Republic Act No. 10029 (The Psychology Law)

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If you would want to learn more about how The Psychology Law would impact you professionally, kindly direct all of your queries to the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC).  They would be in the best position to help you.

Thank you.

 

Republic Act No. 10029 (The Psychology Law)

RA No. 10029.

The Philippine Psychology Act of 2009 or simply “The Psychology Law.”

Passed in March 16, 2010, the Bill “recognizes the significance of the psychological services that practicing psychologists provide to diverse types of clients, but also recognizes the need to protect the public by preventing inexperienced or untrained individuals from offering psychological services.” Simply put, “If you are a psychology graduate working anywhere as a psychologist or doing psychological services, you must be licensed to practice” (Villar, 2012).

At present, the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) has already appointed a Board of Psychology—comprised of the Hon. Ma. Lourdes A. Carandang (Chairperson), Hon. Miriam P. Cue, and the Hon. Imelda Virginia G. Villar—who will be tasked to lay the licensure foundation of our noble profession.

Until such time, credentialed psychologists are encouraged to apply for certification with the Psychological Association of the Philippines (PAP).  The areas of certification are as follows: Assessment Psychologists, Clinical Psychologists, Counseling Psychologists, Developmental Psychologists, Educational Psychologists, Industrial/Organizational Psychologists, and Social Psychologists. Certification is perceived to be better by those in the know as it will be your peers who will certify and recognize your competency.

For more information on licensure and certification, you can visit the official website of the Psychological Association of the Philippines (PAP) at http://www.pap.org.ph/.

Tedi Gustilo Villasor, Ph.D., RPsy, R.G.C., CSCOP
June 16, 2012
Makati City

Note: Part of an inspiration message given to the Freshmen BS Psychology students of The Makati Medical Center College of Nursing (MMCCN) last June 16, 2012 at the Makati Medical Center (MMC) Auditorium.

Addendum:

• Click here for a copy of RA No. 10029 (PDF Format)
• Psychology Law IRR (Implementing Rules and Regulations) will be enforced starting January 8, 2013.

The Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC) posted:

The rules and regulations implement R.A. No. 10029 which regulates the practice of psychology and psychometrics in the Philippines to nurture competent, upright and assiduous psychologists whose standards of professional practice are excellent and globally competitive and to protect the public from inexperienced or untrained individuals offering psychological services.

Those found violating the provisions of R.A. No. 10029 or the IRR may be meted imprisonment of not less than six months but not more than three years or a fine of not less than ten thousand pesos (PhP10,000.00) but not more than one hundred thousand pesos (PhP100,000.00).

• Online application qualification standards for Psychologists and Psychometricians (Without examination) (Note: The without examination window has since passed.)

The Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC) posted:

For Psychologist

1. 1. Original and photocopy of Certificate of Live Birth in NSO security paper.
   2. Original and photocopy of Marriage Certificate in NSO security paper (for married female only)
   3. Original and photocopy of Transcript of Records with scanned picture and with the Special Order Number indicated (for both undergraduate and graduate degrees).  Where school is exempted from the issuance of an SO, a certificate of authentication and validation (CAV) mush be secured.
   4. For those who do not have a master’s degree, a certified true copy of updating seminars and workshops attended from June 2005 to June 2010 must be presented/submitted.
   5. Original Certificates of Practice/Work Experience(s): – (a) Certificate of Employment from immediate superior duly noted by the HR Manager/Employer specifying the position title, nature of work and specific period of employment duly sworn in and notarized under oath by the issuing authorities.  Official job description signed by the HR Manager must be attached. (b) For those who are self-employed, applicant must submit the following: (1) Certificate of private practice from colleagues, professional partners and/or institutional clients, specifying the nature of work/services rendered and the duration thereof, duly sworn in and notarized under oath. (2) Work contract(s), if any, and/or sworn in statement of the practitioner specifying the nature, scope and duration of project engagement or services rendered, and the regularity of service-delivery with the undertaking that documentary evidence will be produced when required by the Board. (3) Business permit and DTI registration.
   6. Original Certificates of Good Moral Character from any of the following: school, employer, church, and/or Barangay Captain duly signed by issuing authority and notarized under oath.
   7. Original Certificates of Mental Health or Mental Fitness from a Psychiatrist or from a Registered/Certified Clinical Psychologist, duly signed and notarized under oath.
   8. Original and photocopy of valid NBI Clearance.
   9. Two (2) colored passport-size picture with white background and complete name tag.
   10. Photocopy of Community Tax Certificate.

For Psychometrician

1. 1. Original and photocopy of Certificate of Live Birth in NSO security paper.
   2. Original and photocopy of Marriage Certificate in NSO security paper (for married female only)
   3. Original and photocopy of Transcript of Records for Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology (AB/BS) with scanned picture. Special Order Number must be indicated.  Where school is exempted from the issuance of an SO, a certificate of authentication and validation (CAV) mush be secured.
   4. Original certificate of full-time work experience as a Psychometrician, either from immediate supervisor (if employed) or from institutional clients, professional partners/colleagues (if on private practice), specifying the nature of work, duly sworn in and notarized under oath. Official job description must be attached.
   5. Original and photocopy of valid NBI Clearance.
   6. Three (3) original Certificates of Good Moral Character, from any of the following: school/former professor, employer, church, and/or Barangay Captain duly signed by issuing authority and notarized under oath.
   7. Two (2) colored passport-size picture with white background and complete name tag.
   8. Photocopy of Community Tax Certificate.

Also read:

Click here to read about my Guide to submitting your PRC documents for registration without examination. (Note: The without examination window has since passed.)

Latest News: (July 14, 2016)

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and the Professional Regulatory Board of Psychology have announced that only Registered and Licensed Psychologists and Psychometricians are allowed to use professional titles “RPsy” and “RPm”, respectively.

The use and appending the professional title “RPsy” will identify the bearer as a duly registered and licensed Psychologist and the professional title “RPm” will identify the bearer as Psychometrician.The Professional Regulatory Law of Psychology prohibits individuals who are non-holders of valid Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Cards to use and append to their names such professional titles.