Tips

In January 2019, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) all over the Philippines started to work only with accredited medical clinics regarding the processing of medical certificates—one of the most important documentary requirements necessary when applying for or renewing an LTO driver’s license in the country. These medical clinics receive the LTO’s stamp of approval to carry out medical examinations and provide medical certificates for applicants for student permits and driver’s and conductor’s licenses in the Philippines.

This rollout of new requirements resulted in the need for LTO accreditation for medical clinics. The accreditation ensures that the clinics have the proper facilities and IT infrastructure to carry out the services expected of it.

After all, it doesn’t make sense to trust that the drivers and conductor can be examined properly without knowing if the medical clinic is properly equipped or if it has the personnel and the technology to support it. Hence, the need for accreditation procedures for medical clinics.

What is an LTO-Accredited Clinic?

An LTO-accredited medical clinic is a medical clinic that has gained an authorization to carry out medical examinations and provide medical certificates to applicants for student permit and driver’s and conductor’s licenses in the Philippines. These medical certificates are electronically transmitted by these LTO-accredited medical clinics acknowledged by the agency as legitimate.

These medical clinics, private or otherwise, have been proven by the LTO to have the proper IT infrastructure to meet the computerization requirements of the agency. This means they have just the right size and technology to offer the required services including digital ones which involves implementing biometric examination, carrying out medical validation and screening, and uploading of necessary documentation and medical results in the LTO-IT system for medical clinics, the Land Transport Management System (LTMS) Medical Clinics Portal.

What is it for? 

The accreditation for medical clinics is meant to ensure registration of said clinics with LTO as the go-to clinics for the medical examination and medical certificate processing of aspiring drivers and conductors in the Philippines. Through the accreditation procedures, the interested clinics secure a stamp of approval from the LTO after satisfying the conditions of accreditation—from the size to computerization requirements. With this stamp of approval, the clinics make it to the list of LTO-accredited medical clinics waiting to receive driver and conductor license applicants who need LTO medical certificates. 

Who should go there?

The LTO-accredited medical clinics are especially selected to offer medical diagnostic services to the following LTO clients:

• Foreigners in the Philippines who are looking to secure a driver’s license
• Filipinos who are looking to apply for a new student driver’s license
• Filipinos who are looking to renew their existing or expired driver’s license
• Filipinos who wish to change their driver’s license classification
• Filipinos who wish to change the restriction codes on their driver’s license
• People whose driver’s license has been revoked after having been found to be an improper person to operate motor vehicles
• Any person who has committed, or has served as an accessory to, any crime 
• Any person who has committed, or has served as an accessory to act which endangers the public while driving
• Any person who has accumulated at least forty demerit points 
• Drivers who have been subject to an outright revocation of driver’s license under Section 16 of the IRR of RA 10930
• Filipinos or foreign nationals in the Philippines whose driver’s license has been revoked for any other lawful reason except in cases where perpetual disqualification from being granted a license has been imposed.
• Drivers whose license has five-year validity and are nearing their 3rd birthdate from the issuance of their license.
• Drivers whose license has a ten-year validity period and are nearing either their 4th or 7th birthdays from the issuance of their license.

Eligibility for LTO Accreditation for Medical Clinics

While the accreditation procedure is open to all private and government facilities, the following are the intended target customers for this particular LTO service:

• Private Medical Clinics or Health Facilities
  • Must be owned by any Filipino citizen who is at least twenty-five (25) years old; 
  • Must be a domestic partnership or association; or a corporation organized under Philippine laws with at least sixty percent (60%) Filipino ownership
  • Must not be disqualified by any existing law or regulation

• Government Clinics or Health Facilities

Requirements for LTO Medical Clinic Accreditation 

Before initiating the request for accreditation as an LTO-accredited medical clinic, the following documentary requirements must be prepared first:

General Requirements For Private and Government Owned Clinics in LTO Philippines

• Duly accomplished application form under oath and signed by the Owner of the medical clinic or Head of Agency of government health facility
• Health Facility Geographic Form (location map) and layout of the clinic, including dimensions
• Photographs of the exterior and interior of the medical clinic
• Organizational Chart showing its personnel and their functions
• List of all equipment, including manuals, reference materials required for its calibration

Additional Requirements of LTO Medical Clinic Accreditation

For private medical clinics and health facilities, here are some additional registration documents:

For Private Medical Clinics

• One (1) Certified true copy of valid Mayor’s Business Permit indicating the type of ownership (Sole Proprietorship/Corporation or Partnership/ Cooperative)
• One (1) photocopy of Bureau of Internal Revenue Certificate of Registration 
• One (1) photocopy of Audited Financial Statement for the last two (2) years or a Pre-operating Financial Statement whichever is applicable, showing that the owner-applicant shall be in such financial condition as to reasonably expect the clinic to operate for at least one (1) year 
• One (1) photocopy of Certificate of Registration of personal information processing system as proof of registration with the National Privacy Commission in accordance with Republic Act No. 10173 or the Data Privacy Act (Photocopy) or any Proof of Application pending release of Certificate of Registration

Procedure: How to Become a Certified LTO-Accredited Medical Clinic

To secure recognition as an LTO-accredited medical clinic, the transacting person from either private clinic or health facilities or government hospitals must follow these accreditation procedures:

Step 1: Visit the LTO Office closest to where the medical clinic is located.

Step 2: Proceed to the Assessment and Compliance Monitoring Team (ACMT) Counter (for those visiting LTO Regional Offices) or the Medical Unit (for those visiting the LTO Central Office) and secure the application form for the accreditation of medical clinics.

Step 3: Submit the documentary requirements to the designated officer at the ACMT Secretariat in the LTO Regional Office for completeness and verification.

Step 4: Once the documents are evaluated and verified by the designated personnel from the ACMT Secretariat Regional Office, you will be issued a Payment Order Slip (POS).

Step 5: Upon issuance of your Payment Order Slip (POS), proceed to the cashier for the payment of non-refundable application fee and other required fees.

Note: Government health facilities and clinics are exempted from the payment of the application fees. 

Step 6: Once paid, wait for the OR to be issued.

Step 7: Once your OR is released, proceed to the Releasing window of the Medical Unit at the Central Office or the ACMT Counter and present your OR.

Step 8: Wait for the Provisional Authority to be released.

Step 9: Wait for the Certificate of Accreditation to be released.

Note: In the event of findings of deficiency or non-conformity, the applicant complies within 30 days as per MC No.2018-2157.

Once the Certificate of Accreditation is released, medical services and certificates may be offered by accredited clinics to drivers, conductors, aspiring conductors, and aspiring drivers who are looking to get a physical and medical assessment and an LTO medical certificate.

Fees

To get accreditation as an LTO-accredited medical clinic, you must be prepared to pay for the Application Fee amounting to P5,000.00 and Legal Research Fund amounting to P10.00. 

Where to Register

To process an application for accreditation as an LTO-accredited medical clinic, you will need to visit either of the following LTO offices:

• Assessment and Compliance Monitoring Team (ACMT), LTO Regional Office 
• Medical Unit, Central Office

Processing Time

The application for registration as an LTO-accredited doctor usually takes at least 12 days and 45 minutes, including the waiting time from the submission of complete requirements.

Important Reminders

For your reference, here are some important things you need to remember as you request for accreditation as an LTO-accredited medical clinic:

• Accredited medical clinics or accredited physicians who issue medical certificates to applicants of driver’s and conductor’s licenses without any physical examination may face suspension or permanent closure when caught.
• The accreditation for private medical clinics at the LTO is not free, but accreditation for government hospitals, health facilities, and clinics are exempted from the payment of the application fees.
• As the LTO transitioned to a digitized agency, the transmittal of medical certificates has changed and the LTO now only accepts electronically transmitted ones via the Land Transport Management System (LTMS) portal.
• Accreditation of Medical Clinics is under multi-stage processing.
• Processing time includes waiting time and starts upon the submission of complete requirements. 
• For accreditation applications with deficiency or non-conformity, the applicant (medical clinic) needs to comply within 30 days as per MC No.2018-2157.
• In case of committing any of the prohibited acts detailed under Sec. 26 of LTO MC No. 2018-2157, corresponding administrative penalties and sanctions as well as preventive suspension defined under Sections 28 and 29 of the same circular.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

To help make the accreditation procedures as painless as possible, here are some common questions and answers related to LTO-accreditation of medical clinics: 

1. Can I get medical clinic accreditation from any LTO office? 

No. You can’t just visit any LTO office. You will need to go to either the Assessment and Compliance Monitoring Team (ACMT) Counter (for those visiting LTO Regional Offices) or the Medical Unit (for those visiting the LTO Central Office).

2. How much does it cost to get a medical clinic accredited by LTO?

Accreditation of medical clinics at the LTO requires payment of Application Fee amounting to P5,000.00 and Legal Research Fund amounting to P10.00 for private clinics or health facilities and of the Legal Research Fund amounting to P10.00 for government hospitals.

3. Why do clinics and health facilities need to register to become accredited by the LTO? 

The LTO gives utmost importance to all the processes involved in the issuance of a driver’s license. As such, the LTO requires accreditation of medical clinics to ensure that they have the IT infrastructure and the facilities to offer services that are part of the process for securing driver’s licenses or motor vehicle registration.  

4. Is it possible to get the medical certificate without getting a physical exam if I go to an LTO-accredited medical clinic?

No. It is illegal for LTO-accredited doctors or medical clinics to issue a medical certificate without doing a physical and medical exam. When caught, an LTO-accredited physician may face suspension or permanent closure.

5. Can private clinics or health facilities get accreditation from LTO?

Yes. Private or government hospitals can get LTO accreditation so long as they apply for it and they satisfy the requirements of the agency.

6. Who do I reach out to for inquiries and concerns?

For more information or other concerns, you may contact the LTO at:

Land Transportation Office

Office Address: LTO Compound, East Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City, 1100 Philippines
Tel. No.: 89229061 to 63
Email Address: ltomailbox@lto.gov.ph, clientcare@lto.gov.ph
Official website: https://lto.gov.ph/
Land Transport Management System (LTMS) portal: https://portal.lto.gov.ph/ords/f?p=PUBLIC_PORTAL:CONTACT_US:115716301949471
LTO Text Hotline Service: You may use LTO’s nationwide SMS service for drivers and vehicle owners by typing LTOHELP and sending it to 2600
LTO office: For information, you may check the LTO branch offices closest to you.

Summary

Getting authority granted to the private and government Medical Clinics relative to the issuance of Medical Certificates to Student-driver’s Permit and Driver’s or Conductor’s license applicants requires an application for accreditation from the LTO. Though the accreditation procedure is relatively easy, the screening process is quite stringent as there is a designated size and infrastructure requirements that the clinics need to satisfy. Plus, the service isn’t free, especially for private hospitals, so it may deter those who aren’t serious in offering their professional expertise properly. 

Since January 2019, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) all over the Philippines has started working only with accredited medical clinics when it comes to physical and medical examinations of applicants of student permits, driver’s licenses, conductor’s licenses, and motor vehicle registrations. The accreditation for medical clinics has long become a requirement before they can issue medical certificates, but it’s only valid for one year, hence the need for annual renewal of LTO accreditation for medical clinics.

The annual renewal for LTO accreditation for medical clinics ensures that the clinics maintain the same quality of service originally recognized by the LTO. This ensures that the service does not deteriorate and the safety of both drivers and passengers does not get compromised. After all, a lot of things can happen in one year so it is necessary for the LTO to confirm that the medical clinic is still properly equipped and that it still has the personnel and the technology to support it.

Renewing LTO Accreditation for Medical Clinics

An LTO-accredited clinic is a medical clinic that has gained an authorization to carry out medical examinations and provide medical certificates to applicants for student permit and driver’s and conductor’s licenses in the Philippines. This means that the renewal of such accreditation grants the medical clinics the authority to continue to legally operate and offer the same service for at least another year. 

The renewal of medical clinic accreditation at the LTO ensures that the medical clinic will continue to be acknowledged by the agency as one of its legitimate affiliates. Just like the initial accreditation, it ensures that the clinics continue to have the proper IT infrastructure to meet the computerization requirements of the agency as well as the right size and technology to offer the required services, including the biometric examination, medical validation and screening, and necessary documentation uploading at the LTO-IT system for medical clinics, the Land Transport Management System (LTMS) Medical Clinics Portal.

What is it for? 

The LTO service that allows for renewal of LTO accreditation for medical clinics is meant to give medical clinics the authority to offer its services and provide medical certificates to applicants for student permit and driver’s and conductor’s licenses. It was designed so that the LTO can check for quality and capacity to offer the designated service in a way that aligns with the LTO standards. 

Eligibility for Renewal of LTO Accreditation for Medical Clinics

Since the accreditation procedure is open to all private and government facilities, the same are the intended target of the LTO accreditation renewal service:

• Previously accredited Private Medical Clinics or Health Facilities
  • Must be owned by any Filipino citizen who is at least twenty-five (25) years old; 
  • Must be either a domestic partnership or association; or a corporation organized under Philippine laws with at least sixty percent (60%) Filipino ownership
  • Must not be disqualified by any existing law or regulation

• Previously accredited Government Clinics or Health Facilities

Requirements for Renewal of LTO Medical Clinic Accreditation 

Before initiating the request for renewal of LTO medical clinic accreditation, the following documentary requirements must be prepared first:

General Requirements For Private and Government Owned Clinics in LTO Philippines

• Duly accomplished application form under oath and signed by the Owner of the medical clinic or Head of Agency of Government health facility
• One (1) photocopy of the previous Certificate of Accreditation (CoA)
• Original copy of updated Organizational chart showing its personnel and their functions, if necessary
• Duly accomplished Health Facility Geographic Form (location map) and layout of the clinic, including dimensions (in case of transfer of location)

Additional Requirements of LTO Medical Clinic Accreditation

For private medical clinics and health facilities, here are some additional registration renewal documents:

For Private Medical Clinics

• One (1) Certified true copy of valid Mayor’s Business Permit / Proof of application for renewal of permit
• One (1) photocopy of latest Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) tax payment
• One (1) photocopy of valid Certificate of Registration with National Privacy Commission (NPC) or proof of application duly received by NPC

Procedures for LTO Accreditation of Medical Clinics

To secure recognition as an LTO-accredited medical clinic, the transacting person from either private clinic or health facilities or government hospitals must follow these accreditation procedures:

Step 1: Visit the LTO Regional Office closest to where the medical clinic is located.

Step 2: Proceed to the Assessment and Compliance Monitoring Team (ACMT) Counter (for those visiting LTO Regional Offices) and secure the application form for the renewal of LTO accreditation for medical clinics.

Step 3: Submit the required documents to the designated officer at the ACMT Secretariat in the LTO Regional Office for completeness and verification.

Note: If the application is submitted after the expiration of the accreditation, the CoA is temporarily suspended.

Step 4: Once the documents are evaluated and verified by the designated personnel from the ACMT Secretariat Regional Office, you will be issued a Payment Order Slip (POS).

Step 5: Upon issuance of your Payment Order Slip (POS), proceed to the cashier for the payment of renewal fee and other required fees and applicable penalties.

Note: Government health facilities and clinics are exempted from the payment of the application fees. 

Step 6: Once paid, wait for the OR to be issued.

Step 7: Once your OR is released, proceed to the Releasing window at the ACMT Section and present your OR.

Step 8: Wait for the Certificate of Accreditation to be released.

Note: In the event of findings of deficiency or non-conformity, the clinic shall be suspended from operation until compliance to the findings.

Once the new Certificate of Accreditation is released, medical services and certificates may be continuously offered by the accredited clinics to drivers, conductors, aspiring conductors, and aspiring drivers who are looking to get a physical and medical assessment and acquire an LTO medical certificate.

Where to Register

To process an application for accreditation as an LTO-accredited medical clinic, you will need to visit the Assessment and Compliance Monitoring Team (ACMT) of the LTO Regional Office where the medical clinic was accredited.

Processing Time

The application for registration as an LTO-accredited doctor usually takes at least 5 days and 45 minutes, including the waiting time from the submission of complete requirements.

Potential Causes for Penalties, Suspension, and Sanctions

The renewal of LTO accreditation may incur an additional P1,000.00 penalty fee or suspension or closure if the clinic is found to have committed the following prohibited acts listed under Section 26 of LTO MC No. 2018-2157:

• Violation of condition/s of accreditation and/or registration
• Misrepresentation for purposes of securing an accreditation or registration or renewal thereof, such as giving a material false statement in the application or submitting falsified documents
• Obstructing or attempting to obstruct inspection or visits by the authorized representatives of LTO
• Engaging in activities outside the scope of the accreditation such as but not limited to selling of insurance policy, notarization of documents and photocopying services within the premises of the medical clinic
• Tampering of medical examination result by deliberately entering any false information about the applicant’s health or physical condition
• Direct or indirect solicitation of clients
• Any act similar or analogous to the foregoing

Fees and Penalties

To get accreditation as an LTO-accredited medical clinic, you must be prepared to pay for the LTO fees which includes the Renewal Fee amounting to P3,000.00, the Legal Research Fund which costs P10.00, and the Penalty Fee of P1,000.00 if the renewal for accreditation is applied after expiration of accreditation.

After due notice and hearing, the following punishments detailed in Section 28 and 29 of  MC No. 2018-2157 may also be imposed towards medical clinics: 

• Suspension not exceeding six (6) months; or 
• Revocation of the accreditation of clinic or registration of physician; or
• Suspension not exceeding six (6) months or revocation of the accreditation of clinic or registration of physician, or both upon the discretion of the LTO Regional Director
• The LTO Regional Director may immediately impose preventive suspension for not more than sixty (60) days pending the outcome of the investigation.
• A medical clinic shall cease its operation and shall not accept any client for medical examination during the period of preventive suspension.
• The medical clinic shall be automatically denied access to the LTO IT System.
• A medical clinic which engages in the medical clinic business or makes it appear that it is authorized to perform medical examination on applicants without proper accreditation and/or registration shall be penalized with perpetual disqualification from accreditation and/or registration.

Important Reminders

For your reference, here are some important things you need to remember as you request for accreditation as an LTO-accredited medical clinic:

• If the renewal application is submitted after the expiration of the accreditation, the CoA is temporarily suspended.
• In the event of findings of deficiency or non-conformity, the clinic shall be suspended from operation until compliance to the findings.
• Accreditation of Medical Clinics is under multi-stage processing.
• Renewal of Certificate of Accreditation shall be filed to the LTO Regional Office having jurisdiction of the area where the medical clinic is located within ninety (90) days before its expiration.
• Processing time includes waiting time and starts upon the submission of complete requirements.
• Accredited medical clinics can only issue medical certificates to applicants of driver’s and conductor’s licenses after a complete physical and medical examination or they may face suspension or permanent closure.
• The renewal of accreditation for private medical clinics at the LTO is not free, but government hospitals, health facilities, and clinics are exempted from the payment of the application fees.
• As the LTO transitioned to a digitized agency, the transmittal of medical certificates has changed and the LTO now only accepts electronically transmitted ones via the Land Transport Management System (LTMS) portal.
• In case of committing any of the prohibited acts detailed under Sec. 26 of LTO MC No. 2018-2157, there are corresponding administrative penalties and sanctions as well as preventive suspension defined under Sections 28 and 29 of the same circular.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

To help make the LTO accreditation renewal procedures for medical clinics as painless as possible, here are some common questions and answers related to LTO renewal of accreditation for medical clinics: 

1. Can I renew my medical clinic accreditation from any LTO office? 

No. Renewal of LTO accreditation for medical clinics is only offered by the Assessment and Compliance Monitoring Team (ACMT) Counter of the LTO Regional Offices.

2. How much does it cost to renew the LTO accreditation for medical clinics?

Renewal of accreditation for medical clinics at the LTO requires the payment of Renewal Fee amounting to P3,000.00 and the Legal Research Fund which costs P10.00. In cases of violations, there will be an additional of P1,000.00 to cover the Penalty Fees.

3. Why do clinics and health facilities need to renew registration as an LTO-accredited medical clinic? 

First, because the LTO gives utmost importance to all the processes involved in the issuance of licenses, the agency requires that the clinic meet certain standards in terms of size and infrastructure. Because these things are prone to wear and tear, it is necessary for the agency to check on a regular basis that the clinics still have what it takes to offer quality service, hence the need for annual renewal.

4. What would happen to clinics found to be issuing medical certificates for sale without a physical/medical exam if?

If an LTO-accredited medical clinic is found to be selling medical certificates or issuing medical certificates without subjecting the license applicants tona physical or medical exam, not only would they pay the penalty fee amount to P1,000.00, but they might also face other penalties ranging from suspension to revocation of accreditation or even a permanent ban.

5. Who do I reach out to for inquiries and concerns?

For more information or other concerns regarding the renewal of LTO accreditation for medical clinics, you may contact the LTO via the following:

Land Transportation Office

Office Address: LTO Compound, East Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City, 1100 Philippines
Tel. No.: 89229061 to 63
Email Address: ltomailbox@lto.gov.ph, clientcare@lto.gov.ph
Official website: https://lto.gov.ph/
Land Transport Management System (LTMS) portal: https://portal.lto.gov.ph/ords/f?p=PUBLIC_PORTAL:CONTACT_US:115716301949471
LTO Text Hotline Service: You may use LTO’s nationwide SMS service for drivers and vehicle owners by typing LTOHELP and sending it to 2600
LTO office: For information, you may check the LTO branch offices closest to you.

Summary

Getting authority granted to the private and government Medical Clinics relative to the issuance of Medical Certificates to Student-driver’s Permit and Driver’s/Conductor’s license applicants requires an application for accreditation from the LTO. However, such accreditation has a time limit of one year, hence the need for annual renewal through the accreditation renewal procedures. The process itself is relatively easier and cheaper and the processing period is also much shorter compared to when securing accreditation for the first time. So, if you ever need to renew your medical clinic’s LTO accreditation, then, you can use this guide here for your reference.