[ REPUBLIC ACT NO. 12215, May 29, 2025 ]
AN ACT REGULATING THE PRACTICE OF THE AGRICULTURE PROFESSION IN THE PHILIPPINES, CREATING FOR THE PURPOSE A PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD FOR AGRICULTURISTS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
ARTICLE I
TITLE, DECLARATION OF POLICY, OBJECTIVES
AND DEFINITION OF TERMS
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Agriculturists Act".
Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State shall recognizes the importance of registered agriculturists in nation-building and development. Hence, it shall develop and nurture competent, ethical, globally competitive, and well-rounded registered agriculturists who shall observe the highest standards of excellence and whose professionalism shall be fostered through the administration of transparent, credible, and relevant licensure examinations, a system of registration, and continuing professional development programs and activities.
Section 3. Objectives. - This Act provides for:
(a) The examination, registration, and licensure of agriculture practitioners;
(b) The supervision, control, and regulation of the practice of the agriculture profession in the Philippines;
(c) The development and upgrading of the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Agriculture curriculum;
(d) The development of the professional competence of registered agriculturists through Continuing Professional Development (CPD); and
(e) The integration of the agriculture profession.
Section 4. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:
(a) Accredited Integrated Professional Organization (AIPO) refers to a professional organization accredited by the Professional Regulatory Board of Agriculture (Board) and the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), mandated under this Act to integrate all registered agriculturists into one national organization wherein membership is automatic and mandatory;
(b) Agriculture refers to the science, art, ethnics, management, and entrepreneurship in the production, establishment, processing, distribution, and marketing of crop, livestock, and poultry commodities, along with soil/land, water, and biodiversity management, to ensure food and nutrition security, foster economic development, drive global trade, adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change, and safeguard the equitable use of resources for current and future generations.
(c) Agriculture-related degrees refer to courses authorized and defined by the Board for purposes of qualifying for the agriculturist licensure examination and for registration as agriculturists without examination, such as BS in Agriculture, BS in Agricultural and Applied Economics, BS in Agribusiness Management, BS in Agricultural Biotechnology, BS in Agricultural Chemistry, and other agriculture-related courses that may hereafter be identified or recognized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Board;
(d) Practice of the agriculture profession refers to all activities, acts, services, or pursuits performed by registered agriculturists as herein prescribed or specified; and
(e) Registered agriculturist refers to a person who has been issued a Certificate of Registration (COR) and Professional Identification Card (PIC) to practice the agriculture profession.ℒαwρhi৷
ARTICLE II
PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF AGRICULTURE
Section 5. Creation and Composition of the Professional Regulatory Board of Agriculture. - A Professional Regulatory Board of Agriculture, herein referred to as the Board, is hereby created under the administrative supervision and control of the PRC. The Board shall be composed of a chairperson and five (5) members. Each member shall represent one of the six (6) fields of specialization provided in Section 14, Article III of this Act. The President of the Philippines shall appoint the chairperson and members of the Board from two (2) candidates recommended by the PRC from a list of three (3) nominees for each position submitted by the AIPO for registered agriculturists. In the absence of an AIPO or in case of failure or refusal of the AIPO to submit Board nominees, the PRC may determine other source of nominees, including other professional organizations and the academe.
The new Board shall be constituted within six (5) months from the effectivity of this Act.
Section 6. Qualifications of the Chairperson and Members of the Board. - At the time of their respective appointments, the members of the Board, including the Chairperson, must be:
(a) A natural-born Filipino citizen and resident of the Philippines;
(b) Of good moral character, not convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude;
(c) An AIPO member in good standing, for registered agriculturists;
(d) A holder of a degree in BS Agriculture, BS Agricultural and Applied Economics, or BS Agribusiness Management, preferably with a Master in Agriculture (MAgr), Master of Science (MS), or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in any agriculture discipline obtained from a school, college, or university recognized by the government: Provided, That each member of the Board shall serve in any of the six (6) recognized fields of specialization in agriculture;
(e) A registered agriculturist with a valid COR and PIC and with at least ten (10) years of relevant experience in agriculture;
(f) Not a faculty member, whether full- or part-time, of any school, college, or university where a regular or review course in agriculture is taught, nor have any pecuniary interest, direct or indirect, in such institutions; and
(g) Not an incumbent officer or trustee of the AIPO for registered agriculturists.
Section 7. Powers and Functions of the Professional Regulatory Board of Agriculture. - The Board shall have the following powers and functions:
(a) Promulgate, administer, and enforce rules and regulations, including the Code of Ethics and Code of Technical Standards for Registered Agriculturists, to carry out the provisions of this Act;
(b) Supervise and regulate the licensure, registration, and practice of registered agriculturists;
(c) Determine and evaluate the qualifications of the applicants for issuance of COR, PIC, and special temporary permit (STP);
(d) Issue, suspend, revoke, or reinstate the COR, PIC, and STP for cause;
(e) Prepare and modify the examination questions and prescribe the Tables of Specifications for the examination subjects and their relative weights;
(f) Administer the Oath of Professional;
(g) Look into the conditions affecting the practice of agriculture, adopt measures for the enhancement of the profession and the maintenance of high professional, technical, and ethical standards; and conduct inspection of establishments where registered agriculturists practice their profession;
(h) Inspect the existing facilities of universities or colleges and evaluate the qualifications of deans and faculty members offering the agriculture course or program, to ensure that standards meed CHED criteria, and enhance skills and competencies of graduates;
(i) Investigate violations of this Act, its implementing rules and regulations (IRR), and the Code of Ethics and Code of Technical Standards for registered agriculturists;
(j) Issue subpoena ad testificandum and subpoena duces tecum to secure the attendance of respondents or witnesses or the production of documents relative to the investigation conducted by the Board and PRC;
(k) Prepare guidelines for the CPD of registered agriculturists, in coordination with the AIPO; and
(l) Perform other powers, functions, and duties necessary to effectively implement the provisions of this Act.
The policies, resolutions, rules and regulations, orders, and decisions issued or promulgated by the Board shall be subject to the review and approval of the PRC. However, the Board's decisions, resolutions, or non-interlocutory orders in an administrative case shall be subject to review only on appeal.
Section 8. Term of Office. - The members of the Board shall hold office for a term of five (5) years after appointment or until their successors have been appointed and duly qualified: Provided, That members of the first Board to be appointed after the approval of this Act shall hold office for the following terms: the two (2) members, one of whom shall be designated as chairperson, shall serve for five (5) years; two (2) members shall serve for three (3) years; and the two (2) other members shall serve for one (1) year.
Each member of the Board may only be reappointed for one full term of five (5) years. A successor to a member whose term has expired shall be appointed for the full term of five (5) years from the date of expiration of the term for which the predecessor was appointed.
Any vacancy in the Board shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term. Each member shall take an oath of office before assumption of duties.
Section 9. Compensation and Allowance of the Chairperson and Members of the Board. - The chairperson and members of the Board shall receive compensation and allowances comparable to those received by the chairpersons and members of the other PRC Professional Regulatory Boards as provided in the annual General Appropriations Act.
Section 10. Suspension and Removal of the Chairperson and Members of the Board. - Upon recommendation of the PRC, the chairperson or member of the Board may be suspended or removed by the President of the Philippines for neglect of duty, abuse of power, oppression, incompetence, unprofessional, unethical, immoral, or dishonorable conduct, commission or toleration of irregularities in the conduct of examination or tampering of the grades therein, or for conviction by final judgment of any criminal offense involving moral turpitude, after a proper hearing in an administrative investigation.
Section 11. Supervision of the Board, Custodian of its Records, Secretariat and Support Services. - The Board shall be under the administrative supervision and control of the PRC. The PRC shall keep all records of the Board, including applications for examination, papers and results, minutes of deliberations, and administrative and other investigative cases involving registered agriculturists.
The PRC shall designate the Secretary of the Board and other support services to implement the provisions of this Act.
Section 12. Annual Report. - The Board shall submit an annual report to the PRC within thirty (30) days after each calendar year, stating a detailed amount of its proceedings and accomplishments during the year and recommending the adoption of measures to upgrade and improve he conditions and practice of the agriculture profession in the Philippines.
ARTICLE III
LICENSURE EXAMINATION AND REGISTRATION
Section 13. Professional Licensure Examination. - Every applicant seeking to be registered as an agriculturist shall undergo a written professional licensure examination as provided in this Act. The Board shall conduct examinations for the practice of the agriculture profession in the Philippines at least once a year in such places and dates as the PRC may designate.
Section 14. Scope of Examination. - Applicants for registration as registered agriculturists shall be given a written examination. The scope shall include the six (6) foundation subjects as follows:
(a) Crop Science;
(b) Animal Science;
(c) Soil Science;
(d) Crop Protection;
(e) Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness, Agri-entrepreneurship; and
(f) Agricultural Extension and Communication.
The Board may re-cluster, rearrange, modify, add to, or exclude any preceding subjects as the need arises to conform technological and agricultural modernization.
Section 15. Qualifications of Applicants for Professional Licensure Examination. - To be admitted to the Professional Licensure Examination for Agriculturists, an applicant, at the time of filing of an application, must be:
(a) A citizen of the Philippines or a foreign country which has a policy on reciprocity for the practice of the agriculture profession;
(b) A holder of Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture or any agriculture-related degree from a school, college, or university recognized by the government: Provided, That the applicant has completed coursework in agricultural subjects, including the six (6) foundation subjects. The minimum number of units shall be prescribed by the Board as a prerequisite for eligibility to take the agriculture licensure examination; and
(c) Of good moral character, not convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude.
An incumbent holder of any agriculture position in the national, regional, or local government offices or agencies, including government-owned or -controlled corporations, and who has been engaged in agricultural functions acceptable to the Board may qualify to take the professional licensure examination for agriculturists: Provided, That the person is a holder of professional civil service eligibility and has taken units of agricultural subjects, which shall include the six (6) foundation subjects and the minimum number of units prescribed by the Board.
Section 16. Ratings in the Professional Licensure Examination. - The examinee must obtain an average of at least seventy-five percent (75%) in all subjects, with no rating below fifty percent (50%) in any subject: Provided, That in the event an examinee obtains a general weighted average rating of seventy-five percent (75%) or higher but obtains a rating below fifty percent (50%) in any of the subjects, an examinee shall be allowed to retake the examination in the subject or subjects where a rating below fifty percent (50%) was obtained.
An examinee who fails to pass the examination thrice shall be required to undergo a refresher course before beg allowed to retake the examination.
The Board shall prescribe specific guidelines for the implementation of the refresher course requirement.
Section 17. Release of the Results of the Professional Licensure Examination. - The examination results shall be released within fourteen (14) working days from the last day of the examination unless otherwise extended for a valid reason.
Section 18. Registration Without Examination. - Upon approval of the application and payment of the prescribed fines, an applicant may be registered as an agriculturist without examination if it is proven top the satisfaction of the Board that the applicant:
(a) Is a graduate of a Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture or any agriculture-related degree or related baccalaureate program from a school, college, or university established or recognized by the government; and
(b) Has served the agriculture industry in any technical capacity in the government or private sector for not less than five (5) years before the effectivity of Republic Act No. 8435, otherwise known as the "Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997", prior to the start of the Agriculturists Licensure Examination in 2003 pursuant to the PRC Board of Agriculture Resolution No. 2, series of 2003, and prior to the creation of the Board of Agriculture. This service shall be certified in the service record of an applicant who is a government employees and certified under oath by an authorized official of the form, company, or corporation of an employee in the private sector; or
(c) Is a holder of a regular doctorate degree in agriculture from a reputable university on any of the six (6) fields of specialization specified under Section 14 of this Act: Provided, That such individuals submits required documents on educational attainment and evidence of active practice of agriculture. The Board may require presentation of the doctoral thesis and other evidence of achievement in agriculture.
Registration without examination under this section may be availed within five (5) years upon the effectivity of this Act. All laws and issuances inconsistent with this provision are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.
Section 19. Oath of Professional. - All persons qualified for registration, with or without examination, shall be required to take an Oath of Professional before any member of the Board or any government official authorized by the PRC to administer oaths before entering into the practice of the agriculture profession.
Section 20. Issuance of the Certificate of Registration (COR) and Professional Identification Card (PIC). - A COR shall be issued to a successful registrant, with or without examination, subject to the payment of fees prescribed by the PRC. The COR shall bear thee signature of the PRC chairperson and the chairperson and members of the Board of Agriculture, stamped with the official seals of the PRC and the Board, indicating that the person named therein is entitled to practice the agriculture profession, with all appurtenant benefits and privileges. The COR shall remain in full force and effect until revoked or suspended in accordance with this Act.
A PIC bearing the registration number and dates of issuance and expiry duly signed by the chairperson of the PRC shall likewise be issued to every registrant upon payment of the required fees. The PIC shall be renewed, subject to compliance with the prescribed requirements, for such period as may be determined by the Board and the PRC.
Section 21. Refusal to Register. - The Board shall not register and issue a COR to a registrant who has been convicted by final judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction of a crime involving moral turpitude, or found guilty of immoral or dishonorable conduct after an investigation by the Board, or has been declared to be of unsound mind. The reason for the refusal shall be in writing.
Section 22. Revocation or Suspension of the Certificate of Registration, Professional Identification Card, or Cancellation of Special Temporary Permit. - The Board may, after due notice and hearing, revoke the COR and PIC of a registered agriculturist, suspend the same from the practice of the profession, or cancel the STP for any of the causes provided in Section 21 hereof or for unprofessional or unethical conduct, malpractice, or violation of any of the provisions of this Act, its IRR, Code of Ethics, and Code of Technical Standards for Registered Agriculturists.
Section 23. Reinstatement, Reissuance, or Replacement of Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card. - The Board may reinstate or reissue a revoked COR after two (2) years from the date of revocation, upon petition and for reasons deemed proper and sufficient. This, it may exempt the applicant from taking another licensure examination.
In case of loss of the COR or PIC, the registrant shall duly prove the circumstances leading to the loss. The duplicate of a lost or revoked COR or PIC shall be issued in accordance with the existing rules and regulations, subject to the payment of the necessary and mandated dues.
Section 24. Issuance of Special Temporary Permit. - To promote or enhance the practice of the agriculture profession in the Philippines, the Board, upon application and payment of the required fees and subject to the approval of the PRC, may issue an STP to a foreign registered agriculturist whose services are urgently needed due to the absence or inadequacy of local registered agriculturists.
The Board shall issue the conditions for the grant of the STP, including the designation of a local understudy for every foreign agriculturist to be employed in the Philippines.
Section 25. Foreign Reciprocity. - No foreign professional agriculturist shall be admitted to the examination, or given a COR or PIC and entitled to any of the privileges provided in this Act, unless the country of which the foreign professional agriculturist is a citizen specifically allows Filipino registered agriculturists to practice within its territorial limits on the same basis as its citizens.
ARTICLE IV
PRACTICE OF AGRICULTURE PROFESSION
Section 26. Scope of Practice of Agriculture. - The agriculture profession involves services consisting of crop, livestock, and poultry production, processing, and distribution in both urban and rural areas that include the following:
(a) Soil, crop, and animal health management;
(b) Consultation, evaluation, investigation, and management services requiring the application of knowledge in agriculture and its components;
(c) Preparation of plans, specifications, project feasibility studies and estimates, and other management services in the establishment and production of crops, raising of livestock and poultry, landscape horticulture, and marketing of agriculture products;
(d) Research projects and studies in soil resources management, crop improvement, crop production, breeding of livestock and poultry, and animal and plant pest and disease management;
(e) Training and extension work in agricultural crop production, poultry, and livestock raising;
(f) Management and and marketing services related to agriculture as a business or industry;
(g) Teaching agriculture subjects in schools, colleges, and universities established or recognized by the government; and
(h) Employment in the private and government sectors where such employment requires the knowledge and expertise of a registered agriculturist.
A person shall be considered in the practice of agriculture if the nature and character of the work or employment requires professional knowledge in agriculture as defined in Section 4(b), Article I of this Act, a person is also deemed to be in the practice of the agriculture profession if such person teaches any agriculture professional subject in a university, college, or school or engages in research in any agriculture-related research or extension.
The foregoing list notwithstanding, other activities, which now or hereafter may require the application of knowledge, skills, training, and expertise in agriculture as may be determined by the Board, shall be deemed to be within the scope of the practice of agriculture and governed by the provisions of this Act.
Section 27. Professional Title Appendage. - Only registered agriculturists, as herein defined, may append the title "Registered Agriculturist (RAgr)" to their names.
Section 28. Prohibition Against the Unauthorized Practice of Agriculture Profession. - No person shall practice the agriculture profession in the Philippines or offer oneself as a registered agriculturist or use the title, word, letter, figure, or any sign tending to convey the impression that one is a registered agriculturist, or advertise or indicate in any manner whatsoever that one is qualified to practice the profession unless the person has complied with all the requirements for registration, with or without examination, and is a holder of a valid COR and PIC or a valid STP duly issued by the Board and the PRC.
Section 29. Act Not affecting Other Professionals. - This Act shall not be construed to affect or prevent the practice of any other legally recognized profession.
Section 30. Prohibition Against Corporate Practice. - A sole proprietor, consulting firm, association, or organization may engage in the practice of the agriculture profession in the Philippines: Provided, That it complies with the following requirements:
(a) The firm, association, or organization is duly registered with the Department of Trade and Industry, Securities and Exchange Commission, or other appropriate agencies;
(b) The majority of the officers and board members of the form, association, or organization are registered agriculturists; and
(c) The practice of the consulting firm, association, or organization is carried out by registered agriculturists.
Section 31. Employment of Agriculturists in the Government. - National government agencies concerned with agriculture activities shall ensure that all existing technical plantilla positions are occupied by registered agriculturists.
Registered agriculturists shall occupy all existing technical plantilla positions of provincial, city, and municipal agriculturist offices, including all agriculture technical positions therein. For purposes of this Act, a position is deemed to be technical when it primarily requires the professional knowledge and skills of a registered agriculturist based on the scope of practice provided in Section 26 of this Act. All faculty members of state universities and colleges (SUCs) teaching agricultural courses shall be registered agriculturists.
The Board shall assist in developing Position Classification Standards for relevant government plantilla positions in collaboration with the Civil Service Commission and other appropriate national and local government agencies.
Section 32. Salary. - The minimum base pay of registered Agriculturists working in the national government, including the SUCs, shall not be lower than Salary Grade 13.
In line with this, local government units (LGUs) are encouraged to upgrade the salary grade of their personnel, consistent with the governing principles, guidelines, and provisions of Republic Act No. 7160 or the "Local Government Code of 1991", subject to their financial capability.
Section 33. Employment or Engagement of Agriculturists in the Private Sector. - Private agricultural corporations shall employ or engage the services of registered agriculturists. All corporate farms, golf courses, agri-tourism sites, agri-related corporations or businesses, and other similar institutions or facilities involved in agriculture must employ or engage such number of registered agriculturists based on the scope of practice of the agriculture profession.
All faculty members of higher educational institutions teaching agricultural courses shall be registered agriculturists.
Section 34. Integration of the Agriculture Profession. - All registered agriculturists shall have one (1) national organization, which the Board and the PRC shall recognize as the only AIPO for registered agriculturists. A registered agriculturist shall automatically become a member of the AIPO and receive all appurtenant benefits and privileges upon payment of the prescribed fees and dues.
Membership in the AIPO shall not bar membership in other organizations of registered agriculturists.
Upon the approval of this Act, the PRC shall adopt rules and regulations to integrate the agriculture profession under such conditions as it sees fit to raise its standards.
Section 35. Code of Ethics and Code of Technical Standards for Agriculture Profession. The Board shall prescribe and promulgate the Code of Ethics and the Code of Technical Standards for registered agriculturists in consultation with the AIPO.
Section 36. Continuing Professional Development Program. - All registered agriculturists shall abide by the requirements, rules and regulations on CPD to be promulgated by the Board and the PRC in coordination with the AIPO of registered agriculturists and the academe. For this purpose, a CPD Council shall be created to implement its program.
Section 37. Use of Seal. - Every registered agriculturist shall obtain a seal of such design as the Bord shall adopt and approve, which shall be affixed to or impressed upon all documents, records, papers, and instruments prepared by or under the direct supervision of or issued by the registered agriculturist. The registered agriculturist shall use the seal only during the validity of the license.
The Board shall issue the pertinent guidelines on the use of seals.
Section 38. Vested Rights: Autonomous Registration of Agriculturists. - All agriculturists registered when this Act takes effect shall automatically be recognized as registered agriculturists.
ARTICLE V
PENAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS
Section 39. Penal Provisions. - Any violation of this Act, its IRR, Code of Ethics, Code of Technical Standards, or other regulatory policies of the Board and the PRC shall be meted the penalty of a fine of not less than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) nor more than Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00), or imprisonment of not less than six (6) months nor more than six (6) years, or both, at the discretion of the court.
Officers of government agencies and private establishments, including sole proprietors, consulting firms, associations, and organizations responsible for any such violation shall be held equally liable under this Act and other laws as the circumstances warrant.
Section 40. Appropriations. - The Chairperson of the PRC shall immediately include in the PRC's programs the implementation of this Act, the funding for which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
Section 41. Transitory Provisions. - The existing Board of Agriculture shall continue to function in the interim until the new Board has been constituted pursuant to this Act.
Section 42. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Board shall issue and promulgate the IRR within one hundred twenty (120) days from the effectivity of this Act, subject to the approval of the PRC and in consultation with the AIPO. The IRR shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines.
Section 43. Separability Clause. - If any clause, sentence, paragraph, or part of this Act shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid, such judgment shall not affect, invalidate, or impair any other part of this Act.
Section 44. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, memorandum orders, and other administrative issuances or parts thereof that are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby modified, superseded, or repealed accordingly.
Section 45. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
(Sgd.) FERDINAND MARTIN G. ROMUALDEZ
Speaker of the House of Representatives |
(Sgd.) FRANCIS "CHIZ" G. ESCUDERO
President of the Senate |
This Act was passed by the Senate of the Philippines as Senate Bill No. 2906 on January 27, 2025 and adopted by the House of Representatives as an amendment to House Bill No. 11186 on February 3, 2025.
(Sgd.) REGINALD S. VELASCO
Secretary General House of Representatives |
(Sgd.) RENATO N. BANTUG, JR.
Secretary of the Senate |
Approved: MAY 29 2025
(Sgd.) FERDINAND ROMUALDEZ MARCOS JR.
President of the Philippines
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