Section 8Sec./Art. 8

Powers and Functions of the Board. - The Board shall have the following powers and duties:

(a)Promulgate, administer and enforce rules and regulations necessary for carrying out the provisions of this Act;

(b)Administer oaths in connection with the administration of this Act;

(c)Study the conditions affecting the practice of respiratory therapy in the Philippines and adopt measures for the enhancement of the profession, and the maintenance of high professional ethical standards. The Board may conduct ocular inspection at places where registered respiratory therapists are employed or are working, such as hospitals and clinics, to determine and enforce compliance with the professional regulatory laws and the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto, to aid the Board in formulating or revising policies relating to the practice of respiratory therapy;

(d)Ensure, in coordination with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), that all educational institutions offering respiratory therapy education comply with the policies, standards and requirements of the course prescribed by the CHED in the areas of curriculum, faculty, library and facilities;

(e)Supervise and regulate the registration, licensure and practice of respiratory therapy in the Philippines;

(f)Adopt an official seal of the Board;

(g)Maintain a roster of respiratory therapists indicating therein the basic information about the registered professionals;

(h)Issue, reinstate, suspend or revoke the certificate of registration and professional identification card or cancel special permits for the practice of respiratory therapy;

(i)Prescribe and/or adopt a Code of Ethics and Standards for the practice of respiratory therapy;

(j)Hear or investigate any violations of this Act, its implementing rules and regulations and the Code of Ethics for Respiratory Therapists, and for this purpose, to issue subpoena daces tecum to secure the appearance of the witnesses and the production of documents in connection therewith: Provided, That the decision of the Board shall, unless appealed to the Commission, become final and executory after fifteen (15) days from receipt of judgment or decision;

(k)Determine and evaluate the qualifications of applicants for registration with or without licensure examination and applicants for special permits;

(l)Prescribe the subjects in the licensure examination, determine the syllabi of the subjects and their relative weights, construct test questions in the licensure examination, score and rate the examination papers and submit the examination results to the Commission;

(m)Grant registration without examination subject to approval by the Commission;

(n)Issue special permits to persons admitted to the practice of respiratory therapy for a specific duration of time, and certificates of recognition for advanced studies, researches and accomplishments that contribute to the enrichment of the profession;

(o)Adopt a program for the full computerization of the licensure examination;

(p)Prescribe guidelines and criteria in the continuing professional education (CPE) program for respiratory therapists; and

(q)Perform such other powers and functions as it may deem necessary to carry out the objectives of this Act.

The policies, resolutions, rules and regulations, orders or decisions issued or promulgated by the Board shall be subject to the review and approval of the Commission.