Republic of the Philippines Congress of the Philippines Metro Manila Eighth Congress

Republic Act No. 7164

November 21, 1

AN AC! RE"#$A!%N" !&E PRAC!%CE '( N#R)%N" %N !&E P&%$%PP%NE) Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:: AR!%C$E % !%!$E )ection 1. Title. This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Nursing Act of 1 AR!%C$E %% *EC$ARA!%'N '( P'$%C+ )ection 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to assume responsibility for the protection and improvement of the nursin profession by institutin measures that will result in relevant nursin education! and in humane workin conditions! better career prospects and a di nified e"istence for our nurses. The State hereby uarantee the delivery of basic health services throu h an ade#uate nursin personnel throu hout the country. AR!%C$E %%% 'R"AN%,A!%'N '( !&E -'AR* '( N#R)%N" )ection .. Name and Composition of the Board. There shall be created a $oard of %ursin to be composed of a &hairman and four '() members who shall be appointed by the *resident from a list of twelve '+,) nominees who are re istered nurses of reco ni-ed standin in the *hilippines and who possess the #ualifications prescribed in Section . of this Act as certified by the accredited national nurses/ association to the *rofessional 0e ulation &ommission. )ection 4. Power and Duties of the Board. The $oard shall have followin powers! duties and functions: 'a) Supervise and re ulate the practice of the nursin profession1 'b) 2escribe the sub3ects in the licensure e"amination! determine the syllabi of the sub3ects! and their relative wei ht! construct the test #uestions! in the licensure e"amination! and score and rate the e"amination paper. The $oard shall within one hundred twenty '+,4) days after the e"amination! submit a report of the e"amination result which shall contain the wei hted avera e ratin of each e"aminee to the 5ffice of the *resident for release and publication1 'c) Issue! suspend! or revoke certificates of re istration for the practice of nursin 1 'd) Study the condition affectin the nursin practice in the *hilippines and e"ercise the powers necessary to ensure the maintenance of efficient! ethical! technical! moral and professional standards in the practice of nursin ! takin into account the health needs of the nation1 1."

'e) 6"amine the prescribed facilities of universities or colle es seekin permission to open colle es of nursin or departments of nursin education in order to ensure that standards and essential re#uirements for a #ualified dean and faculty and ade#uate bud et are property complied with and maintained at all times. The authori-ation to open colle es of nursin shall be based upon the favorable written recommendation of both the $oard and the 2epartment of 6ducation! &ulture and Sports1 'f) 0e#uire nurses who raduate from state colle es and universities to render! after bein issued the necessary board licenses! at least one '+) year of nursin service in the *hilippines before they are allowed to leave for overseas 3obs1 ' ) Investi ate violations of this Act. 7or this purpose it may throu h its &hairman! with the approval of the $oard! issue summons! subpoena or subpoena duces tecum to violators of this Act and witnesses thereof and to compel their attendance by the power of contempt1 and 'h) *romul ate decisions or adopt measures as may be necessary for the improvement of the nursin practice! for the advancement of the profession! and for the proper and full enforcement of this Act. )ection /. Qualifications of Board Members. A member of the $oard shall: 'a) $e a citi-en and resident of the *hilippines1 'b) $e a member in ood standin of the accredited national nurses/ association1 'c) $e a re istered nurse and holder of a master/s de ree in nursin conferred by a colle e or university duly reco ni-ed by the 8overnment1 'd) 9ave at least ten '+4) years of continuous practice of the profession prior to appointment1 'e) %ot be a holder of a reen card or its e#uivalent1 and 'f) %ot have been convicted of any offense involvin moral turpitude even if previously e"tended pardon by the *resident of the *hilippines. )ection 6. Requirements pon Qualification as Member of the Board of Nursin!. Any person who #ualifies as &hairman or member of the $oard shall automatically resi n from any teachin position in any school! colle e or university and:or review pro ram for the local nursin board e"aminations or in any office or employment in the 8overnment or any subdivision! a ency or instrumentality thereof! includin overnment;owned or controlled corporations or their subsidiaries. 9e shall not have any pecuniary interest in or administrative supervision over any institution offerin basic nursin education pro rams! includin review classes. )ection 7. Term of "ffice. The &hairman and the members of the $oard shall hold office for a term of three '<) years and until their successors shall have #ualified: *rovided! That a member of the $oard may be reappointed for another term not e"ceedin three '<) years: *rovided! further! That! in the event that only one '+) member of the $oard is reappointed! he or she! by virtue of seniority! shall automatically become the &hairman of the new $oard. 9owever! in case two ',) or more members are reappointed! the best #ualified amon them! to be determined by all the members of the new $oard! shall become the new &hairman of the $oard: *rovided! finally! That! in case all members of the old $oard are reappointed or all members are new! all the members of the new $oard shall determine the best #ualified from amon themselves who shall be recommended to the *resident of the *hilippines to be the &hairman of the $oard. Any vacancy in the $oard occurrin within the term of a member shall be filled for the une"pired portion of the term only. 6ach member of the $oard shall take the proper oath of office prior to the performance of his or her duties.

)ection 0. Compensation of Board Members. The &hairman and members of the $oard shall receive as compensation an amount e#ual to that iven the &hairman and members of other overnment boards situated under analo ous circumstances. )ection . Remo#al of Board Members. The *resident may remove any member of the $oard on the followin rounds after ivin the member concerned an opportunity to defend himself or herself in a proper administrative investi ation to be conducted under the supervision and control of the 2epartment of =ustice! upon instruction of the *resident: 'a) &ontinued ne lect of duty or incompetence1 'b) &ommission or toleration of irre ularities in the e"amination conducted by the $oard1 and 'c) >nprofessional or dishonorable conduct. )ection 11. Rules and Re!ulations. The $oard shall promul ate such rules and re ulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. )ection 11. Records. All records of the $oard of %ursin ! includin e"amination papers! minutes of deliberations! records of administrative cases and investi ations! and e"amination results shall be kept by the *rofessional 0e ulation &ommission under the direct custody of the person desi nated by the &hairman of the &ommission. %o record shall be removed! altered or e"amined without the prior authori-ation of the $oard. )ection 12. $%amination Required. All applicants for license to practice nursin shall be re#uired to pass written e"amination by the $oard of %ursin . )ection 1.. Qualifications of &pplicants. In order to be admitted to the e"amination for nurses! an applicant must! at the time of filin his or her application! establish to the satisfaction of the $oard of %ursin that: 'a) 9e or she is a citi-en of the *hilippines! or a citi-en or sub3ect of a country which permits 7ilipino nurses to practice within its territorial limits on the same basis as the sub3ect or citi-en of such country: *rovided! That the re#uirements for the re istration or licensin of nurses in said country are substantially the same as those prescribed in this Act1 'b) 9e or she is at least ei hteen '+?) years of a e: *rovided! That any undera e applicant who successfully passes the e"amination shall not be permitted or licensed to practice nursin until he or she shall have reached the a e of ma3ority1 'c) 9e or she is in ood health and is of ood moral character1 and 'd) 9e or she is a holder of bachelor/s de ree in nursin from a colle e or university duly reco ni-ed by the proper overnment a ency. )ection 14. 'icensure $%amination. The licensure e"amination for the practice of nursin in the *hilippines shall by iven by the $oard not earlier than one '+) month but not later than two ',) months after the closin of the semester prescribed by the 2epartment of 6ducation! &ulture and Sports. The e"amination shall be held in the &ity of Manila or in such places as may be decided by the $oard sub3ect to the approval of the *rofessional 0e ulation &ommission. )ection 1/. (cope of $%amination. The scope of the e"amination for the practice of nursin in the *hilippines shall be determined by the $oard. The $oard shall take into consideration the ob3ectives of the nursin curriculum! the broad areas of nursin ! and other related disciplines and competencies in determinin the sub3ects of e"aminations. )ection 16. Ratin! in the e%amination. In order to pass the e"amination! an e"aminee must obtain a eneral avera e ratin of at least seventy;five percent '@.A) with a ratin of

not below si"ty percent 'B4A) in any sub3ect. An e"aminee who obtains an avera e ratin of seventy;five percent '@.A) or hi her but ets a ratin below si"ty percent 'B4A) in any iven sub3ect must take the e"amination a ain! but only in the sub3ect or sub3ects where he or she rated below si"ty percent 'B4A). In order to pass the succeedin e"amination an e"aminee must obtain a ratin of at lest seventy;five percent '@.A) in the sub3ect or sub3ects repeated. An e"aminee who despite the third e"amination fails to obtain at least seventy;five percent '@.A) in the sub3ect or sub3ects repeated shall no lon er be allowed to take the e"amination! unless he proves to the satisfaction of the $oard that he:she has under one a refresher course consistin in enrollment and passin in the re ular fourth year sub3ects in a reco ni-ed nursin school. )ection 17. )ssuance of Certificates. A certificate of re istration as nurse shall be issued to any applicant who passes the e"amination upon payment of the prescribed fees. 6very certificate of re istration shall show the full name of the re istrant! the serial number! the si nature of the members of the $oard! and the official seal of the $oard. )ection 10. *ees of $%amination and Re!istration. Applicants for licensure e"amination and for re istration shall pay the prescribed fees set by the *rofessional 0e ulation &ommission. )ection 1 . Re!istration by Reciprocity. &ertificates of re istration may be issued without e"amination to nurses re istered under the laws of any forei n state or country: *rovided! That the re#uirements for the re istration or licensin of nurses in said country are substantially the same as those prescribed under this Act: *rovided! further! That the laws of such state or country rant the same privile es to re istered nurses of the *hilippines on the same basis as the sub3ects or citi-ens of such forei n state or country. )ection 21. Non+issuance of Certificates in Certain Cases. %o person convicted by final 3ud ment of any criminal offense involvin moral turpitude or any person uilty of immoral or dishonorable conduct shall be issued a certificate of re istration. The $oard shall furnish the applicant a written statement settin forth the reasons for its action which shall be incorporated in the records of the $oard. )ection 21. Re#ocation and (uspension of Certificates. The $oard shall have the power to revoke or suspend the certificate of re istration of a nurse upon any of the followin rounds: 'a) 7or any of the causes mentioned in the precedin section1 'b) 7or unprofessional and unethical conduct1 'c) 7or ross incompetence and serious i norance1 'd) 7or malpractice or ne li ence in the practice of nursin 1 and 'e) 7or the use of fraud! deceit! or false statements in obtainin a certificate of re istration. )ection 22. Reissuance of Re#o,ed Certificates and Replacement of 'ost Certificates. The $oard may! for reasons of e#uity and 3ustice or when the cause for revocation has disappeared or has been cured and corrected! upon proper application therefor and the payment of the re#uired fees! issue another copy of the certificate of re istration. AR!%C$E %2 N#R)%N" E*#CA!%'N

)ection 2.. -eneral $ntrance Requirements. Applicants desirin to enroll in a nursin course must belon to the upper forty percent '(4A) of the raduatin class of the eneral secondary course! as certified by the school. )ection 24. Nursin! $ducation Pro!ram. The nursin education pro ram shall provide sound academic and professional foundation for the practice of nursin . )ection 2/. 'earnin! $%periences. The learnin e"periences re#uired in a classroom! hospital! home! community or other health:welfare a ency shall adhere strictly to specific re#uirements embodied in the prescribed curriculum for the nursin course and in the rules! policies! and standards of nursin education. Such learnin e"perience shall not be less than si" 'B) units or its e#uivalent. )ection 26. Qualifications of the *aculty. A member of the faculty in a colle e or school of nursin must: 'a) $e a 7ilipino citi-en1 'b) $e a re istered nurse in the *hilippines1 'c) 9ave at least three '<) years of clinical practice in a field of speciali-ation1 'd) $e a member of ood standin in the accredited national nurses/ association1 and 'e) $e a holder of a master/s de ree in nursin or other related fields conferred by a colle e or university duly reco ni-ed by the 8overnment of the 0epublic of the *hilippines1 *rovided! however! That nothin in this Act shall be construed to dis#ualify those who have already been considered #ualified and actually occupyin the position before the effectivity of this Act: *rovided! further! That those occupyin such position before the effectivity of this Act shall be iven a period of five '.) years from the date of effectivity of this Act within which to #ualify under the provisions hereof: *rovided! finally! That! by the year ,444! all colle es of nursin shall only employ faculty members with a master/s de ree in nursin or in other related fields. In addition to the aforementioned #ualifications! the dean of a colle e or school of nursin must have had at least there '<) years of e"perience in teachin and supervision in nursin education! and preferably must have a master/s de ree in administration and supervision of nursin education pro rams. AR!%C$E 2 N#R)%N" PRAC!%CE )ection 27. (cope of Nursin!. A person shall be deemed to be practicin nursin within the meanin of this Act when he! for a fee! salary or other reward or compensation! sin ly or in collaboration with another! initiates and performs nursin services to individuals! families and communities in various sta es of development towards the promotion of health! prevention of illness! restoration of health! and alleviation of sufferin throu h: 'a) >tili-ation of the nursin process! includin assessment! plannin ! implementation and evaluation of nursin care. %ursin care includes! but not limited to! traditional and innovative approaches in self;e"ecutin nursin techni#ues and procedures! comfort measures! health teachin and administration of le al and written prescription for treatment therapies! medication and hypodermic intramuscular or intravenous in3ections: *rovided! however! That! in the administration of intravenous in3ections! special trainin shall be re#uired accordin to protocol established1 'b) 6stablishment of linka es with community resources and coordination of the health team1 'c) Motivation of individuals! families and communities1 resources and coordination of services with other members of the health team1

'd) *articipation in teachin ! uidance and supervision of student in nursin education pro rams! includin administerin nursin services in varied settin s such as hospitals! homes! communities and the like1 undertakin consultation services1 and en a in in such other activities that re#uire the utili-ation of knowled e and decision;makin skill of a re istered nurse1 and 'e) >ndertakin nursin and health manpower development trainin and research and solicitin finances therefor! in cooperation with the appropriate overnment or private a ency: *rovided! however! That this provision shall not apply to nursin students who perform nursin functions under the direct supervision of #ualified faculty. )ection 20. Qualifications of Nursin! (er#ice &dministrator. A person occupyin supervisory or mana erial positions re#uirin knowled e of nursin must: 'a) $e a 7ilipino citi-en or a former 7ilipino citi-en who was has officially declared his:her intention to reac#uire 7ilipino citi-enship1 'b) $e a re istered nurse in the *hilippines1 'c) $e a member in ood standin of the accredited national or ani-ation of nurses1 'd) 9ave at least two ',) years e"perience in eneral nursin service administration1 and 'e) *ossess a de ree of $achelor of Science in %ursin ! with at least nine 'C) units in mana ement courses at the raduate level. *rovided! That a person occupyin the position of chief nurse or director of nursin service shall! in addition to the fore oin #ualifications! possess: 'a) At least five '.) years of e"perience in a supervisory or mana erial position in nursin 1 and 'b) A master/s de ree ma3or in nursin service administration or its e#uivalent: *rovided however! That those occupyin such position before the effectivity of this Act shall be iven a period of five '.) years from the date of effectivity of this Act within which to #ualify: *rovided! further! That! by the year ,444! only holders of a master/s de ree ma3or in nursin administration shall be appointed to such position: *rovided finally! That! for hospitals with bed capacity of fifty '.4) and below! the minimum academic #ualifications and e"periences for a chief nurse shall be as specified under subsections 'c)! 'd) and 'e) of this section. AR!%C$E 2% &EA$!& &#3AN RE)'#RCE *E2E$'P3EN!, PR'*#C!%'N AN* #!%$%,A!%'N )ection 2 . (tudies for Nursin! Manpower Needs. Production. tili/ation and De#elopment. The %ursin $oard shall undertake studies and initiate and:or cooperate with appropriate overnment or private a encies in the conduct of studies for health human resource production! utili-ation and development. AR!%C$E 2%% PENA$ AN* 3%)CE$$ANE'#) PR'2%)%'N) )ection .1. Prohibitions in the Practice of Nursin!. A fine of not less than Ten thousand pesos '*+4!444.44) nor more than 7orty thousand pesos '*(4!444.44) or imprisonment of not less than one '+) year nor more than si" 'B) years! or both! in the discretion of the court! shall be imposed upon: 'a) Any person practicin nursin in the *hilippines within the meanin of this Act:

'+) Dithout a certificate of re istration or without havin been declared e"empt from e"amination in accordance with the provisions of this Act1 ',) Dho uses as his:her own the certificate or re istration of another1 '<) Dho uses an e"pired! suspended or revoked certificate of re istration1 '() Dho ives any false evidence to the $oard of %ursin in order to obtain a certificate of re istration1 '.) Dho falsely poses or advertises as a re istered nurse or uses any other means that tend to convey the impression that he or she is a re istered nurse1 or 'B) Dho appends $.S.%.:0.%. '$achelor of Science in %ursin :0e istered %urse) to his:her name without havin been conferred said de ree or re istration1 'b) Any person who undertakes in;service educational pro rams or who conducts review classes for both local and forei n e"aminations without permit:clearance from the *hilippine %ursin Association! the $oard of %ursin and the appropriate office or officer of the 2epartment of Eabor and 6mployment1 and 'c) Any person violatin any provision of this Act. )ection .1. (tandard Basic Pay. $ased on current %ational 6conomic and 2evelopment Authority '%62A) fi ures! the proper overnment office or a ency shall fi" a standard pay for all nurses workin in either public or private health a encies. The same standard basic pay shall be increased periodically to cope with the increase in cost of livin . )ection .2. $nforcement of this &ct. It shall be the duty of all duly constituted law; enforcement a encies and officers of national! provincial! city or municipal overnments to enforce the provisions of this Act and to prosecute any person violatin the same. )ection ... Repealin! Clause. All laws! decrees! orders! circulars! rules and re ulations! and other issuances which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed! amended or modified accordin ly. )ection .4. (eparability Clause. If any part of this Act is declared unconstitutional! the remainin parts not affected thereby shall continue to be valid and operational. )ection ./. $ffecti#ity. This Act shall take effect one '+) month after its publication in any newspaper of eneral circulation in the *hilippines. Approved: November 21, 1 1