Speech Language Pathology Act

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Republic Act No. 11249 (Speech Language Pathology Act)

Title and Definition of Terms (Sections 1-3)
- Regulates the practice of speech language pathology in the Philippines.
- Defines key terms such as communication disorder, diagnosis, evaluation, language, speech, speech language pathologist, speech language pathology, and swallowing disorder.

Professional Regulatory Board of Speech Language Pathology (Sections 4-11)
- Creates the Professional Regulatory Board of Speech Language Pathology under the Professional Regulation Commission.
- Outlines the composition, qualifications, powers, functions, term of office, compensation, suspension or removal, supervision, and reporting requirements of the Board.

Licensure Examination and Registration (Sections 12-26)
- Requires a licensure examination for applicants, except for those who qualify for registration without examination within one (1) year after the law's effectivity. (Section 15)
- Outlines the qualifications, scope, ratings, and reporting of the licensure examination. (Sections 13-14, 16-17)
- Requires an oath of profession, issuance of a certificate of registration and professional identification card, and indication of registration details on documents. (Sections 18-20)
- Allows refusal to register, revocation or suspension of registration, and reinstatement or reissuance of registration under specified conditions. (Sections 21-23)
- Requires maintaining a roster of speech language pathologists. (Section 24)
- Allows issuance of special temporary permits to foreign speech language pathologists under certain conditions for a maximum of one (1) year, subject to renewal. (Section 25)
- Allows issuance of certificates of recognition for advanced studies, research, and accomplishments. (Section 26)

Practice of Speech Language Pathology (Sections 27-34)
- Defines the scope of practice, including assessment, diagnosis, management, and prevention of communication and swallowing disorders, as well as research, teaching, and consultancy. (Section 27)
- Requires positions primarily requiring speech language pathologists to be filled by licensed professionals within one (1) year after the law's effectivity. (Section 28)
- Prohibits the practice of speech language pathology without a valid license or permit, and outlines prohibited acts. (Sections 29-30)
- Requires the Board to prescribe a Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. (Section 31)
- Requires the integration of all speech language pathologists into one national professional organization. (Section 32)
- Allows foreign reciprocity for speech language pathologists based on the treatment of Filipino professionals in their respective countries. (Section 33)
- Clarifies that the law does not affect other legally recognized professions. (Section 34)

Final Provisions (Sections 35-40)
- Provides for funding from the annual General Appropriations Act. (Section 35)
- Imposes penalties of a fine between Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00) and Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00), imprisonment between two (2) and five (5) years, or both, for violations. (Section 36)
- Requires the Board to promulgate implementing rules and regulations within six (6) months after the law's passage. (Section 37)
- Includes separability and repealing clauses. (Sections 38-39)
- Sets the effectivity date fifteen (15) days after publication in the Official Gazette or a major newspaper. (Section 40)