizes the lofty goals and 
23 
objectives of providing and managing safe, efficient, effective,  and quality public 
24 
health programs and services and advocacies for health in all levels of the 
25 
national to local Health Care Delivery System (HCDS), which include rural 
26 
health  units (RHUs) and barangay healthcare centers; research facilities such 
27 
as the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, and the like; training resource 
28 
facilities such as the University of the Philippines College of Public Health and 
29 
State or Local Colleges or Universities offering health-related programs; the DOH 
30 
and all retained healthcare facilities, and the like; 
31 
bb) 
Return Service Agreement refers to an agreement whereby graduates 
32 
of the nursing course who are recipients of government-funded scholarship 
33 
programs are required to serve in priority areas in the public sector, subject to 
34 
the conditions prescribed by R.A. No. 11223, otherwise known as “The Universal 
35 
Health Care Act”; 
36 
cc) 
Special Temporary Permit (STP) refers to the authority to engage in 
37 
limited nursing practice granted to foreign registered or licensed nurses and 
38 
Filipino nursing graduates under the conditions set forth in this Act. 
39 
ARTICLE II 
40 
BOARD OF NURSING 
41 
 
42 
SEC. 4. Creation and Composition of the Board. There shall be 
43 
created, under the administrative supervision of the PRC, the Professional 
44 
Regulatory Board of Nursing which shall be composed of seven (7) Members 
45 
who shall elect from among themselves a Chairperson to serve for one (1) year 
46 
only but may be re-elected as Chairperson on a year-to-year basis. The 
47 
President of the Republic of the Philippines shall appoint the members of the 
48 
Board from among those recommended and ranked from a list of at least three 
49 
(3) nominees per vacancy as provided by the APO. Preferably, the membership 
50 
of the Board shall be distributed to proportionately represent both nursing 
51 
service and nursing academe, and that the members' areas of expertise cover 
52 
all the areas of the licensure examination. 
53 
 
54 
SEC. 5. Mission of the Professional Regulatory Board of Nurses.  The 
55 
mission of the Board is to protect and promote the welfare of the people of the 
56 


 
 
 
6
Philippines by ensuring that each person holding a license as a nurse in the 
1 
Philippines is competent to practice the nursing profession safely.  Pursuant 
2 
thereto, the Board shall regulate the practice of nursing and in collaboration 
3 
with the CHED, review and approve nursing education programs to be offered 
4 
by authorized higher education institutions.  
5 
 
6 
The Board, acting in accordance with the highest standards of ethics, 
7 
accountability, efficiency, effectiveness, and transparency, shall approach its 
8 
mission with a deep sense of purpose and responsibility and affirms that the 
9 
regulation of nursing is a public trust. 
10 
 
11 
SEC. 6. Qualifications of the Chairperson and Members of the Board. 
12 
The Chairperson and Members must be natural-born citizens of the Philippines 
13 
and have resided therein for at least five (5) consecutive years immediately 
14 
preceding the date of their respective appointments. Furthermore, at the time 
15 
of their appointment, they must possess the following: 
16 
a) 
A valid and current certificate of registration and professional 
17 
identification card; 
18 
b) 
A Master's Degree in nursing, and preferably, with relevant 
19 
Doctorate Degree conferred by a duly recognized HEI; 
20 
c) 
At least ten (10) continuous years nursing practice prior to 
21 
appointment: Provided: That the last five (5) years of such practice must have 
22 
been served in the Philippines; 
23 
d) 
Good moral character as evidenced for not having convicted of any 
24 
offense involving moral turpitude; and 
25 
e) 
Physical and mental fitness. 
26 
 
27 
SEC. 7. Prohibition as Members of the Board. The Members of the 
28 
Board shall not, at the time of their appointments and during their 
29 
incumbency, hold any position nor have pecuniary interest, direct or indirect, 
30 
in any HEI offering BSN, or in any review or training center for the PNLE, 
31 
training hospital or healthcare facility with nursing affiliates, and is not an 
32 
officer of the APO. 
33 
 
34 
SEC. 8. Term of Office.  The Members of the Board shall hold office for 
35 
a term of three (3) years. Any Member of the Board may serve for a maximum 
36 
of two (2) terms or a total of six (6) years, or until their successors shall have 
37 
been appointed and qualified. 
38 
 
39 
SEC. 9. Vacancy. Any vacancy in the Board must be filled in the manner 
40 
prescribed in this Act and only for the unexpired portion of the term. Each 
41 
member of the Board shall take the proper oath of office prior to the 
42 
performance of duties. 
43 
 
44 
SEC.10.Compensation. The Members of the Board shall receive 
45 
compensation and allowances comparable to those received by the Members of 
46 
other regulatory boards under the PRC. 
47 
 
48 
SEC. 11. Limited Practice of the Profession. During their incumbency, 
49 
the Members of the Board may be allowed to practice their profession or 
50 
maintain employment or affiliation in the public or private sector subject to the 
51 
conditions and limitations prescribed by law and upon proper and timely 
52 
disclosure of possible or actual conflict of interest. 
53 
 
54 


 
 
 
7
SEC. 12. Administrative Supervision of the Board, Custodian of its 
1 
Records, Secretariat and Support Services. The Board shall be under the 
2 
administrative supervision of the PRC. All records of the Board, including 
3 
applications for examinations, administrative and other investigative cases 
4 
conducted by the Board must be under the custody of the PRC. The PRC shall 
5 
designate the Secretary of the Board and shall provide the secretariat and other 
6 
support services to implement the provisions of this Act. 
7 
 
8 
SEC. 13. Powers and Duties of the Board. The Board shall supervise 
9 
and regulate the practice of the nursing profession and shall have the following 
10 
powers, duties and functions: 
11 
a) 
Ensure the proper conduct of the PNLE, including the evaluation of 
12 
examination applications, test development, administration of the examination, 
13 
and the correction and release of the results thereof. The use of appropriate 
14 
technologies and modalities on the conduct of the PNLE is encouraged to 
15 
enhance efficiency while upholding integrity; 
16 
b) 
Enforce and monitor safe and quality standards of nursing practice, 
17 
study the conditions affecting nursing practice in the Philippines, and exercise 
18 
the powers necessary to ensure the maintenance of efficient, ethico-moral 
19 
technical and professional standards in the practice of nursing towards optimal 
20 
health and the   common good; 
21 
c) 
Ensure quality nursing in coordination with the CHED through the 
22 
monitoring of HEI offerings, The continuing review of the nursing curriculum 
23 
and the timely application for authority to offer new nursing education programs 
24 
in order to ensure that the standards of nursing education are properly complied 
25 
with and systematically updated in accordance with the latest development in 
26 
health care; 
27 
d) 
Within one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate a 
28 
Code of Ethics and Ethical Standards that is responsive to the needs of the 
29 
nursing profession, in coordination with the APO for nurses; 
30 
e) 
Prescribe 
and 
operationalize 
a 
Career 
Progression 
and 
31 
Specialization Program for Nursing (CPSPN) which shall include the recognition 
32 
and credentialing of organized nursing groups and the certification of advanced 
33 
practice nurses to ensure the continuing professional development of nurses; 
34 
f) 
Work in partnership with the appropriate agencies to identify and 
35 
utilize resources earmarked for national nursing development; 
36 
g) 
Prescribe, adopt, issue and promulgate guidelines, regulations, 
37 
measures and to submit recommendations to authorities and agencies to aid in 
38 
policy formulation     and decision-making as may be necessary for the 
39 
improvement of nursing practice, advancement of the profession, and for the 
40 
proper and full enforcement of this Act, subject to the review and approval of 
41 
the PRC; 
42 
h) 
Spearhead and oversee the Philippine Profession Nursing Roadmap; 
43 
i) 
Conduct hearings and investigations to resolve complaints against 
44 
nurses for unethical or unprofessional conduct or any violation of this Act, or 
45 
its rules and regulations, and in connection therewith, issue subpoena ad 
46 
testificandum or subpoena duces tecum, or both, to require the appearance of 
47 
respondents and witnesses or the production of documents, or both and to 
48 
penalize for contempt persons obstructing, impeding or otherwise interfering 
49 
with the conduct of such proceedings, upon application with the regular courts;  
50 
j) 
Issue, suspend, revoke, or reinstate certificate of registration and 
51 
special temporary permits for the practice of nursing; and 
52 
k) 
Ensure performance of mandated duties and functions. 
53 
 
54 
SEC. 14. Annual Report. The Board shall, at the close of every calendar 
55 
year, submit an annual report to the President and Congress of the Philippines, 
56 
through the PRC, giving a detailed account of its proceedings and the 
57 


 
 
 
8
accomplishments during the year and recommending the adoption of measures 
1 
that will upgrade and improve the conditions affecting the practice of the 
2 
nursing profession. 
3 
 
4 
SEC. 15. Removal or Suspension of Board Members. The President 
5 
may remove or suspend any member of the Board, after due process, upon 
6 
recommendation of the PRC on any of the following grounds: 
7 
a) 
Continued neglect of duty or incompetence; 
8 
b) 
Commission or toleration of irregularities in the conduct of the 
9 
PNLE; 
10 
c) 
Unprofessional, immoral, or dishonorable conduct; or 
11 
d) 
Non-disclosure of conflict of interest. 
12 
ARTICLE III 
13 
EXAMINATION AND REGISTRATION 
14 
 
15 
SEC. 16. Philippine Nurse Licensure Examination (PNLE).  In order to 
16 
obtain a certificate of registration and professional identification card, all 
17 
nursing graduates must take and pass the PNLE. The Board shall administer 
18 
the PNLE in such places and dates as may be designated by the PRC. 
19 
 
20 
SEC. 17. Scope of Examination. The Board shall determine the scope 
21 
of the PNLE, taking into consideration the nursing core competencies, the 
22 
nursing curriculum, the scope and areas of nursing practice, and other related 
23 
disciplines. 
24 
 
25 
SEC. 18. Qualifications for Admission to the PNLE.  At the time of the 
26 
filing of application for the PNLE, an applicant must be: 
27 
a) 
A holder of a BSN degree from an HEI that is compliant with the 
28 
standards of nursing education recognized by the government; 
29 
b) 
Of good moral character and has not been convicted by final 
30 
judgment of any criminal offense involving moral turpitude or found guilty of 
31 
immoral or dishonorable conduct or judicially declared to be of unsound mind; 
32 
and 
33 
c) 
A citizen of the Philippines, or of a foreign country or State which 
34 
permits Filipino nurses to practice within its territorial limits on the same basis 
35 
as the subject or citizen of such country or State: Provided, That the 
36 
requirements for the registration or licensing of nurses in said country or State 
37 
are substantially the same as those prescribed in this Act. 
38 
 
39 
SEC. 
19. 
Professional 
Nurse 
Licensure 
Examination 
and 
40 
Registration Fees. Applicants for the PNLE and registration must pay the 
41 
prescribed fees set by the PRC. 
42 
 
43 
SEC. 20. Professional Nurse Licensure Examination Ratings. To be 
44 
considered as having passed the PNLE, an examinee must pass at least 
45 
seventy-five percent (75%) of the tested areas of all the nursing competencies.  
46 
An examinee who has failed the PNLE three times (3x) shall not be allowed to 
47 
take it any further  without first undertaking a refresher program in a duly 
48 
accredited institution. The Board shall issue the guidelines on the refresher 
49 
program requirement. 
50 
 
51 
SEC. 21. Issuance of Certificate of Registration and Professional 
52 
Identification Card. The certificate of registration and professional 
53 
identification card shall be issued to all successful examinees, upon compliance 
54 


 
 
 
9
with all the requirements for registration. The certificate of registration shall 
1 
show the full name of the registrant, certificate of registration number, and date 
2 
of initial registration. The same must be duly signed by the Chairperson and 
3 
Members of the Board and the Chairperson of the PRC, with their 
4 
corresponding seals. 
5 
 
6 
The professional identification card shall bear the full name of the 
7 
registrant, the certificate of registration number, date of initial registration, and 
8 
date of the expiration, and which must be duly signed by the Chairperson of 
9 
the PRC. The professional identification card shall be renewed every three (3) 
10 
years upon satisfaction by the applicant of the requirements set by the PRC, 
11 
including the payment of the required fees and compliance with the Continuing 
12 
Professional Development (CPD) requirement. 
13 
 
14 
SEC. 22. Oath of Profession. All successful examinees must take the 
15 
Oath of Profession before any member of the Board or government official 
16 
authorized to administer oaths prior to practicing their profession. 
17 
 
18 
SEC. 23. Registry of Nurses. The PRC shall maintain a roster of nurses 
19 
which shall serve as the centralized database of nurses for purposes of 
20 
documentation, 
verification 
of 
registrants, 
statistics, 
research, 
and 
21 
development. 
22 
 
23 
SEC. 24. Accredited Professional Organization (APO). All nurses 
24 
whose names appear in the Registry of Nurses of the PRC may become members 
25 
preferably of the APO for nurses, and shall receive all the benefits and privileges 
26 
therefrom upon payment of membership fees and duties. Membership in other 
27 
organizations of nurses shall not be barred. 
28 
 
29 
SEC. 25. Foreign Reciprocity. No foreign nurse shall be given a 
30 
certificate of registration and professional identification card or be entitled to 
31 
any of the privileges under this Act unless the country or State of which such 
32 
foreign nurse is a subject or citizen permits Filipino nurses to practice within 
33 
its territorial limits on the same basis as the subjects or citizens of said country 
34 
or State. 
35 
 
36 
SEC. 26. Limited Practice Through Special Temporary Permit.  The 
37 
Board may issue special temporary permits based on qualifications, and 
38 
professional and moral standards as approved by the Board and the PRC to the 
39 
following persons: 
40 
a) 
Registered or Licensed Nurses of foreign citizenship: (i) whose 
41 
services are either for a fee or free if they are internationally well known 
42 
specialists or outstanding experts in any branch or specialty in nursing; (ii) who 
43 
are on medical mission whose services shall be free in a particular hospital, 
44 
center or clinic; (iii) who are engaged by HEIs offering the BSN program as 
45 
exchange professors in a branch or specialty of nursing; or (iv) who come to 
46 
provide aid during declared disasters and calamities. 
47 
b) 
Nursing graduates with Philippine citizenship who may render 
48 
nursing service during epidemics or national emergencies under the supervision 
49 
of a registered and licensed nurse: Provided, That they have graduated within 
50 
the last five (5) years prior to the occurrence of the epidemic or national 
51 
emergency in which they shall serve. 
52 
 
53 
The special temporary permit issued to registered and licensed nurses of 
54 
foreign citizenship shall be effective only for the duration of the project, health 
55 
mission, or engagement, but which in no case shall exceed one (1) year, subject 
56 
to renewal. The special temporary permit issued to nursing graduates with 
57 


 
 
 
10
Philippine citizenship shall automatically cease upon the lifting or termination 
1 
of the epidemic or national emergency. 
2 
A completion report shall be submitted to the Board and the PRC after the 
3 
conduct of such project, medical mission, engagement or contract. In the case 
4 
of nurses of Philippine citizenship who rendered services during an epidemic 
5 
or national emergency, the completion report shall be submitted by the 
6 
registered nurse authorized to supervise them. 
7 
 
8 
The Board shall issue the corresponding guidelines in the issuance of the 
9 
special temporary permit pursuant to this Section. 
10 
 
11 
SEC. 27. Non-Registration and Non-issuance of Certificate of 
12 
Registration, Professional Identification Card, Special Temporary 
13 
Permit. Any person who has been convicted by final judgment of any criminal 
14 
offense involving moral turpitude or found guilty of immoral or dishonorable 
15 
conduct or judicially declared to be of unsound mind shall not be registered 
16 
and issued a certificate of registration, professional identification card, or a 
17 
special temporary permit. 
18 
 
19 
The Board shall furnish the applicant a written statement setting forth 
20 
the reasons for such action, which shall be incorporated in the records of the 
21 
Board. 
22 
 
23 
SEC. 28. Revocation and Suspension of Certificate of Registration, 
24 
Professional Identification Card and Cancellation of Special Temporary 
25 
Permit.  The Board shall have the power to reprimand a nurse or revoke or 
26 
suspend the certificate of registration, professional identification card, or 
27 
special temporary permit, after due notice and hearing, on any of the following 
28 
grounds: 
29 
a) 
Conviction by final judgment of any criminal offense involving moral 
30 
turpitude or of immoral or dishonorable conduct or having been judicially 
31 
declared to be of unsound mind; 
32 
b) 
Violation of this Act, the Code of Ethics and Ethical Standards for 
33 
nurses, and other policies, rules and regulations of the Board and the PRC; 
34 
c) 
Negligence, misconduct, or incompetence in the nursing practice 
35 
resulting to injury, harm, disability or death; 
36 
d) 
Commission of fraud, non-disclosure of disqualification, or 
37 
misrepresentation in obtaining a certificate of registration, professional 
38 
identification card, or special temporary permit; 
39 
e) 
Practicing the nursing profession during the period of suspension 
40 
of license; 
41 
f) 
Breach of ethical practice in research in accordance with prevailing 
42 
national and international guidelines; or 
43 
g) 
Other grounds analogous to the foregoing. 
44 
If the penalty imposed is suspension or revocation of a nurse’s license, 
45 
the certificate of registration and professional identification card issued to the 
46 
respondent shall be surrendered to the PRC. 
47 
 
48 
SEC. 29. Reinstatement and Re-issuance of Revoked Certificate of 
49 
Registration and Professional Identification Card. The Board may, upon 
50 
proper application therefor and payment of the required fees, reinstate or 
51 
reissue a revoked certificate of registration after two (2) years from the effectivity 
52 
of the period for revocation, for reasons of equity and justice, and when the 
53 
cause for revocation has disappeared or has been cured or corrected. 
54 


 
 
 
11
 
1 
ARTICLE IV 
2 
NURSING PRACTICE 
3 
 
4 
SEC. 30. Scope of Nursing Practice. The scope of nursing practice is 
5 
the range of roles, functions, responsibilities, and activities on which a 
6 
registered nurse is educated, competent, and has authority to perform. It 
7 
includes nursing service, education, research, leadership, and governance as 
8 
defined in this Act.  A person shall be deemed practicing the nursing profession 
9 
when singly or in collaboration with other professionals, with or without fee or 
10 
compensation, the person assumes any or all of the four (4) roles: (1) provider 
11 
of direct client care, (2) educator, (3) researcher, and (4) manager and leader. 
12 
The nurse's clients shall include individuals, families, population groups, and 
13 
communities, with varying age groups, gender, health-illness status, in any 
14 
health care, industrial or community setting. Additionally, nurses shall utilize 
15 
the full extent of their education, training and experience and shall perform 
16 
work that requires their highest skill set. 
17 
 
18 
Nurses are primarily responsible for the promotion of health and 
19 
prevention of illness. Nurses shall collaborate with other health care providers 
20 
for the promotive, preventive, curative and rehabilitative aspects of care, 
21 
restoration of health, alleviation of suffering and, when recovery is not possible, 
22 
in the provision of palliative and end-of-life care. 
23 
 
24 
In performing independent and collaborative functions, it shall be the duty 
25 
of the nurse to: 
26 
a) 
Provide nursing care through the conscientious observance of the 
27 
nursing process and established protocols. Basic nursing care is holistic care 
28 
which includes, the provision of physiological, psycho-social, emotional and 
29 
spiritual care. This shall comprise any or combination of essential primary 
30 
health care, the application of traditional, complementary, and innovative 
31 
approaches, the therapeutic use of self-rendering health care procedures and 
32 
interventions; safety and comfort measures, health education, health 
33 
counselling and administration of written prescription for treatment, therapies, 
34 
oral topical and parenteral medications, performance of peripartal care covering 
35 
pre-intra-postpartum care including the performance of internal examination 
36 
during labor in the absence of antenatal bleeding, management of normal 
37 
delivery and suturing of perinea; laceration and immediate care of the newborn; 
38 
performance of perioperative care covering before and after surgery; provision of 
39 
life-saving interventions during emergency and disasters; palliative and end-of-
40 
life care; 
41 
b) 
Provide advanced nursing care based on the Career Progression 
42 
Specialization Program for Nursing (CPSPN) and the Philippine Qualifications 
43 
Framework (PQF), a quality assured national system for the development, 
44 
recognition and award of qualifications at defined levels based on standards of 
45 
knowledge, skills and values acquired in different ways and methods by 
46 
professionals, learners and workers. The PQF is competency-based, labor-
47 
market driven and an assessment-based qualification recognition; 
48 
c) 
Establish linkages with community resources and coordination 
49 
with the healthcare workers in any health care, industrial or community setting; 
50 
d) 
Provide health education and health counselling to empower 
51 
individuals, families, population groups and communities towards the 
52 
promotion of health, prevention of illness, and caring towards people living with 
53 
a serious illness by providing relief from the symptoms of pain and stress of 
54 
illness;  
55 


 
 
 
12
e) 
Guide and supervise students in nursing education programs, 
1 
including the administration of nursing services in varied settings such as 
2 
hospitals, clinics and other health, industrial or community settings where 
3 
practice of the nursing profession exists; 
4 
f) 
Provide duly compensated professional nursing services, such as 
5 
consultation services and private nursing practice; 
6 
g) 
Supervise nursing and ancillary nursing personnel in the delivery 
7 
of safe and quality healthcare services in varied settings; 
8 
h) 
Maintain competence by adhering to the CPSP standards and the 
9 
PPNPS as well as engage in CPD and lifelong learning within the context of the 
10 
CPSP; 
11 
i) 
Observe, at all times, the Code of Ethics and Ethical Standards for 
12 
nurses promulgated by the Board, uphold the standards of safe and quality 
13 
nursing practice, and demonstrate cultural and gender sensitivity and social 
14 
responsibility;  
15 
j) 
Undertake nursing and health human resource development 
16 
training and research for continuous quality improvement and evidence-based 
17 
practice; and 
18 
k) 
Exercise the core competencies in the performance of their 
19 
respective roles and responsibilities, in accordance with the PPNPS 
20 
 
21 
SEC. 31. Qualifications of a Registered Nurse. A nurse shall have a 
22 
broad and coherent knowledge and skills in the field of nursing to provide safe 
23 
and quality care to an individual, family, population group or community, 
24 
independently or as part of a team. A nurse must be able to assess, plan, 
25 
implement, and evaluate the care provided to clients based on evidence derived 
26 
from practice and research.  A nurse may practice in special areas, such as a 
27 
high dependency unit, critical care unit, disaster areas, or in a special 
28 
procedure or interventional area: Provided, That the nurse has acquired 
29 
relevant competencies. 
30 
a) 
General Practice Nursing refers to the role of a newly licensed nurse 
31 
in the provision of safe, holistic and to advocate quality care to individuals, 
32 
families, population groups, or communities, which include the assessment, 
33 
planning, implementation and evaluation of evidence-based care to the clients.    
34 
A general practice nurse must have the following minimum qualifications: 
35 
1. 
Must be a BSN graduate from an HEI recognized by the 
36 
government; 
37 
2. 
Must have a valid certificate of registration and current 
38 
professional identification card as a nurse issued by the PRC; 
39 
3. 
Must be physically, mentally and psychologically fit to 
40 
practice nursing; and 
41 
4. 
Must not be convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude. 
42 
b) 
Specialty Practice Nursing refers to the practice of a nurse in a 
43 
specialty area for which the nurse needs to obtain specialty recognition after 
44 
having undergone specialty training. Specialties can be differentiated in 
45 
categories, according to function, disease, pathology, systems, age, sex, acuity, 
46 
setting, technology, and therapies. Nurses who practice within this field are 
47 
referred to as  "Specialists”. 
48 
A Specialty Practice Nurse or Specialist must have the following minimum 
49 
qualifications: 
50 
1. 
Must be a BSN graduate from an HEI recognized by the government; 
51 
2. 
Must have a valid certificate of registration and current professional 
52 
identification card as a nurse issued by the PRC; 
53 
3. 
At least three (3) years of clinical experience in the area of 
54 
specialization; 
55 


 
 
 
13
4. 
Must have received a CPD Council-Accredited specialty training 
1 
from a Career Progression and Specialization Council for Nurses 
2 
credentialed organization; 
3 
5. 
Must be physically, mentally, and psychologically fit to practice 
4 
nursing; 
5 
6. 
Must not be convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude; and 
6 
7. 
Preferably a member of the appropriate Board-credentialed 
7 
specialty organization. 
8 
c) Advanced Practice Nursing refers to the specialized and expanded role 
9 
of an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN)  It involves certification of nurses with 
10 
higher degree of qualifications by the Board and the PRC, thereby providing 
11 
opportunities for role recognition within the human resource for health 
12 
framework and expanded professional scope of practice. It maximizes the use of 
13 
graduate education in nursing and the nurse's expertise to ensure safe, holistic, 
14 
and quality care to individuals, families, population groups or communities 
15 
towards achieving quality, accessible, and affordable health care for all 
16 
Filipinos.  It also refers to a navigator, coordinator, and initial and continuing 
17 
point of contact of the patient to ensure care continuity during transitions of 
18 
care. An APN must have at least a master's degree in nursing and must possess 
19 
substantial specialty experience. An APN must be endorsed by a specialty 
20 
organization based on the recommendation of the Career Progression and 
21 
Specialization Council for Nurses (CPSCN), and certified by the Professional 
22 
Regulatory Board for nurses and the PRC. 
23 
The scope of practice is Individual-based health services as defined in 
24 
Republic Act No. 11223, otherwise known as “The Universal Health Care Act.”  
25 
The APN is eligible to receive performance-driven, close-end, prospective 
26 
payments from the PhilHealth based on disease or diagnosis related groupings 
27 
and validated costing methodologies as described in R.A. No. 11223. 
28 
An APN must have acquired substantial theoretical knowledge and 
29 
decision-making skills reflecting specialized and expanded competencies over 
30 
and above the General Practice Nurse requirements. 
31 
An APN must have the following minimum qualifications: 
32 
1. 
A graduate with relevant master's degree from a government 
33 
recognized HEI, with substantial specialty experience as may be 
34 
determined by the Board; 
35 
2. 
Must have satisfied the requirements for certification as 
36 
promulgated by the Board; and 
37 
3. 
Preferably be a member of the appropriate Board-credentialed 
38 
specialty organization 
39 
An APN shall have following responsibilities in collaboration with, and 
40 
under the terms specified in a Collaborative Agreement, with a Collaborating 
41 
Physician. 
42 
1. 
Initiate patient admission to a primary, secondary, or tertiary 
43 
healthcare facility; 
44 
2. 
Provide direct primary-care services to patients of all ages; 
45 
3. 
Diagnose diseases and injuries, 
46 
4. 
Provide continuum of care of disease conditions; 
47 
5. 
Provide promotive, preventive, rehabilitative and end-of-life care; 
48 
6. 
Exercise prescriptive authority; 
49 
7. 
Order and interpret laboratory and diagnostic tests; 
50 
8. 
Provide anesthetic care; 
51 
9. 
Refer patients to specialists, other health professionals, and 
52 
institutions for appropriate care; and  
53 
10. 
Initiate patient discharge. 
54 


 
 
 
14
 
1 
SEC. 32. Continuing Professional Development (CPD). - All nurses 
2 
shall abide by the requirements, rules and regulations on the CPD to be 
3 
promulgated by the PRC, in coordination with the APO for nurses, and the duly 
4 
authorized representative of the organization of deans of HEIs offering the BSN 
5 
program. For this purpose, a CPD Council shall be created to accredit CPD 
6 
providers and programs for nurses. 
7 
 
8 
SEC. 33. Requirement for Inactive Nurses Returning to Practice. 
9 
Inactive nurses intending to return to practice must undergo a refresher course 
10 
as prescribed by the Board.  Nurses are considered to be inactive under any of 
11 
the following circumstances: 
12 
a) 
They have not utilized nursing competencies as defined in the scope 
13 
of nursing practice for at least five (5) consecutive years; 
14 
b) 
They have not renewed their professional identification card for five 
15 
(5) years; or 
16 
c) 
They do not have proof of five (5) years of continuous nursing 
17 
practice; 
18 
 
19 
SEC. 34. Salary and Compensation. Nurses shall, at all times, receive 
20 
compensation that is just and due them and commensurate to the level of 
21 
education, training, experience and complexity of nursing skill required for the 
22 
services rendered. Nurses providing nursing services in both government and 
23 
private sectors, and who are integral to the functioning of hospitals and 
24 
healthcare institutions, must be classified as regular staff after a reasonable 
25 
probationary period, as mandated by law.  
26 
 
27 
The minimum base pay of all nurses, whether they are working in the 
28 
public sector, in private healthcare facilities, in industrial or community settings 
29 
shall not, upon entry, be lower than the rate assigned to Salary Grade 15 (SG 
30 
15) in the government service. 
31 
 
32 
The pay for nurses working in Nursing Education, both in government 
33 
and non-government schools and universities, shall be in accordance with 
34 
academic rank. 
35 
 
36 
Non-government or private healthcare facilities, or both, institutions and 
37 
industrial establishments shall comply with the salary rate requirement in 
38 
tranches within three (3) years from the effectivity of this Act. 
39 
 
40 
Subject to existing labor laws, outsourcing nursing work is acceptable 
41 
under certain circumstances to be provided in the rules and regulations to be 
42 
issued to implement this Act. 
43 
 
44 
SEC. 35. Incentives and Benefits.  The Board shall, in coordination with 
45 
the DOH, other concerned government and non-government institutions, 
46 
association of hospitals and the APO for nurses, establish an incentive and 
47 
benefit system in the form of free hospital care, scholarship grants and other 
48 
non-cash benefits for nurses and their dependents subject to existing 
49 
regulations. 
50 
 
51 


 
 
 
15
SEC. 36. Non-Diminution of Benefits and Incentives.  The 
1 
implementation of Sections 34 and 35 of this Act shall not result in the 
2 
diminution of existing grants of salaries, benefits and incentives for nurses. 
3 
 
4 
ARTICLE V 
5 
NURSING EDUCATION 
6 
SEC. 37. Basic Nursing Education.  Nursing education refers to the 
7 
formal learning and training in the science and art of nursing provided by HEIs 
8 
duly recognized by the CHED. There shall be a standard Baccalaureate and a 
9 
Graduate Program for Nursing Education pursuant to Republic Act No. No. 
10 
7722, otherwise known as the “Higher Education Act of 1994”. 
11 
 
12 
SEC 38. Baccalaureate Program for Nursing Education. The 
13 
Baccalaureate Program for Nursing Education refers to the basic nursing 
14 
education program which is envisioned as a sound and liberal professional 
15 
education that will adequately equip nursing students with the necessary 
16 
competencies for entry level nursing practice. 
17 
 
18 
Admission to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program requires 
19 
passing the National Nursing Admission Test (NNAT). 
20 
 
21 
The curriculum and the Related Learning Experiences (RLE) of the 
22 
Baccalaureate Program for Nursing Education must be in accordance with the 
23 
Policies, Standards and Guidelines. 
24 
 
25 
SEC. 39. Graduate Program for Nursing Education. The Graduate 
26 
Program for nursing education refers to the post baccalaureate nursing 
27 
program which builds on the experiences and skills of a nurse towards mastery, 
28 
expertise, and leadership in practice, education, and research. This includes 
29 
the Master's Degree and Doctorate Degree in Nursing. 
30 
 
31 
The Graduate Program for Nursing Education shall be offered only 
32 
through accredited HEIs in accordance with the prevailing policies, standards 
33 
and guidelines of the CHED on the graduate program for nursing education. 
34 
 
35 
SEC. 40. Qualifications of the Dean. 
36 
a) 
The Dean of the College of Nursing of a BSN program shall 
37 
formulate policies and plans, in collaboration with the school officials and 
38 
stakeholders and must adhere to the prescribed curriculum for the 
39 
advancement of nursing education. The Dean must have the following 
40 
qualifications: 
41 
1. 
Be a Filipino citizen, physically and mentally fit, and with good 
42 
moral character; 
43 
2. 
Be a holder of a valid certificate of registration and a current 
44 
professional identification card issued by the PRC; 
45 
3. 
Be a holder of a Master's Degree in Nursing conferred by an HEI 
46 
duly recognized by the government. 
47 
4. 
Have at least a total of five (5) years of experience in teaching, 
48 
administration, and supervision in nursing education; 
49 
5. 
Preferably be a member of the organization of Deans duly 
50 
recognized by the Board; 
51 


 
 
 
16
6. 
     Not hold a concurrent Dean position in another HEI and no 
1 
other teaching assignments or administrative functions in other 
2 
public/private institution or higher education institution; and 
3 
7. 
Have a duly notarized employment contract as dean of the nursing 
4 
program of at least one (1) academic year with corresponding academic 
5 
rank renewable annually. 
6 
b) 
The Dean or administrator of the academic unit shall be a holder of 
7 
a doctorate degree in the discipline or allied field and has published works in 
8 
refereed journals in one of the disciplines under the academic unit.      
9 
 
10 
SEC. 41. Qualifications of the Faculty.  
11 
a) 
For the Baccalaureate Program in Nursing Education. A member of 
12 
the faculty teaching in an undergraduate program must possess the following 
13 
qualifications: 
14 
1. 
Be a Filipino citizen, physically and mentally fit, and with good 
15 
moral character; 
16 
2. 
Be a BSN degree holder; 
17 
3. 
Be a holder of a master’s degree in nursing for teaching professional 
18 
nursing subjects or a master’s degree in health-related programs for 
19 
teaching non-professional nursing subjects conferred by a duly 
20 
recognized HEI; 
21 
4. 
Be a holder of a valid certificate of registration and a current 
22 
professional identification card as a nurse issued by the PRC; 
23 
5. 
Have at least three (3) years clinical experience in any nursing 
24 
practice setting; and 
25 
6. 
Preferably be a member of an accredited professional nursing 
26 
organization of good standing and of a specialty nursing 
27 
organization. 
28 
b) 
For the Graduate In-Nursing Education. A member of the faculty 
29 
teaching in a post-graduate program must possess the following qualifications: 
30 
1. 
Be a Filipino citizen, physically and mentally fit, and with good 
31 
moral character; 
32 
2. 
Be a BSN degree holder; 
33 
3. 
Be a holder preferably of a Doctorate Degree in Nursing or allied 
34 
field conferred by a duly recognized HEI;  
35 
4. 
Be a holder of a valid and current certificate of registration and 
36 
professional identification card as a nurse issued by the PRC; 
37 
5. 
Have at least three (3) years clinical experience in any nursing 
38 
practice setting; 
39 
6. 
Have published works in refereed Nursing or health-related 
40 
journals; and  
41 
7. 
Preferably be a member of an accredited integrated professional 
42 
nursing organization of good standing and of a specialty nursing 
43 
organization. 
44 
 
45 
SEC. 42. Faculty-to-Student-Ratio. The faculty-to-student ratio must be 
46 
in accordance with the standards to be determined and prescribed by the 
47 
CHED. 
48 
 
49 
 
50 
 
51 
 
52 


 
 
 
17
ARTICLE VI 
1 
NURSING SERVICE 
2 
 
3 
SEC. 43. Nursing Service. Nursing service refers to the healthcare 
4 
services provided by nurses. It includes the provision of general nursing 
5 
services, specialized, and advanced practice of nursing, including nursing 
6 
management in various health, industry, or community settings where the 
7 
competencies of a nurse are required. 
8 
 
9 
SEC 44. Public Health Nursing Service. There shall be adequate 
10 
provision of essential health services in every local health facility to effectively 
11 
implement public health programs for community and population groups. 
12 
These essential services shall include: health information and education;      
13 
expanded program of immunization against major infectious diseases; 
14 
maternal and child health care including family planning and counselling; 
15 
micronutrient and nutritional food supplementation; prevention, treatment and 
16 
control of communicable and non-communicable diseases including locally 
17 
endemic diseases; mental health promotion; occupational health and safety; 
18 
safe water and environmental sanitation; basic drugs supply; and emergency 
19 
and disaster management. 
20 
 
21 
SEC 45. Public Health Nurse (PHN). Public Health Nurses participate in 
22 
the delivery of essential health care services as described in Sec. 44. They work 
23 
with the individuals, families, and population groups that are the nucleus of the 
24 
community. They collaborate with other members of the service delivery network 
25 
with the goal of promoting health, preventing disease and disability, and treating 
26 
common diseases. A PHN may progress to become a Public Health Nurse 
27 
Specialist (PHNS) after obtaining specialty training focused on public health-
28 
based programs and substantial experience in managing public health 
29 
conditions.  
30 
 
31 
A PHNS may progress to become an APN in public health after obtaining 
32 
advanced nursing education either through a master's or doctoral degree with 
33 
emphasis on public health sciences, or their equivalencies as promulgated by 
34 
the CHED, and as defined in Section 31 of this Act. 
35 
 
36 
As Advanced PHN Practitioners, their duties and responsibilities include 
37 
the following:  
38 
a) Delivering population-centered services and programs and other public 
39 
health services such as occupational health; school health; emergency and 
40 
disaster, and home and hospice services; 
41 
b) 
Providing direct and indirect care to population groups and 
42 
communities. Direct care consists of assessing and diagnosing population or 
43 
communities; planning nursing actions; mobilizing community responses; 
44 
monitoring population health status and evaluating outcomes. Indirect care 
45 
consists of engaging in policy change, education and training of public health 
46 
nurse practitioners  in interdisciplinary research, and acting as consultants to 
47 
policy makers; and, 
48 
c) 
Exercising 
collaborative 
leadership 
and 
political 
skills 
for 
49 
successful population outcomes. 
50 
 
51 
SEC. 46. The Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) and the National Chief 
52 
Nursing Officer.       There shall be a nursing service office in every healthcare  
53 
institution and in all levels and classifications of these institutions, whether 
54 
administrative or clinical, with a complement of at least ten (10) Nurses. 
55 


 
 
 
18
Nursing services must be under the control and management of a registered 
1 
nurse designated as Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) in each health institution.  
2 
 
3 
Within the framework of health care delivery, nursing services in private 
4 
and public institutions or community settings must be led and managed by a 
5 
CNO, or the equivalent of Chief Nurse (CN) or Director of Nursing. The CNO 
6 
shall be bestowed full administrative responsibility as leader and manager of 
7 
nursing services within each institution. The CNO shall have the authority and 
8 
accountability over the planning, organizing, directing, and controlling 
9 
including monitoring, evaluation, and policy development of nursing resources 
10 
related to nursing services. The CNO responsibilities include strategic and 
11 
operational planning, financial and resource allocation, policies and 
12 
procedures development, professional and organizational involvement to 
13 
address issues that have relevance for nursing. 
14 
 
15 
There shall also be a National Chief Nursing Officer (NCNO) in the DOH 
16 
who shall oversee and coordinate national nursing personnel utilization nurses’ 
17 
welfare, the observance of decent work standards in all healthcare facilities and 
18 
institutions, and the adaptation of nursing care development trends in nursing 
19 
education and practice in both the public and private sectors. 
20 
 
21 
The NCNO, being the highest-ranking nursing official in the DOH, shall 
22 
be responsible for overseeing and coordinating strategic management, financial 
23 
and resource allocation, policies and standards development, professional and 
24 
organizational development to relevantly address national epidemiologic and 
25 
nursing personnel supply, demand, and distribution trends. The NCNO shall 
26 
oversee the development of the Nursing Human Resource for Health 
27 
Management System (NHRHMS), a national nursing information system and 
28 
utilize statistical data and other nursing outcome metrics in the exercise of 
29 
good governance and full accountability over nursing personnel systems in 
30 
both private and public health care and community settings. The NCNO shall 
31 
also act as the advocate for the rights and welfare of nurses in both public and 
32 
private institutions. Further, the NCNO shall serve a term of three (3) years, 
33 
subject to renewal. 
34 
A CNO and NCNO must possess the qualifications as prescribed under 
35 
the Policies, Standards and Guidelines to be promulgated by the Board. 
36 
The CNO must have the following minimum qualifications: 
37 
a) 
Be a registered nurse in the Philippines; 
38 
b) 
Be a holder of a Master's degree in Nursing conferred by an HEI 
39 
duly recognized by the government; 
40 
c) 
Be a holder of a valid certificate of registration and a current 
41 
professional identification card as a nurse issued by the PRC; and 
42 
d) 
Have at least five (5) years of experience in general nursing service 
43 
administration with experience in policy development; 
44 
e) 
Preferably be a member of good standing of the APO of nurses; and 
45 
f) 
Preferably be a member of the organization of nursing service 
46 
administrators duly recognized by the Board. 
47 
The NCNO must have the following minimum qualifications: 
48 
a) 
Be a registered nurse in the Philippines; 
49 
b) 
Have a degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing; 
50 
c) 
Be a holder of a Doctorate degree conferred by an HEI duly 
51 
recognized by the government in a relevant healthcare and business 
52 
administration field; 
53 


 
 
 
19
d) 
Be a holder of a valid certificate of registration and a current 
1 
professional identification card as a nurse issued by the PRC; 
2 
e) 
Must have the necessary Career Executive Service Officer (CESO) 
3 
rank; 
4 
f) 
Have at least five (5) years of experience in general nursing service 
5 
administration with experience in policy development; 
6 
g) 
Preferably be a member of good standing of the APO of nurses; and 
7 
h) 
Preferably be a member of the organization of nursing service 
8 
administrators duly recognized by the Board. 
9 
ARTICLE VII 
10 
NURSING RESEARCH, POLICY DEVELOPMENT, AND PLANNING 
11 
 
12 
SEC.47. Nursing Research and Policy Development. Nursing Research 
13 
and Policy Development shall involve the study of nurse-related issues, such 
14 
as: 
15 
a) 
Professional nursing practice and nursing development such as 
16 
advancing nursing knowledge, health and nursing governance, to ensure quality 
17 
nursing care for all and advocacy for sound health policies nationally and 
18 
globally; 
19 
b) 
Information and knowledge management and communication 
20 
technology; 
21 
c) 
Regulation of nursing standards, competencies and the process of 
22 
credentialling; and 
23 
d) 
Socio-economic welfare for nurses like occupational health and 
24 
safety, 
human 
resources 
planning 
and 
policy, 
remuneration, 
career 
25 
development. 
26 
 
27 
ARTICLE VIII 
28 
NURSING LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE 
29 
 
30 
SEC. 48.      Nursing Leadership and Governance. - Nursing leadership 
31 
and governance involve the process of influencing other people through the 
32 
exercise of authority, direction, control, and regulation in the practice of the 
33 
nursing profession to achieve desired goals. To accomplish this, nursing 
34 
services must be managed by competent nursing personnel.  
35 
Nursing 
service 
management 
refers 
to 
the 
management 
and 
36 
administration of nursing services by nurses who must be equipped with the 
37 
following necessary competencies on governance and leadership: 
38 
a) 
A First Level Service Manager is responsible for the management of 
39 
a nursing unit and supervision of nursing support personnel including, 
40 
Caregivers, Healthcare Dialysis Technicians, Medication Technicians, Orderlies, 
41 
Orthopedics 
Technicians, 
Patient 
Care 
Technicians, 
Sitters, 
Surgical 
42 
Technicians, and Ward Clerks or Secretaries. 
43 
b) 
A Middle Level Service Manager is responsible for the leadership 
44 
and governance of more than one (1) nursing unit, particularly them 
45 
management of operational systems, financial resources, and human resources. 
46 
c) 
An Executive Level Service Manager is responsible for establishing 
47 
the strategic direction for the entire nursing division, and the development and 
48 
implementation of policies, standards and guidelines in nursing services. 
49 
Nursing 
Service 
Managers 
shall 
have 
the 
following 
minimum 
50 
qualifications: 
51 


 
 
 
20
a) 
For a first level managerial position in nursing:  
1 
1. Completion of at least eighteen (18) units of nursing management 
2 
and clinical subjects in  a Master of Arts Degree Program in 
3 
Nursing or Master of Science in Nursing Degree Program, with at 
4 
least three (3) years of clinical work experience, and  
5 
2. Participation in at least one (1) research project related to the 
6 
improvement of the quality of care.      
7 
b) 
For a middle level managerial position in nursing:  
8 
1. Completion of all the academic requirements of a Master of Arts 
9 
in Nursing Degree Program or Master of Science in Nursing 
10 
Degree Program; 
11 
2. At least three (3) years of clinical work and two (2) years of 
12 
management experience, and  
13 
3. Conduct of at least one (1) research project related to the 
14 
improvement of the quality of care. 
15 
 c) 
For an executive position in nursing:  
16 
1. A post-graduate degree in nursing or health management-related 
17 
sciences, 
18 
2. At least three (3) years of clinical work and three (3) years of 
19 
management experience, 
20 
3. Conduct of at least two (2) research projects related to the 
21 
improvement of quality of health care. 
22 
 
23 
ARTICLE IX 
24 
NURSING HUMAN RESOURCE FOR HEALTH MANAGEMENT SYSTEM 
25 
 
26 
SEC. 49. Nursing Human Resource for Health Management System. - 
27 
The Nursing Human Resource for Health Management System (NHRHMS) shall 
28 
cover all nursing human resources in the nursing service of both public and 
29 
private sectors, and the healthcare, industrial and community settings. 
30 
Institutions shall be mandated to report their information to ensure accurate 
31 
nursing human resource and workforce projections and to reconcile these with 
32 
supply data from CHED and PRC. 
33 
 
34 
Healthcare facilities and institutions, including industrial establishments 
35 
that hire nurses, shall implement strategic NHRHMS in all levels of the nursing 
36 
service, and in this pursuit, shall adopt and define appropriate nursing 
37 
organizational structures to support competency development, career and 
38 
professional growth, and promote job delight which is a state of mental and 
39 
emotional satisfaction over one’s productivity, conditions at work, and job 
40 
fulfilment. 
41 
It shall be mandatory for each healthcare facility to employ an evidence-
42 
based human resources for health (HRH) assessment tool for nursing workload 
43 
and workload pressure, preferably the World Health Organization Workload 
44 
Indicators for Staffing Needs, to determine annually minimum safe staffing 
45 
needs for registered nurses and nursing personnel.  These nursing staffing 
46 
ratios, nursing plantilla, and skill-mix standards are requisites for safe and 
47 
quality care for patients and must be upheld and practiced for a healthcare 
48 
facility to be granted continued permission to operate the facility. The facility 
49 
must use this assessment to plan and provide a budget for regular and plantilla 
50 
positions to ensure that safe and quality care is provided by the institution. 
51 


 
 
 
21
Additionally, a registry of nursing professionals shall be incorporated in 
1 
the NHRHMS in coordination with DOH, private institutions, and nursing 
2 
organizations and groups indicating, among others, their current number of 
3 
practitioners and location of practice. 
4 
 
5 
SEC. 50. Nursing Staff Complement. - The Board shall, in consultation 
6 
with the DOH and other stakeholders, ensure the provision of a safe nursing 
7 
workforce for any healthcare setting guided by the following principles: 
8 
a) 
Use of evidence-based, reliable, and up-to-date staffing and 
9 
workforce data; 
10 
b) 
Regular review and updating of staffing based on up-to-date 
11 
evidence and best nursing practices within healthcare facility, and nurse, 
12 
nurse-sensitive patient, organizational and system outcomes; 
13 
c) 
Non-substitution of nurses by other healthcare professionals in 
14 
performing nursing functions; 
15 
d) 
Non-delegation of nurses in management positions to augment staff 
16 
limitations;      
17 
e) 
Respect for nurses' professional judgment in determining the 
18 
required safe workforce staffing; 
19 
f) 
Active involvement of direct care nursing staff and nursing 
20 
management in all stages and aspects of the institution's HRH design, policy 
21 
development, and decision making. 
22 
g) Timely adjustments to nurse staffing based on changes in patients and 
23 
population healthcare needs. 
24 
h) The nursing workforce complement is designed to ensure patient safety, 
25 
quality service delivery, and the maintenance of a positive practice environment 
26 
that promotes economic welfare, professional autonomy, job satisfaction and 
27 
retention, and ensures safe staffing, managerial support, professional 
28 
development, occupational safety and psychological health and patient and 
29 
nurse safety.  
30 
 
31 
     The appropriate number of nurses must be available at all times across 
32 
the continuum of care, and a suitable mix of education, skills, and experiences 
33 
must be maintained to ensure that patient care needs are met and the working 
34 
environment is kept safe and conducive to optimal performance of support staff. 
35 
 
36 
The maximum number of patients cared for by each nurse assigned in a 
37 
healthcare facility, setting, or unit shall be determined by the ratio of staff 
38 
nurse-to-patient in a general nursing service, or in the case of a general ward of 
39 
a hospital, shall be based on patient acuity, complexity of work, nurse 
40 
competencies, and nursing modalities to effectuate positive practice 
41 
environment, safe, and quality nursing care for patients. 
42 
For general units, the maximum number of patients that a nurse may 
43 
effectively and safely handle at any given time is ten (10). Thus, the minimum 
44 
safe staffing ratio standard for general units is 1:10 or one nurse for every ten 
45 
patients. However, this staff-to-patient ratio may vary based on the assessed 
46 
Safe Staffing Standard. 
47 
Failure to comply with the above minimum safe staffing ratios must be 
48 
justified through the assessment tool findings and analysis as provided in this 
49 
section. Non-compliance shall be referred to the Board for action. 
50 
 A nurse may invoke the process of safe harbour  for protection against 
51 
employer retaliation, suspension, termination, discipline, discrimination, 
52 
licensure sanction when asked to accept an unsafe assignment in activities 
53 


 
 
 
22
beyond the scope of the nursing practice, or in an unprofessional and illegal 
1 
act.  In this case, the nurse shall submit a written notification to the supervisor 
2 
who requested the conduct of such unsafe, unprofessional or illegal assignment 
3 
invoking safe harbor. If a nurse is unable to submit such written notification 
4 
due to patient care needs, the nurse may orally invoke it, and the supervisor 
5 
must record the record the request in writing. 
6 
The Board shall, from time to time, and in consultation with the DOH and 
7 
other stakeholders, review and modify the nurse-to-population ratio as may 
8 
hereinafter be established for the healthcare and industrial settings, and for 
9 
the community setting taking into consideration the current community 
10 
characteristics and population needs. 
11 
In the community, there shall be a nurse in every barangay health center, 
12 
primary, secondary, and tertiary school, and industrial establishment, subject 
13 
to the applicable staffing ratio by the appropriate government agency. 
14 
 
15 
SEC. 51. Return Service Agreement.      All nursing graduates who are 
16 
recipients of government-funded scholarship programs shall be required to 
17 
serve in priority areas in the public sector for at least three (3) years, with 
18 
compensation, and under the supervision of the DOH: Provided, That those 
19 
who will serve for an additional two (2) years shall be provided with additional 
20 
incentives as determined by the DOH.  Graduates of nursing from state 
21 
universities and colleges and private schools shall be encouraged to serve in 
22 
these areas. 
23 
 
24 
ARTICLE X 
25 
PROHIBITED ACTS AND PENAL PROVISIONS 
26 
 
27 
SEC. 52. The following acts are prohibited:  
28 
a) 
Practicing the nursing profession without a certificate of 
29 
registration, professional identification card, special temporary permit or without 
30 
having declared exempted from taking the licensure examination in accordance 
31 
with this Act; 
32 
b) 
Using the certificate of registration, professional identification card, 
33 
or special temporary permit of another registered nurse; 
34 
c) 
Using fraudulent, suspicious, or an expired suspended or revoked 
35 
certificate of registration, professional identification card, or special temporary 
36 
permit; 
37 
d) 
Misrepresenting one’s self or proffering false evidence to obtain a 
38 
certificate of registration, professional identification card or special temporary 
39 
permit; 
40 
e) 
Falsely advertises one’s self through any means to convey the 
41 
impression that one is a nurse; 
42 
f) 
Appending to one’s name the abbreviations “B.S.N” “R.N” or “APN” 
43 
for Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Registered Nurse and Advance Practice 
44 
Nurse, respectively, without having been conferred the corresponding degree, 
45 
registration, or certification by the PRC; 
46 
g) 
Abetting or assisting in the illegal practice of the nursing profession 
47 
through the following acts and entities: 
48 
1. 
An HEI offering the BSN program which shall withhold any 
49 
requirement or document, or both, of any graduate for the purpose of 
50 
preventing them to apply for the PNLE without any justifiable reason; 
51 
2. 
Any natural or juridical person or health facility which subscribes 
52 
to sub-standard quality of nursing care or nursing practice, such as non-
53 
compliance with the nurse-patient ratio requirement; 
54 


 
 
 
23
3. 
Any natural or juridical person or health facility that abets and 
1 
promotes precarious working conditions for nurses, such as the following: 
2 
i. 
Contracting or availing of the services of a nurse but provides 
3 
compensation below the rate prescribed under this Act, whether or 
4 
not under the pretext of a training development program, 
5 
certification, or course, or seminar; 
6 
ii. 
Depriving or denying a nurse of the incentives and benefits as 
7 
provided for under existing laws; 
8 
iii. 
Collecting any fee from a nurse or from any person or agent in 
9 
exchange for a nurse’s voluntary services in a health, industrial or 
10 
similar facility or institution; 
11 
iv. 
Requiring or obliging a volunteer nurse to perform regular work 
12 
functions or work load expected from a regular staff nurse without 
13 
proper compensation, or to render full time service as a condition for 
14 
the continued availment of their volunteer services, or to be the sole 
15 
nurse on duty, except during disasters, calamities, public 
16 
emergencies and war; 
17 
v. 
Contracting or availing of the services of a volunteer nurse, under 
18 
the pretext of On-The-Job Training, contract of service, or job orders, 
19 
in order to fill-up a vacant position that requires the hiring of a 
20 
fulltime regular employed nurse, or for free in exchange for any type 
21 
of certification to be issued by the health facility or institution or 
22 
industrial establishment for purposes of the nurse's employment 
23 
application;  
24 
vi. 
Contracting or availing of the services of a nurse, under the pretext 
25 
of training or certification course, but requiring the nurse to render 
26 
the tasks and responsibilities expected of a regular staff or public 
27 
health nurse; 
28 
vii. Practicing job-splitting or hiring two part-timers in place of one full-
29 
time employee and deploying the two nurses on a full-time basis; 
30 
viii. Making mandatory, as a pre-hiring requirement, training that 
31 
should have been acquired during the BSN program or which, 
32 
rightfully should be provided by the hiring institution; 
33 
ix. Repeatedly subjecting or allowing the nurse to experience prejudice, 
34 
violence, or discrimination; and 
35 
x. Imposing mandatory overtime service without valid reason or 
36 
corresponding compensation, as mandated by law; and 
37 
xi. Non-compliance with the minimum safe staffing requirement 
38 
mandated in Sec. 50. 
39 
h) 
Any violation of the provisions of this Act or any existing laws such 
40 
as the Labor Code of the Philippines and the civil service laws. 
41 
 
42 
SEC. 53. Sanctions. - A fine of not less than One hundred thousand 
43 
pesos (Php 100,000.00) nor more than Three hundred thousand pesos 
44 
(Php300,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than one (1) year nor more than 
45 
six (6) years, or both, shall be imposed, at the discretion of the court, for the 
46 
commission of any of the prohibited acts enumerated in Section 52 (a) of this 
47 
Act. 
48 
A fine of not less than Three hundred thousand pesos (Php300,000.00) 
49 
nor more than Five hundred thousand pesos (Php500,000.00) or imprisonment 
50 
of not less than one (1) year or more than six (6) years, or both, shall be 
51 
imposed, at the discretion of the court, for the commission of any of the 
52 
prohibited acts enumerated in Section 52(b), (c), (d) and (e) hereof. In addition, 
53 
the court may, at its discretion, order the suspension or revocation of the 
54 
license to operate of the erring healthcare facility, institution, or industrial 
55 
establishment In case the violation is committed by a partnership, corporation, 
56 


 
 
 
24
association, or any other juridical person, the managing partner, president, 
1 
managing director/s, or officer who has committed or consented to such 
2 
violation shall be held directly liable and responsible for the acts as principal, 
3 
or as co-principal with the other participants, if any. 
4 
 
5 
SEC. 54. Refund and Compensation. Any nurse found to have been a 
6 
victim under Section 53 (e) hereof shall be entitled to a full refund of all fees 
7 
illegally collected and the payment of unpaid salary, if any, which should not 
8 
be less than the applicable wage for services rendered without prejudice to 
9 
other reliefs that may be claimed   under applicable laws. 
10 
 
11 
ARTICLE XI 
12 
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 
13 
 
14 
SEC. 55. Implementing Agencies. - The Department of Budget and 
15 
Management (DBM), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Labor and 
16 
Employment (DOLE), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), 
17 
Civil 
Service 
Commission 
(CSC), 
Commission 
on 
Higher 
Education 
18 
(CHED),shall be responsible for the implementation and monitoring of the 
19 
compliance with the provisions of this Act. 
20 
 
21 
The DOH, as the lead agency, the DILG, and CSC shall be responsible for 
22 
monitoring the compliance with and implementation of the provisions of this 
23 
Act by public health facilities and institutions.  
24 
 
25 
The DOLE shall be the agency responsible for monitoring the compliance 
26 
and implementation of the provisions of this Act by private health facilities and 
27 
institutions and industrial establishments. In addition, the DOLE shall create 
28 
a separate category for health workers befitting the importance and complexity 
29 
of the work performed by nurses and other healthcare professionals. 
30 
 
31 
The PRC and the Board shall be the designated agencies responsible for 
32 
monitoring the compliance with and implementation of the provisions of this 
33 
Act by nurses, HEIs, CPD providers, health facilities and institutions, and 
34 
industrial establishments.  
35 
 
36 
The CHED shall be the agency responsible for monitoring the compliance 
37 
with and implementation of the provisions of this Act by HEIs with regard to 
38 
nursing education programs and curriculum. 
39 
 
40 
SEC. 56. Funding for the Advance Practice Nurse (APN) Training. The 
41 
participating government hospitals and institutions shall include their budgets 
42 
the annual financial requirement needed to train at least ten percent (10 %) of 
43 
their nursing staff: Provided however, That non-government hospitals and 
44 
institutions shall support the training requirements of their nursing staff 
45 
employed by them.  Nothing in this provision shall prevent, diminish or 
46 
otherwise revoke existing company policies that are more favorable to the 
47 
employee. 
48 
 
49 


 
 
 
25
SEC. 57. Appropriations.  The Chairperson of the Professional 
1 
Regulation Commission and the Secretary of the Department of Health shall 
2 
immediately include in their program the implementation of this Act, the 
3 
funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
4 
 
5 
SEC. 58. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety days 
6 
(90) after the effectivity of this Act, the PRC and the Board shall, in consultation 
7 
with the APO for nurses, CSC, DBM, DOH and other concerned nursing 
8 
organizations and government agencies formulate the implementing rules and 
9 
regulations (IRR) necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. 
10 
 
11 
SEC. 59. Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act be 
12 
declared unconstitutional, the remaining parts not affected thereby shall 
13 
remain valid and operational. 
14 
 
15 
SEC. 60. Repealing Clause. Republic Act No. 9173, otherwise known as 
16 
the 'Philippine Nursing Act of 2002' is hereby repealed. All other laws, decrees, 
17 
orders, circulars, issuances, rules and regulations and parts thereof which are 
18 
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified 
19 
accordingly. 
20 
 
21 
SEC. 61. Effectivity.This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
22 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.  
23 
 
Approved,