-
'~Efn;::.·; 
. v 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
} 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
} 
Third Regular Session 
} 
14 [;6 :'\6
I 
.,' " 
SENATE' 
~ 
s. No.3 499 
4f 5' 
. 
..··-r-· ...
8'1
0
(In Substitution of Senate Bill Nos. 2372, 3139, 337f1tnd taking into consideration  
HBN 6410) 
'\  
Prepared by the Committees on Civil Service and Government Reorganization 
and Finance with Senators Trillanes IV, Angara, Roxa~ jlnd Lacsop as authors 
thereof 
.,t{'M(tla; '>It'. 
AN ACT 
REGULATING THE PRACTICE OF RESPIRATORY THERAPY, 
CREATING A PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF 
RESPIRATORY THERAPY, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
ARTICLE I 
2 
TITLE, STATEMENT OF POLICY, DEFINITION OF TERMS 
3 
4 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known and cited as the 
5 
"Philippine Respiratory Therapy Act of 2009". 
6 
7 
SEC. 
2. 
Declaration of Policy. 
- The State recogmzes the 
8 
importance of respiratory therapists in natIon building. Hence, it shall 
9 
develop and nurture competent, virtuous, .productive and well-rounded 
10 
respiratory therapists whose standards of practice and service shall be 
11 
excellent, qualitative, world-class and globally competitive through 
12 
inviolable, honest, effective and credible,' licensure examinations and 
13 
through regulatory measures, programs and activities that foster their 
14 
professional growth. 
15 
16 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following 
17 
terms shall mean: 
18 
(a) Respiratory Therapy is an allied health specialty employed with 
19 
medical direction in the treatment, management, 
control, 


5 
10 
15 
20 
25 
30 
35 
diagnostic evaluation and care of patients with deficiencies and 
2 
abnormalities in the cardiopulmol).ary system; 
3 
(b) Respiratory Therapist is a person who is a holder of a valid 
4 
certificate of registration and a professional identification card 
. 
issued by the Professional Regulatory Board of Respiratory 
6 
Therapy and the Professional Regulation Commission and who 
7 
is legally qualified to practice respiratory therapy in the 
8 
Philippines pursuant to this Act; 
9 
(c) Respiratory Therapy Technician IS a person who has been 
registered and issued a valid certificate of registration and 
11 
professional identification card a:qd who has undergone a two­
12 
year associate or certificate program in respiratory therapy 
13 
procedures and whose specific assignments are supervised by a 
14 
registered respiratory therapist. Such assignments are within 
I 
the limits of a hospital or an institution of employment; 
16 
(d) Accredited Respiratory Training Center is a respiratory therapy 
17 
unit or pulmonary laboratory, office, center, agency, clinic, 
18 
hospital or sanitarium duly approved by the Department of 
19 
Health or its authorized agency; .' 
(e) Recognized School ofRespiratory Therapy is any school, college, 
21 
or university that offers a course in Respiratory Therapy as 
22 
approved by the 
Commission on Higher Education 
In 
23 
accordance with the requirements under this Act, upon 
24 
recommendation of the Board of :Respiratory Therapy. 
26 
ARTICLE II 
27 
THE PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD 
28 
OF RESPIRATO~Y THERAPY 
29 
SEC. 4. Creation and Compositio'n of the Board. - There is 
31 
hereby created a Professional Regulatory Board of Respiratory Therapy 
32 
hereinafter called the Board, under the administrative supervision and 
33 
control of the Professional Regulation Commission, hereinafter referred to 
34 
as the Commission, to be composed of a Chairperson and two (2) 
members who shall be appointed by the Pre'sident of the Philippines from 
36 
three recommendees submitted by the Commission from among a list of 
2 


5 
10 
15 
20 
25 
30 
35 
five nominees for each position submitted by the integrated professional 
2 
organization of respiratory therapists. The Board shall be organized not 
3 
later than six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act. 
4 
SEC. 5. Qualifications of the Me"!bers of the Board. -
The 
6 
Chairperson and members of the Board shall, at the time of their 
7 
appointment, possess the following qualifications: 
8 
(a) Must be a natural born citizen and,'resident of the Philippines; 
9 
(b) Must be at least thirty-five (35) years of age if he/she is the 
chairperson or at least thirty (30) years old if he/ she is a 
11 
member; 
12 
(c) Must be a duly registered respiratory therapist in the Philippines 
13 
with 
a 
valid certificate of registration and professional 
14 
identification card: Provided, That in case of the first members 
of the Board of Respiratory Therapy, they shall be issued 
16 
certificates of registration and professional identification card as 
17 
respiratory therapists without prior examination: Provided 
18 
further, That in case a Masteral Degree course for respiratory 
19 
therapy is developed, future members of the Board must 
henceforth be holders of a Masteral Degree in Respiratory 
21 
Therapy; 
22 
(d) Must be a holder of a baccalaureate degree in respiratory 
23 
therapy with at least fifteen (15) years of professional experience 
24 
and with at least five (5) years of professional experience as 
director, supervisor or head of said laboratory or unit of a 
26 
Department of Health recognized hospital prior to his/her 
27 
appointment; 
28 
(e) Must not be an elected officer of the integrated and accredited 
29 
national organization of respiratory. therapists; 
(f) Must not have been convicted by any competent court of an 
31 
offense involving moral turpitude; and 
'32 
(g) Must not have any pecuniary interest, directly or indirectly, in 
33 
any school, college, university or institution conferring an 
34 
academic degree necessary for admission to the practice of 
respiratory therapy or where review classes in preparation for 
.1 
,. 
36 
the licensure examination are being offered or conducted, nor 
3 


shall he/she be a member of the faculty or of the administration 
2 
thereof at the time of his/her appointment to the Board. 
3 
4 
SEC. 6. Term of Office of Board Members. - The Chairperson 
5 
and the members of the Board shall hold office for a term of three (3) 
6 
years or until their successors shall have been appointed and duly 
7 
qualified: Provided, That members of the first Board to be appointed after 
8 
the approval of this Act shall hold offige for the following terms: 
9 
chairperson for three years, one member for two years, and the other 
1 0 
member for one year: Provided, further, That the chairperson or any 
11 
member may be reappointed for another term of three years but in no 
12 
case shall the whole term exceed six years. 
Interim vacancies in the 
13 
Board shall be filled for the unexpired term only. Each member of the 
14 
first Board shall automatically be registered as respiratory therapist and 
15 
issued a certificate of registration and professional identification card and 
16 
shall take the proper oath of office prior to assumption of duty. 
17 
18 
SEC. 7. Compensation and Allowances of the Board.
• 
The 
19 
Chairperson and members of the Board shall receive compensation and 
20 
allowances comparable to that being received by the chairpersons and 
21 
members of existing regulatory boards under the Commission as provided 
22 
for in the General Appropriations Act. 
23 
24 
SEC. 8. Powers and Functions of the Board. 
The Board shall 
25 
have the following powers and duties: 
26 
(a) Promulgate, administer and enforce rules and regulations 
27 
necessary for carrying out the provisions of this Act; 
28 
(b) Administer oaths in connection with the administration of this 
29 
Act; 
30 
(c) Study the conditions affecting the practice of respiratory 
31 
therapy in the Philippines and adopt measures for the 
32 
enhancement of the profession, and the maintenance of high 
33 
professional ethical standards. The Board may conduct ocular 
. 
34 
inspection at places where registered respiratory therapists are 
35 
employed or are working, such· as hospitals and clinics, to 
36 
determine and enforce compliance with the professional 
4 


5 
10 
15 
20 
25 
30 
35 
regulatory laws and the rules and regulations promulgated 
2 
pursuant thereto, to aid the Board in formulating or revising 
3 
policies relating to the practice of respiratory therapy; 
4 
(d) Ensure, in coordination with the Commission on Higher 
Education (CHED), that all educational institutions offering 
6 
respiratory therapy education· comply with the policies, 
7 
standards and requirements of the course prescribed by CHED 
• 
8 
in the areas of curriculum, faculty, library, and facilities; 
9 
(e) Supervise and regulate the registration, licensure and practice 
of respiratory therapy in the Philippines; 
11 
(f) 
Adopt an official seal of the Boardi 
12 
(g) Maintain a roster of respiratory therapists indicating therein 
13 
the basic information about the registered professionals; 
14 
(h) Issue, reinstate, suspend or revoke the certificate of registration 
and professional identification card or cancel special permits 
16 
for the practice of respiratory therapy; 
17 
(i) 
Prescribe and/or adopt a Code of Ethics and Standards for the 
18 
practice of respiratory therapy; 
19 
m Hear or investigate any violations of this Act, its implementing 
rules and regulations and the C;ode of Ethics for respiratory 
21 
therapists, and for this purpose, to issue subpoena duces tecum 
22 
to secure the appearance of the witnesses and the production of 
23 
documents in connection ther.ewith: 
Provided, That the 
24 
decision of the Board shall, unless appealed to the Commission, 
become final and executory after fifteen (15) days from receipt 
26 
ofjudgment or decision; 
27 
(k) Determine and evaluate the qualifications of applicants for 
28 
registration with or without licensure examination and 
29 
applicants for special permits; 
(1) 
Prescribe the subjects in the licensure examination, determine 
31 
the syllabi of the subjects and their relative weights, construct 
32 
test questions in the licensure examination, score and rate the 
33 
examination papers and submit tne examination results to the 
34 
Commission; 
(m) Grant registration without examination subject to approval by 
36 
the Commission; 
5 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
35 
36 
(n)  Issue special permits to persons' admitted to the practice of 
respiratory therapy for a specific duration of time, and 
certificates of recognition for advanced studies, researches and 
accomplishments that contribute to the enrichment of the 
profession; 
(0)  Adopt a program for the full computerization of the licensure 
examination; 
(p)  Prescribe guidelines and criteria in the Continuing Professional 
Education (CPE) program for respiratory therapists; and 
(q)  Perform such other powers al!-d functions as it may deem 
necessary to carry out the objectives of this Act. 
The policies, resolutions, rules and regulations, orders or decisions 
issued or promulgated by the Board shall be subject to the review and 
approval of the Commission. 
SEC. 9. Suspension and/or Removal of Board Members. -- Any 
member of the Board may, upon the recommendation of the Commission 
after due process of law and investigation conducted by the Commission, 
be suspended or removed by the President 'from office for cause such as 
gross neglect of duty, incompetence, malpractice, unprofessionalism, 
immorality, unethical or dishonorable conduct, final judgment of crimes 
involving moral turpitude, manipUlation 'or rigging of the licensure 
examination results, disclosure of secret and confidential information in 
the examination questions prior to the conduct of the said examination, 
and tampering of grades. 
SEC. 10. Supervision of the Board, Custodian of its Records, 
Secretariat and Support Services. - The Board shall be under the 
administrative supervision of the Commission. All records of the Board, 
induding applications, examination papers and results, minutes of 
, 
deliberation, administrative cases, and other investigations involving 
respiratory therapists shall be kept by the Commission. 
The Commission shall designate the Secretary of the Board and 
shall provide the secretariat and other support services to implement the 
provisions of this Act. 
6 


SEC. 11. Annual Report. - The Board shall, at the close of each 
2 
calendar year, submit an annual report to the Commission, giving a 
3 
detailed account of its proceedings and accomplishments during the year 
4 
and recommending measures to be adopted, with the end in view of 
5 
upgrading and improving the conditions affecting the practice of 
6 
respiratory therapy in the Philippines. 
7 
8 
ARTICLE III' 
9 
LICENSURE EXAMINATION AND REGISTRATION 
to 
11 
SEC. 12. Examination Required. -.All applicants for registration 
12 
for the practice of respiratory therapy shall be required to undergo a 
13 
licensure examination to be given by the Board in such places and dates 
14 
as the Commission may designate subject to compliance with the 
15 
requirements prescribed by the Commissioq. 
16 
17 
SEC. 13. Qualification of Applic~nts. - An applicant for the 
18 
licensure examination for respiratory therapists shall establish to the 
19 
satisfaction of the Board, that: 
20 
(a) He/she is a citizen of the Philippines, or if he/she is a foreigner, 
21 
must prove that the country of which he/ she is a subject or 
22 
citizen thereof permits Filipino respiratory therapists to practice 
23 
within its territorial jurisdiction on the same basis as the 
24 
subjects or citizens of such country; 
25 
(b) He/she has completed at least ten (10) months of internship 
26 
equivalent to a minimum of one t,housand five hundred (1,500) 
27 
hours of respiratory therapy clinical internship under the 
28 
supervision of a competent, duly qualified and registered 
29 
respiratory therapist; 
30 
(c) He/she is a graduate of a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory 
31 
Therapy degree from a school, .college or university in the 
32 
Philippines or abroad recognized and accredited by the 
33 
Commission on Higher Education .(CHED); 
34 
(d) He/she is of good moral character; 
35 
(e) He/she must not have been convicted of an offense involving 
36 
moral turpitude by a competent court. 
• 
7 


5 
10 
15 
20 
25 
30 
35 
2 
SEC. 14. Scope ofExamination. - 'The licensure examination for 
3 
respiratory therapists shall cover the following sUbjects: 
4 
(a) Patient Assessment and Electrocardiography 
(b) Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology  
6 
(c) Neonatal and Pediatric Respiratory Therapy  
7 
(d) Mechanical Ventilation  
8 
(e) Acid-Base Physiology and Blood Gas Interpretation  
9 
(f) 
Airway Care and Management  
(g) Pulmonary Function Testing 
11 
(h) Pulmonary Rehabilitation 
12 
(i) 
Oxygen Therapy 
13 
The Board, subject to the approval oJ the Commission, may revise 
14 
or exclude any of the subjects or add new-ones as the need arises. 
. 
16 
SEC. 15. 
Ratings in the Examination. 
- To be qualified as 
17 
having passed the licensure examination' for respiratory therapists, a 
18 
candidate must have obtained a general average of seventy-five percent 
19 
(75%) with no grade lower than sixty percent (60%) in any given subject. 
21 
SEC. 16. 
Registration Without Examination as Respiratory 
22 
Therapists. 
A person who possessef? the pertinent qualifications 
23 
required for admission in the examination for registration as a respiratory 
24 
therapist pursuant to the provisions of this Act may be registered without 
examination, provided the applicant files with the Board within two (2) 
f 
26 
years after its creation an application for registration and issuance of a 
27 
certificate of registration and professiGnal identification card by 
28 
submitting credentials showing that the applicant, before the effectivity of 
29 
this Act, had obtained any of the following: 
(a) a Bachelor of Science degree in Respiratory Therapy with at 
31 
least ten (10) years of work experience in the practice of 
32 
respiratory therapy; 
33 
(b) a Bachelor of Science degree in allied health professions with at 
34 
least ten (10) years of work experIence in the practice of 
respiratory therapy; 
8 


5 
10 
15 
20 
25 
30 
35 
(c) holder of non-degree courses such as the Certificate in 
2 
Respiratory 
Therapy, 
Certificate 
In 
Pulmonary 
Therapy, 
3 
Associate in Respiratory Therapy, Associate in Pulmonary 
4 
Therapy, with at least fifteen (15) years of work experience in the 
practice of respiratory of therapy... 
6 
SEC. 17. Report of Ratings. - The Board shall submit to the 
7 
Commission the ratings obtained by each candidate within ten (10) 
8 
calendar days after the examination, unless extended for just cause. 
9 
SEC. 18. 
Oath of Respiratory Therapists. - All successful 
11 
examinees qualified for registration and all qualified applicants for 
12 
registration without examination shall be required to take an oath of 
13 
profession before any member of the Board or any government official 
14 
authorized by the Commission to administer oaths, prior to entering into 
the practice of respiratory therapy in the Phi'lippines. 
16 
17 
SEC. 19. 
Issuance of the Certificate of Registration and 
18 
Professional 
Identification 
Card. 
The 
Commission, 
on 
19 
recommendation of the Board, shall issue a certificate of registration and 
professional identification card to examinees who passed the licensure 
21 
examination for respiratory therapists and to qualified applicants for 
22 
registration without examination subject to payment of fees prescribed by 
23 
the Commission. The certificate of registration shall bear the signature of 
24 
the Chairperson of the Commission and 'the members of the Board, 
stamped with the official seal of the Commission and of the Board, 
26 
indicating that the person named therein is entitled to practice the 
27 
profession with all the privileges appurtenant thereto. This certificate of 
, 
28 
registration shall remain in full force, and effect until revoked or 
29 
suspended in accordance with this Act. 
A professional identification card bearing the registration number, 
31 
date of issuance, expiry date, duly signed by the chairperson of the 
32 
Commission shall likewise be issued to every registrant who has paid the 
33 
prescribed fee and this shall be renewable every three years. 
34 
SEC. 20. Refusal to Register. 
The Board shall not register any 
36 
successful examinee who has been convicted by a court of competent 
9 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
, 
jurisdiction of any criminal offense involving moral turpitude or has been 
found guilty of immoral or dishonorable conduct after investigation by the 
Board, or has been declared to be of unsound mind. The reason for the 
refusal shall be set forth in writing. 
SEC. 21. 
Indication of Certificate of Registration and 
Professional Tax Receipt. 
The respiratory therapist shall be required 
to indicate his/her registration number, including the professional tax 
receipt number on the document he/she signs, uses or issues in 
connection with the practice of his/her profession. 
SEC. 22. Professional SufrIX. -
The letters "RTRP," which stands 
for Respiratory Therapy Registered Philippines, shall be added to the 
name of the respiratory therapist who successfully passes the 
examination especially when signing documents pertinent to the practice 
of his/her profession. 
SEC. 23. 
Revocation or Suspension of the Certificate of 
Registration and Professional Identification Card and Cancellation 
of Special Permit. - The Board may, after giving proper notice of hearing 
to the party concerned, revoke the practitioner's certificate of registration 
and professional identification card or suspend him/her from the practice 
of his/her profession or cancel his/her special permit for any of the 
causes or grounds under Section 20 of this Act or for any unprofessional 
or unethical conduct, malpractice, violation of any of the provisions of 
this Act, its rules and regulations, the Code of Ethics and Standards for 
respiratory therapists. 
SEC. 24. 
Reinstatement, Reissuance or Replacement of 
Certificate of Registration and Professioflaildentification Card and 
Temporary/Special Permit. - Two years after the date of revocation, the 
Board may, upon application and for reasons deemed proper and 
sufficient, reinstate any revoked certificate of registration and reissue a 
professional identification card, and in so doing, may, in its discretion, 
exempt the applicant from taking another examination. 
10 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
35 
36 
A new certificate of registration or temporary/special permit, to 
replace lost, destroyed or mutilated ones J;TIay be issued subject to the 
rules as implemented by the Board. 
SEC. 25. Roster of Respiratory Therapists. - The Board shall 
prepare, update and maintain a roster of. respiratory therapists which 
shall contain the name of each registered respiratory therapist, his/her 
residence and office addresses, the date of registration and issuance of 
certificates, and other data which the Board may deem pertinent. The 
roster shall be open to the public, copies ofwhich shall be mailed to each 
person listed therein. 
SEC. 26. 
Issuance of Specia.VTemporary Permit. -
A 
special/temporary permit may be issued by the Board to the following 
persons, subject to the approval of the Commission and payment of the 
fees it prescribes for the purpose: 
(a)  A foreign respiratory therapist called for consultation or for a 
specific purpose which, in the judgment of the Board, is 
essential for the development of the profession: Provided, That 
his/her practice shall be limited- only for the particular work 
that he/ she is being engaged: Provided, jurther, That there is 
no Filipino respiratory therapist qualified for such consultation 
or specific purpose; 
(b)  A foreign respiratory therapist engaged as professor, lecturer or 
critic in fields essential to respir~tory therapy education in the 
Philippines and his/her engagement is confined to teaching 
only; and 
(c)  A foreign respiratory therapist who is an internationally 
recognized expert or with specialization in any branch of 
respiratory therapy and his/her service is essential for the 
advancement of respiratory therapy in the Philippines. 
The permit shall, among other things, include these limitations and 
conditions: 
a validity period of not more.' than one (1) year subject to 
renewal; the branch or specialty of respiratory therapy; and the specific 
place of practice such as clinic, hospital, center, school/college / university 
11 


5 
10 
15 
20 
25 
30 
35 
offering the course of respiratory therapy. 
The Board, subject to the 
2 
approval by the Commission, shall prescrib~ rules and regulations on the 
3 
implementation of this particular section. 
4 
ARTICLE IV 
6 
PRACTICE OF RESPIRATORY THERAPY 
7 
SEC. 27. Scope of the Practice of Respiratory Therapy. - A 
f 
8 
registered respiratory therapist performs, but is not limited to, the 
9 
following functions under the direction of a physician: 
(a) Performs and recommends tentative interpretation of tests 
11 
obtained from physiological speci~ens which will assist in the 
12 
diagnosis and determination of ,'the degree of impairment of 
13 
relevant aspects of cardio-pulmonary efficiency; 
14 
(b) Implements treatment programs . 'on the basis of test findings 
within the scope of respiratory therapy; 
16 
(c) Performs pulmonary function testing (PFT) maneuvers; 
17 
(d) Performs cardio-pulmonary res,uscitation and provide an 
18 
artificial airway; 
19 
(e) Administers mechanical ventilatory support; 
(f) Administers pharmacologic agents related to respiratory care 
21 
procedures; 
22 
(g) Offers bronchopulmonary hygiene procedures to Improve 
23 
pulmonary status; 
24 
(h) Participates in the pulmonary rehabilitation of patients with 
lung disorders; 
26 
(i) Assist 
In 
the 
technical 
and 
initial 
evaluation 
of 
27 
polysomnography studies; 
28 
U) 
Assists in the performance of bronchoscopy procedures; 
29 
(k) Participates in research programs and studies for the 
, 
advancement of the field of respiratory therapy; and 
31 
(1) 
Teaches, lectures, and reviews subjects given in the licensure 
32 
examination. 
33 
34 
SEC. 28. Prohibition on the Praci,ice of Respiratory Therapy. 
-
No person shall practice or offer to practice respiratory therapy in the 
36 
Philippines or offer himself/herself as respiratory therapist, or use the 
12 


5 
10 
15 
20 
25 
30 
35 
title, word, letter, figure, or any sign tending to convey the impression 
2 
that he/ she is a respiratory therapist, or advertise or indicate in any 
3 
manner whatsoever that he/ she is qualified to perform the work of a 
4 
respiratory therapist unless he/ she has satisfactorily passed the 
licensure examination given by the Board, except as otherwise provided in 
6 
this Act, and is a holder of a valid certificate of registration and 
7 
professional identification card or a valid temporary/special permit duly 
8 
issued to him/her by the Board and the Commission. 
9 
SEC. 29. Prohibited Acts. -
No person shall: 
11 
(a) Engage in the practice of respiratory therapy by representing 
12 
himself/herself as a respiratory therapist without a valid 
13 
certificate of registration and professional identification card or 
14 
a valid temporary/special permit granted by the Board 
pursuant to this Act; 
16 
(b) Represent himself/herself as a respiratory therapist during the 
17 
time that his/her certificate of registration and professional 
18 
identification card is not valid or has been suspended or 
19 
revoked, or that his/her temporary/special permit is cancelled; 
(c) Allow anybody to use his/her certificate of registration and 
21 
professional identification card or temporary/special permit as 
22 
a respiratory therapist to enable such unqualified individual to 
23 
engage in the practice of respiratory therapy; 
. 
24 
(d) 
Use as his/her own the certificate of registration and 
professional identification card or temporary/special permit of 
26 
another. 
27 
28 
SEC. 30. Employment of Respiratc!-ry ,Therapists in Pulmonary 
29 
Units and Laboratories. 
Hospitals, clinics, home care, medical 
centers and similar establishments shall be required to employ and 
31 
station at least three (3) registered respiratory therapists, under the 
32 
direction of a physician, who shall be on duty for each shift to ensure that 
33 
the services they offer comply with professional standards. 
34 
SEC. 31. 
Code of Ethics and 'Standards for Respiratory 
36 
Therapists. 
The Board shall adopt and promulgate the Code of Ethics 
13 


5 
10 
15 
20 
25 
30 
35 
and Standards for Respiratory Therapists prescribed and issued by the 
2 
accredited national organization of respiratory therapists. 
3 
4 
SEC. 32. Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Program. -
All respiratory therapists shall abide by the requirements, rules and 
6 
regulations regarding continuing professional education as promulgated 
7 
by the 
Board in collaboration with the 
integrated professional 
8 
organization of respiratory therapists. 
9 
SEC. 
33. 
Integration of Associations of Respiratory 
11 
Therapists. 
All associations of respiratory, therapists shall be integrated 
12 
into one (1) and only national organization. which shall be recognized by 
13 
the Board, subject to the approval by the Commission, as the only 
14 
accredited and 
integrated 
professional organization of registered 
respiratory therapists. 
16 
A respiratory therapist duly registered by the Board and the 
17 
Commission shall automatically become a 
member of the said 
18 
organization and shall receive the benefits and privileges appurtenant 
19 
thereto upon payment of required fees and dues. 
Membership in the 
accredited and integrated professional. organization of respiratory 
21 
therapists shall not be a bar to membership in other associations of 
22 
respiratory therapists. 
23 
24 
SEC. 34. Foreign Reciprocity. - No foreigner shall be admitted to 
the examination or be given a certificate' of registration or be entitled to 
26 
any of the privileges under this Act unless the country of which he/ she is 
27 
a subject or citizen specifically permits Filipino respiratory therapists to 
28 
practice within its territorial limits on the same basis as the subjects or 
29 
citizens of such foreign state or country. 
31 
ARTICLE,V 
32 
FINAL PROVISIONS 
33 
34 
SEC. 35. 
Penalties for Violations. 
Any person who shall 
violate any of the provisions of this Act or any of its implementing rules 
36 
and regulations as promulgated by the Board subject to the approval of 
14 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
the Commission shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not less 
than Twenty Thousand Pesos (P 20,000.00) or by imprisonment of not 
less than six (6) months, at the discretion of the court. 
SEC. 36. 
Funding. -
The Chairperson of the Professional 
Regulation Commission shall include in the Commission's programs the 
implementation of this Act, the funding of ~hich shall be included in the 
Annual General Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 37. Implementing Rules and·Regulations. - To implement 
the provisions of this Act, the Board shall, subject to the approval of the 
Commission and in' coordination with the integrated and accredited 
professional organization, promulgate the rules and regulations and the 
Code of Ethics for respiratory therapists within ninety (90) days after the 
effectivity of this Act. 
SEC. 38. Interpretation of this Act. - Nothing in this Act shall 
be construed to effect or prevent the practice of any other legally 
recognized profession. 
SEC. 39. Separability Clause. -
If any section or provision of 
this Act shall be declared invalid or unc~nstitutional, such shall not 
invalidate any other section or provision of this Act. 
SEC. 40. 
Repealing Clause. 
-' All laws, decrees, orders, 
issuances, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of 
this Act are hereby repealed, modified or superseded. 
SEC. 41. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after 
fifteen (15) days following its publication in two (2) major newspapers of 
national circulation. 
Approved, 
15