Philippine Medical Technology Act

of 1969
Section 1
Title. —
This Act may be also cited as the Philippine Medical Technology Act of 1969.
Section 2 as last updated by PD 498 (1974)
Definition of Terms. —
As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean:
a. "Practice of Medical Technology." — A person shall be deemed to be in the practice
of medical technology within the meaning of this Act, who shall for a fee, salary or
other compensation or reward paid or given directly or indirectly through another,
renders any of the following professional services for the purpose of aiding the
physician in the diagnosis, study and treatment of diseases and in the promotion of
health in general:
1. Examination of tissues, secretions and excretions of the human body and
body fluids by various electronic, chemical, microscopic, bacteriologic,
hematologic, serologic, immunologic, nuclear, and other laboratory
procedures and techniques either manual or automated;
2. Blood banking procedures and techniques;
3. Parasitologic-Mycologic and Microbiologic procedures and techniques;
4. Histopathologic and Cytotechnology; provided that nothing in this
paragraph shall inhibit a duly registered medical laboratory technician from
performing histopathologic techniques and procedures;
5. Clinical research involving patients or human beings requiring the use of
and/or application of medical technology knowledge and procedures;
6. Preparations and standardization of reagents, standards, stains and others,
provided such reagents, standards, stains and others are exclusively for the
use of their laboratory;
7. Clinical laboratory quality control;
8. Collection and preservation of specimens;
Provided, That any person who has passed the corresponding Board examination
for the practice of a profession already regulated by existing laws, shall not be
subject to the provisions of the last four (4) preceding paragraphs if the
performance of such acts or services is merely incidental to his profession.
 b. "Pathologist". — A duly registered physician who is specially trained in methods of
laboratory medicine, or the gross and microscopic study and interpretation of
tissues, secretions and excretions of the human body and its functions in order to
diagnose disease, follows its course, determine the effectivity of treatment,
ascertain cause of death and advance medicine by means of research.
c. "Medical Technologist". — A person who engages in the work of medical technology
under the supervision of a pathologist or licensed physician authorized by the
department of health in places where there is no pathologist and who having passed
a prescribed course (Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology/Bachelor of
Science in Hygiene) of training and examination is registered under the provision
of this Act.
d. "Medical Laboratory Technicians." — A person certified and registered with the
Board as qualified to assist a medical technologist and/or qualified pathologist in
the practice of medical technology as defined in this Act.
e. "Accredited Medical Technology Training Laboratory". — A clinical laboratory,
office, agency, clinic, hospital or sanitarium duly approved by the Department of
Health or its authorized agency.
f. "Recognized School of Medical Technology". — Any school, college or university
which offers a course in Medical Technology approved by the Department of
Education in accordance with the requirements under this Act, upon
recommendation of the council of medical technology education.
g. "Council". — The council of medical technology education established under this
Act.
h. "Board". — The Board of Examiners for Medical Technology established under this
Act.
Section 3 as last updated by PD 1534 (1978)
Council of Medical Technology Education; Its Composition. —
There is hereby established a Council of Medical Technology Education hereafter
referred to as the Council, which shall be composed of the Director of Higher Education
as Chairman; the Chairman of the Professional Regulation Commission as Vice-
Chairman; and the Director of the Bureau of Research and Laboratories of the
Department of Health, the Chairman and two (2) members of the Board of Medical
Technology, a representative of the Deans of Schools of Medical Technology and Public
Health, and the Presidents of the Philippine Society of Pathologists and the Philippine
Association of Medical Technologists, as members.
Section 4 as last updated by PD 498 (1974)
Compensation and Traveling Expenses of Council Members. —
For every meeting actually attended, the Chairman shall be entitled to a fifty pesos
(P50.00) per diem while the members shall be entitled to twenty-five pesos (P25.00)
each regardless of whether or not they receive regular salaries from the government. In
addition, the Chairman and members of the Council shall be entitled to traveling
expenses in connection with their official duties.
Section 5
Functions of the Council of Medical Technology Education. —
The functions of the Council shall be:
a. To recommend the minimum required curriculum for the course of medical
technology.
b. To determine and prescribe the number of students to be allowed to take up the
medical technology course in each school, taking into account the student-
instructor ratio and the availability of facilities for instruction.
c. To approve medical technology schools meeting the requirements and recommend
closure of those found to be substandard.
d. To require all medical technology schools to submit an annual report, including the
total number of students and instructors, a list of facilities available for instruction,
a list of their recent graduates and new admissions, on or before the month of June.
e. To inspect, when necessary, the different medical technology schools in the country
in order to determine whether a high standard of education is maintained in said
institutions.
f. To certify for admission into an undergraduate internship students who have
satisfactorily completed three years of the medical technology course or its
equivalent and to collect from said students the amount of five pesos each which
money accrue to the operating fund of the council.
g. Formulate and recommend approval of refresher course for applicants who shall
have failed the Board Examination for the third time.
h. To promulgate and prescribe and enforce necessary rules and regulations for the
proper implementation of the foregoing functions.
Section 6
Minimum Required Course. —
The medical technology course shall be at least four years, including a 12-month
satisfactory internship in accredited laboratories, and shall include the following
subjects:

English Biochemistry
Spanish Gross Anatomy
Social Science Histology
General Zoology Physiology
Botany Clinical Parasitology
 Mathematics General Pathology
College Physics Microbiology
General Chemistry Biostatistics
Qualitative Chemistry Clinical Laboratory Methods
Quantitative Chemistry including hematology,
serology, blood banking, clinical
microscopy, applied microbiology,
and parasitology, histopathologic
techniques, and cyto-technology)
The Council is hereby authorized, subject to the approval of the Secretary of Education
to change, remove from or add to the subjects listed above as the needs and demands of
progress in the science of medical technology may require.
Section 7 as last updated by PD 498 (1974)
Medical Technology Board. —
There is hereby created a Medical Technology Board under the Professional Regulation
Commission, which shall thereafter be referred to as the Board composed of a Chairman
who is a pathologist, and two (2) members who are registered medical technologists
who shall be appointed by the President of the Republic of the Philippines upon
recommendation of the Professional Regulation Commission. The Chairman and
members of the Board shall hold office for three (3) years after appointment or until
their successors shall have been appointed and duly qualified: Provided, That the
incumbent members will continue to serve until the expiration of their terms.
In case of death, disability, or removal of a member of the Board, his successor shall
serve only the balance of his term.
Section 8 as last updated by PD 1534 (1978)
Qualification of Examiners. —
No person shall be appointed as a member of the Medical Technology Board unless he
or she:
1. is a Filipino citizen;
2. is of good moral character;
3. is a qualified Pathologist, or a duly registered Medical Technologist, of the
Philippines with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology/Bachelor
of Science in Hygiene/Public Health;
4. has been in the practice of laboratory medicine or medical technology for at least
ten years prior to his appointment, and
 5. is not a member of the faculty of any medical technology school for at least two (2)
years prior to appointment or having any pecuniary interest direct or indirect in
such institution.
Section 9
Executive Officer of the Board. —
The Commissioner of Civil Service shall be the Executive Officer of the Board, and shall
conduct the examinations given by it. The Secretary of the Board Examiners appointed
in accordance with Section ten of Act Numbered Four Thousand Seven, as amended,
shall also be the Secretary of the Board. He shall keep a register of all persons to whom
certificates of registration have been granted.
Section 10
Compensation of Members of the Board of Examiners for Medical Technology. —
Each member of the Board shall receive a sum of ten pesos for each applicant examined
and five pesos for each applicant granted a certificate of registration without
examination.
Section 11 as last updated by PD 1534 (1978)
Functions and Duties of the Board. —
The Board is vested with authority and required, conformably, with the provisions of
this Act, to:
a. Administer the provisions of this Act;
b. Administer oaths in connection with the administration of this Act;
c. Issue, suspend and revoke certificates of registration for the practice of medical
technology and medical laboratory technician;
d. Look into conditions affecting the practice of medical technology in the Philippines
and, whenever necessary, adopt such measures as may be deemed proper for the
maintenance of good ethics and standards in the practice of medical technology;
e. Investigate such violations of this Act or of the rules and regulations issued
thereunder as may come to the knowledge of the Board and, for this purpose issue
subpoena and subpoena duces tecum to secure appearance of witnesses and
production of documents in connection with charges presented to the Board; and
f. Draft such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of
this Act: Provided, That the same shall be issued only after the approval of the
President of the Philippines.
g. To determine the adequacy of the technical staff of all clinical laboratories and
blood banks before they could be licensed with the Department of Health in
accordance with R.A. No. 4655 and 1517;
h. To prescribe the qualification and training of medical technologists as to special
fields of the profession and supervise their specialty examination conducted by the
 professional organization of medical technologists accredited by the Professional
Regulation Commission;
i. To classify and prescribe the qualification and training of the technical staff of
clinical laboratories as to: Chief Medical Technologist; Senior Medical
Technologist; Medical Technologist and Medical Laboratory Technician.
[Pursuant to Sec. 3, PD 1534 (1978):]
Subparagraphs (g) and (i) of Section 11 of Republic Act No. 5527 as amended, are hereby
repealed.
Section 12 as last updated by PD 1534 (1978)
Repealing Clause. —
All those Executive Order, Decrees, Rules and Regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent
with the provisions of this Decree are hereby repealed, amended or modified
accordingly: Provided, however, That nothing in this Decree shall be construed as
repealing or amending any portion of the Medical Act of 1959 (Republic Act No. 2382,
as amended by Republic Act No. 4224), and the Clinical Laboratory Act of 1966
(Republic Act No. 4688), and the Blood Banking Law of 1956 (Republic Act No. 1517),
and the Rules and Regulations issued pursuant to these laws.
Section 13 as last updated by PD 1534 (1978)
Accreditation of Schools of Medical Technology and of Training Laboratories. —
The Department of Education and Culture shall approve schools of Medical Technology
in accordance with the provisions of this Act, as amended, in conjunction with the Board
of Medical Technology. The Department of Health through the Bureau of Research and
Laboratories shall approve laboratories for accreditation as training laboratories for
medical technology students or post-graduate trainees in conjunction with the Board of
Medical Technology. The laboratories shall show satisfactory evidence that they possess
qualified personnel and are properly equipped to carry out laboratory procedures
commonly required in the following fields: Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology, Serology,
Parasitology, Hematology, Blood Banking, Clinical Microscopy, and Histopathologic
techniques, and that the scope of activities of said laboratories offer sufficient training in
said laboratory procedures.
Section 14
Inhibition Against the Practice of Medical Technology. —
No person shall practice or offer to practice medical technology as defined in this Act
without having previously obtained a valid certificate of registration from the Board
provided that registration shall not be required of the following:
a. Duly registered physicians.
b. Medical technologists from other countries called in for consultation or as visiting
or exchange professors to colleges or universities: Provided, That they are only
practicing the said function.
 c. Medical technologists in the service of the United States Armed Forces stationed in
the Philippines rendering services as such for members of the said forces only.
Section 15
Examination. —
Except as otherwise specifically allowed under the provisions of this Act, all applicants
for registration as medical technologists shall be required to undergo a written
examination which shall be given by the Board annually in the greater Manila area,
Cebu and Davao during the month of August or September on such days and places as
the Board may designate. Written notices of such examination shall be published in at
least three newspapers of national circulation by the Secretary of the Board at least
thirty days prior to the date of examination.
Section 16 as last updated by PD 498 (1974)
Qualification for Examination. —
Every applicant for examination under this Act, shall, prior to the date thereof, furnish
the Board satisfactory proof that he or she:
a. Is in good health and is of good moral character;
b. Has completed a course of at least four (4) years leading to the degree of Bachelor
of Science in Medical Technology or Bachelor of Science in Public Health conferred
by a recognized school, college or university in accordance with this Decree or
having graduated from some other profession and has been actually performing
medical technology for the last five (5) years prior to the date of the examinations, if
such performance began prior to June 21, 1969.
Section 17 as last updated by PD 498 (1974)
Scope of examination. —
The examination questions shall cover the following subjects with their respective
relative weights:
Clinical Chemistry� 20%
Microbiology and Parasitology� 20%
Hematology� 20%
Blood Banking and Serology� 20%
Clinical Microscopy (Urinalysis and otherbody fluids)� 10%
Histopathologic Techniques, Cytotechnology,Medical Technology Laws, Related Laws
andits implementing rules, and the Code of Ethics� 10%
The Board shall prepare the schedule of subjects for examination and to submit the
same to the Commissioner of the Professional Regulation Commission for publication at
least thirty (30) days before the date of examination. The Board shall compute the
general average of each examinee according to the above-mentioned relative weights of
each subject. Provided, however, that the Board may change, add to or remove the list of
subjects or weights above as progress in the science of Medical Technology may require,
subject to the prior approval of the Professional Regulation Commission, and
publication of the change or amendment at least three (3) months prior to the date of
examination in which the same is to take effect.
Section 18
Report of Rating. —
The Board shall, within one hundred and twenty days after the date of completion of the
examination, report the result thereof to the Commissioner of Civil Service, who shall
submit such result to the President of the Philippines for approval.
Section 19
Ratings in the Examination. —
In order to pass the examination, a candidate must obtain a general average of at least
seventy-five per cent in the written test, with no rating below fifty per cent in any of the
major subjects: Provided, That the candidate has not failed in at least sixty per cent of
the subjects computed according to their relative weights. No further examination will
be given an applicant who has not qualified after three examinations, unless and until he
shall have completed 12 months refresher course in an accredited medical technology
school or 12-month postgraduate training in an accredited laboratory:
Provided, That graduate of paramedical professions other than Bachelor of Science in
Medical Technology/Bachelor of Science in Hygiene admitted to an examination under
the provisions of this Act shall not be given further examinations after his failure to
qualify for the third time.
Section 20
Oath taking. —
All successful examinees shall be required to take a professional oath before the Board
or before any person authorized to administer oaths prior to entering upon the practice
of medical technology in the Philippines.
Section 21 as last updated by PD 498 (1974)
Issuance of Certificate of Registration. —
Every applicant who has satisfactorily passed the required examination for medical
technologist shall be issued a certificate of registration as such. Provided that no such
certificate shall be issued to any successful applicant who has not attained the age of
twenty-one (21) years. All certificate shall be signed by the members of the Board and by
the Commissioner of the Professional Regulation Commission. The duly registered
medical technologists shall be required to display his certificate of registration in the
place where he works. Provided, that upon application filed and the payment of the
required fee of one hundred and fifteen pesos (P115.00) the Board shall issue a
certificate of registration as medical technologist without examination to persons who
have been graduated with Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology/Bachelor of
Science in Public Health in duly recognized schools of medical technology in the
Philippines or in any foreign country, provided, that in case of the latter, the standard of
medical technology education is substantially the same as ours, and in addition shall
have been in the practice of medical technology for at least three (3) years prior to the
filing of the application in laboratories in the Philippines duly accredited by the Bureau
of Research and Laboratories, Department of Health, or in foreign countries if such
performance began prior to June 21, 1969 and also to all other persons who having
graduated from other professions have been actually performing medical technology
practice for the last eight (8) years prior to filing of the application, Provided, that such
performance began prior to June 21, 1969. Provided, further, That the Board shall
likewise issue a certificate of registration as medical laboratory technician without
examination to any person who upon application and payment of the required fee of
fifty pesos (P50.00) show evidence satisfactory to the Board that:
1. He or she passed the civil service examination for medical technician given on
March 21, 1964; or
2. Has finished a two-year college course and has at least one (1) year of experience as
medical laboratory technician, provided, that for every year of deficiency in college
attainment two (2) years of experience may be substituted; Provided, further, that
an applicant who has at least ten (10) years experience as medical laboratory
technician as of the date of approval of this Decree regardless of his academic
attainment may qualify for registration without examination; or
3. Has failed to pass the board examination for medical technology but had obtained a
general rating of at least 70%. Provided, finally, that a registered medical laboratory
technician when employed in the government shall have the equivalent civil service
eligibility not lower than second grade.
Section 22
Fees. —
The Board shall charge each applicant for examination and registration the sum of fifty
pesos and for each certificate of registration issued without prior examination in
accordance with the provisions of this Act the sum of twenty-five pesos; for issuance of a
new certificate to replace certificate lost, destroyed or mutilated, the Board shall charge
the sum of ten pesos. All such fees shall be paid to the disbursing officer of the Civil
Service Commission who shall pay from the receipts thereof, all authorized expenses of
the Board including the compensation of each member.
Section 23
Refusal to Issue Certificate. —
The Board shall refuse to issue a certificate of registration to any person convicted by a
court of competent jurisdiction of any criminal offense involving moral turpitude, or any
person guilty of immoral or dishonorable conduct, or of unsound mind, or incurable
communicable disease, and in such case shall give to the applicant a written statement
setting forth the reason for its action, which statement shall be incorporated in the
record of the Board.
Section 24
Administrative Investigation-Revocation or Suspension of Certificates. —
Administrative investigations shall be conducted by at least two members of the Board
with one legal officer sitting during the investigation. The existing rules of evidence shall
be observed during all administrative proceedings, the respondents shall be entitled to
be represented by counsel or be heard in person, to have a speedy and public hearing, to
confront and cross-examine witnesses against him or her, and to all other rights
guaranteed by the Constitution.
The Board may, after giving proper notice and hearing to the party concerned
reprimand an erring medical technologist or revoke or suspend his certificate of
registration for the causes mentioned in the next preceding section or for causes
enumerated in section twenty-nine (29) of this Act, or for unprofessional conduct,
malpractice, incompetency, or serious ignorance or gross negligence in the practice of
medical technology.
No penalty of revocation shall be imposed unless there is a unanimous vote of all the
three members of the Board. The Board may, by majority vote, impose the penalty of
reprimand or suspension, the latter however not to exceed two years.
When the penalty of suspension or revocation is imposed by the Board the medical
technologist shall be required to surrender his certificate of registration within thirty
days after the decision becomes final, under the pain of perpetual disqualification from
the practice of medical technology in the Philippines for inexcusable failure to do so.
The suspension shall run from the date of such surrender.
Section 25
Appeal. —
The revocation or suspension of a certificate made by the Board shall be subject to
appeal to the Civil Service Commissioner whose decision shall become final thirty days
after its promulgation, unless the respondent within the same period has appealed to
the office of the President of the Philippines.
Section 26
Reinstatement, Reissue or Replacement of Certificates. —
The Board may, upon application and for reason deemed proper and sufficient, reissue
any revoked registration certificate. The suspension of a certificate of registration shall
be automatically lifted upon the expiration of the period of suspension and said
certificate shall be re-issued to the medical technologist concerned upon request without
prejudice to further actions by the Board for violation of the provisions of this Act or
conditions imposed by the Board upon the medical technologist during the period of
suspension.
Section 27
Foreign Reciprocity. —
No foreigner shall be admitted to examination, or be given a certificate of registration or
be entitled to any of the rights and privileges under this Act, unless the country or state
which he is a subject or a citizen permits Filipino Medical Technologists to practice
within its territorial limits on the same basis as the subjects or citizens of said country or
state.
Section 28
Roster of Medical Technologists. —
A roster of Medical Technologists shall be prepared annually by the Secretary of the
Board, commencing on the year following that in which this Act shall become effective.
This roster shall contain the name, address and citizenship of each registered Medical
Technologist, date of registration or issuance of certificate, and other data which in the
opinion of the Board are pertinent. The roster shall be open to public inspection, and
copies thereof shall be mailed to each person included therein, placed on file in the
Office of the President, furnished all Department Heads and all bureaus, offices and
instrumentalities of the Department of Health and to such other offices, private or
governmental, and to the public upon request.
Section 29 as last updated by PD 498 (1974)
Penal Provisions. —
Without prejudice to the provision of the Medical Act of 1959 as amended relating to
illegal practice of Medicine, the following shall be punished by a fine of not less than two
thousand pesos nor more than five thousand pesos, or imprisonment for not less than
six months nor more than two years, or both, in the discretion of the court:
a. Any person who shall practice Medical Technology in the Philippines without being
registered or exempted from registration in accordance with the provisions of this
Act;
b. Any medical technologist, even if duly registered, who shall practice medical
technology in the Philippines without the necessary supervision of a qualified
pathologist or physician authorized by the Department of Health;
c. Any medical technologist who shall knowingly made a fraudulent laboratory report;
d. Any duly registered medical technologist who shall refuse or fail, after due warning
by the Board to display his certificate of registration in the place where he works;
e. Any person presenting or attempting to use as his own, the certificate of
registration of another;
f. Any person who shall give any false or fraudulent evidence of any kind to the Board
of any member thereof obtaining a certificate of registration as Medical
Technologist;
g. Any person who shall impersonate any registrant of a like or the same name;
h. Any person who shall attempt to use a revoked or suspended certificate of
registration;
 i. Any person who shall in connection with his name otherwise, assume, use or
advertise any title or description tending to convey the impression that he is a
Medical Technologist without holding a valid certificate of registration;
j. Any person or corporate body who shall allow anyone in his employ who is not a
registered medical technologist/medical laboratory technician to engage in the
practice of medical technology or recommend for appointment anyone to the
position of medical technologist/medical laboratory technician knowing that he is
not registered as such.
k. Any person or corporate body who shall violate the rules and regulations of Board
or orders promulgated by it after having been duly approved and issued by the
President of the Philippines upon recommendation of the Commissioner of Civil
Service for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Act.
Section 30
Separability Clause. —
If any provision of this Act or the application of such provision to any person or
circumstance is declared invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of
this Act or of the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall
not be affected by such declaration.
Section 31
Repealing Clause. —
All Acts, executive orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed: Provided, however, That nothing in this Act
shall be construed as repealing or amending any portion of the Medical Act of 1959 (R.A.
2382, as amended by R.A. 4224), the Clinical Laboratory Act of 1966 (R.A. 4688), and
the Blood Banking Law of 1956 (R.A. 1517).
Section 32
Effectivity. —
This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Official Title
Republic Act No. 5527
Also Known As
Philippine Medical Technology Act of 1969
Long Title
An Act Requiring The Registration Of Medical Technologists, Defining Their
Practice, And For Other Purposes
Approval Date
June 21, 1969
Publication Date
November 17, 1969
Includes Modifications Pursuant to:
Presidential Decree No. 498 (1974)
Presidential Decree No. 1534 (1978)
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