More on Professionalizing Philippine Psychologists

When I first got wind that a law to professionalize clinical psychologists will be approved, I was very happy for our country. I remember that back when I was looking at other countries, part of the online forms I was filling out asked me if I was a licensed psychology practitioner. Since we did not necessarily have licenses for psychology, I didn't know what to put in the form.

When I received the full text of R.A. 10029, I was slightly confused. When I brought it up with an old colleague, his first reaction was, "Doesn't the government think we already have too much studying to do?". His first concern was also, "How does it affect my job?".

I believe that those are two very valid points. I have been considering taking my masterals for the past few years. The money to pay for my masterals, and the time, are two things I always have conflict with. Even until now, I still balk at the amount that I would have to pay just to further my studies, thinking it would be better saved for my future kids. What more for all those coming from less-privileged families?

However, if we do want to regulate those practicing psychology, licensing is one way to really track those who are capable of providing psychological services. In retrospect, advocates of psychology fought long and hard to get it considered as a science, and eventually a medical science. It is only right that we be able to provide a good basis to know who to approach when we need psychological services.

A bigger concern for me was how it would affect human resources practitioners. Will we have to take the board exam as well? Some provisions of the republic act include qualifications for exemptions for industrial professionals. However, the qualifications are not something that you can easily obtain. Furthermore, now that human resources have branched out into many specialties, the description of those who are required to take the board exam can be read as a gray area.

Luckily, I received a copy of an FAQ from the Psychological Association of the Philippines that clarifies some statements. While I believe we still need to wait for the implementing rules and guidelines to be released, this FAQ  can give some HR practitioners peace of mind and help them decide if they need to take their careers further. For those who are interested in reading it, Here is a copy of the Answers to FAQs about Psych Bill by the Psychological Association of the Philippines.