AN ACT TO REGULATE THE PRACTICE OF PSYCHOLOGY CREATING FOR THIS PURPOSE A PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF PSYCHOLOGY

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of the Philippine Psychology Act of 2009 (Republic Act No. 10029)

Definitions and Coverage (Section 3):
- Defines "psychology", "practice of psychology", "psychologist", and "psychometrician".
- Covers psychological interventions, assessments, and programs.

Professional Regulatory Board of Psychology (Sections 4-10):
- Creates the Professional Regulatory Board of Psychology under the Professional Regulation Commission.
- Outlines the qualifications, terms, powers, duties, compensation, and removal process for Board members.
- The Board administers and implements the Act, supervises the registration and practice of psychologists and psychometricians, conducts investigations, and performs other functions.

Licensure Examinations (Sections 11-19):
- Requires licensure examinations for psychologists and psychometricians conducted by the Board.
- Outlines the qualifications for examination applicants, including educational requirements, practicum/internship, and good moral character (Sections 12-13).
- Specifies the examination subjects for psychologists and psychometricians (Sections 14-15).
- Allows registration without examination for qualified psychologists and psychometricians within three (3) years after the Board's creation, subject to specific requirements (Sections 16-17).
- Requires a weighted general average of at least 75% with no grade lower than 60% to pass the examinations (Section 18).

Registration (Sections 20-29):
- Requires successful examinees and registrants without examination to take an oath (Section 20).
- Provides for the issuance of a certificate of registration and a professional identification card valid for three (3) years (Section 21).
- Requires disclosure of registration information on documents (Section 22).
- Prohibits issuance of registration to persons convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude or found guilty of immoral conduct (Section 23).
- Allows foreign reciprocity under certain conditions (Section 24).
- Permits the issuance of special/temporary permits to foreign psychologists and psychometricians under specific circumstances (Section 25).
- Authorizes the Board to suspend, revoke, or reinstate certificates of registration and permits, subject to due process (Sections 26-28).
- Guarantees the rights of respondents in administrative cases (Section 29).

Privileged Communication and Professional Integration (Sections 30-32):
- Grants psychologists and psychometricians the right to privileged communication with clients/patients (Section 30).
- Requires the integration of the profession into one national organization recognized by the Board (Section 31).
- Requires the Board to adopt a Code of Ethics and Code of Practice for psychologists and psychometricians (Section 32).

Prohibited Acts, Penalties, and Enforcement (Sections 33-36):
- Prohibits the unauthorized practice of psychology or psychometrics, misrepresentation, and other related acts (Section 33).
- Imposes penalties of imprisonment from six (6) months to three (3) years, a fine of P10,000 to P100,000, or both (Section 34).
- Allows the Board to initiate injunctive actions against violators (Section 35).
- Requires law enforcement agencies to uphold and enforce the Act (Section 36).

Miscellaneous Provisions (Sections 37-41):
- Provides for funding through the annual General Appropriations Act (Section 37).
- Requires the Board to promulgate implementing rules and regulations within ninety (90) days (Section 38).
- Includes separability and repealing clauses (Sections 39-40).
- Sets the effectivity date fifteen (15) days after publication in two newspapers of general circulation (Section 41).