AMENDMENTS

August 31, 1970

When was the R.A. 6138 got approved? 

June 28, 1974 

When was the P.D. 498 got approved? 

June 11, 1978 

When was the P.D 1534 got approved? 

R.A. 6138 

16, 21, 22 of RA 5527

P.D. 498 

2, 3, 4, 7, 8,11, 13, 16, 17, 21, 29 of RA 5527

P.D 1534 

3, 8 (par. 3), 13 of RA 5527, 11 (subpar. [g] and [i]) of PD 498

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:

Criteria	RA 5527 (Original)	RA 6138 (Amendment, 1970)
Health & Character	Must be in good health and of good moral character	Same – no change
Educational Requirement	Must have completed at least 4 years of a course leading to BS in Medical Technology or BS in Hygiene, from a recognized school	Same – must have completed 4-year BS in MedTech or Hygiene from a recognized school
Other Professionals Allowed?	Yes, paramedical graduates (like nurses, etc.) can apply if:– They've been working in MedTech for the last 5 years before the law was made (1969)– They completed at least 1-year internship or practical training	Yes, paramedical graduates can apply if:– They’ve been working in MedTech for the last 5 years before the date of the exam– Their practice started before RA 6138 was made (1970)👉 Internship requirement not mentioned

Section 21 - Issuance of Certificate of Registration

Criteria	RA 5527 (Original)	RA 6138 (Amendment, 1970)
Required Practice Duration	At least 3 years of practice at the time of the law's passage (1969)	At least 3 years of practice before applying for the certificate
Where Practice Must Be Done	In labs in the Philippines or foreign countries accredited by the Bureau of Research and Laboratories, DOH	Same – labs must be in the Philippines or foreign countries accredited by the Bureau of Research and Laboratories, DOH
Paramedical Graduates Allowed?	Yes, if they are civil service eligible and have been doing MedTech work for 5 years prior to the enactment of RA 5527	Yes, if they are civil service eligible and have been doing MedTech work for 5 years before filing the application
Key Change	Time reference was based on the passage of the law (1969)	Time reference changed to the filing date of the application (more flexible and practical)

Section 22 – Fees

Fee or Payment	RA 5527 (Original)	RA 6138 (Amendment, 1970)
Examination & Registration Fee	₱50 total	₱50 total — but now divided: ₱40 for exam + ₱10 for registration
Certificate (without exam)	₱25	₱25 (same)
Replacement Certificate (if lost, destroyed, or damaged)	₱10	₱10 (same)
Where fees are paid	Civil Service CommissionDisbursing Officer	Same — Civil Service Commission Disbursing Officer
Use of fees	To cover Board expenses and member compensation	Same — to cover authorized expenses and compensation

This Act shall take effect retroactively as of

June 21, 1969.

• Approved: August 31, 1970

Section 2 - Definition of Terms

Aspect	RA 5527 (Original)	PD 498 (1974 Amendment)
Title Used	Medical Technician	Medical Laboratory Technician
Educational Background	Not a graduate of BS in Medical Technology or BS in Hygiene	Not specified (but now must be certified by the Board)
Eligibility Requirement	Must have passed the civil service exam	Must be certified and registered by the Board
Scope of Work	Performs medical technology work under the supervision of a registered MT and/or pathologist	Assists registered MT and/or qualified pathologist in practicing medical technology
Key Change	Defined by civil service eligibility	Now formalized as a certified position regulated by the Board

Section 3 – Council of Medical Technology Education, It’s Composition

Position	RA 5527 (Original)	PD 498 (Amendment, 1974)
Chairman	Secretary of Education or Director of Private Education	Commissioner of the PRC
Vice-Chairman	Director of the Bureau of Research and Laboratories, DOH	Chairman of the Board of Medical Technology
Other Members	- Chairman and 2 members of the Board of MT- Dean of the Institute of Hygiene (UP)- Representative of private MT school deans or heads- Presidents of PAMET and PSP	- 2 members of the Board of MT- Director of Private Education (or authorized rep.)- Director of Bureau of Research and Laboratories, DOH- Representative of private MT school deans or heads
Focus of Council	Supervise and oversee MT education, accreditation, training standards	Same core function, but under tighter PRC oversight

Section 4 – Compensation & Traveling Expenses of Council Members

Provision	RA 5527 (Original)	PD 498 (Amendment, 1974)
Per Diem – Chairman	₱25 per meeting	₱50 per meeting
Per Diem – Members	₱25 per meeting	₱25 per meeting
Meeting Limit for Per Diem	Max of 2 paid meetings per month	❌ No limit mentioned
Eligibility for Per Diem (Gov't Employees)	❌ Not allowed to receive per diem if they already receive regular government salary	✅ Allowed to receive per diem even if they’re salaried
Traveling Expenses	Allowed for both chairman and members	Same – allowed for both

Section 7 - Board of Examiners for Medical Technology 

Aspect	RA 5527 (Original)	PD 498 (Amendment, 1974)
Name of the Board	Board of Examiners for Medical Technology	Medical Technology Board
Supervising Authority	No explicit mention of PRC	📌 Placed under the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC)
Appointing Authority	President of the Philippines, based on nominations by professional societies: – Chair: List from Philippine Society of Pathologists (PSP) – Members: List from PAMET	Still President of the Philippines, but now based on recommendation from the PRC
Board Composition	– 1 Pathologist (Chair) – 2 Registered Medical Technologists (Members)	Same: – 1 Pathologist (Chair) – 2 Registered Medical Technologists (Members)
Term of Office	Each member serves a 3-year term	Same 3-year term; continued service until successors are appointed

Aspect	RA 5527 (Original)	PD 498 (Amendment, 1974)
Initial Term Setup	First Board:- 1 member (Chairman): 3 yrs- 1 member: 2 yrs- 1 member: 1 yr	❌ Not mentioned
Automatic Certificate	First Board members were given certificates of registration as Medical Technologists without exam	❌ Not mentioned
Reappointment Limit	❌ No member can be reappointed more than once	❌ Not mentioned
Term Duration	Each member serves 3 years	Same – 3 years or until successors are appointed and qualified
Vacancy Filling	President appoints someone to serve only the unexpired term	Same – replacement only serves the remaining balance of the term
Hold-over Provision	❌ Not mentioned	✅ Incumbent members will continue serving until new ones are appointed

Section 8 (Pars. 3 & 5) – Qualifications of Examiners

Criteria	RA 5527 (Original)	PD 498 (Amendment, 1974)
Paragraph 3Educational & Professional Qualification	Must be a qualified pathologist or a registered MedTech in the Philippines with a BS in MedTech or BS in Hygiene	Must be a registered MedTech in the Philippines with a BS in MedTech, BS in Hygiene, or BS in Public Health
Paragraph 4Professional Experience	Must have at least 10 years of lab practice in MedTech or lab medicine before appointment➡ For the first 3 years after the Act, 5 years of practice is enough	✅ Not detailed in this excerpt, assumed same or updated in other parts
Paragraph 5 Conflict of Interest	❌ Cannot be a faculty member of any MedTech school or have any financial interest in such institutions	❌ Same restriction, but must not be a faculty member for at least 2 years prior to appointment
Citizenship & Character	Must be a Filipino citizen and of good moral character	Same (points 1 and 2 retained)

Section 11 – Functions and Duties of the Board

Subsection	RA 5527 (Original)	PD 498 (Amendment, 1974)
(c) – Issuance of Certificates	The Board can issue, suspend, and revoke certificates for the practice of medical technology	Expanded: Board can issue, suspend, and revoke certificates for both medical technologists and medical laboratory technicians
(g) – Clinical Lab Staff (🆕)	❌ Not included	Board has the authority to determine the adequacy of technical staff in all clinical laboratories and blood banks
(h) – MT Qualification (🆕)	❌ Not included	Board can prescribe the qualifications and training needed for medical technologists
(i) – Lab Staff Training (🆕)	❌ Not included	Board can classify and prescribe the qualification and training for all technical staff in clinical laboratories

Section 13 – Accreditation of Schools of Medical Technology and Training Laboratories

Aspect	RA 5527 (Original)	PD 498 (Amendment, 1974)
Approving Authority – Schools of Medical Technology	Department of Education	Department of Education & Culture, upon recommendation of the MedTech Board
Approving Authority – Training Laboratories	Department of Health (DOH) or its agency with the recommendation of the Council of Medical Technology Education	Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), upon recommendation of the MedTech Board
Lab Accreditation Criteria	Not clearly detailed in RA 5527 text	Labs must show proof of:✅ Qualified personnel✅ Proper equipment for tests in:- Bacteriology- Serology- Parasitology- Hematology- Biochemistry- Blood banking✅ Activities must offer sufficient hands-on training

Section 16 (b) – Qualification for Examination

Aspect	RA 5527 (Original, 1969)	RA 6138 (Amendment, 1970)
Accepted Degree	BS in Medical Technology or BS in Hygiene	Same – BS in MedTech or Hygiene
Alternative Qualification (for non-MedTech grads)	Graduated from other paramedical professions, with:– At least 5 years of actual practice in MedTech before the law was passed (June 21, 1969)– Must meet minimum internship/training requirement (more than 1 year)	Graduated from other paramedical professions, with:– At least 5 years of MedTech practice before exam date, if practice started before law’s enactment
Required Practice Duration	5 years prior to the enactment of the law	5 years prior to the date of examination

Section 17 (Continuation) – Scope of Examination

Subject Area	RA 5527 (Original)	PD 498 (Amendment, 1974)
Clinical Chemistry	20%	20%
Microbiology & Parasitology	20%	20%
Hematology	20%	20%
Blood Banking & Serology	20%	20%
Clinical Microscopy(Urinalysis & other body fluids)	10%	10%
Histopathologic Techniques	10%	✳ Still included, but now shares the 10% with 3 new topics
➕ Added Topics	❌ Not included	✅ Cytotechnology, MedTech Laws, Related Laws, Implementing Rules, and Code of Ethics
Total	100%	100%

Aspect	RA 5527 (Original)	PD 498 (Amendment, 1974)
Publication of Exam Subjects	Must be published by the Civil Service Commissioner at least 4 months before exam date	Must be published by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) at least 30 days (1 month) before exam date
Grading System	General average is computed based on the given percentage weights of subjects	Same – general average is computed based on relative weights per subject
Authority to Change Subjects or Weights	The Board may change, add, or remove subjects or weights with approval of the Council	The Board may change, add, or remove subjects or weights with approval of the PRC
When Changes Take Effect	No specific timeline mentioned	Changes must be published at least 3 months before the exam where it will apply

Section 21 – Issuance of Certificate of Registration

Aspect	RA 5527 (Original)	PD 498 (Amendment, 1974)
When is a certificate issued?	After satisfactorily passing the board exam	Same – after passing the board exam
Minimum Age Requirement	Must be 21 years old to be issued a certificate	Same – 21 years old minimum
Signatories on the Certificate	Signed by 3 Board members, attested by the Board Secretary	Signed by 3 Board members and the PRC Commissioner
Display of Certificate	Must be displayed at the workplace	Same – required for public display
Certificate Without Examination (Waived Exam)	No mention of specific qualifications in this section	Can be granted without exam if:✔ Graduate of BS MedTech or BS Public Health from a recognized school (local or foreign)✔ At least 3 years practice in an accredited lab before application, if started before June 21, 1969✔ OR from other professions with 8 years of MedTech practice, starting before June 21, 1969✔ ₱115 fee applies
Amount of Fee	Not stated here	₱115 for certificate without examination

Section 21 of RA 5527 and PD 498 (Section 10) regarding the issuance of a Certificate of Registration as a Medical Laboratory Technician without examination.

Qualification Type	RA 5527 (Original)	PD 498 (Amendment)
1. Passed Civil Service Exam for Medical Technician	✅ March 21, 1964 Civil Service Exam passers are eligible	✅ Still recognized
2. 2-Year College + Experience	✅ Finished 2-year college + 1 year of experience as MedLabTech 📌 OR: 2 years of experience can substitute for every 1-year deficiency in college	✅ Same
3. 10 Years of Experience (New in PD 498)	❌ Not included	✅ 10 years of MedLabTech experience (as of PD 498’s effectivity), regardless of academic attainment
4. Failed MedTech Board Exam with ≥70%	❌ Not included	✅ Allowed to register as MedLabTech if examinee got at least 70% general average
Civil Service Eligibility Equivalency	❌ Not mentioned	✅ Registered Medical Laboratory Technician in government will have at least second-grade civil service eligibility
Fee	₱50	₱50

Section 29 (Cont.) – Penal Provisions

Provision	RA 5527 (Original)	PD 498 (Amendment, 1974)
(j) Who is Penalized	❗Any person who violates any provision of the Act	❗Any person or corporate body who:– Allows unregistered individuals to practice– Recommends unregistered individuals for MT/MLT positions
Focus of Violation	General – any violation of the Act	Specific – hiring or recommending unregistered individuals as MTs or MLTs
Intent/Knowledge	Not specified	Must knowingly allow or recommend unregistered persons
Approval Date	Enacted in 1969	Enacted on June 28, 1974

PD 1534 (1978)

Concern	Explanation
⚖ Implementation Problems	Some parts of PD 498 made it difficult for the Department of Education and Culture and the Department of Health to fully perform their roles.
👨‍⚕ Impact on Pathologists	Some provisions in PD 498 unintentionally harmed the practice of clinical and anatomic pathology by qualified physicians.
🎯 Original Goal Neglected	These changes conflicted with one of the main purposes of the original law: to support and regulate pathology practice alongside medical technology.

Purpose of PD 1534:

To correct, adjust, and balance the provisions of the Medical Technology Act (RA 5527), making sure it:

• Supports effective governance by DOH and DepEd

• Protects the professional rights of pathologists

• Continues to develop the MedTech profession

Dection 8 - Qualifications of Examiners

Aspect	RA 5527 (1969)	PD 498 (1974)	PD 1534 (1978)
Required Profession	✅ Must be either a: – Qualified Pathologist – Registered Medical Technologist	❌ Pathologist removed ✅ Must be a registered Medical Technologist	✅ Pathologist reinstated ✅ Also accepts registered MedTechs
Accepted Degrees	– BS in Medical Technology – BS in Hygiene	– BS in Medical Technology – BS in Hygiene ➕ BS in Public Health	– Same: BS in MedTech, Hygiene, or Public Health
Wording/Emphasis	Focus on being a qualified pathologist or a duly registered MedTech	Emphasis only on being a duly registered MedTech (no mention of pathologists)	Clearly states: Must be a qualified pathologist OR registered MedTech with proper degree