REPUBLIC ACT

8981
RA 8189

AN ACT MODERNIZING THE PROFESSIONAL REGULATION

COMMISSION, REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NUMBERED 223, ENTITLED
"CREATING THE PROFESSIONAL REGULATION
COMMISSION AND PRESCRIBING ITS POWERS AND
FUNCTIONS," AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
RA 8189
Section 1. Title 
This Act shall be called the "PRC Modernization Act of 2000.“

Section 2. Statement of Policy 

The State recognizes the important role of professionals in nation-building and
promotes the sustained development of a reservoir of professionals whose
competence has been determined by honest and credible licensure
examinations.
RA 8189

Section 3. Professional Regulation Commission

There is hereby created a three-man commission which shall be attached to the
office of the President for general direction and coordination.

Section 4. Composition
Chairperson: Charito A. Zamora (Lawyer)
Commissioners: Erwin M.Enad (Lawyer)
Jose Y. Cueto, Jr. (Surgeon)
RA 8189
Section 4. Composition

REQUIREMENT as Chairperson and Commissioners:

• At least forty (40) years of age
• Holding a valid COR / license and a valid professional ID or a valid
certificate of competency
• Familiar with the principles and methods of professional regulation
and/or licensing
• has had at least five (5) years of executive or management experience

TERM:
• All to be appointed by the President for a term of 7 years without
reappointment.
RA 8189
Section 5. Exercise of Powers and Functions of the Commission 
Section 6. Compensation and Other Benefits 
Section 7. Powers, Functions and Responsibilities
(a) To administer, implement and enforce the regulatory policies of the
national government with respect to the regulation and licensing of the
various professions and occupations.
(b) To perform any and all acts, enter into contracts, make such rules and
regulations and issue such orders and other administrative issuance.
(c) To review, revise, and approve resolutions, embodying policies
promulgated by the Professional Regulatory Boards in the exercise of their
powers and functions.
RA 8189
Section 7. Powers, Functions and Responsibilities
d) To administer and conduct the licensure examinations of the various
regulatory boards.
e) determine and fix the places and dates of examinations;
f) use publicly or privately owned buildings and facilities for examination
purposes;
g) conduct more than one (1) licensure examination: Provided, That, when
there are two (2) or more examinations given in a year, at least one (1)
examinations shall be held on weekdays (Monday to Friday): Provided,
further, That, if only one (1) examination is given in a year, this shall be
held only on weekdays: 
RA 8189
Section 7. Powers, Functions and Responsibilities
h) The Commission is also authorized to require the completion of a refresher
course where the examinee has failed to pass three (3) times
i) Appoint supervisors and room watchers from among the employees of the
government and/or private individuals with baccalaureate degrees
j) Publish the list of successful examinees;
k) Provide schools, colleges and universities, public and private, offering
courses for licensure examinations, with copies of sample test questions on
examinations recently conducted by the Commission and copies of the
syllabi or terms of specifications of subjects for licensure examinations;
RA 8189
Section 7. Powers, Functions and Responsibilities
l) To admit the successful examinees to the practice of the profession or
occupation;
m) cause the entry of their names on its registry book and computerized
database;
n) issue certificates of registration/professional license, bearing the
registrant’s name, picture, and registration number, signed by all the
members of the Board concerned and the Chairperson, with the official
seal of the Board and the Commission affixed thereto
RA 8189
Section 7. Powers, Functions and Responsibilities
o) To have custody of all the records of the various Boards, including
examination papers, minutes of deliberation, records of administrative
cases and investigations and examination results for control and
disposition;
p) To determine and fix the amount of fees to be charged and collected (900
for MT)
q) To appoint subject to the Civil Service laws, rules, and regulations,
officials and employees of the Commission necessary for the effective
performance of its functions and responsibilities
RA 8189
Section 7. Powers, Functions and Responsibilities
r) To submit and recommend to the President of the Philippines the names of
licensed/registered professionals for appointment as members of the
various Professional Regulatory Boards
s) Upon recommendation of the Professional Regulatory Board concerned, to
approve the registration of and authorize the issuance of a certificate of
registration/license and professional identification card with or without
examination to a foreigner who is registered under the laws of his state or
country
PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARDS
Under the Commission are the forty-five (45) Professional Regulatory Boards
which exercise administrative, quasi-legislative, and quasi-judicial powers over
their respective professions.
• Prepare the contents of licensure examinations. Determine, prescribe, and revise the course
requirements
• Recommend measures necessary for advancement in their fields
• Visit / inspect schools and establishments for feedback
• Adopt and enforce a Code of ethics for the practice of their respective professions
• Administer oaths and issue Certificate of Registration
• Investigate violations of set professional standards and adjudicate administrative and other
cases against erring registrants
• Suspend, revoke, or reissue Certificate of Registration for causes provided by law
RA 8189
Section 8. Regional Offices
Section 9. Powers, Functions and Responsibilities of the Various Professional
Regulatory Boards 
Section 10. Compensation of the Members of the Professional Regulatory
Boards 
Section 11. Person to Teach Subjects for Licensure Examination on all
Professions
All subjects for licensure examinations shall be taught by persons who are
holders of valid certificates of registration and valid professional licenses of
the profession and who comply with the other requirements of the CHED.
RA 8189
Section 12. Assistance of Law Enforcement Agency 
Section 13. Appropriations 
Section 14. Authority to Use Income 
Section 15. Penalties for Manipulation and Other Corrupt Practices
in the Conduct of Professional Examinations
Section 16. Penalties for Violation of Section 7
Section 17. Implementing Rules and Regulations 
Section 18. Transitory Provisions 
Section 19. Separability Clause 
Section 20. Repealing Clause 
Section 21. Effectivity 
MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY BOARD EXAM REQUIREMENTS:

• BS in Medical Technology
• BS Public Health
• NSO / PSA Birth Certificate
• NSO / PSA Marriage Contract (for married female applicants)
• Transcript of Records with scanned picture and Remarks "For Board Examination
Purposes"
• (First Timer & Repeater)
• Payment: P900.00
• *After three (3)unsuccessful examinations, the applicant is required to submit a
Certificate of Completeion of a REFRESHER Course from a school of medical
technology recognized or accredited by CHED.
RA 8189

Approved: December 5, 2000

HISTORY OF MT
• The Board of Medical Technology was created in 1970 pursuant to Republic Act 5527
also known as the “Philippine Medical Technology Act of 1969.”
• The law recognized medical technology as a profession and defined the practice of
medical technology, subject to the registration and regulation policies of government.
• The first Board was composed of Dr. Arturo D. Tolentino, Jr. as Chairman and Mr. Felix
E. Asprer and Ms. Azucena S. J. Vizconde as Members.
• The Board administered the first examination for Medical Technology in September
1970, where only twenty-five percent of the examinees passed.
HISTORY OF MT
• In order to upgrade the quality of graduates, the Board established mutual relations with the
Philippine Association of Schools of Medical Technology and Hygiene (PASMETH) in
developing and updating the course syllabi to improve the performance of schools in the
licensure examinations.
– Through the years, the Board has ensured that medical technologists are able to perform the
responsibility of aiding physicians in the diagnosis, study and treatment of diseases and in the promotion
of health in general.

• With the impending liberalization of trade in services, the Board actively participates in the
Consultative Meetings of PRC regarding the ASEAN Negotiations on Services and Mutual
Recognition Agreement.
• It coordinates with the Philippine Association of Medical Technologists (PAMET) and other
CPE providers to improve the professional skills and values systems of professionals and to
adopt the latest technological developments in their field.