New CPD Law and PRC Implementation

The details and updates on new CPD law and PRC guidelines for all professionals are posted below.

MANILA - Starting 2017, all Filipino professionals licensed and registered under Professional Regulation Commission are required to earn Continuing Professional Development units.

This new requirement is based on the recently passed Republic Act 10912 or the Continuing Professional Development Act of 2016, one of the bills that has lapsed into law this July after former President Benigno 'PNoy' Aquino III failed to sign or veto it.

The new CPD Law, sponsored by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV as Senate Bill 2581, got the nod in Senate last August 2015. The House of Representatives adopted SBN-2581 as an amendment to House Bill 6423 on May 23, 2016. It lapsed into law last July 21, 2016.

The measure mandates all professionals regulated by PRC to take CPD programs with corresponding units before the renewal of PRC ID. Each Professional Regulatory Boards must create a CPD Council to comprehensively monitor and supervise the efficiency and progress of the CPD programs for their respective profession.




Full Text of new CPD Law:

PRC Guidelines

In compliance with the new law, PRC issued amendments to the revised guidelines and the procedures of implementation of CPD programs through PRC Resolution No. 2016-990, signed by chairman Teofilo S. Pilando, Jr. and commissioners Angeline T. Chua Chiaco and Yolana D. Reyes.

Here are some of the amendments:

• Each Professional Regulatory Board (PRB) shall create a CPD Council composed of Chairperson and 2 members.
• CPD Council accredits Local CPD Providers (Individual/Sole Proprietor, Firm/Partnership/Corporation, or Government Institutions/Agencies) and Foreign CPD Providers.
• Required CPD units of each profession must be earned every three years.

On 17 October 2016, PRC posted that the full implementation of the new law and guidelines will start on first quarter of 2017.

Here's the full guidelines, with matrices on the required units and how to earn it, etc.:

CPD Units

120 Credit Units: Accountancy

45 Credit Units: Aeronautical Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Agriculture, Architecture, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Criminology, Customs Broker, Dentistry, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Environmental Planning, Fisheries, Forestry, Geodetic Engineering, Geology, Guidance and Counseling, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture, Librarian, Mechanical Engineering, Medical Technology, Medicine, Metallurgical Engineering, Midwifery, Mining Engineering, Naval Architecture, Nursing, Nutrition and Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, Optometry, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Professional Teachers, Psychology, Radiologic Technology, Real Estate Service, Respiratory Therapy, Sanitary Engineering, Social Work, Veterinary Medicine

30 Credit Units: Chemical Technician, Dental Technician, Dental Hygienist, Master Electrician, Electronics Technician, Master Plumbing, Certified Plant Mechanic, Medical Laboratory Technician, Metallurgical Plant Foreman, Mine/Mill/Quarry Foreman, Detailman, X-Ray Technician, Real Estate Sales Person

[Related: PRC-Accredited CPD Providers for Teachers]

Proposed Implementation

Last 27 October 2016, PRC held the 5th Professional Summit at Manila Hotel, and the new CPD Law was one of the topics that were tackled. Specific items of the Law was highlighted by the presenter, Mr. Gerard Sanvictores, Program Manager, CPD Program Management Committee.

As posted by PNA GenSan Chapter, Sanvictores said that General Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) and that of each Professional Regulatory Board are yet to be released. The proposed transition period for the Credit Units required are as follows:

PRC ID Renewal Period/Year - Minimum CPD CUs Required

• January-June 2017 - 0 unit
• July-December 2017 - 15 units
• 2018 - 30 units
• 2019 - 45 units
• 2020 onwards - 45 units

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