Article 2, Section 2 of RA 9173 declares that the government assumes responsibility for the overall protection and development of the nursing profession in the country. Authorities do this by implementing measures that can improve the country’s nursing education, maintain humane working conditions in medical institutions and provide better career prospects for Filipino nurses. In line with this, the Republic of the Philippines guarantees the delivery of quality basic health services by maintaining adequate nursing personnel system throughout the country.
Article 2, Section 4 of RA 9173 states that the organization of the Board of Nursing must possess the following qualifications in order to serve the needs of nursing professionals in the country: a natural born citizen and resident of the Philippines; a member of good standing of an accredited professional organization of nurses in the Philippines; a registered nurse and holder of a master's degree in nursing, education or other allied medical profession (conferred by a college or university duly recognized by the Philippine government); have at least 10 years of continuous professional practice prior to the appointment (the last five years of professional practice must be within the Philippines); and must be free from any convicted offense involving moral turpitude.
The Board of Nursing is in charge of the implementation of the nursing licensure examinations, in collaboration with the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC). The board also takes charge of any national issues and concerns involving Filipino nurses.
According to Article 4, Sections 12 to 13 and RA 9173, all nursing graduates must apply for a professional license before becoming eligible for nursing practice. This involves passing a written examination given by the Board of Nursing. To be admitted to the examination, the applicant must be: a citizen of the Philippines or a citizen of a country that permits Filipino nurses to practice within its territorial limits, on the same basis as the citizen of such country; an individual acknowledged with good moral character; and a holder of a bachelor’s degree in nursing in a duly recognized college or university.