Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Twentieth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 4264 
Introduced by Representatives Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Yedda 
Marie K. Romualdez, Andrew Julian K. Romualdez, and Jude A. Acidre 
AN ACT  
REGULATING THE REGISTRATION, LICENSURE, AND PRACTICE OF 
PHYSICAL THERAPY, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Physical therapists play an important role in diagnosing and treating a range 
of injuries, disabilities, and health conditions. Part of their purpose is to improve a 
person’s range of movement and quality of life and prevent further injury or 
disability. 
Considering its distinct role in our society, this bill seeks to recognize physical 
therapy as a separate and distinct profession from occupational therapy by amending 
Republic Act No. 5680 or the Philippine Physical and Occupational Therapy Law. 
The bill shall also create the Professional Regulatory Board of Physical 
Therapy, which shall be tasked to maintain high professional, ethical, and technical 
standards for physical therapists. The Board may conduct ocular inspection in 
hospitals and clinics to determine and enforce compliance with professional 
regulatory laws, and the rule and regulation promulgated pursuant thereto, to aid the 
Board in formulating or revising policies relating to the practice of physical therapy. 
September 1, 2025
3:49 pm


In general, this bill is geared towards making the law more appropriate to 
present physical therapy practice in the country to enable them to provide quality 
rehabilitation service to more Filipinos. Further, this bill aims to improve the quality 
of physical therapy education provided by schools. 
This measure was approved by the House on Third Reading during the 19th 
Congress. 
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
FERDINAND MARTIN G. ROMUALDEZ 
YEDDA MARIE K. ROMUALDEZ 
ANDREW JULIAN K. ROMUALDEZ 
JUDE A. ACIDRE 


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Twentieth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 4264 
Introduced by Representatives Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Yedda 
Marie K. Romualdez, Andrew Julian K. Romualdez, and Jude A. Acidre 
AN ACT  
REGULATING THE REGISTRATION, LICENSURE, AND PRACTICE OF 
PHYSICAL THERAPY, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Philippine Physical 
Therapy Law”. 
SEC. 2. Statement of Policy. – The State recognizes the importance of physical 
therapists in nation building. Hence, it shall develop and nurture competent, 
productive, and well-rounded physical therapists whose standards of practice and 
service shall be excellent, and globally competitive, resulting not only from their 
education and training but through, honest, effective, and credible licensure 


examinations, regulatory measures, programs, and activities that foster their 
continuing professional growth.  
 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act. 
 
(a) Physical Therapy refers to a health profession concerned with providing  
relevant services to individuals and populations to develop, maintain, and 
restore maximum movement and functional ability throughout the lifespan. 
Such services are provided in circumstances where movement and function 
are threatened by aging, injury, pain, diseases, disorders, conditions, or 
environmental factors, and with the understanding that functional movement 
is central to what it means to be healthy. Physical therapy is also known as 
physiotherapy in other parts of the world. 
 
(b) Physical Therapist refers to a person who is a holder of a valid registration 
and professional license issued by the Professional Regulatory Board of 
Physical Therapy and the Professional Regulation Commission, and who is 
legally qualified to practice physical therapy in the Philippines pursuant to 
this Act. 
 
SEC. 4. Scope and Nature of the Practice of Physical Therapy. – The practice of 
physical therapy shall include identifying and maximizing the quality of life and 
movement potential within the spheres of promotion, prevention, treatment, 
intervention, habilitation, and rehabilitation. These spheres encompass physical, 
psychological, emotional, and social wellbeing. Physical therapists are qualified 
and professionally required to: 
 


(a) Undertake a comprehensive examination or assessment of patient or client 
or needs of a client group; 
 
(b) Evaluate the findings from the examination or assessment to make clinical   
judgments regarding patients or clients; 
 
(c) Formulate a physical therapy diagnosis, prognosis, and plan; 
 
(d) Provide consultation within their expertise and determine when patients 
or clients need to be referred to another professional; 
 
(e) Implement a physical therapy intervention or treatment program;  
 
(f) Determine the outcomes of any interventions or treatments; and 
 
(g) Make recommendations for self-management. 
 
Physical therapists are guided by the universal principles of ethics and   
professional practice as expressed in their own code of ethics. 
 
The scope of physical therapy practice is not limited to direct patient or client             
care, but also includes: formulating and implementing responsive public health 
strategies; advocating for patients’ or clients’ health; supervising and delegating to 
others; leading; managing; teaching; researching and developing and implementing 
health policy at the local, national, and international levels. 
 
ARTICLE II 


THE PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF PHYSICAL 
THERAPY 
 
SEC. 5. Creation and Composition of the Members of the Board. – There is hereby 
created a Professional Regulatory Board of Physical Therapy, hereafter              
referred to as the Board, under the administrative supervision of the Professional 
Regulation Commission, hereinafter referred to as the Commission, composed of a 
chairperson and four (4) members appointed by the President of the Philippines 
within six (6) months from the enactment of this Act and upon the recommendation 
of the Commission from among physical therapists recognized and  nominated by 
the accredited integrated professional organization (AIPO) of physical therapists,               
academe and other professional organizations. 
 
SEC. 6. Powers and Functions of the Members of the Board. – The Board shall 
have the following powers and functions: 
 
(a) Promulgate, administer, and enforce rules and regulations necessary for 
carrying out the provisions of this Act; 
 
(b) Supervise and regulate the registration, licensure, and practice of physical 
therapy in the Philippines; 
 
(c) Administer oaths in connection with the administration of this Act; 
(d) Adopt an official seal of the Board; 
 
(e) Maintain a roster of physical therapists indicating therein the basic 
information about the registered professionals; 


 
(f) Issue, reinstate, suspend or cancel the registration and license, or special 
permits for the practice of physical therapy in the Philippines; 
 
(g)  Study and monitor conditions affecting the practice of physical therapy and 
adopt such measures as may be deemed necessary for the enhancement of             
the profession and maintenance of high professional and ethical standards; 
 
(h) Work in partnership with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) or 
its equivalent, to ensure that all educational institutions offering education 
comply with the prescribed policies, standards, and guidelines; 
 
(i) Prescribe the Code of Ethics and Ethical Standards of Practice for physical 
therapists as endorsed by the AIPO organization of physical therapists; 
 
(j) Hear or investigate any violations of this Act, its implementing rules and 
regulations, code of ethics, and ethical standards of practice, and for this 
purpose; 
 
(k) Issue subpoena duces tecum or subpoena ad testificandum, or both, to              
ensure the appearance of witnesses, and the production of documents in 
connection therewith: Provided, That the decision of the Board shall 
become final and executory after fifteen (15) days from receipt of judgment 
or decision unless appealed to the Commission; 
 
(l) Prescribe guidelines and criteria for the Continuing Professional 
Development (CPD) program for physical therapists; 


 
(m) Prescribe the subjects in the licensure examination and table specifications, 
determine the syllabi of the subjects and their relative weights, score, and 
rate the examination papers, and submit the results to the Commission 
within the period provided for in their rules; 
 
(n) Administer the examinations to applicants for the practice of physical 
therapy in accordance with the provisions of this Act; 
 
(o) Adopt a program for the full computerization of the licensure examination; 
(p) Grant an application for registration without examination subject to the            
approval of the Commission; 
 
(q) Issue special permits to persons admitted to the practice of physical therapy             
for a specific duration of time, and certificates of recognition for advanced 
studies, researches, and accomplishments that contribute to the enrichment 
of the profession; and 
 
(r) Perform such other powers and functions as deemed necessary to carry out           
the objectives of this Act. 
 
The policies, resolutions, rules and regulations, orders, or decisions issued or 
promulgated by the Board shall be subject to review and approval of the Commission. 
 
SEC. 7. Qualifications of the Members of the Board. – The members of the Board 
shall, at the time of their appointment, possess the following qualifications: 
 


(a) Has resided in the Philippines for at least five (5) years; 
 
(b) Is a duly registered physical therapist under this Act, with a valid certificate 
of registration and professional license; 
 
(c) Has engaged in the practice of physical therapy for at least ten (10) years, 
with  the last five (5) years as a continuous period immediately preceding 
the appointment; 
 
(d) Has demonstrated an exemplary degree of competence and ethics in one 
professional practice as a physical therapist; 
 
(e) Is a member of good standing of the AIPO of physical therapists, and not 
an  officer thereof; 
 
(f) Has no prior conviction by a competent court of an offense involving moral 
turpitude; and 
 
(g) Has no direct or indirect pecuniary interest in any school, college, or 
university or institution conferring an academic degree for admission to the 
practice of physical therapy; or where review classes in preparation for 
licensure  examination are offered or conducted; nor be a member of faculty 
or  administration thereof.   
 
SEC 8. Term of Office. – The Chairperson and Members of the Board shall hold 
office for a term of three (3) years: Provided, That members of the first Board to be 
appointed after the approval of this Act shall hold office for the following terms: the 


Chairperson for three (3) years, two (2) Members for two (2) years, and the other 
two (2) Members for one (1) year: Provided, further, That a Chairperson or Member 
may be appointed for a second term, but may not serve for more than two 
consecutive three year terms, or six (6) consecutive years. Interim vacancies shall 
be filled in for the unexpired term only, or until their successors have been appointed 
and duly qualified. 
 
A successor to a member whose term of office has expired shall be appointed 
for the full term of three (3) years from the date of expiration of the term of office 
from which the predecessor was appointed. 
 
SEC 9. Removal of the Members of the Board. – Any member of the Board                
may, upon the recommendation of the Commission,  after due process of law and 
investigation conducted by the Commission, be suspended or removed by the                
President from office for cause such as gross neglect of duty, incompetence, 
malpractice, unprofessionalism, immorality, unethical or dishonorable conduct, final 
judgment of crimes involving moral turpitude, and manipulating or rigging of the  
licensure examination results, disclosure of secret and confidential  information in 
the examination questions prior to the conduct of the said examination, or tampering 
of grades.   
 
SEC.10.  Compensation and Allowances of the Members of the Board. – The 
chairperson and members of the Board shall receive compensation and allowances 
comparable to that being received by the chairpersons and members of existing 
regulatory boards under the Commission, as provided for in the annual General 
Appropriations Act. 
 


SEC. 11. Administrative Supervision of the Board, Custodian of Records, 
Secretariat, and Support Services. – The Board shall be under the administrative 
supervision of the Commission. All records of the Board, including applications for 
examination, examination papers and results, minutes of deliberation, administrative 
cases, and other investigations involving physical therapists, shall be kept by the 
Commission. The Commission shall designate the Secretary of the Board and shall 
provide the secretariat and other support services to implement the provisions of this               
Act. 
 
SEC. 12. Annual Report. – The Board shall, at the close of each calendar year, 
submit an annual report to the Commission, giving a detailed account of its 
proceedings and accomplishments during the year and recommending measures to 
be adopted, with the end in view of upgrading and improving conditions affecting 
the practice of physical therapy in the Philippines. 
 
ARTICLE III 
LICENSURE EXAMINATION AND REGISTRATION 
 
SEC. 13. Examination Required. – All applicants for registration for the practice of 
physical therapy shall be required to undergo a licensure examination to be given by 
the Board in such places and dates as the Commission may designate, subject to 
compliance with the requirements prescribed by the same. 
 
SEC. 14. Qualifications for Examination. – An applicant for the licensure 
examination for physical therapists shall establish, to the satisfaction of the Board, 
that the following qualifications are met: 
 


(a) A citizen of the Philippines or a foreigner whose country has a formal             
reciprocity agreement with the Philippines; 
 
(b) Is of good moral character and has not been convicted of any crime 
involving moral turpitude; and 
 
(c)  A graduate of Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy degree or its        
equivalent degree as determined by the Board from a school, college, or 
university in the Philippines or abroad whose physical therapy program is 
recognized by the CHED. 
 
SEC. 15. Scope of Examination. – The scope of examinations shall, after the 
necessary stakeholder consultation, be determined by the Board, subject to the         
approval of the Commission. The Board shall take into consideration the minimum 
curriculum standards for physical therapy, the current scope of practice, and the 
latest developments in the profession, locally and globally, that affect the practice 
and delivery of physical therapy services in the country. 
 
SEC. 16. Ratings in the Examination. – To be qualified as having passed the 
licensure examination for physical therapists, a candidate must have obtained a 
general average of seventy-five percent (75%), with no grade lower than sixty 
percent (60%) in any of the examination subjects. 
 
SEC. 17. Report of Ratings. – The Board shall submit to the Commission the ratings 
obtained by each candidate within ten (10) calendar days after the examination, 
unless extended for just cause. 
 


SEC. 18. Issuance of the Certificate of Registration, Professional License, and 
Professional Identification Card. – A certificate of registration and professional 
identification card shall be issued to examinees who pass the licensure examination 
for physical therapist subject to payment of fees prescribed by the Commission. The 
certificate of registration shall bear the signature of the chairperson of the 
Commission and the chairperson and members of the Board, stamped with the 
official seal of the Commission and the Board respectively, indicating that the 
person named therein is entitled to practice the physical therapy profession, with all 
the benefits and privileges appurtenant thereto. The said certificate of registration 
shall remain in full force and effect until withdrawn, suspended or revoked in 
accordance with this Act. 
 
A professional identification card bearing the registration number, and dates of 
issuance and expiry date duly signed by the chairperson of the Commission, shall 
likewise be issued to every registrant upon payment of the prescribed fees.  
 
SEC. 19.  Initials PTRP. – The initials PTRP, which stands for Physical Therapist 
Registered Philippines, shall be used following the name of the registered physical 
therapist, especially when signing documents pertinent to the practice of the 
profession. 
 
SEC. 20. Refusal to Register. – The Board shall refuse to register any              
successful examinee who has been convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction of                
any criminal offense involving moral turpitude, or has been found guilty of immoral 
or dishonorable conduct after investigation by the Board, or has been declared to be 
of unsound mind. The reason for the refusal shall be set forth in writing. 
 


SEC. 21. Cancellation or Suspension of the Certificate of Registration and Special 
Permit. – The Board may, after giving proper notice of hearing to the party 
concerned, cancel the practitioner's certificate of registration and professional 
identification card , or be suspended from the practice of the profession; or cancel 
the special permit for any of the causes or grounds mentioned in Section 29 of this 
Act or for any unprofessional or unethical conduct, malpractice, violation of any of 
the provisions of this Act, its rules and regulations, the Code of Ethics, and Ethical               
Standards of Practice for physical therapists. 
 
SEC. 22. Reinstatement, Re-issuance or Replacement of Certificate of 
Registration and Professional Identification Card. – Two (2) years after the date 
of revocation, the Board may, upon application and for reasons deemed proper and 
sufficient, reinstate any revoked certificate of registration or professional license. A 
new certificate of registration or professional identification card, or special 
temporary permit may be issued to replace lost, destroyed, or mutilated ones, subject 
to the rules as implemented by the Board. 
 
SEC. 23. Oath of Physical Therapists. – Successful examinees qualified for 
registration, and qualified applicants for registration without examination, shall be 
required to take an oath of profession before any member of the Board or any 
government official authorized by the Commission to administer oaths, prior to 
entering into the practice of physical therapy in the Philippines. 
 
SEC. 24. Indication of Licensure and Privilege Tax Receipt. – All physical 
therapists shall be required to indicate on the documents they sign, use or issue in 
connection with the practice of their profession, their registration, or professional 


license number and date of issuance thereof, the duration of validity of said license, 
and the professional tax receipt number issued to them. 
 
SEC. 25. Roster of Physical Therapists. – The Board shall prepare, update, and 
maintain a roster of physical therapists which shall contain the name of each 
registered physical therapist, their residence and office addresses, the date of 
registration and issuance of certificates, and other data which the board may deem 
pertinent. 
 
SEC. 26. Issuance of Special and Temporary Permit. – A special temporary permit 
may be issued by the Board upon the recommendation of the AIPO of physical 
therapists, subject to the approval by the Commission and payment of the prescribed 
fee to the following persons: 
 
(a) Foreign-licensed physical therapists called for consultation or a specified 
purpose that is deemed essential to national development, the practice shall         
be limited only for the particular work being: Provided, That there is no 
Filipino physical therapist qualified for such consultation or purpose; 
 
(b) Foreign-licensed physical therapists whose service shall be free of charge 
and who are highly needed under particular settings; 
 
(c) Foreign-licensed physical therapists engaged as professors, lecturers, or              
critics in fields essential to physical therapy education in the Philippines, 
whose engagement is limited to teaching only; and 
 


(d) Foreign-licensed physical therapists recognized as experts or specialists 
whose service is deemed essential to the advancement of the profession in         
the Philippines. 
 
The special temporary permit shall include these limitations and conditions:            
validity for a period of not more than one (1) year, subject to renewal; the branch or 
specialty of physical therapy which the permit holder can practice; and the specific 
place or places of practice such as clinic, hospital, therapy center, school, college, or              
university offering the course of physical therapy. The Board, subject to the approval 
by the Commission, shall prescribe rules and regulations for the implementation of 
this particular section. 
 
ARTICLE IV 
PRACTICE OF PHYSICAL THERAPY 
 
SEC. 27. Delivery of Physical Therapy Service. – Physical therapists shall work in 
partnership with other health service providers or health professionals, patients or 
clients, families, and communities in the delivery of services in the most effective, 
cost efficient, and client-centered service.  
 
SEC. 28. Prohibition on the Practice of Physical Therapy. – No person shall 
practice or offer to practice physical therapy, nor offer to be a physical therapist, or 
use the title, word, letter, figure, or any sign tending to convey the impression of 
being a physical therapist, nor advertise or indicate in any manner whatsoever to be 
qualified to perform the work of a physical therapist without passing the licensure 
examination given by the Board, except as otherwise provided in this Act. 
 


SEC. 29. Prohibited Acts. – No person shall: 
 
(a) Engage in the practice of physical therapy by representing oneself as a      
physical therapist without a valid certificate of registration, professional 
identification card, or a valid temporary or special permit granted by the              
Board pursuant to this Act; 
 
(b) Represent oneself as a physical therapist during the time that the             
professional license is not valid or that the certificate of registration has            
been suspended or revoked, or that the special temporary permit has been 
cancelled;  
 
(c) Allow anybody to use the certificate of registration or professional license,                     
or both and special temporary permit as a physical therapist to enable such 
unqualified individual to engage in the practice of physical therapy;  
 
(d) Use the certificate of registration, professional identification card, or special 
temporary permit of another person; and 
 
(e) Violate the provision of the Code of Ethics and Ethical Standards of             
Practice as recommended by the AIPO of physical therapists. 
 
SEC. 30. Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice for Physical Therapists. – The 
Board shall adopt and promulgate the Code of Ethics and Ethical Standards of 
Practice for physical therapists as prescribed and issued by the AIPO of physical 
therapists. All licensed physical therapist shall abide by the principles and standards 
embodied in the Code. 


 
SEC. 31. Continuing Professional Development Program. – All physical therapists 
shall abide with the requirements, rules and regulations on continuing professional 
development to be promulgated by the Board, subject to the approval of the 
Commission, in coordination with the AIPO of physical therapists or the recognized 
representative of duly accredited education institutions, or both.  For this purpose, 
the Board shall create a CPD Council to implement a CPD program guided by 
qualifications framework and career progression principles, subject to the guidelines 
as may be prescribed by the Commission. 
 
SEC. 32. Integration of the Professional Organization. – The physical therapy 
profession shall be integrated into one (1) national professional organization of 
physical therapists, which shall be duly registered with the Securities and Exchange            
Commission. The Board, subject to the approval by the Commission, shall accredit 
the said organization as the one and only accredited integrated professional 
organization of registered physical therapists. All physical therapists whose names 
appear in the current Roster of Physical Therapists shall ipso facto become members 
thereof and shall receive all the benefits and privileges appurtenant thereto upon 
payment of the required membership fees and dues. Membership in the accredited 
integrated professional organization shall not be a bar to membership in other 
organizations of physical therapists. 
 
SEC. 33. Foreign Reciprocity. – No foreign physical therapist shall be given a 
certificate of registration and professional identification card or be entitled to any of 
the privileges under this Act unless the country or state of which the foreign physical             
therapist is a subject or citizen, permits Filipino physical therapists to practice within 


its territorial limits on the same basis as the subjects or citizens of said country or 
state. 
 
ARTICLE V 
PENAL AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 
 
SEC.  34. Penal Provisions. – Any person who shall violate any of the provisions 
of this Act or any of its implementing rules and regulations as promulgated by the 
Board, subject to the approval of the Commission, shall upon conviction, be 
punished with a fine of not less than Twenty thousand pesos (Php 20,000.00) nor 
more than Fifty thousand pesos (Php 50,000.00), or by imprisonment of not less than 
two (2) years nor more than five (5) years, or both, at the discretion of the court. 
 
SEC.  35. Appropriations. – The amount necessary for the implementation of this 
Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
 
SEC.  36. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – To implement the provisions of 
this Act, the Board shall, subject to the approval of the Commission promulgate the 
rules and regulations, as well as the Code of Ethics and Ethical Standards of Practice 
for physical therapists, within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act. 
 
SEC. 37. Transitory Provisions. – The existing Board of Physical and Occupational 
Therapy shall continue to function in the interim until such time that the new and 
separate Board for Physical Therapy shall be constituted pursuant to this Act. 
 
SEC.  38. Separability Clause. – If any part, portion, section, or provision of this 
Act shall be declared invalid or unconstitutional, such shall not invalidate any other 


part, portion, section, or provision of this Act and the same shall continue to be in 
force and effect. 
 
SEC. 39. Repealing Clause. – Republic Act No. 5680, otherwise known as the 
“Philippine Physical and Occupational Therapy Law” is hereby repealed. All other 
laws, decrees, orders, issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act are hereby modified, superseded, or repealed. 
 
SEC. 40. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its                
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.  
 
Approved,