Required CPD Points To Renew PRC License

If you are a PRC license holder then read up, there is a new law requiring all
regulated professions (eg. Accountants, Engineers, Medical professionals,
Teachers) to get additional training (CPD) before renewing their license or before
you can renew PRC license online.
This bill is known as the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Act of 2015.
Who made the bill?
This bill was proposed by the Committee on Civil Service and Government
Reorganization chair, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and was lapsed into law by
July 2016.
What is it?
The new law requires all professionals who intend to renew their license to
attend the mandatory CPD programs.
According to Trillanes “CPD is the post-licensure practice of inculcating skills,
knowledge and ethical values upon all professionals through various methods
such as formal learning, informal learning, self-directed learning, on-line learning
activities and accredited professional work experience.”
Why is it needed?
The CPD law is s the Philippines answer to the “standards in the national,
regional and international labor markets” as projected necessity for the future
ASEAN economic community. He also said the with CPD “we can provide our
professionals with the necessary tools, not only to compete, but also to seize
opportunities ASEAN integration may provide us.”
Senator Franklin Drilon also adds that with CPD our workforce will be
strengthened “producing highly competent professionals, who are considered as
our country’s best asset due to their leading role in national growth and
prosperity.”
When is it fully implemented?
Full implementation of CDP will be in the first quarter of 2017.
What does it mean for us?
This law makes it mandatory for regulated professionals to renew their license
only after taking formal or informal lessons.
What professions are affected?
The professions affected by the new law grouped according to the number of
units each need to complete CPD requirement:
120 credit units:
Accountancy
45 credit units:
Aeronautical engineering
Agricultural engineering
Civil engineering
Electrical engineering
Electronics engineering
Agricultural architecture
Geodetic engineering
Environmental planning
Mechanical engineering
Metallurgical engineering
Metallurgical engineering
Mining Engineering
Sanitary engineering
Dentistry
Medical technology
Medicine
Midwifery
Nursing
Nutrition and Dietetic
Occupational therapy
Optometry
Pharmacy
Physical therapy
Radiologic technology
Respiratory therapy
Veterinary medicine
Interior design
Landscape architecture
Naval Architecture
Chemistry
Geology
Fisheries
Forestry
Customs broker
Real estate service
Guidance and counseling
Librarian
Professional teachers
Criminology
Psychology
Social work
30 Credit Units
Chemical technician
Dental technician
Dental hygienist
Medical technology technician
Xray technician
Master electrician
Electronics technician
Master plumber
Certified plant mechanic
Metallurgical plant foreman
Mine/mill/quarry foreman
Detailman
Real estate person
Where do we get necessary CPD trainings?
There are no specific programs yet as of writing, however, CPD may be formal or
informal training, face to face or online. Some professional experience may also
be accredited to you.
You may approximate your training and education to the number of units you
need through the CPD Matrix (see Annex D).
According to the matrix, one of the CPD activities are seminars and conventions.
Units credited vary according to role and number of hours:
Participant – 1credit unit (CU)/ hour
Facilitator – 2cu/hr
Panelist – 3cu/hr
Speaker – 4cu/hr
Aside from attending, make sure to ask and keep the invitation, program and
certificate of attendance with the number of hours. For speakers, photocopy your
plaque or certificate at well.
If you are enrolled, you may get more points.
Master’s degree – 1cu/academic unit and 30cu additional after graduation
Doctoral degree – 2cu/academic unit and 45cu more after graduation
Residency/ externship – 10cu/year (hospital)
Fellowship – 15cu/year
Submit a copy of the certificate and/or diploma as proof.
Self-directed learners can also apply for credit units.
Distance learning module – 10cu.complete module
Technical-paper/professional journal article – 1CU/ professional/technical article
Authors are also entitled to credit units
Research/ innovative program/creative projects – refereed outputs get a
maximum of 20cu, 15cu max for unrefereed
Book/ monograph – maximum of credit units
Editor – 1/2cu of the authorship category
Article – maximum of 10 credit units
Professional journal editor – 5cu/issue
Peer reviewer – 2cu/article
Other ways to get credit:
Inventions – 10-30cu/invention (submit certified copy of patent)
Postgraduate training – 0.25cu/hr maximum of 40cu/training
Study/observation tour – 2cu/day, maximum of 30cu/tour
Professorial chair – 10cu/chair
Make sure to ask for and keep copies of certificates and other documents to
prove your attendance and completion of activity.
Now that you have some idea as to what activities you can participate in and the
number of points you can get, add the units you gained from the list to see if you
are already eligible to apply for renewal.
You may only count those within 3 years. If you earn more than 60 units and you
have a college degree, you cannot carry over the excess the next time you apply
for renewal “except for units earned for doctoral and masters degrees and for
other special training.”
For professional without a college degree, the maximum is 30cu, extra points
cannot be credited for next renewal as well.
When you apply for renewal of a license, you would need to fill up a CPD form and
submit it together with supporting documents and other regular documents
submitted to PRC.
The new law may cause some initial negative reaction but since it is already fully
implemented next year, there is no escaping the CPD requirements. Anyway,
these requirements are to make us better professionals who can compete with
others around the world.
http://www.prcboard.com/…/prc-cpd-unit-requirements-for-tea…
http://www.thenextping.com/…/prc-to-require-cpd-units-start…