Supreme Court E-Library
Information At Your Fingertips

  View printer friendly version

WHEREAS, by virtue of Executive Order No. 266, issued on July 25, 1995, the President of the Philippines ordered/decreed the institutionalization of the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Programs of the various Professional Regulatory Boards (PRBS) under the supervision of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC); and

WHEREAS, Section 3 of the said Order directs the PRC, after consultations with and upon recommendation of the various PRBS, to issue the necessary standardized guidelines and procedures for the implementation of the CPE programs for all the professions.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Professional Regulation Commission hereby RESOLVED, as it now RESOLVES, to prescribe, issue and promulgate the following standardized guidelines and procedures for the implementation of the CPE programs for all professions:


SECTION 1.       Objectives — The CPE programs shall have these objectives: (1) To provide and ensure the continuous education of a registered professional with the latest trends in the profession brought about by modernization and scientific and technological advancement; (2) To raise and maintain the professional’s capability for delivering professional services; (3) To attain and maintain the highest standard and quality of the practice of his profession; (4) To make the professional globally competitive; and (5) To promote the general welfare of the public.

SECTION 2.       Definition — Continuing Professional Education (CPE) refers to the inculcation, assimilation and acquisition of knowledge, skills, proficiency and ethical and moral values, after the initial registration of a professional, that raises and enhances the professional’s technical skills and professional competence.

SECTION 3.       Nature — The CPE programs consist of programmed activities the implementation of which requires the participation of a determinate group of professionals to meet the requirements for the renewal of their professional licenses once every three (3) years..

SECTION 4.       Rationale — Compliance with the CPE Program as a condition for the renewal of a professional license is an effective and credible substitute for requiring a professional to pass another examination in order to allow him/her to continue the practice of his profession.


SECTION 5.       Creation — Each of the PRBs, upon approval by the PRC, shall create a Council within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this resolution.  It shall be known as the CPE Council which shall assist its corresponding PRB in implementing its CPE Programs.

SECTION 6.       Composition — Each CPE Council shall be composed of a chairman and two (2) members.  The chairman of each CPE Council shall be chosen from among the members of the PRB by the members themselves.  The first member shall be the president or, in his absence or incapacity, any officer chosen by the Board of Directors of the Accredited Professional Organization (APO).  The second member shall be the president or, in his absence or incapacity, any officer of the organization of deans or department heads of schools, colleges or universities offering the course requiring licensure examination.  In the absence of such organization, the second member shall be chosen and appointed by the PRC from at least three (3) recommendees of the PRB concerned; said recommendees should be well-known academicians.

SECTION 7.       Terms of Office — The term of office of the chairman of each CPE Council shall be co-terminus with his/her incumbency in the PRB.  The first member shall have a term of office co-terminus with his/her incumbency as officer of the APO.  The second member shall have a term of office co-terminus with his/her incumbency as officer of the organization of deans or heads of departments.  In the case of the academician chosen and appointed by the PRC his/her term of office shall be for two (2) years with one reappointment..

Except in the case of the academician - member, upon the expiration of their respective terms of office in the PRB, APO or organization of deans or heads of departments, the chairman, first member and second member shall continue to function as such in the CPE Council until the appointment or election of their respective successors in the PRB, APO or organization.

SECTION 8.       Exercise of Powers and Functions — Each CPE Council shall, upon a majority vote, exercise powers and functions which shall include but shall not be limited to the following:

1.         Accept, evaluate and approve applications for accreditation of CPE providers.

2.         Accept, evaluate and approve applications for accreditation of CPE programs, activities or sources as to their relevance to the profession and determine the number of CPE credit units to be earned on the basis of the contents of the program, activity or source as submitted by the CPE providers.

3.         Accept, evaluate and approve applications for exemptions from CPE requirements.

4.         Monitor periodically the implementation of programs, activities or sources.

5.         Assess periodically and upgrade criteria for accreditation of CPE providers and CPE programs, activities or sources.

6.         Perform such other related functions that may be incidental to the implementation of the CPE programs or policies.

SECTION 9.       Functions of the CPE Council Chairman — Each CPE Council Chairman shall have the following functions:

1.         To preside over the meetings of the CPE Council.

2.         To direct or supervise the activities of the CPE Council.

3.         To submit annual reports.

SECTION 10.    Secretariat — The Commissioner of the PRC shall designate or appoint an official of the PRC with the rank not lower than Division Chief who shall act as the Secretary of all the CPE Councils.  The designated official may participate in the deliberations of the CPE Councils but shall not vote.  His/her duties and functions shall be as follows:

1.         To see to it that the sessions, meetings or proceedings of all the CPE Councils are recorded.

2.         To prepare the minutes of all the meetings and proceedings of the CPE Councils.

3.         To submit to the CPE Councils applications for accreditation of aspiring CPE providers and CPE programs, activities or sources.

4.         To receive applications for accreditation of CPE providers, CPE programs, activities or sources.

5.         To collect accreditation fees and issue corresponding receipts for and in behalf of the CPE Councils.

6.         To release Certificates of Accreditation to CPE providers and programs, activities or sources.

7.         To assist the CPE Council by providing relevant statistical data on the renewal of professional licenses and other related matters.

The Secretary shall exercise general supervision and control over each of the CPE Council Secretariats, the staff of which shall be selected by the Commissioner of the PRC from among the existing personnel of the PRC, in addition to the present administrative staff of the APO’S.  Each of the CPE Council Secretariats shall have, among others, the following functions:

1.         To release CPE Certifications of credit units earned to professional.

2.         To keep all records, paper and other documents relative to the evaluation, approval and accreditation of CPE programs, activities or sources.

3.         Maintain records of accredited CPE providers, on-going, continuing or completed CPE programs, activities or sources, the list of participants and other relevant data.

4.         To collect fees for the issuance of CPE certifications of credit units earned.

In the interim, the administrative staff existing and functioning in the different APOs shall continue to function, subject, however, to the supervision and control of the CPE Councils.  The personnel or staff shall continue to be paid by the APOs until their transfer to and absorption by the Secretariat.

SECTION 11.    Meetings — The CPE Councils shall hold regular meetings once a month on a date to be set by said Councils.  Special meetings may be called, upon written request of at least one member of a CPE Council..

SECTION 12.    Funds of the Councils — The CPE Councils’ operations shall be funded by the receipt of fees derived from the evaluation and accreditation of CPE providers, programs, activities or sources, issuance of certifications of credit units earned and other related services or activity.  Such receipts shall be established and treated as special or trust funds.


SECTION 13.    Criteria for Accreditation — In order to merit accreditation, the following criteria shall be complied with.

A.        For CPE Provider:

1.         Must either be a duly registered organization, firm, institution or agency, or a professional of good standing and has never been convicted of a crime;

2.         Shall have an established mechanism for measuring the quality of the program being offered or administered;

3.         Must have adequate, modern and updated instructional materials to carry out the CPE programs and activities;

4.         Shall have instructors, lecturers and resource speakers with good moral character and technical competence.

B.        For CPE programs, activities or sources:

1.         The scope shall be beyond the basic preparation for admission to the practice of the profession.

2.         The programs, activities or sources shall enhance the competence of the professional by upgrading and updating knowledge and skills for the practice of the profession as brought about by modernization and scientific and technical advancements in the profession.

3.         The content shall be related but not limited to the practice of the profession.

SECTION 14.    Programs, Activities, and Sources for Accreditation and Equivalent Credit Units — Any provider may submit to the CPE Council programs, activities or sources to be approved and accredited for Continuing Professional Education (CPE) units.  The provider should be notified of the disapproval of his CPE programs, activities or sources.  No provider shall implement or administer a program, activity or source without prior approval from the Council.

As used in these guidelines, the following terms shall mean:

1.         Seminars shall refer to the gathering of professionals which shall include, among others, workshops, technical lectures or subject matter meetings, non-degree training courses and scientific meetings.

2.         Conventions shall refer to the gathering of professionals which shall include among others conferences, symposia or assemblies for round table discussions.

3.         Doctoral Degree shall refer to a post graduate degree from a recognized college or university.

4.         Masteral Degree shall refer to a graduate degree from a recognized school, college or university.

5.         Fellowship shall refer to the completion of a post doctoral training program in a specific field pre-approved by a duly recognized institution; scientific faculty meeting and the like.

6.         Residency shall refer to apprenticeship training at the graduate level which is beyond the basic preparation for the health professionals.  This should be conducted by duly accredited hospitals and medical centers and the like.

7.         Authorship shall refer to the ownership of intellectual property which includes technical or professional books, instructional materials and the like.  Credits earned must be claimed within one (1) year from date of publication.

8.         Distance Learning shall refer to correspondence learning which uses course manuals or accredited learning modules.  Accredited learning modules include self-instructional materials or programs which may be in the form of printed manual, audio and video cassette tapes, films, computer-assisted learning (CAL), study kits, learning aids and modules or the use of the information highway.  These should include among others, clearly defined objectives, adequate content and an evaluation component for each module.

9.         On the Job Training shall mean externship training or specialization at the post graduate level for a minimum period of one (1) week.

10.       Local shall refer to the national, regional or chapter implementation or administration of CPE program, activity or source.

11.       Resource Speaker shall refer to a professional who acts as a discussion leader or lecturer in a convention or seminar.

12.       CPE Provider shall refer to a natural person or a juridical entity which includes, among others, accredited professional organization, firm, partnership, corporation or institution which offers, organizes or arranges CPE programs, activities or sources for implementation and administration.

The following is the matrix for CPE programs, activities or sources * with their corresponding credit units and supporting documents.

SECTION 15.    CPE Credit Units — The total CPE credit units for registered professionals with baccalaureate degree shall be sixty (60) credit units for three (3) years.  Any excess credit units earned shall not be carried over to the next three-year period except credit units earned for doctoral and masteral degrees.

The total CPE credit units for registered professionals without baccalaureate degrees shall be thirty (30) credit units for three years.  Any excess shall not be carried over to the next three-year period.

One credit hour of CPE program, activity or source shall be equivalent to one (1) credit unit.

SECTION 16.    Procedures — Each CPE Council shall observe the following procedures for the accreditation of CPE providers and CPE programs, activities, or sources:

A.        Procedure for accreditation of CPE provider:

I.          In case of natural persons.

1.       Any person seeking to offer an organized or arranged program, activity or source shall accomplish and submit to the appropriate CPE Council an application form.

2.       An application shall include but shall not be limited to the following information:

a.            Full name, address and telephone number of the applicant-provider.

b.            Relevant educational background

c.            Profession, principal area of professional work and number of years in the entire practice of profession.

d.            PRC License Number

e.            Current employment

3.       Applicant-provider shall submit a valid NBI clearance.

4.       Applicant-provider shall pay an accreditation fee of P100.00

II.         In case of juridical entities:

1.       Any agency, organization, institution, association or related juridical entity seeking to offer an organized program, activity or source shall accomplish and submit to the appropriate CPE Council an application form.

2.       An application shall include but shall not be limited to the following information and documents:

a.            Full name, address and telephone number

b.            Registration papers

c.            List of officers

3.       Applicant-provider shall pay an accreditation fee of P500.00.

III.        All applicants shall submit to the CPE Council concerned

1.       Mechanism for measuring the quality of the program, activity of source being offered.

2.       Criteria for selecting and evaluating speakers, resource persons or lecturers.

IV.        Issuance of Certification of Accreditation as CPE provider. Accreditation shall be for a period of three (3) years, renewable for another three (3) years upon the filing of an application and payment of accreditation fee.

B.        Procedure for Accreditation of a CPE Program, Activity or Source.

1.       A CPE provider seeking accreditation of an organized or arranged CPE program, activity or source shall submit said program, activity or source in triplicate to the CPE Council concerned for its evaluation and approval.  The program, activity or source shall cover a period not to exceed three (3) years.

2.       The application for accreditation of a CPE program, activity or source shall include the following information:

a.       Title/s of program/s.

b.       Name of CPE provider, address, phone and fax numbers

c.       Date and location of the administration of the program

d.       Objectives

e.       Targeted audience or participants.

f.        Contents and number of hours

g.       Resource speakers, lecturers, discussion leaders, panelists, reactors, moderators, and facilitators including their qualifications

h.       Actual program and schedule

i.        Seminar or convention fee to be collected.

j.        Evaluation to be used which could either be any of the following modes or systems:

i.        evaluation of seminar by participant

ii.            evaluation of participants by CPE providers;              tests

iii.           other methods of evaluation

3.         The applicant-provider shall pay a program accreditation fee of P500.00 for every seminar or convention day.

4.         If the CPE Council concerned finds the CPE program, activity or source to be relevant to the profession and to be in accordance with these guidelines, said CPE Council shall issue a certificate of accreditation within thirty (30) days from receipt of the application.

SECTION 17.            Post-accreditation requirement — Upon the completion of an accredited CPE program, activity or source, the CPE provider shall submit a report to the CPE Council concerned.  The report shall be in the form prescribed by the CPE Council concerned and shall include but shall not be limited to the following information:

1.         Name of CPE provider.

2.         Name or description of CPE program, activity or source.

3.         Accreditation number and date of issuance of accreditation.

4.         Certified list of participants indicating names and PRC professional license numbers, resource speakers, lecturers, discussion leaders, panelists, moderators or facilitators who took part or participated in the CPE program, activity or source.

5.         Date, time of start and completion of the holding of the CPE program, activity or source.

6.         Venue or location of the holding of the program.

7.         Summary of evaluation results of participants.

8.         Name of Secretariat representative who monitor the CPE program or activity.

SECTION 18.    Exemption from CPE Requirements Procedure — A registered professional shall be permanently exempt from CPE requirements upon reaching the age of 65 years old.  To avail of this exemption, the professional must

1.         Submit an application for exemption which should include the following data:

a.       Full name, residence address and phone number

b.       PRC License Number

c.       Degree obtained; college or university attended; year obtained

d.       Principal area of professional work

e.       If employed:

i. Position
ii.            Name of employer
iii.           Address of Employer

2.         Submit an authentic or authenticated copy of birth certificate

3.         Pay a fee of P100.00 for the issuance of Certificate of Permanent Exemption.

A registered professional who is working or practicing his/her profession or furthering his/her studies abroad shall be temporarily exempt from compliance with CPE requirements during the period of his/her stay abroad. To be exempt, the professional must

1.         Submit an application for temporary exemption, to include the following data:

a.       Full name, residence address and phone number

b.       PRC License Number

c.       Degree obtained; college of university attended; year obtained.

d.       Principal area of professional work

e.       If employed:

i. Position

ii.            Name of employer

iii.           Address of employer

f.        If studying, certificate of enrollment from college or university where presently enrolled.

2.         Submit passport

3.         Pay a fee of P100.00 for issuance of Certificate of Temporary Exemption.

A permanently exempt registered professional shall be allowed to renew his/her license without complying with the CPE requirements upon his/her accomplishment of the necessary papers as previously mentioned and upon payment of the annual registration fee for three (3) years.  A temporarily exempt registered professional shall be allowed to renew license upon his/her compliance with the requirements for temporary exemption and upon payment of the annual registration fee for three (3) years for as long as he/she continues to be out of the country.


SECTION 19.    Sanctions — Unless otherwise exempted, registered professionals who have not complied with the CPE requirements provided herein shall not be allowed to renew their PRC professional licenses.  Those who failed to renew their professional licenses for a period of five (5) continuous years from initial registration or from last renewal date shall be declared delinquent and shall, after due notice through publication in the newsletters of the respective Accredited Professional Organizations or in any newspaper of general circulation, be desisted from the roster of professionals.

Any employee of the PRC who causes, abets or helps in the renewal of the license of a professional without complying with the CPE requirements shall be considered to have violated office and/or civil service rules and regulations and shall be proceeded against administratively and, if found guilty, shall be meted out the appropriate penalty.

Those who practice their professions without valid professional licenses shall be charged and be held liable in accordance with applicable professional regulatory laws, Code of Ethics, or Implementing Rules and Regulations and shall be meted out the penalties provided for by the said laws.

Any violation by the CPE providers of these guidelines shall result in the cancellation of their Certificate of Accreditation.


SECTION 20.    Transitory Provision —

A.        Regulatory Boards without CPE programs in place.

The licenses of registered professionals of such professions with baccalaureate degrees shall be renewed without requiring CPE credit units up to December 31, 1996.  For the year ending December 31, 1997, they shall be required to present CPE certificates with twenty (20) credit units earned.  For the year ending December 31, 1998, they shall be required to present CPE certificates with forty (40) credit units earned.  For the year ending December 31, 1999, they shall be required to present CPE certificate with sixty (60) credit units earned.

The licenses of registered professionals of such professions without baccalaureate degrees shall be registered without requiring CPE credit units up to December 31, 1996.  For the year ending December 31, 1997, they shall be required to present CPE certificates with ten (10) credit units earned.  For the year ending December 31, 1998, they shall be required to present CPE certificates with twenty (20) credit units earned.  For the year ending December 31, 1999, they shall be required to present CPE certificates with thirty (30) credit units earned.

B.        Regulatory Boards with CPE Programs in place.

The licenses of registered professionals shall be renewed upon presentation of a certificate of credit units earned.  If the concerned PRB provides for less than sixty (60) credit units in the case of registered professionals of such professions with baccalaureate degrees, or less than thirty (30) credit units in the case of registered professionals of such professions without baccalaureate degrees, the licenses of the professionals shall be renewed upon presentation of the certification of required credit units earned for the year ending December 31, 1996.

For the years ending December 31, 1997 and December 31, 1998, the licenses of registered professionals of such professions with Baccalaureate Degrees and without Baccalaureate Degrees shall be renewed upon presentation of their Certificate of Credit Units Earned under the existing CPAs of the Regulatory Boards or under the transitory requirements of this guidelines for the year, whichever is higher.

The credit units required under these guidelines shall be mandatory beginning January 1999.

Those PRBs already requiring sixty (60) or thirty (30) credit units, as the case may be, shall not be affected by this provision.

SECTION 21.    Repealing Clause — All resolutions, circulars or other issuance's promulgated by the PRC and Professional Regulatory Boards providing for, or having any bearing on the implementation of the CPE programs, activities or sources are hereby repealed.

SECTION 22.    Effectivity Clause — This resolution shall be effective fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation, whichever comes earlier.

Adopted: 24 Oct. 1995