1 
2 
3 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
'15 
~PR' 5 \'12 :30 
IU,l'El\,ED B\':-f 
Prepared by the Committees on Civil Service and Government Reorganization; 
S.No. 
2720 
Health and Demography; and Finance with Senators Recto, Trillanes IV, 
Marcos, Jr., Binay, Angara, Gningona m, Escudero and VIllar as authors 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR A COMPREHENSIVE NURSING LAW TOWARDS 
QUALITY HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR 
Be it ellacted by the Senate and the HmlSe of Represelltolives of the Republic of the 
Philippilles ill Congress assembled: 
ARTICLE I 
General Provisions 
4 
Section 1. Tide. - This Act shall be known as the "Comprehensive Nursing Law of 
5 
2015." 
6 
7 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the state to uphold 
8 
the dignity of the nurses and assume responsibility for the protection, respect, and 
9 
improvement of the nursing profession by instituting measures towards competent 
10 
and relevant nursing practice for health and safety of the public, just and humane 
11 
conditions of work, and promotion of professional growth. Thus, the State recognizes 
12 
nurses as prime movers of national development and contributors to international 
13 
cooperation and understanding. 
14 
15 
The State further guarantees the delivery of accessible, affordable, and available 
16 
quality health care to all the people through implementation of adequate and 
17 
competent Nursing Personnel System (NPS) throughout the country. 
1 


1 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - The following terms when used in this act shall mean: 
2 
(a) Accredited Integrated Professional Orgcmization (AIPO) refers to a 
3 
professional organization of nurses duly accredited by the Professional 
4 
Regulation Commission as per RepUblic Act No. 8981. 
5 
(b) Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) refers to a nurse who acquired substantial 
6 
theoretical knowledge and decision making skills in the specialty area of 
7 
nursing practice and proficient clinical utilization of this knowledge in 
8 
implementing independent and inter-dependent nursing interventions. 
9 
Specialties can be differentiated in categories, according to function, disease, 
10 
pathology, systems, age, sex, acuity, setting, technology, and therapies. They 
11 
must be given certification! credentialing by the Board. An APN nrust be a 
12 
master's degree holder in nursing. 
13 
(c) Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) refe£s to the basic program fur nursing 
14 
education. 
15 
(d) Certificatiow Credentialing refers to the process undertaken by an individual 
16 
nurse to be recognized to practice in a specifically defined professional tract 
17 
i.e. General Nursing, Nursing Specialtyl Advanced Practice, Nursing 
18 
Education, and Leadership and Governance. The Board confers the 
19 
certification or credential after a validation process based on promUlgated 
20 
guidelines and mechanisms. 
21 
(e) Commission on Higher Education CCHED) refers to the body created by law 
22 
to promulgate policies, standards and guidelines in the implementation of 
23 
basic and graduate program for nursing education. 
24 
(t) Health Facility refers to an institution, establishment, clinic that offers health 
25 
services and nursing care, such as hospitals, barangay health centers, and 
26 
clinics. 
27 
(g) Nurse, as provided for in this Act, refers to a person who passed the Philippine 
28 
Nurse Licensure Exams (PNLE) and whose license has not been revoked by 
29 
the law. Thus, it pertains to a Registered Nurse (RN). A nurse may append 
30 
before his! her name the title "Nurse", "Nars", or "Nrs." or after his! her name 
31 
the title R.N. 
2 


~ 
1 
(h) Nursing Personnel System (NPS) refers to a system of truman resource 
2 
management in an institution that classifies the structure, organization, and 
:3 
coordination within the workforce both in private and public health care 
4 
facilities and nursing educational institutions to advance the welfare and 
5 
protect the rights of the nurses and to ensure the employer-employee 
6 
relationship, security of tenure, just compensation, humane conditions of 
7 
work, and professional growth. 
8 
(i) Philippine Nurse Licensure Exams (PNLE) refers to the written examination 
9 
given by the Board in order to obtain license to practice nursing. 
10 
(j) Precarious Work is the term used to describe substandard employment 
11 
conditions. such as under-payment, absence of salary, no security of tenure, 
12 
lack of employer - employee relationship, no benefits, poor working 
13 
conditions; and, deviation from the standard employment relationships, such 
14 
as contractual, false volunteerism, job orders thru agencies, part time, self-
15 
employment, fixed term work, temporary, on call, home workers, call center 
16 
jobs, few benefits, lack of collective bargaining representation, and no job 
17 
security. 
18 
(k) Professional Regulation Commission (pRe) refers to the government agency 
19 
pursuant to Republic Act No. 8981 or as may hereafter be amended or 
20 
repealed. It shall be referred to in this law as the Commission. 
21 
(1) Professional Regulatory Board of NlfTsing (PRBON) refers to the 
22 
administrative body created by law to supervise and regulate the practice of 
23 
the nursing profession in the Philippines_ As such, the Board shall be the 
24 
ultimate authority in the practice of the profession in the Philippines. It shall 
25 
be referred to in this law as the Board. 
26 
(m)Public Health Institution (PHI) refers to any government-led, owned or 
27 
controlled institutions which pursues and realizes the lofty goals and 
28 
objectives of providing and managing safe, efficient, effective and quality 
29 
public health programs and services and advocacies for health, in all levels of 
30 
the Health Care Delivery System (HCDS - national to local) which include 
31 
among others: Rural Health Units (RHUs! Barangay Health Centers); 
32 
Research Facilities e.g. Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, etc.; 
33 
Training Resource Facilities e.g. the u.P. College of Public Health and State 
3 


1 
or Local Colleges or Universities offeriJOg Health-Related Programs; the 
2 
Department of Health and all retained Health Facilities, and the like. 
3 
(n) Special Permit refers to the permit to practice nursing in the Philippines issued 
4 
by the Board to licensed nurses of foreign nationalities. 
5 
(0) Temporary Permit refers to the permit to practice nursing in the Philippines 
6 
issued by the Board to Filipino nurses, who does not have a professional 
7 
license from the Philippines or have not renewed their license for five (5) 
8 
years, but are licensed from foreign countries. 
9 
10 
ARTICLE II 
11 
Board ofNufsing 
12 
13 
Sec. 4. Creation and Composition of the Board. - There shall be created a 
14 
Professional Regulatory Board of Nursing composed of seven (7) members who shall 
15 
elect among themselves a Chairperson to serve full" one (1) term, without re-election. 
16 
The President of the Republic of the Philippines shall appoint the members of the 
17 
Board from among those recommended by the Commission and ranked from a list of 
18 
three (3) nominees, per vacancy, of the accredited integrated professional organization 
19 
of nurses in the Philippines and who possess the qualifications in this Act. Provided, 
20 
that the membership of the Board shall comprise the scope of nursing practice. 
21 
22 
Sec. 5. QuaHfications of the Members of the Board. - The members of the Board 
23 
must possess the following qualifications: 
24 
(a) Must be a natural born citizen and resident of the Philippines for the past 
25 
five (5) consecutive years; 
26 
(b) Must be a Nurse in the Philippines and a holder of a valid and updated 
27 
certificate of registration and a current professional identification card; 
28 
(c) Must be a holder of a master's degree in nursing and preferably with a 
29 
doctorate degree conferred by a university duly recognized by the 
30 
government; 
31 
(d) Must have at least ten (l0) years of continuous practice of the nursing 
32 
profession prior to appointment: PrOl,;ded, however, That the last five (5) 
4 


1 
years of which must be iu the Philippines; and 
2 
(e) MUst be of good moral character and bas not been convicted of any offense 
3 
involving moral turpitude. 
4 
5 
Sec. 6. Probibition as Member of tbe Board. - A member of the Board shall not 
6 
hold a position nor have pecuniary interest in any educational institution offering 
7 
BSN, any review or training center for PNLE, training hospitals and health facilities 
8 
with nursing affiliates. 
9 
10 
Sec. 7. Term of Office. - The members of the Board shall hold office for a term of 
11 
three (3) years. Any member of the Board may serve for two (2) terms or a maximum 
12 
of six (6)years. 
13 
14 
Sec. 8. Vacancy. - Any vacancy in the Board must be filJed in the manner prescribed 
15 
in this Act and only for the unexpired portion of the term. Each member of the Board 
16 
shall take the proper oath of office prior to the pelfolIllance of duties. 
17 
18 
Sec. 9. Compensation. - The members of the Board shall receive compensation and 
19 
allowances comparable to the compensation and allowances received by the members 
20 
of other regulatory boards. 
21 
22 
Sec. 10. Administrative Supervision of the Board, Custodian of its Records, 
23 
Secretariat and Support Services. - The Board shall be under the administtative 
24 
supervision of the Commission. All records of the Board, including applications for 
25 
examinations, administrative and other investigative cases conducted by the Board 
26 
must be under the custody of the Commission. The Commission shall designate the 
27 
Secretary of the Board and shall provide the secretariat and other support services to 
28 
implement the provisions of this Act. 
29 
30 
Sec. 11. Powers and Duties of the Board. - The Board shall supervise and regulate 
31 
the practice of the nursing profession and shall have the following powers, duties and 
32 
functions: 
33 
(a) Ensure the proper conduct of the PNLE, which includes the application, test 
34 
development, examination, correction and release of results. The use of 
5 


1 
appropriate technologies and modalities during the conduct of the PNLE is 
2 
encouraged to enhance efficiency while upholding integrity; 
3 
4 
(b) Issue, suspend, revoke or reissue certificates of registration for the practice of 
5 
nursing and ensure the widest publication through electronic and written media; 
6 
7 
(c) Enforce and monitor safe and quality standards of nursing practice, study the 
8 
conditions affecting the nursing practice in the Philippines, and exercise the 
9 
powers necessary to ensure the maintenance of efficient, ethico-rnoral, technical 
10 
and professional standards in the practice of uursing towards the optimal health 
11 
and common good of the nation; 
12 
13 
(d) Ensure quality nursing education by examining and monitoring higher educational 
14 
institutions offering and seeking permission to open nursing education programs 
15 
and to ensure that standards of nursing education are properly complied with and 
16 
maintained at all times. PrOvided, that the Board and the CHED shall have joint 
17 
anthority to open and close nursing education programs offered by higher 
18 
educational institutions; 
19 
20 
(e) Conduct hearings and investigations to resolve complaints against actively 
21 
practicing nurses for unethical and unprofessional conduct and violations of this 
22 
Act, or its rules and regulations and in connection therewith, issue subpoena duces 
23 
tecum and subpoena ad testificandum to require the appearance of respondents 
24 
and witnesses and the production of documents and penalize with contempt 
25 
persons obstructing, impeding or otherwise interfering with the conduct of such 
26 
proceedings, upon application with the Board of Nursing; 
27 
28 
(f) Promulgate a Code of Ethics that is responsive to the needs of the nursing 
29 
profession in coordination with the AIPO of nurses within a year from the 
30 
effectivity of this Act; 
31 
32 
(g) Prescribe and operationalize, via necessary infrastructures, a National Nursing 
33 
Career Progression Program to ensure continuing professional development of 
34 
Filipino nurses, create the Council fur Nursing Advancement, Recognition, and 
35 
Specialization as well as the various Nursing Specialty Boards to assist the Board 
6 


1 
for this purpose; 
2 
3 
(h) Ensure performance of mandated duties and functions with the provision of 
4 
operational resources including human, financial and spatial resources to ensure 
5 
the confidentiality and sanctity of their functions as provided through the annual 
6 
budget of the Commission as promulgated in the General Appropriations Act; 
7 
8 
(i) Source and utilize funds earmarked for national nursing development; and 
9 
10 
(j) Prescribe, adopt, issne and promulgate guidelines, regulations, measnres and 
11 
influence authorities and agencies on decision-making as may be necessary for the 
12 
improvement of nursing practice, advancement of the profession, and for the 
13 
proper and fuJI enforcement of this Act, subject to review and approval by 
14 
Commission. 
15 
(k) Create a council for nursing recognition, accreditation and certification that will 
16 
assist the Board in: 
17 
a. Recognizing organized nursing groups; 
18 
19 
b. Setting standards for advanced nursing practice, education, research, and 
20 
management; 
21 
22 
c. Accrediting specialty and advanced nursing programs based on established 
23 
mechanisms; 
24 
25 
d. Credentialing individual registered nurse based on accepted criteria; and 
26 
27 
e. Monitoring and evaluating specialty and advanced nursmg practice, 
28 
education, research and management. 
29 
30 
Sec. 12. Annnal Report. - The Board shall, at the close of its calendar year, submit 
31 
an annual report to the President aud Congress of the Philippines through the 
32 
Commission giving a detailed account of its proceedings aud the accomplishments 
33 
during the year and making recommendations for the adoption of measures that will 
34 
upgrade and improve the conditions affecting the practice ofthe nursing profession. 
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1 
Sec. 13. Removal or Snspension of Board Members. - The President may remove 
2 
or suspend any member of the Board, after due process, on the following grounds: 
3 
(a) 
Continued neglect of duty or incompetence; 
4 
(b) 
Commission or toleration of irregularities in the PNLE; and, 
5 
(c) 
Unprofessional, immoral or dishonorable conduct. 
6 
7 
8 
9 
ARTICLEm 
Examination and Registration 
10 
Sec. 14. Philippine Nnrse Licensure Examiuation (PNLE). - In order to obtain a 
11 
certificate of registration, professional license, and professional identification card, all 
12 
nursing graduates must take and pass the PNLE. The Board shall administer the 
13 
PNLE in such place and date as designated by the Commission: Provided, That no 
14 
nursing educational institution may withhold any requirement or documents, or both, 
15 
of any nursing graduate for the purpose of preventing them to apply for the PNLR All 
16 
nursing educational institution must ensure that their nursing graduates will take the 
17 
nearest scheduled PNLE after graduation. Any delay in taking the PNLE must be 
18 
accordingly justified by the President, Registrar or Dean of the educational institution 
19 
through a public instrument. 
20 
21 
Sec. 15. Scope of Examination. - The Board shaIJ determine the scope of the PNLE 
22 
by taking into consideration the nursing core competencies, the nursing curriculum, 
23 
the scope and areas of nursing practice, and other related disciplines. 
24 
25 
Sec. 16. Qualifications for Admissiou to the PNLE. - In order to be admitted to the 
26 
PNLE, an applicant: 
27 
(a) Must be a holder of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from a 
28 
recognized educational institution that complies with the standards of 
29 
nursing education duly recognized by CHED; 
30 
(b) Must be of good moral character and have not been convicted, by final 
31 
judgment, of any criminal offense involving moral turpitude or guilty of 
32 
immoral or dishonorable conduct, or any person declared by the court to 
8 


1 
be of unsound mind; and, 
2 
(c) Must be a citizen of the Philippines, or a citizen or su~ect of a country 
3 
which permits Filipino nurses to practice within its territorial limits on the 
4 
same basis as the subject or citizen of such country; Provided, That the 
s 
requirements for the registration or licensing of nurses in said countries are 
6 
substantially the same as those prescribed in this Act. 
7 
Sec. 17. Fees for Examination and Registration. - Applicants for licensure and for 
8 
registration must pay the prescribed fees set by the Commission. 
9 
Sec. 18. Ratings. - In order to pass the PNLE, an examinee must obtain at least 
10 
seventy-five percent (75%) of tested areas of all competencies. An examinee who has 
11 
failed the PNLE three (3) times shall not be allowed to take any further PNLE, 
12 
without having undertaken a refresher program in a duly accredited institution. The 
13 
board shall issue guidelines on the refresher program requirement. 
14 
lS 
Sec. 19. Issuance of Certificate of Registration, Professional License and 
16 
Professioual Identification Card. - A certifical:e of registration and professional 
17 
license shall be issued to all successful examinees. subject to Section 14 of this 
18 
Article. A certificate of registration and professional license shall show the full name 
19 
of the registrant, the signature of the Chairperson of the Commission, and the 
20 
members of the Board. The certificate shall bear the logo of the Board and the official 
21 
seal of the Commission. 
22 
The Commission shall likewise issue the protessional identification card. The card 
23 
must bear the following: full name of the registrant nurse, the serial number, the date 
24 
of issuance and expiration, the signature of the Chairperson of the Commission; date 
2S 
of registration. 
26 
27 
Sec. 20. Oath of Profession. - All successful examinees must take an oath of 
28 
profession before the Board or any government official authorized to administer oaths 
29 
prior to entering upon the nursing practice. 
30 
31 
Sec. 21. Roster of Nurses. - The Commission shall maintain a roster of nurses 
32 
pursuant to the PRe Automated System. The Roster of Nurses shall serve as the 
33 
centralized database for nursing professionals for purposes of documentation, 
9 


1 
verification of registrants, statistics, research, and dlevelopment. 
2 
3 
Sec. 22. Integration of the Nursing Profession. - The nursing profession shall be 
4 
integrated into one (I) national professional organization of nurses that is dul y 
5 
registered with the Securities And Exchange Commission (SEC). The board, subject 
6 
to approval by the commission, shall accredit the said organization as the one and 
7 
only Accredited Integrated Professional Organization (AIPO) of registered nurses. All 
8 
nurses whose names appear in the Registry Book of Nurses shall ipso facto or 
9 
automatically become members thereof and shall receive all the benefits and 
10 
privileges appurtenant thereto upon payment of AlPO membership fees and dues. 
11 
12 
Membership in the Accredited Integrated Professional Organization (AIPO) shall not 
13 
be a bar to membership in other nursing organizations. 
14 
15 
Sec 23. - Foreign Reciprocity. No foreign nurse shall be given a certificate of 
16 
registration/professional license and professional identification card or be entitled to 
17 
any of the privileges under this act unless the country or state of which the foreign 
18 
nurses is a subject or citizen permits Filipino nurses to practice within its territorial 
19 
limits on the same basis as the subjects or citizens of said country or state. 
20 
Sec. 24. Practice through Speeial or Temporary Permit. - The Board may issue a 
21 
special or temporary permit to the following persons based on qualification, and 
22 
professional and moral standards as approved by the Commission: Provided, that a 
23 
completion report will be submitted to the Commission after every mission, to wit: 
24 
25 
(a) Licensed nurses from foreign countries whose services are either for a fee or 
26 
free if they are internationally well-known specialists or outstanding experts in 
27 
any branch or specialty of nursing; 
28 
(b) Licensed nurses from foreign countries on medical mission whose services 
29 
shall be free in a particular hospital, center or clinic; 
30 
(c) Licensed 
nurses 
from 
foreign 
countries 
who 
are 
engaged 
by 
31 
colleges/universities offering the nursing program as exchange professors in a 
32 
branch Or specialty of nursing; and, 
33 
(d) Licensed nurses from foreign countries who come to aid during declared 
10 


1 
disasters and calamities. 
2 
3 
The special or temporary permit shall be effective only for the duration of the project, 
4 
medical mission or engagement contract. 
S 
6 
Sec. 25. Non-registration and Non-issnance of Certificate of Registration, 
7 
Professional License, Professional Identification Card, Special Permit or 
8 
Temporary Permit. - No person convicted by final judgment of any criminal offense 
9 
involving moral turpitude or any person guilty of immoral or dishonorable conduct or 
10 
any person declared by the court to be of unsound mind may be registered and issued 
11 
a certificate of registration, professional license, professional identification card, or a 
12 
special or temporary permit. 
13 
14 
The Board shall furnish the applicant a written staltement setting tbrth the reasons for 
15 
the actions, which shall be incorporated in the records of the Board. 
16 
17 
Sec. 26. Revocation and Snspension of Certificate of Registration, Professional 
18 
License, and Professional Identification Card and Cancellation of Special or 
19 
Temporary Permit. - The Board shall have the power to revoke or suspend the 
20 
certificate of registration, professional license, professional identification card, or 
21 
cancel the special or temporary permit of a nurse upon any of the following grounds: 
22 
23 
(a) Conviction, by final judgment, of any criminal offense involving moral 
24 
turpitude or guilty of immoral or dishonorable conduct or any person 
25 
declared by the court to be of unsound mind; 
26 
(b) Violation of this Act, its policies, rules and regulations, and of the , 
27 
Philippine Code of Ethics for Nurses; 
28 
(c) Gross negligence, grave misconduct, ignorance, and incompetence in the 
29 
nursing practice; 
30 
(d) Fraud, concealment, misrepresentation, or false statements in obtaining a 
31 
certificate of registration, professional license, professional identification 
32 
card, special permit or temporary permit 
33 
(e) Practice of the nursing profession pending suspension of license. 
11 


1 
The suspension of the certificate of registration, profussional license, and professional 
2 
identification card, shall be for a period not to exceed four (4) years. 
3 
4 
Sec. 27. Reinstatement and Re-Issuance of Revoked Certificates of Registration, 
5 
Professional License, and Professional Identification Card. - The Board may, after 
6 
the expiration of a maximum of four (4) years from the date of revocation of a 
7 
certificate of registration, professional license, and professional identification card, for 
8 
reasons of equity and justice, and when the cause for revocation has disappeared or 
9 
. has been cured and corrected, upon proper application thereof and the payment of the 
10 
required fees, reinstate and re-issue the certificate of registration, professional license, 
11 
and professional identification card. 
12 
13 
14 
15 
ARTICLE IV 
Nursing Practice 
16 
See. 28. Nursing Practice. -
The administration of nursing care through the 
17 
utilization of the nursing process: assessment, nursing diagnosis, planning, 
18 
implementation, and evaluation. Nursing practice encompasses various stages of 
19 
development towards the promotion of health, prevention of illness, health care 
20 
techniques and procedures, restoration of health, alleviation of suffering, and end-of-
21 
life care, may it be performed independently or collaboratively. 
22 
23 
Sec. 29. Scope of Nursing Practice. - The following are the scope of nursing 
24 
practice: (1) nursing education; (2) nursing service; (3) rrursing research; and, (4) 
25 
nursing leadership and governance. 
26 
27 
Sec. 30. Nursing Care. - Nursing Care includes, but is not limited to: the provision 
28 
of physiological, psychological, spiritual, social and emotional care; essential health 
29 
care, safety and comfort measures, health teachings; executing health care techniques 
30 
and procedures; and, traditional and innovative approaches to individuals, families, 
31 
population groups and communities from conception to death. 
32 
A nurse shall be deemed to be practicing nursing when he or she, for a fee, salary or 
33 
compensation, singly or collaboratively, performs nursing care to individuals, 
34 
families, popUlation groups, and communities. 
12 


1 
Sec. 3L Roles, Responsibilities, and Competeacies of a Nurse. - A nurse shall 
2 
possess and exercise the core competencies in the performance of the roles and 
3 
responsibilities, in accordance with the standards set by the Board. 
4 
5 
SEC. 32. Continuing Professional Development (CPD). -All nurses shall abide by 
6 
the requirements, rules and regulation on continuing professional development to be 
7 
promulgated by the PRC Regulatory Board, subject to' the approval of the 
8 
commission, in coordination with the A1PO for nurses or any duly accredited 
9 
education institutions. For the purpose, a CPD council is hereby created to implement 
10 
the CPD program. 
11 
12 
Sec. 33. Requirement for Inactive Nurses Returning to Practice. - Nurses are 
13 
deemed to be inactive when: 
14 
(a) They are not utilizing nursing competencies as defined in the scope of nursing 
15 
practice for five (5) consecutive years; 
16 
(b) They have not renewed their professional identification card for five (5) years; and 
17 
(c) They do not have proof of five (5) years of conI:inuous nursing practice. 
18 
19 
Inactive nurses are required to undergo one (1) month didactic training and three (3) 
20 
months practicum in hospitals accredited by the Board. 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
ARTICLE V 
Nursing Education 
26 
Sec. 34. Nursing Education. - Refers to the formal learning and training in the 
27 
science and art of nursing provided by higher educational institutions duly recognized 
28 
by the CRED. 
29 
30 
There shall be a standard of Basic and Graduate Program for Nursing Education 
31 
which must be pursuant to the CHED Law (RA 7722). 
32 
33 
See. 35. Basic Program for Nursing Education. - Refers to the nursing education 
34 
program which envisions providing sound liberal and professional education and 
13 


1 
equips basic nursing students with the necessary competencies for entry - level safe 
2 
and quality nursing practice. 
3 
4 
Admission to the Basic Program for Nursing Education requires passing a National 
5 
Nursing Admission Test (NNAT). 
6 
The curriculum and the Related Learning Experiences (RLE) must be in accordance 
7 
with the National Nursing Core Competency Standards promulgated by the Board and 
8 
implemented through the Policies, Standards, and Guidelines of the CHED. 
9 
10 
Sec. 36. Graduate Program for Nursiug Education. -
Refers to the post 
11 
baccalaureate nursing program, which builds on the experiences and skills of a nurse 
12 
towards mastery, expertise, and leadership in practice, research, and education. It 
13 
includes a master's degree and doctorate degree in nursing founded on the 
14 
philosophies, and the scientific body of knowledge and practice. 
15 
16 
Graduate Program for Nursing Education shall be offered only in higher educational 
17 
institutions as prescribed by the prevailing CHED Policies, Standards and Guidelines 
18 
for Graduate Education. 
19 
20 
Sec. 37. Qualifications of the DeaD. - The Dean of the College of Nursing (Dean) 
21 
shall formulate policies, plans in collaboration with the administration! school 
22 
officials and stakeholders. The Dean must adhere to the prescribed curriculum for the 
23 
advancement of nursing education. 
24 
25 
The Dean: 
26 
27 
(a) Must be a holder of a certificate of registration and a current professional 
28 
identification card issued by the Commission; 
29 
(b) Must have the appropriate certificate of nursing proficiency, or its equivalent, 
30 
to be issued by the PRBON; 
31 
(c) Must be a holder of a master's degree in nursing, conferred by a university 
32 
duly recognized by the Government of the Republic of the Philippines; 
33 
(d) Must have at least five (5) years of experience in teaching and supervision in 
34 
Nursing Education; and 
14 


1 
(e) Must have at least three (3) years clinical. experience in a general nursing 
2 
service. 
3 
Sec. 38. Qualifications of the Faculty. -
4 
(1) Basic Program for Nursing Education. -A member of the faculty in a College of 
5 
Nursing teaching professional courses: 
6 
(a) Must be a registered nurse in the Philippines and holder of a certificate of 
7 
registration and a current professional identification card issued by the 
8 
Commission; 
9 
(b) Must have at least three (3) years of nursing practice; 
10 
(c) Must be a holder of a master's degree in nursing. conferred by a university 
11 
duly recognized by the Government ofdJe Republic ofthe Philippines; and 
12 
(d) Must have the appropriate certificate of nursing proficiency, or its 
13 
equivalent, to be issued by the PRBON. 
14 
(2) Graduate Program for Nursing Education. - A member of the faculty teaching 
15 
graduate professional courses: 
16 
(a) Must follow prescriptions 1 and 2 of basic nursing education; and 
17 
(b) Must be a holder of a doctoral degree in nursing confurred by a university 
18 
duly recognized by the Government of the Republic of the Philippines. 
19 
Sec. 39. Faculty-to-Student Ratio. - The taculty-to-student ratio tnust be in 
20 
accordance with the standard to be determined and prescribed by the CHED. 
21 
22 
23 
24 
ARTICLE VI 
Nursing Service 
25 
Sec. 40. Nursing Service. -
Nursing Service is the promotion of health and 
26 
prevention of illness which includes, but not limited to, nursing care provided by a 
27 
nurse, either independently or collaboratively, to any individual, family or group in 
28 
various health care settings. 
29 
15 


1 
Nursing Service shall include the following functions: (I) Provide health education to 
2 
individuals, families and communities; (2) Ensure that information on healthy 
3 
lifestyle are incoIporated in his or her health teachings; (3) Seek opportunities to 
4 
promote a healthy lifestyle within his or her intluence; (4) Accept that he or she is a 
5 
role model for a healthy lifestyle; (5) Enable people to increase control over their 
6 
health and to improve health; (6) Build healthy public policy; (7) Create supportive 
7 
environment; (8) Strengthen community action for health; and, (9) Establish linkages 
8 
with community resources and coordination of services with the health team. 
9 
10 
Sec. 41. Nursing Interventions. - Nursing interventions include, but is not limited to: 
11 
any or combination of essential primary health care, the application of traditional and 
12 
innovative approaches, health counseling, and administration of written prescription 
13 
for treatment, therapies, oral. topical, and parenteral medications, perform peripartal 
14 
care covering pre-intra-postpartum care including the performance of internal 
15 
examination during labor in the absence of antenatal bleeding, attend to normal 
16 
delivery and suturing of perineal laceration and immediate care of the newborn; 
17 
perform perioperative care covering pre-intra-post surgical care interventions; care 
18 
during emergency and disaster. 
19 
20 
Sec. 42. Health Interventions in Collaboration with Other Members ofthe 
21 
Health Team. - In the various stages of nursing practice from promotion of health to 
22 
end-of-Iife care, Nurses shall collaborate with other members of the health team. 
23 
24 
Sec. 43. Advanced Practice Nursing. - Advance Practice Nursing is the specialized 
25 
and expanded nursing care pursuant to Sec. 46 hereof Advanced Practice Nursing 
26 
involves specialty training, through an Advanced Practice Nursing Program 
27 
formulated by the concerned agencies with certification to be issued by the Board 
28 
after passing the qualifying examination. A Registered Nurse (RN) who seeks to be an 
29 
Advance Practice Nurse (APN) must have a master's degree in Nursing. 
30 
31 
32 
33 
ARTICLEVH 
Nursing Researcb, Policy Development, and Planning 
34 
Sec. 44. Nnrsing Research and Policy Development. - Nursing Research and Policy 
35 
Development shall involve study and pursuit of nurse related issues encompassing the 
16 


1 
following areas: 
2 
(a) Professional nursing practice such as advancing lUlfsing knowledge to ensure 
3 
quality nursing care for all and advocacy for sound health policies globally. 
4 
(b) Nursing regulation on credentialing, code of ethics, standards and competencies. 
5 
(c) Socio-economic welfare for nurses like occupational health and safety, human 
6 
resources planning and policy, remuneration, career development. 
7 
8 
Sec. 45. Studies for Nursing Buman Resource Needs, Production, Utilization and 
9 
Development. -
The Board, in coordination with the accredited integrated 
10 
professional organization of registered muses and the appropriate government or 
11 
private agencies shall initiate, undertake and conduct studies on healthcare human 
12 
resources production, utilization and development. 
13 
Sec. 46. Advanced Practice Nursing Program. - WIthin ninety (90) days from the 
14 
effectivity of this Act, the Board in coordination with the accredited integrated 
15 
professional organization of registered nurses, recognized specialty organizations, and 
16 
the Department of Health (DOH) is hereby mandated to formulate and develop an 
17 
Advanced Practice Nursing Program that would upgrade the level of skill and 
18 
competence of specialty llllrse clinicians in the country, such as, but not limited to, the 
19 
areas of critical care, oncology, renal and such other areas as may be determined by 
20 
the Board: Provided, that the beneficiaries of this program are obliged to serve in any 
21 
Philippine hospital for a period of at least two (2) years continuous service. 
22 
23 
Sec. 47. Salary. - The minimum base pay of nurses working in governmental health 
24 
institutions, upon entry, shall not be lower than Salary Grade IS (SG-IS). This is to 
25 
enhance the general welfare, commitment to service, and professionalism of nurses. In 
26 
non - governmental and/or private health institutions, the minimum base pay for the 
27 
nurses upon entry shall be equivalent to that of Salary Grade "\5" in public hospitals 
28 
and institutions. 
29 
30 
Sec. 48. Incentives and Benefits. - The Board, in coordination with the DOH, other 
31 
concerned government and non-government institutions, association of hospitals and 
32 
the AIPO for registered nurses, shall establish an incentive and benefit system in the 
33 
form of free hospital care for nurses and their dependents, scholarship grants and 
17 


1 
other non-cash benefits. 
2 
ARTICLE VOl 
3 
Nursing Leadership and Governance 
4 
5 
Sec. 49. Nursing Leadership. - Nursing is a dynamic field that requires leaders who 
6 
will go through the changing aspects of the health sector as they are part of the 
7 
workforce that will toil and labor for the improvement of the health of the citizenry. 
8 
Nurses adopt specific roles in organizational structure, from being the policy makers 
9 
in health facilities and giving guidance to senior management on best practices in 
10 
nursing and patient care. They work with healthcare leaders to establish compensation 
11 
and benefit programs and are involved in nurse recruitment, training and retention. 
12 
Thus, nurses in management positions shall develop patient-care programs, manage 
13 
nursing budgets, plan new patient services, establish nursing policies and procedures, 
14 
participate in cross-departmental decision making, conduct performance improvement 
15 
activities and represents the scope of nursing practices at Board of director meetings 
16 
and other stakeholder. 
17 
18 
Sec. 50. Nursing Governauce. - Governance in nursing practice is shifting from the 
19 
traditional view that nurses are subordinate and passive employees towards having 
20 
more proactive involvement of taking charge of the organization to be the antecedent 
21 
in decision making and implementation of plans and policies for the patients and 
22 
communities. Governance in the practice of nursing shall empower each nurse in 
23 
decision-making over their professional practice while extending their power and 
24 
control over the administrative aspect of their practice. 
25 
ARTICLE IX 
26 
Nnrsing Personnel System 
27 
28 
Sec. 51. Nursiug Personnel System. - The nursing personnel system covers the 
29 
following fields: nursing service administration in the hospital setting, community 
30 
health practice, and the academe. 
31 
There shall be a nursing service office in every health institution, may it be 
32 
administrative or clinical, with at least ten nurses. The nursing service office must be 
33 
under the control and management of a chief nursing officer. 
18 


1 
Sec. 52. Ratio. - The ratio of a staff nurse to a paUient in a general nursing service or 
2 
general ward of a hospital shall be set at at least 1: 6.2, in order to effectuate the quality 
3 
nursing care for patients. There shall be a nurse fur every barangay and industrial 
4 
establishment: PrOVided, that the nurse shall supervise other health workers in the 
5 
work area. 
6 
7 
There shall be a nurse for every school, whether private or public, primary, secondary 
8 
or tertiary. subject to the applicable ratio prescribed by the appropriate govermnent 
9 
agency. 
10 
11 
Sec. 53. Beginning Registered Nurse. - A beginning registered nurse shall provide 
12 
for safe and quality care to an individual, family. or group that is independent or 
13 
provided as part of a team. The nurse must be able to assess, plan, implement, and 
14 
evaluate the care provided to clients based on evidence derived from research. 
15 
16 
A beginning registered nurse must have the following minimum qualifications: 
17 
(\) Must be a Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduate from a higher educatioual 
18 
institution recognized by the CHED; 
19 
(2) Must be a registered nurse with currem certificate of registration and 
20 
professional identification card issued by the Commission; 
21 
(3) Must be physically, mentally and psychologically fit to practice nursing; and 
22 
(4) Must not be convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude. 
23 
24 
Sec. 54. Nursing Service Management. - Nursing Service Mauagement refers to the 
25 
Management and Administration of Nursing Services by Nurses equipped with the 
26 
necessary competencies on governance and leadership, to wit: 
27 
28 
(1) First Level Manager, is responsible directly fur the physical set-up of the unit, 
29 
structure and other human resources for health care provision. 
30 
(2) Middle Lel'el Manager, is responsible for the department or section handling more 
31 
than one (1) ortwo (2) units, taking care of the financial, logistic, operational 
32 
functions and others. 
19 


1 
(3) Top Level Manager, oversees all nursing units in tenns of financial and human 
2 
resources for health such as nurses and nursing assistants! adjuncts. 
3 
Nursing Service Managers must have the following minimum qualifications in 
4 
addition to the requirements of a Beginning Registered Nurse: 
5 
6 
(a) For first level managerial position in IlUrsing, must have at least eighteen (18) 
7 
units of nursing management and clinical subjects in Master of Arts in Nursing or 
8 
Master of Science in Nursing, at least three (3) years of clinical work experience, 
9 
and must have participated in at least one (1) research project to improve quality 
10 
of care; 
11 
(b) For middle level ml.D1agerial position ill I11fTsillg, must have completed all 
12 
academic requirements in Master of Arts in Nursing or Master of Science in 
13 
Nursing and must have at least three (3) years of clinical work and two (2) years 
14 
of management experience, and must have initiated at least one (I) research 
15 
project to improve quality of care; 
16 
(c) For top level managerial positio1l ill lll1rsillg. must have a post-graduate degree in 
17 
nursing or health management ~ related sciences and at least three (3) years of 
18 
clinical work and three (3) years of management experience, and must have 
19 
initiated at least two (2) research projects to improve quality of care; and 
20 
(d) For all mallagerial positions ~ Must present the appropriate Certificate of Nursing 
21 
Proficiency, or its equivalent, from the Board in observance of the Nursing 
22 
Leadership and Governance Certification Program (Nurse Administrator I, Nurse 
23 
Administrator II, Nursing Administration Specialist). 
24 
The above qualifications shall apply to all nurses occupying supervisory or 
25 
managerial positions across all health facilities. 
26 
Sec. 55. Public Health Practice. ~ A nursing servtce shall be organized and 
27 
operationalized in every local health agencies in order to ensure the nursing 
28 
component of public health programs. Thus, an ideal of having at least one (I) nurse 
29 
in every barangay shall be the thrust of public health in order to provide accessible, 
30 
available, and affordable quality health care to all More so, the ideal of having at 
31 
least one (I) nurse in every school, whether private or public, shall be prioritized in 
32 
every primary, secondary and tertiary educational institution in order to instill health 
20 


1 
awareness at an early stage and to improve the hea1l!th status of the students. 
2 
3 
Sec. 56. The Chief Nursing Officer (CNO). - The nursing service and delivery of 
4 
healthcare in a public health practice or community set-up must be under the control 
5 
and management of the Chief Nursing Officer OT CNO. The CNO shal1 carry full 
6 
administrative responsibility and shall have the authority on planning, organizing, 
7 
directing, and controlling of public health nurses. A CNO must have a minimum of 
8 
three (3) years practice in a community setting as a Public Health Nurse, and must 
9 
have at least five (5) years experience in relevant nursing practice setting. In addition, 
10 
the CNO in public health agency must be a master's degree holder in relevant nursing 
11 
practice setting, conferred by an educational institution duly recognized by the 
12 
Govermnent of the Philippines. 
13 
14 
The CNO is responsible for the fonnulation of policies, strategic and operational 
15 
planning, financial plan and resource allocation, policies and procedure development, 
16 
professional and organizational involvement to address epidemiologic problems and 
17 
provide statistical data, and shall exercise good governance and accountability of the 
18 
nursing personnel in a public health setting. The CNO shall also act as the advocate 
19 
for the rights and welfare of public health nurses. 
20 
21 
Sec. 57. Nurse Supervisor (NS). - The Nurse Supervisor or NS shall be in charge of 
22 
planning, organizing, directing and controlling activities within a demographic unit. A 
23 
NS must have a minimum of three (3) years practice in a community setting as a 
24 
Public Health Nurse, and must be a master's degree holder in Public Health Nursing 
25 
or its equivalent. 
26 
27 
Sec. 58. The Public Health Nurse (PaN). - The Public Health Nurse or PHN shall 
28 
perform the functions and activities of health promotion, such as the prevention and 
29 
treatment of various diseases and illnesses, in a particular public setting. The PHN 
30 
shall exercise a supervisory role to the midwives and barangay health workers within 
31 
her area. The PHN shall initiate and participate in developing policies and guidelines 
32 
to promote basic nursing services. 
21 


1 
2 
3 
ARTICLE X 
Prohibited Acts and Penal 
4 
Sec. 59. Prohibited Acts. - Any of the following shall constitute Wllawful and illegal 
5 
acts: 
6 
7 
(a) Any person who is'practicing the nursing profession in the Philippines: 
8 
9 
1. Without a certificate of registration, professional license, professional 
10 
identification card. special pennit or temporary permit or without 
11 
having been declared exempt from examination in accordance with the 
12 
provision of this Act; 
13 
2. Who uses a certificate of registration, professional license, professional 
14 
identification card, special permit or temporary permit of another; 
15 
3. Who uses an invalid certificate of registration, proressionallicense, a 
16 
suspended or revoked certificate of registration, professional license, or 
17 
an expired or cancelled special or temporary pennits; 
18 
4. Who, by any means of misrepresentation, false evidence, or 
19 
concealment, obtained a certificate of registration, profussionallicense, 
20 
professional identification card, special permit or temporary permit; 
21 
5. Who falsely poses or advertises as a registered and licensed nurse or 
22 
uses any other means that tend to convey the impression that he/she is 
23 
a registered and licensed nurse; 
24 
6. Who appends "Nurse", "Nars", or "Nrs." before his or her name or 
25 
B.S.N.IRN. (Bachelor of Science in NursinglRegistered Nurse) after 
26 
his or her name without having been conferred said degree or 
27 
registration; or 
28 
7. Who, as a registered and licensed nurse, abets or assists to the illegal 
29 
practice of a person who is not lawfully qualified to practice nursing; 
30 
(b) Any natural or juridical person, educational institutions offering BSN without 
31 
full compliance with the requirements prescribed by law conducts Continuing 
22 


1 
Professional Development for nurses without accreditation from the Board; or 
2 
any natural or juridical person or health fucility who uudertakes or offers ill-
3 
service training programs, for a fee and without permitJclearauce from the 
4 
Board and the Commission; 
5 
(c) Ally natural or juridical person or health facility who subscribes to sub-
6 
standard quality of nursing care and/or nursing practice, such as non-
7 
compliance with the nurse-to-patient ratio; 
8 
(d) Ally natural or juridical person or health fucility who exercises and promotes 
9 
precarious working conditions to nurses., such as, bnt not limited to, the 
10 
following: 
11 
1. Contracting or availing of the services of a nurse either without salary, 
12 
for allowance, for salary below the applicable wage prescribed under 
13 
this Act, whether or not under the pretext of a training, development 
14 
program, certification course and lor seminar; 
15 
2. Depriving or denying a nurse of the incentives and benefits as provided 
16 
for by the existing laws; 
17 
3. Collecting any fees from a nurse or from any person or agent in his or 
18 
her behalf in exchange for a nurse:'s voluntary services in a health 
19 
facility; 
20 
4. Requiring or obliging a volunteer nurse to perform the regular work 
21 
functions and/or regular work load expected from a regular staff nurse 
22 
employed by the health facility without proper compensation, to render 
23 
full-time service as a condition for the continued availment of his/her 
24 
volunteer services, and/or to be the sole nurse on duty, except during 
25 
disasters, calamities., public emergencies and war; 
26 
5. Contracting or availing of the services of a volunteer nurse, under the 
27 
pretext of On-The-Job Training (Orr), contract of service, and/or job 
28 
orders, in order to fill-up a vacant position that requires the hiring of a 
29 
full-time regular employed nurse, or for free in exchange for any type 
30 
of certification to be issued by the health facility for purposes of the 
31 
nurse's employment application; or 
23 


1 
6. Contracting or availing of the services of a oorse, under the pretext of 
2 
training or certification course, but requiring the nurse to render the 
3 
, tasks and responsibilities expected of a regular staff or public health 
4 
nurse, in violation of Section 48 hereof; 
5 
(e) Any violation of the provisions of this Act. 
6 
Sec. 60. Sanctions. -
A fine of not less than one hundred thousand pesos 
7 
(PIOO,OOO.OO) nor more than three hundred thousand pesos (p300,OOO.OO) or 
8 
imprisomnent of not less than one (1) year nor more than six (6) years, or both, upon 
9 
the discretion of the court, shall be imposed upon violation of any prohibited acts 
10 
enumerated in Section 59 (a) hereof. 
11 
12 
A fine of not less than three hundred thousand pesos (p300,OOO.OO) nor more than five 
13 
hundred thousand pesos (p500,OOO.OO) and/or imprisomnent of not less than one (I) 
14 
year nor more than six (6) years shall be imposed upon violation of any prohibited 
15 
acts enumerated in Section 59 (b), (c), (d), and (e) hereof. In addition, suspension or 
16 
revocation of license to operate the health facility may be issued upon the discretion 
17 
of the court. In case the violation is committed by a partnership, corporation, 
18 
association, or any other juridical person, the managing partner, president, director/s, 
19 
or manager who has committed or consented such violation shall be held directly 
20 
liable and responsible for the acts, as principal or as co-principalls with the other 
21 
participants, if any. 
22 
23 
Sec. 61. Refund and Compensation. - Any nurse found to have been a victim of 
24 
Section 59 (d) hereof shall be entitled to a full refund of all fees illegally collected 
2S 
fees and charges and the payment of unpaid salal)', if any which should not be less 
26 
than the applicable wage for services rendered. 
27 
ARTICLE XI 
28 
Miscellaneous 
29 
30 
Sec. 62. Implementing Agencies. - The Department of Health (DOH) is hereby 
31 
designated as the agency tasked with monitoring the compliance with and 
32 
implementation of the provisions of this Act by public health facilities. The 
33 
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is designated as the agency tasked 
24 


1 
with monitoring the compliance with and implementations of the provisions of this 
2 
Act by private health facilities. The Commission and the Board are designated as the 
3 
agencies tasked with monitoring the compliance with and implementations of the 
4 
provisions of this Act by educational institutions, CPD providers and health facilities. 
5 
The CHED is similarly designated as the agency tasked with monitoring the 
6 
compliance with and implementations of the provisions of this Act by educational 
7 
institutions with regard to nursing education programs and curriculum. 
8 
9 
Sec. 63. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carty out the provisions of this 
10 
Act shall be charged to savings of the concerned agencies immediately upon 
11 
effectivity hereof. Every year thereafter, the amounts necessary to effectively 
12 
implement the provisions of this Act shall be included in the annual budget of the 
13 
concerned agencies to be incorporated in the Genernl Appropriations Act (GAA). 
14 
15 
In order to effectively carry out the advance practice of the nursing program, 
16 
the annual financial requirement needed to train at least ten percent (10%) of the 
17 
nursing staff of the participating government hospitals and institutions shall be 
18 
chargeable against the income of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) 
19 
and the Philippine Amusement And Gaming CotpOTation (pAGCOR), which shall 
20 
. equally share in the costs; the same shall be released to the Department of Health 
21 
subject to the usual accounting and auditing procedures. Provided, that the 
22 
Department of Health shall set the budget for, as well as the criteria for the availment 
23 
of this program. 
24 
25 
Sec. 64. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety days (90) after the 
26 
effectivity of this Act, the Commission, the Board, the AIPO for registered nurses, the 
27 
Civil Service Commission, the Department of Budget and Management, the 
28 
Department of Health and other concerned nursing organizations and government 
29 
agencies, shall formulate the implementing rules and regulations necessary to carty-
30 
out the provisions of this Act. The implementing rules and regulations shall be 
31 
published in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
32 
circulation. 
33 
34 
Sec. 65. Separability Clause. -
Should any provision of this Act be declared 
35 
unconstitutional, the remaining parts not affected thereby shall remain valid and 
25 


1 
operational. 
2 
3 
Sec. 66. Repealing Clanse. ~ Republic Act No. 9173, othetwise known as the 
4 
"Philippine Nursing Act of 2002" is hereby repealed. All other laws, decrees, orders, 
5 
circulars, issuances, 
rules 
and regulations 
and 
parts thereof which 
are 
6 
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
7 
8 
Sec. 67. Effectivity. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
9 
in the Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the 
10· Philippines. 
Approved, 
26