Section 5Sec./Art. 5

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

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

(b) Supervise and regulate the registration, licensure and practice of occupational therapy in the Philippines;

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

(d) Adopt an official seal of the Board;

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

(f) Issue, reinstate, suspend, cancel or revoke the registration and license, or special permits for the practice of occupational therapy;

(g) Study and monitor conditions affecting the practice of occupational therapy and adopt such measures as may be deemed necessary for the enhancement of the profession and maintenance of high professional and ethical standards;

(h) Ensure, in collaboration with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) or its equivalent, that all educational institutions offering occupational therapy education comply with the prescribed policies, standards, and guidelines;

(i) Prescribe the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice for occupational therapists endorsed by the accredited and integrated professional organization of occupational therapists;

(j) Hear or investigate any violations of this Act, its implementing rules and regulations and the Code of Ethics, and for this purpose, issue subpoena duces tecum and/or ad testificandum 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) Prescribe guidelines and criteria in the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program for occupational therapists;

(l) Prescribe the subjects in the licensure examination and table of specifications, determine the syllabi of the subjects and their relative weights, score and the rate examination papers, and submit the results to the Commission within the period provided for in the rules of the Commission;

(m) Administer the examinations to applicants for the practice of occupational therapy in accordance with the provisions of this Act;

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

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

(p) Issue special permits to persons admitted to the practice of occupational 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; and

(q) Perform such other powers and functions as deemed 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 review and approval of the Commission.