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An Act to Regulate the Practice of Social Work and the Operation of Social Work Agencies in the
Philippines and for Other Purposes Republic Act No. 4373
Congress of the Philippines
19 June 1965

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress

assembled:

Article I
Definition of Terms

SECTION 1. As used in this Act:

a. Social work is the profession which is primarily concerned with organized social
service activity aimed to facilitate and strengthen basic social relationships and the mutual
adjustment between individuals and their social environment for the good of the individual
and of society by the use of social work methods.

b. A “social worker” as used in this Act is a practitioner who by accepted academic

training and social work professional experience possesses the skill to achieve the
objectives as defined and set by the social work profession, through the use of the basic
methods and techniques of social work (case work, group work, and community
organization) which are designed to enable individuals, groups and communities to meet
their needs and to solve the problems of adjustment to a hanging pattern of society and,
through coordinated action, to improve economic and social conditions, and is connected
with an organized social work agency which is supported partially or wholly from
government or community solicited funds.

c. A “social work agency” is a person, corporation or organization, private or

governmental, that engages mainly and generally, or represents itself to engage in social
welfare work, whether case work, group work, or community work, and obtains its
finances, either totally or in part, from any agency or instrumentality of the government
and/or from the community by direct or indirect solicitations and/or fund drives, and/or
private endowment.

Article II
Organization of the Board of Examiners for Social Workers

SECTION 2. Name and Composition of the Board Within Sixty Days After the Approval of This
Act.— there shall be created a Board of Examiners for Social Workers hereinafter to be referred
to as the Board, composed of a Chairman and four members who shall be appointed by the
President of the Philippines with the consent of the Commission on Appointments from among
social workers of recognized standing in the Philippines, and who, at the time of their
appointment shall:

a. Be a citizen and resident of the Philippines;

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b. Be at least thirty years of age and of good moral character;

c. Possess a Master’s Degree in Social Work (M.S.S.W., M.S.S., M.A.S.W., or its

equivalent) conferred by a reputable school, college or university duly recognized by the
government and also by a duly accredited school, college or university abroad.

d. Have had at least five years of practice in a social work agency in the case of a holder
of Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or its equivalent, or at least two years of social work
practice in the case of a holder of a Master’s Degree in Social Work or its equivalent, after
receiving the respective degree.

e. Be a registered social worker duly qualified to practice social work under this
Act: Provided, However, That this qualification shall not be required of the first appointees
to the Board under this Act, and;

f. Not be a member of the faculty of any school, college or university at the time of
appointment; nor during the year immediately preceding the appointment to be a member
of the Board conferring the Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree in social work, or shall have
any direct or indirect pecuniary interest in such institution.

SECTION 3. Function and Duties of the Board.— The Board shall have the following function
and duties:

a. To administer the provisions of this Act;

b. To administer oaths in connection with the administration of this Act;

c. To prepare the official seal of the Board ;

d. To issue, suspend, and revoke certificates of registration for the practice of social
work;

e. To look into the conditions affecting the practice of social work in the Philippines,
and, whenever necessary, adopt such measures as may be deemed proper for the
maintenance of the good standing and the ethics of the profession of social work; and

f. To 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, to issue
subpoena and subpoena duces tecum to secure the appearance of witnesses and the
production of documents in connection therewith.

SECTION 4. Term of Office.— The members of the Board shall hold office for a term of three
years or until their successors shall have been appointed and duly qualified: Provided, That the
members of the first Board appointed under this Act shall hold office for the following terms: the
Chairman for three years, two members for two years, and two members for one year, which
shall be specified in their appointment. Any vacancy occurring within the term of a member shall
be filled for the unexpired portion of the term only. Each member of the Board shall qualify by
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taking the proper oath of office prior to entering upon the performance of his or her duties. No
member shall succeed himself on the Board.

SECTION 5. Executive Officer and Secretary of the Board.— The Commissioner of Civil

Service shall be the Executive Officer of the Board and he shall conduct the examinations given
by it according to the rules and regulations promulgated by the Board and approved by the
President of the Philippines. The members shall elect a Secretary among them, who shall take
charge of the records. All the records of the Board, including examination papers, minutes of
deliberations, and records of administrative proceedings and investigations shall be kept by the
Civil Service Commission.

SECTION 6. Compensation of the Board Members.— The Chairman and members of the Board
shall each receive as compensation the sum of ten pesos for each applicant examined.

SECTION 7. Removal of Board Members.— Any member of the Board may be removed by the
President7 of the Philippines upon the recommendation of the Commissioner of Civil Service8
for continued neglect of duty, incompetence, unprofessional, unethical, immoral, or dishonorable
conduct, for commission or toleration of irregularities in the examination, after having been
given the opportunity to defend himself in a proper administrative investigation.

SECTION 8. Rules and Regulations.— Subject to the approval of the President of the

Philippines9 and with the advice of the Commissioner of Civil Service the Board shall set ethical
and professional standards for the practice of social work in general, and adopt such rules and
regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Such standards, rules and
regulations shall take effect thirty (30) days after publication in the Official Gazette.

SECTION 9. Annual Report.— The Board shall submit an annual report to the President of the
Philippines and to Congress after the close of the fiscal year, giving a detailed account of the
proceedings of the Board during the year and embodying such recommendations as the board
may desire to make.

Article III
Examination and Registration of Social Workers

SECTION 10. Practice of Social Work and Appointment as Social Workers.— Unless exempt

from registration, no person shall practice or offer to practice social work in the Philippines as
defined in this Act, or be appointed as a social worker or to any position calling for social worker
in any social work agency whether private or government without holding a valid certificate of
registration as a social worker issued by the Board of Examinees for Social Workers: Provided,
That registration shall not be required of recognized social workers or authorities on social work
who are residents and/or citizens of other countries called in for consultations in any agency
working with the United Nations and/ or similar international social agencies: Provided, Further,
That no provisions of this Act shall be construed to prejudice permanently appointed social
workers who are employed in private or government social work agencies at the date of approval
of this Act, who shall continue to enjoy right to promotion and salary increases, refinement
benefits and other previously acquired rights: Provided, Furthermore, That those who at the time
of the effectivity on this Act, possess the qualifications enumerated in Section twelve and are
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actually engaged in the practice of social work for a period of five years in a social work agency
recognized by the Community Chest, Council of Welfare Agencies, Philippine Youth Welfare
Coordinating Council, or Social Welfare Administration, shall be exempted from taking the
examination as

provided herein if they register as social workers within a period of one year after the approval of
this Act: Provided, Still Further, That those who before the effectivity of this Act are holding
regular appointment to social work positions in the government service on a provisional status
for lack of the educational qualifications required under this Act for the purpose of taking the
Board examination and have rendered five years or more of continuous and satisfactory service
in social work shall, within a period of ten years but not later than December thirty-first, nineteen
hundred seventy-eight, be allowed to retain their positions in order to qualify as registered social
workers under the provisions hereof: And Provided, Finally, that any person who at the time of
the effectivity of this amendatory Act possesses the qualifications enumerated in Section twelve
hereof except that which is specified in subparagraph (d) of Section two hereof and who has been
openly performing the functions of, or practising as, a social worker as defined in this Act for at
least a total of ten years prior to the effectivity of this amendatory Act, shall be allowed to
continue performing such functions or such practice in the same office or agency until he or she
retires without the necessity of examination for registration provided that an affidavit affirming
the circumstances of such continuous practice or a certification by the Civil Service to the same
effect is filed with the Board.

SECTION 11. Holding of Examinations.— Except as otherwise specifically allowed under the

provisions of this Act, all applicants for registration as social workers shall be required to
undergo a written examination which shall be given by the Board annually in Manila at such
time and place as may be fixed by it, subject to the approval of the Commissioner of Civil
Service and the President of the Philippines. Written or printed notices of such examination shall
be mailed to each candidate who has filed his name and address with the Secretary of the Board
at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of the examination.

SECTION 12. Qualification of Applicants.— In order to be admitted to take the social work

examination, an applicant must, at the time of filing his or her application therefore, establish to
the satisfaction of the Board that:

a. He or she is a citizen of the Philippines;

b. He or she is at least twenty-one years of age;

c. He or she in good health and is of good moral character;

d. He or she has received a diploma as a holder of a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree

or its equivalent in social work from an institution, college or university duly accredited
and legally constituted: Provided, That the provisions of Republic Act Numbered Twenty-
two hundred and sixty insofar as cultural minorities are concerned be applied; and

e. He or she has completed a minimum period of one thousand case hours of practical
training in an established social work agency under the direct supervision of a fully trained
and qualified social worker.
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SECTION 13. Scope of Examination.— The examination for the practice of social work in the
Philippines shall consist of a written test, the scope of which shall be determined and prescribed
by the Board, taking into consideration the curriculum of all the social work courses offered in
schools legally constituted in the Philippines: Provided, That no change or alteration in or
addition

to the subjects for examination shall be made within two years from the date of the promulgation
of said subjects. It shall be the duty of the Board to prepare the schedule of subjects for
examinations and to submit the same to the President of the Philippines for approval through the
Commissioner of Civil Service, and to publish the same, as approved, at least three months
before the date of the examination wherein they are to be used. Any alteration or amendment that
may be made in said schedule shall likewise be approved by the President of the Philippines.

SECTION 14. Ratings in the Examination.— In order to pass the examination, a candidate must
obtain a general rating of at least seventy percent in the written test, with no rating below fifty
percent in any subject.

SECTION 15. Report of Results of Examination.— The Board of Examiners for Social Workers

shall, within one hundred twenty days after the examination, report the ratings obtained by each
candidate to the Commissioner of Civil Service who shall, with his recommendation, submit
such ratings to the President of the Philippines.

SECTION 16. Oath of Social Workers.— 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 social work in the Philippines.

SECTION 17. Issuance of Certificates.— Certificates of registration as a social worker shall be

issued to all applicants who pass the examination, after approval of her or his ratings by the
President of the Philippines, and upon payment of the required fees. Every certificate of
registration shall show the full name of the registrant and serial number, and shall bear the
signatures of the members of the Board, attested to by the Secretary of the Board, and duly
authenticated with the official seal of the Board of Examiners for Social Workers. The issuance
of a certificate of registration by the Board to the registrant shall be evidence that the person
named therein is entitled to all the rights and privileges of a registered social worker until said
certificate, for just cause, is revoked temporarily or canceled.

SECTION 18. Registration by Reciprocity.— A certificate of registration may be issued without

examination to social workers registered under the laws of any foreign state or
country: Provided, That the requirements for the registration or licensing of social workers in
said foreign state or country, are substantially the same as those required and contemplated by
this Act: And Provided, Further, That the laws of such state or country grant the same privileges
to Filipino social workers on the same basis as the subject or citizens of such foreign state or
country.

SECTION 19. Fees for Examination and Registration.— Applicants for examination for the
social work profession shall pay an examination fee of fifty pesos. Successful applicants shall
pay a registration fee of thirty pesos. All such fees shall be paid to the disbursing officer of the
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Civil Service Commission, and such officer shall pay from the receipts thereof, all the authorized
expenses of the Board, including the compensation of its Chairman and members.

SECTION 20. Refusal to Issue Certificates in Certain Cases.— The Board of Examiners for

Social Workers 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, and to any
person guilty of immoral or dishonorable conduct, or to one of unsound mind or suffering from
an incurable or infectious disease. The Board shall give the applicant a written statement setting
forth

the reason or reasons for its action, which statement shall be incorporated in the records of the
Board.

SECTION 21. Revocation and Suspension of Certificates.— The Boards shall also have the
power to revoke or suspend the validity of a certificate of registration of a social worker for any
of the causes mentioned in the preceding section, or for unprofessional conduct, malpractice,
incompetency, or serious ignorance of or negligence in the practice of social work, or for making
use of fraud, deceit or falsity to obtain a certificate of registration. Certificates of registration
shall be revoked only after due notice and hearing.

SECTION 22. Reissuance of Revoked and Replacement of Lost Certificates.— The Board may,

for reasons of equity and justice, and upon proper application and explanation therefore, issue
another copy of the certificate upon payment of ten pesos. A new certificate of registration to
replace any certificate lost, destroyed, or mutilated may be issued subject to the rules of the
Board upon payment of ten pesos (₱10.00).

Article IV
Registration of Social Work Agencies

SECTION 23. Registration with the Social Welfare Administration.— No social work agency as
defined herein shall separate and be accredited as such unless it shall first have registered with
the Social Welfare Administration which shall then issue the corresponding registration
certificate: Provided, That existing social work agencies at the time of approval of this Act shall
have a period of one year within which to secure the corresponding certificate of registration.
Before any social work agency shall be duly registered, the following requirements must have
been complied with to the satisfaction of the Social Welfare Administrator:

1. That the applicant must be engaged mainly or generally in social work activity;

2. That the applicant has employed a sufficient number of duly qualified and registered
social workers to supervise and take charge of its social work function in accordance with
accepted social work standards;

3. That the applicant must show in a duly certified financial statement that at least sixty
percent of its funds are disbursed for direct social work services; and
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4. That the applicant keeps a social work record of all cases and welfare activities
handled by it.

SECTION 24. Financial Aid by the Government Agency or Instrumentality.— No government

agency or instrumentality shall give financial or other aid to any social work agency unless the
agency has been duly registered with the Social Welfare Administration in accordance with the
preceding section.

SECTION 25. Revocation of Certificate of Registration.— The Certificate of Registration issued

to any social work agency may be revoked if, after due investigation, the Social Welfare

Administration finds, that it has failed to perform the function as social work agency, or it has
violated existing laws, rules and regulations.

Article V
Sundry Provisions Relative to the Practice of Social Work

SECTION 26. Penal Provisions.— The following shall be punished by a fine of not less than
five hundred pesos nor more than two thousand pesos, or imprisonment for not less than one
month nor more than two years, or both, in the discretion of the court;

a. Any person who shall practice or offer to practice social work in the Philippines
without being registered or exempted from registration in accordance with the provisions
of this Act;

b. Any person representing or attempting to use as his own, the certificate of registration
of another;

c. Any person who shall give any false or fraudulent evidence of any kind to the Board
or any member thereof in obtaining a certificate of registration as a social worker;

d. Any person who shall impersonate any registrant of like or different name;

e. Any person who shall attempt to use a revoked or suspended certificate of registration;

f. Any person who shall in connection with his or her name, otherwise assume, use or
advertise any title or description tending to convey the impression that he or she is a social
worker without holding a valid certificate;

g. Any person who shall violate any provision of this Act;

h. Any person, corporation or entity operating as a social work agency without the
corresponding Certificate of Registration issued by the Social Welfare Administration.
(Redesignated as subparagraph (h) by §6, Republic Act No. 5157)
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SECTION 27. Separability Clause.— If any provision of this Act or the application of such
provision to any person or circumstances is declared invalid, the Act or the application of such
provision shall not be affected by such declaration.

SECTION 28. Repealing Clause.— All Acts, executive orders, rules and regulations or part
thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed.

SECTION 29. Effectivity.— This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Republic Act No. 4373. (n.d.). Retrieved March 4, 2020, from

https://thecorpusjuris.com/legislative/republic-acts/ra-no-4373.php.