A PRIMER ON RA 10029: THE PHILIPPINE PSYCHOLOGY

ACT OF 2009

Aurora Corpuz-Mendoza, Ph.D.Department of Psychology, UP-Diliman

Psychological Association of the Philippines17 August 2011

Iloilo Grand Hotel

Philippine Psychology Act of 2009

AN ACT TO REGULATE THE PRACTICE OF PSYCHOLOGY,CREATING FOR THIS PURPOSE A PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF PSYCHOLOGY, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Approved March 16, 2010

DEFINITION OF TERMS “BOARD” refers to the Professional

Regulatory Board of Psychology

“COMMISSION” refers to the Prrofessional Regulation Commission

“PSYCHOLOGY” refers to The scientific study of human behavior

EFFECTIVITY OF THE PSYCH LAW• The Board must first be constituted• The IRR will be promulgated by the Board

WITHIN 90 DAYS after the Board is constituted, subject to approval of the Commission

• The Psych Law shall take effect 15 days ff its complete publication in 2 newspapers of general circulation

Definition of Terms“PRACTICE OF PSYCHOLOGY” refers

to the Delivery of psychological services. Under the Psych Law, these services belong, but are not limited, to 3 types:

*Psychological Interventions*Psychological Assessment*Psychological Programs

1. What are “PSYCHOLOGICAL INTERVENTIONS”?

• Psychological Counseling• Psychotherapy• Psychosocial Support• Coaching• Psychological Debriefing• Group Processes• All other interventions with applications

of psychology

2. What does “PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT” include?

• Gathering and integration of psychology-related data

• To assess psychological functions, e.g. cognitive abilities, aptitudes, personality, attitudes, values, interests, emotions, motivations (psychological evaluation)

• Using various tools, e.g. individual tests, projective tests, clinical interviews, others

• In support of psychological interventions

3. What are “PSYCHOLOGICAL PROGRAMS”?

• Planning• Implementation• Monitoring• Evaluation

Programs ofPsychologicalTreatment for:

Individuals Groups

DevelopmentPlanningImplementationMonitoringEvaluation

Is teaching psychology “Psychological practice”?

• Under RA 10029, TEACHING OF PSYCHOLOGY is NOT SPECIFIED as Professional Practice

• But there is a Commission rule that those teaching subjects required in the licensure exam should be licensed professionals

Does teaching these psychology courses require a license?

Regulation of the teaching of psychology under the terms of the Psych Law will still have to be clarified by the IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS (IRR) that will be approved by the Board

Who needs to get licensed?• All those who want to provide

psychological services that fall under the 3 types of “practice of psychology” will be required to be licensed when the law is implemented

• Licensing constitutes the regulation of psychological practice to ensure the quality of these services

Who issues the license to practice?

• License/ID is issued by the Professional Regulatory Board of Psychology and the Professional Regulation Commission

Are there dif. types of licenses for the practice of dif. psychological services?

There are 2 types of licenses, depending on the services you want to practice.

1. License for “Psychologist” allows for the practice of all 3 types of services:

a. Psychological interventionsb. Psychological assessmentc. Psychological programs

Types of License2. License for “Psychometrician” allows

for limited practice only, and under the supervision of a licensed “Psychologist”:

a. Administer & score objective personality tests,structured personality tests, pen and paper intelligence, achievement & interest tests, BUT NOT projective tests & similar othersb. Interpret results of same & prepare reports on samec. Conduct preparatory intake interviews of clients for psychological interventions

What are the requirements to practice as licensed “Psychologist” or

Psychometrician”

• Valid Certificate of Registration (CR)• Valid Professional ID as

“Psychologist”/Psychometrician

How does one register and get a valid ID or license to practice as

“psychologist” or “psychometrician”?1. Must take licensure exam for “psychologist”

or licensure exam for “psychometrician”BUT

2. During a 3-year transition period from the Board’s creation, if they apply, those qualified to register without taking the licensure exam can be issued a CR & a professional ID –This is the Grandfather’s Clause

WHO IS QUALIFIED TO TAKE THE LICENSURE EXAMINATION FOR

PSYCHOLOGISTS?Filipino CitizensWith at least Master’s degree in Psychology With Minimum 200 hours

practicum/internship or clinical experienceWith Good moral character and No conviction

on offenses of moral turpitudeWith credits for (graduate) subjects covered in

the exam

WHAT ARE THE SUBJECTS YOU SHOULD HAVE CREDITS FOR, SO THAT

YOU CAN TAKE THE LICENSE EXAM FOR PSYCHOLOGISTS?

• Advanced Theories of Personality• Advanced Abnormal Psychology• Advanced Psychological Assessment• Psychological Counseling &

Psychotherapy

WHO IS QUALIFIED TO TAKE LICENSURE EXAMINATION FOR

PSYCHOMETRICIANS?

Filipino CitizensWith at least BA/BS Psychology DegreeWith Good Moral Character and No conviction

on offenses of Moral TurpitudeWith credits for (undergraduate) subjects

covered in exam

WHAT ARE THE SUBJECTS YOU SHOULD HAVE CREDITS FOR, SO THAT YOU CAN TAKE THE LICENSE EXAM FOR PSYCHOMETRICIANS?

• Theories of Personality• Abnormal Psychology• Industrial Psychology• Psychological Assessment

RATINGS REQUIRED TO PASS EXAMFOR BOTH PSYCHOLOGISTS AND PSYCHOMETRICIANSA. WEIGHTED GENERAL AVERAGE of at least

75% for all subjects, andB. NO GRADE LOWER than 60% in any subject• IF B NOT SATISFIED, examinee can retake such

subject or subjects within the next 2 years and will pass the exam when both A and B are satisfied during the retake

Can one practice as “Psychologist” and REGISTER WITHOUT EXAMINATION?

• Must apply for registration, CR, and Professional ID, within 3 years after creation of the Board

QUALIFICATIONS to register w/o exam:PhD Psychology & 3 years ACCUMULATED

practice of Psychology, ORM/MA/MS Psychology & 5 years ACCUMULATED

practice, ORBA/BS Psychology, presently employed &

minimum 10 years practice AND updated professional education in psych-related functions

Can one practice as“PSYCHOMETRICIAN” and REGISTER WITHOUT EXAM?

*Must apply for registration, certificate of registration (CR), and Professional ID, within 3 years after creation of the Board

Qualifications to register w/o exam:BA/BS Psychology DEGREE, ANDACCUMULATED Minimum 2 years full

time work experience in the practice of psychometrics

How does one register as a “Psychologist” or “Psychometrician”?

FOR ALL PASSING EXAMINEES & QUALIFIED APPLICANTS W/O TAKING THE EXAM

Must take Oath of Psychologists, or Psychometricians, to uphold the profession before any Board Member or Commission Officer, before practicingCR shall be issued & remain in full force &

effect until suspended or revokedProfessional ID Card is valid for 3 years &

renewable upon compliance with continuing education requirements

NON-ISSUANCE OF CR & ID CARDBoard shall not register or issue CR or ID to any

person:

• Convicted of a criminal offense involving moral turpitude,

• Found guilty by a judicial or duly constituted tribunal of immoral or dishonorable conduct,

• Medically diagnosed to be of unsound mind

REASONS FOR SUSPENSION/REVOCATION OF CR AND ID CARD BY THE BOARD

•Procurement of CR and/or ID card or special temporary permit by FRAUD or DECEIT•Allowing the use of one’s CR and/or ID card by another to advertise or practice the profession•Violation of provisions of the Psych Law and code of ethics or code of professional standards set by the Board

Other reasons for SUSPENSION/REVOCATION OF CR AND ID

CARD BY THE BOARD• Manifest physical or mental

incompetence to render psychological services

• Professional misconduct or negligence in the performance of duties as psychologist/psychometrician

• Engaging in practice while suspended

REINSTATEMENT AFTER REVOCATION

• Need to apply, in writing and in conformity with requirements prescribed by Board, for reinstatement any time after 2 years from date of revocation

• Board will decide on the merits of the application

• Issuance of lost, destroyed, mutilated CRs or IDs are subject to rules prescribed by the Commission

All laws, decrees, rules inconsistent with the Psych Law are hereby repealed or

modified.

MARAMING SALAMAT!PAP

2011ACMendoza2011 August