SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
Senate BiUNo. 2305 
"sFrllitt' 
(~if';. "I til' ~m't.,~ 
'14 
JUL 10 P2:12 
RECEIVED BY:_-f--
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
PROFESSIONALIZING THE PRACTICE OF AUDIOLOGY AND CREATING 
FOR THIS PURPOSE A PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF 
AUDIOLOGY, 
APPROPRIATING 
FUNDS 
THEREFOR, 
UPGRADING 
AUDIOLOGIC EDUCATION, INTEGRATING AUDIOLOGISTS, AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The government, particularly the health sector has not given much attention to 
the practice of audiology. The lack of qualified audiologists in the country and the 
non-recognition of their profession have discouraged them to stay in the country 
and thus seek better employment opportunities abroad. 
For instance, the Philippines has only two (2) formal training programs, with 
relatively low enrollment rate. Unfortunately, the graduates of these programs 
find employment outside the country where they gain the recognition they 
deserve. While we give recognition and importance to optometry in the field of 
vision, we have yet to recognize audiology as a profession in the Philippines. 
This bill seeks to professionalize the practice of Audiology and to create a 
Professional Regulatory Board of Audiology. It also seeks to upgrade audiologic 
education and integrate audiologists and audiometricians in order to safeguard 
and enhance healthy hearing as a regular component of the primary health care 
system. 
This measure was previously filed by Sen. Manny Villar in the 15th Congress. 
The immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
Senator 


. , 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 2305 
'14 
JUL 10 P2:13 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
PROFESSIONALIZING THE PRACTICE OF AUDIOLOGY AND CREATING 
FOR THIS PURPOSE A PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF 
AUDIOLOGY, 
APPROPRIATING 
FUNDS 
THEREFOR, 
UPGRADING 
AUDIOLOGIC EDUCATION, INTEGRATING AUDIOLOGISTS, AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
. in Congress assembled: 
1 
ARTICLE I 
2 
TITLE, DECLARATION OF POLICY, DEFINITION OF TERMS 
3 
4 
5 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Audiology Act of 
6 
2014". 
7 
8 
9 
SEC. 2. Declaration of State Policy. - The State recognizes the essential role of 
10 
audiology as a profession in safeguarding and enhancing the health and general 
II 
physical well-being of the citizenry. 
Audiologic services shall therefore be 
12 
promoted as a regular component of the primary health care system. 
13 
14 
15 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall be 
16 
defined as follows: 
17 
18 . 
(a) "Audiology" -
the science and art of hearing, whether normal or 
19 
disordered, as a fundamental component of human communicatory 
20 
behavior; the development and application of effective strategies leading 
21 
to optimal use of sensory and oral expressive skills in hearing-impaired 
22 
children and adults; analyzing and evaluating the auditory function through 
23 
behavioral and physiologic tests; selecting, prescribing and dispensing 
24 
hearing aids, auditory assistive devices and their accessories and 
25 
solutions, and similar appliances and devices; 
using educational 
26 
techniques to enhance visual. perception of speech (speech reading) and 
27 
to improve auditory discrimination; developing and maintaining optimal 
28 
speech and voice skills; counseling regarding educational, social or 
29 
vocational concerns that may occur as a consequence of hearing 
30 
impairment; and implementation of programs for hearing conservation, 


1 
and for the prevention of reduced auditory function; and other preventive 
2 
or corrective measures or procedures for the aid, correction, habilitation, 
3 
rehabilitation or relief of human hearing, or to attain optimum audition and 
4 
comfort; 
5 
6 
(b) "Audiometry" - the measurement of hearing, including many procedures 
7 
and tests used to define the type, degree, and communicative 
8 
consequences of hearing loss; utilizing clinical hearing tests to evaluate 
9 
sensitivity and discrimination (acuity) aspects of audition; including, but not 
10 
limited to tone and speech aUdiometry based on behavioral responses, 
11 
electrophysiologic procedures, acoustic-immitance measures, loudness 
12 
recruitment, loudness adaptation, and tests of central auditory dysfunction; 
13 
14 
(c) "Audiologist" - a natural person who, having satisfactorily completed an 
15 
academic program leading to at least a bachelor's degree in audiology or 
16 
its equivalent or higher degree, inclusive of at least 300 hours of 
17 
supervised clinical experience, followed by the equivalent of six months 
18 
full-time professional experience under the supervision of a certified 
19 
audiologist, has passed the national Board Examination in Audiology 
20 
administered by the Board of Audiology, and has been granted a 
21 
Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in audiology and registered with 
22 
the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) as being qualified to 
23 
practice Audiology in the Philippines; 
24 
25 
(d) "Audiologist in good standing" - a registered audiologist who is authorized 
26 
to practice the profession in the Philippines by virtue of a valid certificate 
27 
of registration and a valid professional license issued by the PRC for the 
28 
purpose; 
29 
30 
(e) "Audiometrician" - a natural person who has not satisfactorily completed 
31 
an academic program leading to a bachelor's degree in audiology or its 
32 
equivalent; and has not passed the national Board Examination in 
33 
Audiology administered by the Board of Audiology, but by virtue of 
34 
accredited coursework and clinical experience has been accredited by the 
35 
Board of Audiology for the limited practice of Audiometry in the Philippines 
36 
under the supervision of an Audiologist in good standing; 
37 
38 
(f) "Audiometrician in good standing" -
a qualified audiometrician who by 
39 
virtue of a valid certificate of accreditation in aUdiometry issued by the 
40 
Board of Audiology for the purpose is authorized in the limited practice of 
41 
audiometry in the Philippines under the supervision of an Audiologist in 
42 
good standing; 
. 
43 
44 
(g) "Certificate of registration" - a document signed by the Chair of the PRC 
45 
and by all members of the Board of Audiology and bearing its seal, issued 
46 
to an applicant who has satisfied the requirements for the practice of 
47 
audiology. It shall serve as proof that the registrant is qualified to practice 
48 
the respective professions in the Philippines; 
49 
50 
(h) "Professional license" -
a renewable card, issued by the PRC to a 
51 
registered audiologist, indicating that he / she is competent and authorized 
52 
to practice audiology in the Philippines. Until the loss of its validity or its 
53 
expiration, such license shall serve as evidence that its bearer is an 
54 
audiologist or audiometrician in good standing; 
55 
56 
(i) "Certificate of Accreditation" - a document signed by all members of the 
57 
Board of Audiology and bearing its seal, issued to an applicant who has 
2 


,I 
,I 
1 
satisfied the requirements for the limited practice of audiometry in the 
2 
Philippines under the supervision of an Audiologist in good standing. It 
3 
shall serve as proof that the person is accredited for the limited practice of 
4 
aUdiometry in the Philippines under the supervision of an Audiologist in 
5 
good standing; 
6 
7 
U) "Code of professional ethics" - a set of standards relating to the conduct, 
8 
integrity and moral duties of audiologists, as prescribed by the Philippine 
9 
Society of Audiology as the duly integrated and accredited national 
10 
organization of audiologists, and adopted and promulgated by the Board 
11 
of Audiology upon approval by the PRC. 
12 
13 
14 
ARTICLE II 
15 
THE PRACTICE OF AUDIOLOGY 
16 
17 
18 
SEC. 4. Acts Constituting the Practice of Audioliogy. - Any of the following acts 
19 
constitute the practice of Audiology: 
20 
21 
(a) The analysis and evaluation of human auditory function through the 
22 
employment of clinical subjective (behavioral) and objective (physiologic) 
23 
procedures and tests to measure hearing and define the type, degree, and 
24 
communicative consequences of hearing loss; including the use of specific 
25 
instruments, tools, equipment, implements, aids, apparatuses, machines, 
26 
exercises and related devices, for the purpose of determining the 
27 
condition, sensitivity and discrimination (acuity) of human hearing to 
28 
correct and improve the same when not medically or surgically treatable, 
29 
in accordance with subsections (b), (c), and (d) hereof; 
30 
31 
(b) The selection, prescription and dispensing of hearing aids, auditory 
32 
assistive devices and their accessories and solutions, and supplies for the 
33 
purpose of correcting and treating defects, deficiencies and abnormalities 
34 
of audition that are not medically or surgically treatable; 
35 
36 
(c) The use of educational techniques to enhance visual perception of speech 
37 
(speech reading) and to improve auditory discrimination, developing and 
38 
maintaining optimal speech and voice skills; conduct of auditory exercises 
39 . 
and hearing habilitation and rehabilitation, the provision of other 
40 
measures, devices and procedures to aid, correct, habilitate, rehabilitate 
41 
or relieve abnormalities of human audition and attain optimum audition 
42 
and comfort except those that should be medically or surgically provided; 
43 
44 
(d) The counseling of patients regarding educational, social or vocational 
45 
concerns that may occur as a consequence of hearing impairment; and 
46 
implementation of programs for hearing conservation, and for the 
47 
prevention of reduced auditory function; 
48 
49 
(e) The establishment of offices, clinics, and similar places where audiologic 
50 
services are offered; and, 
51 
52 
(f) The collection of professional fees for the performance of any of the acts 
53 
mentioned in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d) of this section. 
54 
55 
56 
SEC. 5. Prohibition Against the Unauthorized Practice of Audiology. - No person 
57 
shall practice audiology as defined in Section 3 of this Act nor perform any of the 
3 


· ' 
1 
acts constituting the practice of audiology as set forth in Section 4 hereof, without 
2 
having been first admitted to the practice of this profession under the provisions 
3 
of this Act and its implementing rules and regulations; 
Provided, That this 
4 
prohibition shall not apply to regularly licensed and duly registered physicians 
5 
who have received post-graduate training in the diagnosis and treatment of 
6 
hearing disorders and ear diseases; Provided, however, That the examination of 
7 
the human ear and auditory apparatus by duly registered physicians in 
8 
connection with the physical examination of patients shall not be considered as 
9 
practice of audiology; Provided, further, That the evaluation and management of 
10 
speech and voice functions and dysfunctions by speech pathologists, therapists 
11 
and phoniatrists shall not be considered as the practice of audiology; Provided, 
12 
further, That public health workers and health care providers trained and involved 
13 
in the govemment's "Universal Newbom Hearing Screening Program for the 
14 
Prevention, Early Diagnosis and Intervention of Hearing Loss" or Republic Act 
15 
No. 9709 and other hearing conservation programs may conduct only specific 
16 
hearing acuity tests and 
hearing 
screening; 
Provided, 
further, 
That 
17' audiometricians in good standing may only perform their limited duties and 
18 
services under supervision of an audiologist in good standing. 
19 
20 
21 
SEC. 6. Disclosure of Authority to Practice. - An audiologist shall be required to 
22 
indicate his or her professional license number and the date of its expiration in 
23 
the documents he or she issues or signs in connection with the practice of his or 
24 
her profession. He / she shall also display his or her certificate of registration in a 
25 
conspicuous area of his or her clinic or office. 
26 
27 
28 
ARTICLE 1\1 
29 
THE PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF AUDIOLOGY 
30 
31 
32 
SEC. 7. 
The Professional Regulatory Board of Audiology. - There is hereby 
33 
created a Professional Regulatory Board of Audiology, hereinafter referred to as 
34 
the Board, composed of five (5) members who shall be appointed by the 
35 
President of the Philippines, upon the recommendation of the PRC, from a list of 
36 
ten (10) nominees submitted by the' duly integrated and accredited national 
37 
organization of audiologists, the Philippine Society of Audiology. 
38 
39 
40 
SEC. 8. 
Minimum Qualifications of Board Members. -
Only person who 
41 
possesses the following qualifications may be nominated and appointed to the 
42 
BQard: 
43 
44 
(a) A natural-born citizen of the Philippines; 
45 
46 
(b) A duly registered audiologist in good standing holding a valid Certificate of 
47 
Registration; Provided, That in the case of the first members of the Board 
48 
of Audiology, they shall be issued Certificates of Registration as 
49 
Audiologists without prior examination; 
50 
51 
(c) At least thirty-five (35) years of age at the time of his or her appointment; 
52 
53 
(d) Of good moral character; and, 
54 
55 
(e) In active practice of the profession for at least ten (10) years prior to his or 
56 
her appointment: Provided, That for purposes of creating the initial Board, 
57 
active practice of the profession for at least five (5) years prior to his or her 
4 


1 
appointment will suffice; Provided further, That a person who is a member 
2 
of the faculty, whether full time, part time or lecturer of any school, college 
3 
or university where a regular course in audiology is taught, or who has any 
4 
pecuniary interest, directly or indirectly, in such an institution must forego 
5 
his or her membership in said faculty or relinquish his or her interests in 
6 
said institution before or upon taking his or her oath as a member of the 
7 
Board; 
Provided, further, That an incumbent officer of the Philippine 
8 
Society of Audiology or any audiologic association is disqualified from 
9 
concurrently being appointed to or serving in the Board. 
10 
11 
12 
SEC. 9. Term of Office. - The members of the Board shall hold office for a non-
13 
renewable term of five (5) years, starting on the date of appointment and until 
14 
their successors shall have been appointed; Provided, however, That the first 
15 
appointees to the Board shall hold office as follows: the chairperson for five (5) 
16 
years and the four (4) other members for fixed terms of four (4), three (3), two 
17 
(2), and one (1) year/s, such that the term of one member shall be due to expire 
18 
every year. Thereafter, one member shall be appointed for the full term every 
19 
year and such member, in the last year of his or her term, shall automatically 
20 
become the chairperson of the Board. Vacancies brought about by reasons other 
21 
than expiration of term shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term only. 
22 
23 
24 
SEC. 10. Removal or Suspension of Board Members. - Any member of the 
25 
Board, after having been given the opportunity to defend himself or herself in a 
26 
proper administrative investigation conducted by the PRC, may be removed by 
27 
the President of the Philippines for neglect of duty, incompetence, malpractice, or 
28 
unprofessional, unethical, immoral or dishonorable conduct. During the process 
29 
of investigation, the President of the Philippines may suspend such member 
30 
under investigation for a period of not more than sixty (60) days and appoint a 
31 
temporary member in his place. 
32 
33 
34 
SEC. 11. Compensation of Board Members. - The members of the Board shall 
35. each receive compensation in accordance with the rules and regulations of the 
36 
Professional Regulatory Commission. 
37 
38 
39 
SEC. 12. Functions and Powers of the Board. - The Board is hereby vested with 
40 
authority to: 
41 
42 
(a) Promulgate the rules and regulations for the practice of audiology, subject 
43 
to the approval of the PRC and in accordance with the provisions of this 
44 
Act; 
45 
46 
(b) Administer and enforce the rules and regulations specified in the 
47 
preceding sections; 
48 
49 
(c) Determine, prepare, adopt, issue or amend the syllabi and contents of, 
50 
and questions for licensure examinations, adopt measures to ensure the 
51 
integrity thereof, correct and rate the examination papers and submit the 
52 
results thereof to the PRC; 
53 
54 
(d) Formulate and oversee, in consultation and coordination with the PRC, 
55 
guidelines for the proper conduct of licensure examinations and the 
56 
registration of audiologists as well as the accreditation of audiometricians; 
57 
5 


1 
(e) Issue, suspend, revoke and reissue certificates of registration of qualified 
2 
audiologists and renew their professional licenses and issue, suspend, 
3 
revoke and reissue certificates of accreditation of audiometricians; 
4 
5 
(f) Impose reasonable requirements and conditions, such as attendance in 
6 
continuing education activities and programs, for the renewal of an 
7 
audiologist's license to practice and for the purpose of upgrading the 
8 
professional competence of audiologists and audiometricians; 
9 
10 
I(g) Maintain a registry of audiologists and audiometricians in good standing; 
11 
12 
(h) Adopt, promulgate and disseminate the Code of Ethics for the practice of 
13 
audiology in the Philippines; 
14 
15 
(i) Administer oaths in connection with the implementation of this Act; 
16 
17 
(j) Conduct hearings and investigations to resolve complaints against 
18 
practitioners of' audiology for malpractice, unethical and unprofessional 
19 
conduct, and violations of this Act or its implementing rules and 
20 
regulations, and in connection therewith, issue subpoena ad testificandum 
21 . 
and subpoena duces tecum and punish with 
contempt persons 
22 
obstructing, impeding and/or otherwise interfering with the conduct of such 
23 
proceedings; 
24 
25 
(k) Conduct ocular inspections of establishments and/or premises where 
26 
audiologic services are offered to ascertain that professional standards 
27 
are complied with; 
28 
29 
(I) Upon application, to issue an order enjoining or abating the illegal practice 
30 
of audiology by unqualified persons; 
31 
32 
(m)lmpose fines and penalties, after due process and in accordance with the 
33 
provision of this Act, for causes provided for by law or by the rules and 
34 
regulations promulgated therefor; 
35 
36 
(n) Evaluate periodically the status of audiologic education and recommend 
37 
and/or adopt measures to upgrade and maintain its high standards; and, 
38 
39 
(0) Study the conditions affecting the practice of audiology in all parts of the 
40 
Philippines, and, whenever necessary, adopt such measures as may be 
41 
deemed proper for the maintenance of good ethics and high professional 
42 
standards of audiologic practice. 
43 
44 
45 
SEC. 13. Quorum in Board Meetings. - The attendance of three (3) members 
46 
shall constitute a quorum for the Board to officially transact business. 
47 
48 
49 
SEC. 14. Votes Required in Administrative Cases. - To render a decision in an 
,50 
administrative case for unethical practice, malpractice, immorality, dishonesty, 
51 
and related charges affecting the professional fitness and integrity of an 
52 
audiologist or audiometrician, the vote of three (3) members must be obtained; 
53 
Provided, That in case members are disqualified to vote by virtue of their relation 
54 
to or interest in any of the parties or voluntarily inhibits themselves from 
55 
participating in the proceedings, the Board shall designate, with the approval of 
56 
the Commission, an audiologist in good standing who is respected in the 
6 


1 
audiologic community for their probity and integrity to sit in the Board, participate 
2 
in the proceedings and vote on the case. 
3 
4 
5 
SEC. 15. Supervision of the Board and Custody of its Records. - The members 
6 
of the Board shall be under the general supervision of the PRC. All records, 
7 
including examination papers, examination results, minutes of deliberations, 
8 
records of administrative cases and investigation of the Board shall be kept by 
9 
the said Commission. 
10 
11 
12 
SEC. 16. Annual Report. - The Board shall, at the end of each calendar year, 
13 
submit to the Commission an annual report of its activities and proceedings 
14 
during the year. Other information or data may be requested by the Commission 
15 
as often as may be necessary and practicable. 
16 
17 
18 
SECTION IV 
19 
THE. AUDIOLOGY BOARD EXAMINATIONS 
20 
21 
22 
SEC. 17. Licensure Examination. - Every applicant seeking to be registered as 
23 
an audiologist shall undergo an examination as provided in this Act. 
24 
Examinations for the practice of audiology or limited practice of audiometry in the 
25 
Philippines shall be given by the Board at least once every year in such places 
26 
and dates as the PRC may designate. 
27 
28 
29 
SEC. 18. Scope of Examination. - The Board of Audiology shall prescribe the 
30 
scope and prepare the contents of the licensure examinations. In the discharge 
31 
of this function, the Board shall take into account recent developments in 
32 
audiology and audiometry as well as the academic standards imposed by the 
33 
Commission on Higher Education on educational institutions which offer a course 
34 
in audiology. 
35 
36 
37 
SEC. 19. ReqUirements for Examination of Applicants. - To be eligible to take 
38' the licensure examination in audiology, the applicant must be: 
39 
40 
(a) A Filipino citizen; 
41 
42 
(b) Of good moral character; 
43 
44 
(c) A holder of at least the degree of Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of 
45 
Science (B.Sc.) in Audiology or its equivalent or higher degree (such as 
46 
Master in Clinical Audiology, M.Clin.Aud.; Master of Audiology, M.Aud.; 
47 
Doctor of Audiology, Au. D.; Doctor of Philosophy in Audiology, PhD; or 
48 
Doctor of Science in Audiology, D.Sc.) obtained from a school, college, 
49 
university or institution duly accredited or recognized by the government, 
50 
with coursework inclusive of the following minimum basic subject areas: 
51 
mathematics; 
human 
biology; 
chemistry; 
biochemistry; 
physics; 
52 
psychology; sociology; history, English and Filipino; and the following 
53 
Audiology Major Subject areas: anatomy and physiology of speech and 
54 
hearing; basic acoustics for speech and hearing; introduction to disorders 
55 
of speech and hearing processes (pathophysiology); introduction to 
56 
audiology, hearing loss and audiometry; normal speech and language 
57 
acquisition and development; introduction to language and communication 
7 


1 
disorders; psychology of language; clinical methods in audiology; aural 
2 
habilitation, rehabilitation and amplification; Philippine sign language; 
3 
audiology ethics and jurisprudence; audiology economics and practice 
4 
management; environmental and public health audiology; pediatric 
5 
audiology; audiology practicum one and two and audiology research 
6 
methods. 
7 
8 
9 
SEC. 20. Minimum Passing Level. - In order for a candidate to be considered to 
10 
have successfully passed the examination, he or she must have obtained a 
11 
general average of at least seventy-five percent (75%) in all subjects, with no 
12 
rating below fifty percent (50%) in any subject. 
13 
14 
15 
SEC. 21. Report of the Result of the Examination. - The Board shall report the 
16 
ratings obtained by each candidate to the PRC within sixty (60) days after the 
17 
last examination day, unless extended by the Commission. The PRC shall cause 
18 
the publication of the names of successful candidates in alphabetical order, 
19 
without the ratings obtained by each, within sixty (60) days of the date the 
20 
Commission receives the aforementioned report from the Board. 
21 
22 
23 
SEC. 22. Additional Requirement for Reexamination. - Any applicant who, for 
24 
the third time, fails to pass the board examination shall not be allowed to take the 
25 
next succeeding examination without submitting to the Board proof that he or she 
26 
has taken a refresher course in a duly accredited institute. 
27 
28 
29 
SECTION V 
30 
REGISTRATION AND LICENSURE OF AUDIOLOGISTS 
31 
32 
33 
SEC. 23. Oath of Audiologists. - All successful examinees shall be required to 
34 
take their oath before the Board or before any person authorized to administer 
35 
oaths prior to the issuance of the certificate of registration: Provided, however, 
36 
That the applicant is not disqualified under any of the provisions of Section 24 
37 
hereof. 
38 
39 
40 
SEC. 24. Disqualification. - The following applicants shall not be allowed to take 
41 
their oath as audiologists nor issued certificates of registration: 
42 
43 
(a) Those who do not possess the qualifications set forth in Section 19 of this 
44 
Act; 
45 
46 
(b) Those who fail to pass the Audiology Board licensure examination; 
47 
48 
(c) Those who have been convicted by final judgment of any crime involving 
49 
moral turpitude by any court; 
50 
51 
(d) Those who have been found guilty by the Board of immoral or 
52 
dishonorable conduct; and, 
53 
54 . 
(e) Those who have been declared to be of unsound mi'nd. 
55 
56 
Such fact of disqualification shall be communicated by the Board to the applicant 
57 
by written statement, which statement shall form part of the records of the Board. 
8 


1 
2 
3 
SEC. 25. Registration. - The PRC shall register successful examinees who have 
4 
taken their oath and thereafter grant them professional licenses to practice 
5 
audiology. The certificate of registration shall be considered as evidence that the 
6 
registrant is qualified to practice audiology in the Philippines. 
7 
8 
9 
SEC. 26. Registration Without Taking Licensure Examination. - A person who 
10 
possesses the pertinent qualifications listed below pursuant to the provisions of 
11 
this Act may be registered without examination: 
12 
13 
(a) Was a doctoral, masters or bachelors degree holder in Audiology from a 
14 
recognized institution with at least three (3) years of teaching Audiology 
15 
courses and/or audiology practice in the Philippines for the same period; 
16 
or, 
17 
18 
(b) Was a PRC duly-registered Doctor of Medicine in the Philippines and fully 
19 
certified Diplomate of the Philippine Board of Otolaryngology Head and 
20 
Neck Surgery with at least five (5) years clinical experience in the practice 
21 
of audiology in the Philippines; or, 
22 
23 
(c) Had passed at least eighteen (18) units of tertiary level (doctoral, masteral 
24 
or baccalaureate) courses in Audiology and had at least seven (7) years of 
25 
clinical experience in audiology. 
26 
27 
Provided, That the applicant files with the Board within three (3) years after its 
28 
creation, an application for registration, issuance of a Certificate of Registration 
29 
and Professional Identification Card by submitting credentials showing that the 
30 
applicant was a member of good standing in the Philippine Society of Audiology 
31 
for three years before the effectively of this Act. 
32 
33 
34 
SEC. 27. 
Accreditation. - The Board of Audiology shall grant certificates of 
35 
accreditation for the limited practice audiometry to successful examinees. It shall 
36 
serve as proof that the person is accredited for the limited practice of aUdiometry 
37 
in the Philippines under the supervision of an Audiologist in good standing. 
38 
39 
40 
SEC. 28. Revocation of Certificates and Suspension of Professional Licenses. -
41 
The Board may, after giving proper notice and hearing to the party concerned, 
42 
revoke an audiologist's certificate of registration or suspend his or her license to 
43 
practice for any unprofessional or unethical conduct, malpractice, or violation of 
44 
any of the provisions of this Act or its rules and regulations, or upon the 
45 
conviction of the audiologist of a crime involving moral turpitude. 
The same 
46 
applies to an audiometrician's certificate of accreditation. 
47 
48 
49 
SEC. 29. 
Appeals. -
The revocation of a certificate or suspension of a 
50 
professional license by the Board shall become final unless appealed to the PRC 
51 
within fifteen (15) days from receipt of the decision. 
52 
53 
54 
SEC. 30. 
Reinstatement, Reissuance or Replacement of Certificates. - The 
55 
Board may, upon application and for reasons deemed proper and sufficient, 
56 
reinstate any suspended certificate of registration or accreditation, or issue 
9 


1 
another certificate in lieu of one previously revoked, and in so doing it may, in its 
2 
discretion, exempt the applicant from taking another examination. 
3 
4 
A new certificate to replace any certificate lost, destroyed or mutilated may be 
5 
issued subject to the rules that may be implemented by the Board. 
6 
7 
8 
SEC. 31. Renewal of Professional Licenses. - All licenses shall be renewable 
9 
every three (3) years and shall be considered renewed only upon satisfying the 
10 
requirements imposed by the Board, such as attendance in continuing education 
11 
programs and payment of the corresponding fees as may be fixed by the Board 
12 
in accordance with the schedule of fees fixed by the PRC. 
13 
14 
15 
SECTION VI 
16 
AUDIOLOGIC EDUCATION 
17 
18 
19 
SEC. 32. 
The Technical Panel on Audiological Education. -
To attain the 
20 
objective of upgrading Audiologic education in the Philippines, the Commission 
21 
on Higher Education, pursuant to Section 12 of Republic Act No. 7722 shall, 
22 
within sixty (60) days after the approval of this Act, convene and organize a 
23 
technical panel on audiologic education. For this purpose, senior practitioners, 
24 
specialists, academicians in the field of audiology and a representative from the 
25 
Philippine Society of Audiology as the accredited national organization of 
26 
audiologists shall be appointed and tapped to assist in the following: 
27 
28 
(a) Setting a minimum standard curriculum for the study of audiology to be 
29 
implemented in all schools offering audiology as an undergraduate course 
30 
and degree; 
31 
32 
(b) Establishing teaching standards, including the qualifications of members 
33 
of the faculty of schools and colleges of audiology; 
34 
35 
(c) Monitoring the progress of the program on the study of audiology and 
36 
undertaking measures or the attainment of a high quality of audiologic 
37 
education in the country; and, 
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39 
(d) Evaluating periodically the performance of educational institutions offering 
40 
audiologic education for the purpose of granting accreditation and 
41 
incentives as well as for the imposition of sanctions when warranted. 
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43 
44 
SECTION VII 
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PROHIBITED ACTS AND PENALTIES 
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47 
48 
SEC. 33. Prohibited Acts. - The following acts are prohibited: 
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50 
(a) Giving false or forged evidence of any kind to the Board or to any member 
51 
thereof for the purpose of obtaining a certification of registration or a 
52 . 
professional license; 
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54 
(b) Assumption, use or advertisement by a person, not holding a valid 
55 
certificate of registration and a valid professional license in accordance 
56 
with this Act, ora description, in connection with his name or title, tending 
57 
to convey the impression that he or she is a duly registered audiologist; 
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1 
2 
(c) Any form of advertisement in media outlets giving information and 
3 
impression to the public that the particular audiologist is better than the 
4 
others, is collecting lower professional fees or selling cheaper hearing aids 
5 
or devices; 
6 
7 
(d) Engaging in unauthorized practice of audiology as defined in Section 5 of 
8 
this Act; and, 
9 
10 
(e) Violation by any person, whether natural or juridical, of any of the 
11 
provisions of this Act and the rules and regulations promulgated for its 
12 
effective implementation. 
13 
14 
15 
SEC. 34. Penal Provisions. - The commission of any of the prohibited acts listed 
16 
in the immediately preceding section shall be punished with imprisonment of not 
17 
less than one (1) year but not more than eight (8) years, or a fine of not less than 
18 
Fifty Thousand pesos (P50,000.00) but not more than One Hundred Thousand 
19 
pesos (Pi 00,000.00), or both, at the discretion of the court. 
20 
21 
In addition, the administrative penalties specified in Section 27 hereof shall be 
22 
imposed whenever applicable.(Check does this refer to Section 28). 
23 
24 
If the violation is committed by an association, partnership, corporation or any 
25 
other institution, the managing officers and other persons responsible for its 
26 
commission shall be liable for the penalties provided for in this Act. 
27 
28 
29 
SECTION VIII 
30 
PROFESSIONAL AND ETHICAL STANDARDS 
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32 
33 
SEC. 35. Foreign Reciprocity. - No foreigner shall be admitted to the audiology 
34 
board examinations unless he or she proves in the manner prescribed by the 
35 
Rules of Court that by specific provision of law, the country of which he / she is a 
36 
citize[l, subject or national, either admits Filipino citizens to the practice of 
37 
audiology without restriction, or allows them to practice audiology after an 
38 
examination on terms of strict and absolute equality with citizens, subjects or 
39 
nationals of said country, including the unconditional recognition of prerequisite 
40 
degrees prescribed by the Commission on Higher Education; 
Provided, 
41 
however, That the Board, upon approval by the PRC, may grant a special permit 
42 
to a foreign audiologist to practice the profession in this country whether or not 
43 
reciprocity exists between his or her country and the Philippines and under such 
44 
conditions as may be determined by the Board, if such foreigner is intemationally 
45 
known to be an outstanding expert in the profession or a well-known specialist in 
46 
any of its branches, and that his or her services will promote the advancement of 
47 
the profession in the Philippines. 
The Board is also hereby authorized to 
48 
prescribe, upon approval by the PRC, additional requirements or grant certain 
49 
privileges to foreigners, seeking registration in the Philippines if the same 
sO 
privileges are granted to or some additional requirements are required of citizens 
51 
of the Philippines in acquiring the same certificate in his country. 
52 
53 
54 
SEC. 36. Rules and Regulations. - The Board shall set professional standards 
55 
for the practice of audiology in the Philippines and adopt such rules and 
56 
regulations as may be necessary to carry out the proVisions of this Act, subject to 
57 
the approval of the PRC. Such standards, rules and regulations shall take effect 
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• 
1 
thirty (30) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or any newspaper of 
2 
general circulation. 
3 
4 
5 
SEC. 37. Integration of Audiologists. - In order for every audiologist to contribute 
6 
to his or her profession and to bear his or her share of professional 
7 
responsibilities, all audiologists shall be encouraged to join and be integrated into 
8 
one national organization, the Philippine Society of Audiology, which shall be 
9 
recognized by the Board and the PRe. Every audiologist, upon registration with 
10 
the Board, may become a member of the integrated national organization. 
II 
Those who have been registered with the Board before the effectivity of this Act 
12 
may register as members of the integrated organization within three (3) years 
13 
after said effectivity. 
14 
15 
16 
SEC. 38. 
Purposes. - The integrated national organization of Audiologists -
17 
Philippine Society of Audiology shall promulgate the Code of Ethics for the 
18 
practice of the profession, define the professional responsibilities of its members, 
19 
ensure adherence to said professional ethics and responsibilities, improve the 
20 
standards of the profession and enable all audiologists to discharge their public 
21 
responsibility more effectively. 
22 
23 
24 
SEC. 39. Membership Fees and Dues. - All members shall be subject to the 
25 
payment of reasonable fees and dues for the effective discharge of the purposes 
26 
of the integrated national organization, the Philippine Society of Audiology. An 
27 
audiologist shall receive the benefits and privileges appurtenant to his or her 
28 
membership only upon payment of the required membership fees and dues. 
29 
30 
31 
SEC. 40. Other Organizations. - The integration of audiologists into one national 
32 
organization - the Philippine Society of Audiology, shall not prohibit the creation 
33 
of other associations of audiologists organized by individual audiologists 
34 
themselves. 
35 
36 
37 
SEC. 41. Code of Professional Ethics. - The Board shall adopt the Professional 
38 
Code of Ethics promulgated by the integrated national organization of 
39 
audiologists - the Philippine Society of Audiology; Provided, That such Code 
40 
provides that it is the duty of an audiologist to: 
41 
42 
(a) Consider as his or her primary responsibility the auditory welfare of the 
43 
public; 
44 
45 
(b) Promote the best possible standards of professional care; 
46 
47 
(c) Enhance continuously his or her theoretical and practical proficiency; 
48 
49 
(d) Render his or her services with equal diligence to all, regardless of race, 
50 
creed or status; 
51 
52 
(e) Respect the confidential nature of information concerning those he or she 
53 
serves; and, 
54. 
55 
(f) Refer for medical or other professional attention where the need is 
56 
indicated. 
57 
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.s 
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1 
The Board shall also distribute the Code of Ethics of the Audiologic Profession in 
2 
the Philippines to all new audiologists during their oathtaking. 
3 
4 
Any act or omission which violates this Code shall be considered as unethical 
5 
conduct and shall be suspended or prohibited from the practice of audiology, in 
6 
accordance with Section 28 of this Act. 
7 
8 
9 
SECTION IX 
10 
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 
11 
12 
13 
SEC. 42. 
Funding Provisions. -
The Chairperson of the Commission shall 
14 
include in the Commission's programs the implementation of this Act, the funding 
15 
of which shall be included in the General Appropriations Act. 
16 
17 
18 
SEC. 43. 
Assistance of Law Enforcement Agency. -
Any law enforcement 
19 
agency shall, upon call or request of the Commission or the Board, render 
20 
assistance in enforcing this Act, including all the rules and regulations 
21 
promulgated thereunder by prosecuting the violators thereof in accordance with 
22 
law and the Rules of Court. 
23 
24 
25 
SEC. 44. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days after the 
26 
effectivity of this Act and subject to the approval of the Commission, the Board 
27 
shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations, in coordination with the 
28 
integrated and accredited professional organization (the Philippine Society of 
29 
Audiology), to implement the provisions of this Act, which shall be effective after 
30 
fifteen (15) days following its publication in the Official Gazette or two Philippine 
31 
newspapers of general circulation. 
32· 
33 
34 
SEC. 45. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall at any time be 
35 
found to be unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder thereof not affected by such 
36 
declaration shall remain in full force and effect. 
37 
38 
39 
SEC. 46. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, rules or regulations inconsistent 
40 
with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
41 
42 
43 
SEC. 47. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
44 
following its complete publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
45 
46 
47 
48 
49 
50 
Approved, 
13