THI 
CONGRESS OF THE RE 
First Regular Session 
PHILIPPINES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
On June 2 1, 1969, Republic Act 5680, An Act Creating the Board for Physical 
Therapists and Occupational Therapists was approved. Unlike all other regulatory acts 
that enforce the laws on one profession, Republic Act 5680 was created to regulate two 
different allied health professions, Physical therapy and Occupational therapy. Since 
then, said act had never been amended to respond to current global trend and national 
development . 
Physical therapy is a separate and distinct profession from Occupational therapy 
by definition, scope of practice and educational requirements. Physical therapy has its 
own professional association, the Philippine Physical Therapy Association (PPTA) which 
is duly accredited by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and duly-registered 
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The association is well recognized 
as a member of the World Confederation of Physical Therapists and Asian Confederation 
for Physical Therapy. Likewise, Occupational therapy has a separate and distinct 
professional association, the Occupational Therapy Association of the Philippines, Inc. 
(OTAP) which is duly accredited by the PRC and duly registered by the SEC and well 
recognized and accepted as a member of -the World Federation of Occupational 
Therapists (WFOT) since 1908. 
In the event of the approval of the General Agreement of Trade in Services 
(GATS) and its implementation in the ASEAN region in so far as the business service 
sector which includes professional services is concerned, the already marketable Filipino 
physical therapists and occupational therapists will be further catapulted to overseas 
employment, Global demand tempered by national and regional economic constraints, 
new immigration laws and international competition is fast requiring more quality in 
health care professionals, including physical therapists and occupational therapists. It 
then becomes imperative to align regulatory functions, such as professional standards 
and competencies, among physical therapists only and separate them only from those 
for occupational therapists. 


Thus, this bill seeks the amendment of R.A. 5680 for the purpose of upgrading 
and updating the competence, knowledge, skills and attitudes of the Filipino 
occupational therapists and physical therapists to make them globally competitive and 
nationally accessible to the disabled population of the Philippines. 
It is for these reasons that the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
IER 
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AN ACT 
REGULATING THE REGISTRATION, LICENSUR 
ND PRACTICE OF 
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, PROVIDIWG FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted b.v the Senate and the House of Representatives in Congress 
Assemb led 
TITLE, DECLARATION OF POLICY AND DEFINIT ON OF TERMS 
SECTION I. 
Short +iten This Act shall be known as the "Philippine 
Occupational Therapy Law" 
SEC. 2, Statement of Po/icy. The State recognizes the importance of 
occupational therapists in nation building. Hence, it shall develop and nurture 
competent, virtuous, productive, and well-rounded occupational therapists whose 
standards of practice and service shall be excellent, world class and globally 
competitive through inviolable, honest, effective and credible licensure 
examinations and through regulatory measures, programs and activities that 
foster their continuing professional growth. 
C. 3. Definition of Terms - As used in this Act, the following terms 
Occupational Therapy is a health discipline which is concerned with 
people whose ability to function in daily life has been temporarily or 
shall mean: 
(a) 
permanently disrupted by physical, psychosocial or developmental 


illness, injury, or condition, social disadvantage, or the aging 
process. 
The Scope and Nature of Practice of Occupational Therapy 
shall embrace, but not limited to, the analysis and application of 
activities specifically directed to occupational performance in the 
areas of self-care, work, play and leisure. Reference to occupation is 
in the context of individual’s goal-directed use of time, energy, 
interest, and attention. Through assessment, interpretation, and 
intervention, occupational therapists address problems impending 
functional or adaptive behavior. 
The purpose is to prevent 
disability, and to promote, maintain, or restore occupational 
performance, health, and psychosocial well-being. Occupational 
therapy can be part of the health services in hospitals; community 
settings such as residential, vocational and leisure centers, schools, 
day programs, private agencies, clinics, the work place, and other 
organizations which provide rehabilitation or preventive”Services, 
both within and outside the medical model. 
certificate of 
registration/professional license and professional 
identification 
card issued by the Professional Regulatory Board of 
Occupational Therapy and the Professional Regulation Commission 
and who is legally qualified to practice occupational therapy in the 
Philippines pursuant to this Act. 
(b) 
(c) Occupational Therapstsrefers tf3 a person who is a holder of a valid 
ARTICLE 11 
CREATION OF THE PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF 
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 
. Creation and Composition of the Board - There is herebv 
created a Professional Regulatory Board of Occupational Therapy, hereinafter 
called the Board, under the administrative supervision of the Professional 
Regulation Commission, hereinafter referred to as the Commission, to be 
composed of a Chairperson and two (2) members who shall be appointed by the 


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President of the Philippines from a list of two (2) recommendees for each 
position chosen and ranked by the Commission, from a list of three (3) nominees 
for each position submitted the accredited professional organization of 
occupational therapists. The Board shall be organized not later than six (6) 
months from the effectivity of this Act. 
SEC. 5. Powers and Functions of the Board - The Board shall have 
the following powers and functions: 
Promulgate, administer and enforce rules and regulations necessary 
for carrying out the provision of this Act; 
Supervise and regulate the registration, licensure and practice of 
occupational therapy in the Philip pi nes; 
Administer oaths in connection with the administration of this Act; 
Adopt an oficial seal of the Board; 
Maintain a roster of occupational therapists indicating therein the 
basic information about the registered professionals; 
Issue, 
reinstate, 
suspend 
or 
revoke 
the 
certificate 
of 
registration/professional license or cancel special permits for the 
practice of occupational therapy; 
Mood or the conditions affecting the practice of occupational 
therapy and adopt such measures as may be deemed proper for 
the enhancement of the profession and/or maintenance of high 
professional and ethical standards; 
Ensure, in coordination with +he Commission on Higher Education 
(CHED), that all educational institutions offering occupational 
therapy education comply with the policies, standards, and 
requirements of the course prescribed by CHED in the areas of 
curriculum, faculty, library and facilities; 
Prescribed and/ or adopt a Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice 
for Occupational Therapy; 
Hear or investigate any violations of this Act, its implementing rules 
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and regulations and the Code of Ethics for occupational therapists 
and for this purpose, to issue subpoena duces tecum to secure the 
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(b) Must be a duly registered occupational therapist under this Act, with 
a valid certificate of registration and professional license; 
(c) Must be a member of good standing of the accredited organization 
of occupational therapists; 
(d) Must not have any pecuniary interest, directly or indirectly, in any 
school, academy, college, university or institutioh conferring an 
academic degree necessary for admission to the practice of 
occupational therapy or where review classes in preparation for the 
licensure examination are being offered or conducted, nor shall he/ 
she be a member of the faculty or of the administration thereof at 
the time of hislher appointment to the Board; and 
(e) Must not have been convicted by any competent court of an offense 
involving mora I terpitude. 
SEC. 7. Term ofO#ice, - The Chairperson and members of the Board 
shall hold office for a term of three (3) years or until their successors shall have 
been appointed and duly qualified; Provided, that members of the first appointed 
Board shall hold office for the following terms: One (1) member as Chairperson 
for three (3) years, one (1) 'member for tvlo (2) years and one (1) member for 
one (1) year. 
The Chairperson or member of the Board may be reappointed for 
another term but in no case shall he/ she serve continuously for more than six 
(6) years. Any vacancy in the Board shall he filled for the unexpired portion of 
the term only. Each member of the Board shall automatically be registered as 
occupational therapist and issued certificate of registration/professional license 
and professional identification card and, shall take the proper oath of office prior 
to assumption of duty. 
SEC. 8. Compensation and Allowances of the Board. The 
Chairperson and member 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 
General Appropriations Act. 


owal of Board Members. - Any member of the Board may 
upon the recommendation of the Commission after due process of law and 
investigation conducted by the Commission, be suspended or removed by the 
President from offke for cause such as gross neglect of duty, incompetence, 
malpractice, unprofessionalism, immorality, unethical or dishonorable conduct, 
final judgement of crimes involving moral turpitude, and manipulation or rigging 
of the licensure examination 
results, disclosure of secret and confidential 
information in the examination questions prior to the conduct of the said 
examination or tampering of grades. 
SEC. 10. Supervision of the Board, Cusfodian of its 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 papers and results, minutes of deliberation, 
administrative cases, and other investigation involving occupational therapists 
shall be kept by the Commission. 
The Commission shall designate the Secretary of the Board and shall 
provide the secretariat and other support sewices to implement the provisions of 
this Act. 
SEC. 11. 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 the conditions 
affecting the practice of occupational therapy in the Philippines. 
ARTICLE 111 
THE TECHNICAL PANEL ON OCCUPATIONAL THE 
PY EDUCATION 
SEC. 12. Composition, - The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) 
shall organize a Technical Panel on Occupational Therapy Education, hereinafter 
referred to as the Technical Panel, charged with the responsibility of regulating, 
standardizing and upgrading occupational therapy education in the Philippines. 


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The Technical Panel shall be composed bf no more than five (5) members 
including representatives from CHED and the Board, the association of deans of 
occupational therapy schools and the accredited professional organization of 
occupational therapists. 
SEC. 13, Funcfions of the Technical Panel. - The objective of the 
TechnicaI Panel is to establish, maintain and promote appropriate standards of 
quality for educational programs in occupational therapy and to provide 
recognition for educational programs that exceed the minimum standards for 
occupational therapy education. The Technical Panel shall have the following 
functions: 
1. To promulgate rules and regulations relative to occupational therapy 
education in the Philippines, which shall have a binding effect for 
implementation by the pertinent educational institutions and entities; 
2. To recognize and accredit occupational therapy programs in the different 
schools, colleges, and universities; 
3. To approve the accreditation of clinical fieldwork centers or facilities used 
for the education and training of occupational therapy student and 
interns. 
. Compensation and Traveling Expenses. - The Technical 
Panel on Occupational Therapy Education shall meet at least once per month for 
regular business, and as often as the Technical Panel may decide. The chair and 
members shall be entitled to traveling expenses and accommodation in 
connection with their official duties herein provided in accordance with existing 
rules and regulations. 
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ARTICLEIW 
LICENSURE EXAMINATION AND REGISTRATION 
SEC. 15. Examination Required. - All applicants for registration for the 
practice of occupational 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 Commission. 


Iificaabion for Examina 
e - An applicant for the 
licensure examination for occupational therapists shall establish to the 
satisfaction of the Board that he/she has met the following qualifications: 
(a) A citizen of the' Philippines or a foreigner whose country has a 
reciprocity agreement with the Philippines; 
(b) Has not been convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude; 
(c) Must be a graduate of a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy 
degree from a school, college or university in the Philippines or 
abroad whose occupational therapy program is recognized by the 
Commission on Higher Education. 
SEC. 17,~ 
Scope of Examination, - The licensure examination for 
occupational therapists shall cover the following subject: 
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I. Basic Sciences 
a. Anatomy 
b. Kinesiology 
c. Phyiology 
d. Pathology 
a. Medical Conditions 
b. Surgical Conditions 
c. Medical Psychology 
d. Growth and Development 
11. Clinical Sciences 
111. Theory and Practice 
a. Physical Dysfunction 
b. Psychiatric Dysfunction 
c. Organization, Administration, and Ethics 
d. Frames of Reference 
The Board, subject to approval by the Commission, may revise or exclude 
any of the subjects or add new ones as the need arises and may adjust or 
modify the percentage weight of the subjects. 


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The Board shall uplift to the Commission 
the ratings obtained by each candidate within ten (10) calendar days after the 
examination, unless extended for just cause. 
SEC. 19. Ratings in the Examination, - To be qualified as having 
passed the licensure examination for occupational therapists, a candidate must 
have obtained a general average of seventy-five percent (75%), with no grade 
lower than sixty percent (60%) in any giver! subject. However, an examinee who 
obtains a rating below sixty--percent (60%) in any given subject, must take the 
examination in the subject or subjects where he obtained a grade below sixty 
percent (60%) within two (2) years from the date of his last examination, f lie 
subject or subjects retaken must have each a rating of no less than seventy-five 
percent (75%) in order to quality as having passed the examination. 
An applicant who fails the licensure examinations after the third attempt 
shall he required to complete a refresher course in an approved occupational 
therapy school. The applicant shall be required to provide proof of completion of 
such course before admission to a fourth examination. 
SEC. 20. Issuance of the Certificate of Registration/ Professional 
License and Professional Identification Card - A 
certificate of 
registration/professional license shall be issued to examinees who pass the 
licensure examination for occupational therapists subject to payment of fees 
prescribed by the Commission. The certificate of registration/professional license 
shall bear the signature of the Chairperson of the Commission and the members 
of the Board, stamped with the official seal, indicating that the person named 
therein is entitled to practice the profession with all the privileges appurtenant 
thereto. This certificate shall remain in full force mid effect until revoked or 
suspended in accordance with this Act. 
A professional identification card bearing the registration number, date of 
issuance, expiry date, duly signed by the Chairperson of the Commission, shall 
likewise be issued to every registrant who has paid the required registrant fees. 


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- The Board shall not 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 Bard, or has been 
declared to be of unsound mind. The reason for the refusal shall be set forth in 
writing. 
SEC. 22. Registration Without Examination, - This privilege shall be 
granted to qualified applicants who, on the date of the effectivity of this Act. 
have been registered and licensed to practice occupational therapy under Repulic 
Act No. 5680 and to those who have become occupational therapists by virtue of 
the testimonial examination given by the Civil Service Commission on December 
29, 1967 in the City of Manila. 
SEC. 23, Oath of Occupational Therapists. - All successful examinees 
qualified for registration and all qualified applicants for registration without 
examination shall be required to lake 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 occupational therapy in 
the Philippines. 
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SEC. 24. Indication of Licensure and Privelege Tax Receipt. - The 
occupational therapist shall be required to indicate his/her registration/ 
professional license number and date 01 issuance, the duration of validity, 
including the privilege tax receipt number on the document he/she signs, uses or 
issues in connection with the practice of his/ her profession. 
SEC. 25. Revocation or Suspension of the Certificate of 
Registration and Cancellation of Specia! Permit. - The Board may, after 
giving proper notice of hearing to the party concerned, revoke the practitioner's 
certificate of registration/professional license or suspend him/her from the 
practice of his/ her profession or cancel his /her special permit for any of the 
causes or grounds mentioned in Section 2 of this Act or for any unprofessional 


or unethical conduct, malpractice, violation of any of the provisions of this Act, 
its rules and regulations, the Code of Ethics and Standards for occupational 
therapists. 
. Reinstatemen 
Reissuance 
or Replacement of 
Cerfificate of ~egjstratjo~/Profe§~io~af 
License. - Two years after the date 
of revocation, the Board may, upon application and for reasons deemed proper 
and sufficient, reinstate any revoked certificate of registration/professionaI 
license and reissue a professional identification card, and in so doing, may, in its 
discretion, exempt the applicant from taking another examination. 
A new certificate of registration/professional license or special permit, 
to replace lost, destroyed or mutilated ones may be issued subject to the rules 
implemented by the Board. 
SEC. 27. Roster of Occupational Therapists. The Board shall prepare, 
update, and maintain a roster of occupational therapists which shall contain the 
name of each registered occupational therapist, his residence and office 
addresses, the date of registration, and issuance of certificates and other data 
which the Board in may deem pertinent. The roster shall be open to the public, 
copies which shall be mailed to each person listed therein. 
SEC. 
28. 
Issuance of 
Speciaf/Temporary 
Permit. 
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Special/temporary permit may be issued by the Board subject to the approval by 
the Commission and payment of the fees the latter has prescribed and charged 
thereof to the following persons: 
I) Licensed occupational therapists from foreign countries/state whose 
services are either for a fee or free: 
(a) If they are internationally well-known specialists or outstanding 
experts in any branch or speciality of occupational therapy; and 
(b) I f  their services are urgently and importantly necessary for lack or 
inadequacy of available local specialists/ experts or for the promotion 
or advancement of the practice of occupational therapy through 
transfer of technology. 


2) Licensed occupational therapists from foreign countries/states whose 
services shall be free and limited to indigent patients in a particular 
hospital, center or clinic: 
3) Licensed occupational therapists from foreign countries/states engaged as 
professors, lecturers or critic in fields essential to occupational therapy 
education in the P hi1 i ppines. 
The permit shall among other things, include these limitations and 
conditions: for a period of not more than one (1) year subject to renewal, the 
branch or speciality of occupational therapy, and the specific place of practice 
such as clinic, hospital, center, school/college/university offering the course of 
occupational therapy. The Board, subject to the approval by the Commission, 
shall prescribe rules and regulations on the implementation of this particular 
section. 
SEC. 29. InitiaL - The initials OTRP which stands for Occupational 
Therapists Registered, Philippines shall be used following the name of the 
registered occupational therapist, especially when signing documents pertinent 
to the practice of his/her profession. 
SEC. 30. Foreign Reciprucity. - No foreign occupational therapist 
shall be admitted to the examination or be given a certificate of 
registration/professional license and professional identification card or be entitled 
to any of the privileges under this Act unless the country of which he/she is a 
subject or citizen specifically permits Filipino occupational therapists to practice 
within its territorial limits on the same basis as the subjects or citizens of such 
foreign state or country. 
ARTICLE V 
PRACTICE OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 
SEC. 311. Prohibition on the Praciice of Occupafiona/ Therapy. - No 
person shall practice or offer to practice occupational therapy in the Philippines 


or offer himself/herself as occupational therapist, or use the title, word, letter, 
Figure, or any sign tending to convey the impression that he/she is an 
occupational therapist, or advertise or indicate in any manner whatsoever that 
he/she is qualified to perform the work of an occupational therapist unless he 
has satisfactorily passed the licensure examination given by the Board, except as 
otherwise provided in this Act, and is a holder of a valid certificate of 
registration/professional license with a valid professional identification card or a 
valid temporary/special permit duly issued to him/her by the Board and the 
Commission. 
SEC. 32. ProhibitedActs, No person shall: 
(a) engage in the practice of occupational therapy by representing by 
himself/herself as an occupational therapist without a valid 
certificate of registration/professional license and professional 
identification card or a valid ten?porary/special permit granted by the 
Board pursuant to this Act; 
(b) represent himself/herself as an occupational therapist during the 
time that his/her professional license is not valid or that his 
certificate of registration has been suspended or revoked, or that 
his/lieu temporary/special permit is cancelled; 
(c) allow anybody to use his/her certificate of registration/professional 
license and professional identification card or ternporary/special 
permit as an occupational therapist to enable such unqualified 
individual to engage in the practice of occupational therapy; 
(d) use as his/her own the certificate of registration/professional license 
and professional identification card or temporary/special permit of 
another. 
SEC. 33. Code of Ethics and Standards for Occupationai 
Therapists, The Board shall adopt and promulgate the Code of Ethics and 
Standards for occupational therapists prescribed and issued by the accredited 
national organization of occupational therapists. 


SEC. 34. Continuing Professiond Education (CPEJ Program. - All 
occupational therapists shall abide by the requirements, rules, and regulations 
regarding continuing professional education as promulgated by the accredited 
national organization of occupational therapists in collaboration with the Board of 
Occupational. Therapy. 
EC. 35. Integration of Occupations/ Therapists. All occupational 
therapists shall be integrated into one (1) national organization, which shall he 
recognized by the Board and by the Commission as the one and only integrated 
and accredited association of occupational therapists. An occupational therapist 
duly registered with the Board shall automatically become a member of the 
integrated and accredited association of occupational therapists, and shall 
receive the benefits and privileges appurtenant thereto, upon payment of the 
required fees and dues. Membership in the integrated and accredited association 
shall not be a bar to membership in other associations of occupational therapists 
ARTICLE V I  
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PENAL AND FINAL PROVISION 
SEC. 36. PenaIProvision, - 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 by a fine of not less Twenty Thousand Pesos (P 
20,000.00) but not inore than fifty thousand (P 50,000.00) or by imprisonment 
of not less than six (6) months or both at the discretion of the court. 
SEC. 37. 
Funding Provision, The Chairman of the Professional 
Regulation Commission shall immediately include all the Commission's programs, 
the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be included in the 
Annual General Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 38. Implementing Rules akyd Regulations. - To implement the 
provisions of this Act, the Board shall, subject to the approval of the Commission, 


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promulgate the rules and regulations and the Code of Ethics and Standards for 
occupational therapists within thirty (30) days after the effectivity of this Act. 
. Transitory Pruvisiuon. - The existing Board of Physical 
Therapy and Occupational Therapy shall continue to function in the interim until 
such time that the 
new and separate Professional Regulatory Board of 
Occupational Therapy shall be constituted pursuant to this Act. 
SEC. 40. SeparaMity Clause. - I f  any section or provision of this Act 
shall be declared invalid or unconstitutional, such shall not invalidate any other 
section or provision of this act. 
All laws, decrees, orders, issuances, or 
parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
modified or superseded. Republic Act no. 5680 is hereby repealed. 
SEC. 41. Repeating C/ause. 
SEC. 42. €ffectivity, This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
following its publication in the Official Gazette or in a major newspaper of 
national circulation whichever comes earlier 
Approved. 
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