Founded in 1991, the Academy serves as the accreditation arm of the Philippine Society for Microbiology, Inc. (PSM). The concept was patterned on the American Academy of Microbiology. The vision of Pam is to facilitate accreditation of qualified members of PSM as Registered-, Specialist Microbiologists; Diplomates and Fellows. Registered Microbiologists are those who passed the accreditation program/examination on the following areas: basic microbiology, microbial ecology, microbial physiology and virology; with food- or medical microbiology as optional examination subject. Upgrading to the category of Specialist Microbiologist requires from a Registered Microbiologist an advanced degree in microbiology or related field and professional experience.

The Council of PAM is composed of Diplomates and Fellows chosen for their exceptional track record in the academe or industry. They are practitioners of microbiology who are enterprising and creative in initiating and advancing microbiology-based endeavors. Included in these ranks are distinguished educators and researchers on basic and applied microbiology and related fields.

The task of accreditation is competently handled by the Accreditation Board and Examination Committee whose members boast of pillars in the field of microbiology. The administrative and fiscal management of the Academy is delegated to the members of the Council of Regents.

Through the years, PAM in collaboration with the PSM has sponsored workshops on the standardization of the microbiology course syllabi, a symposium entitled Microbiology for Educators and You” and soon, an outreach project entitled “Microbiology and You: an awareness seminar on the role of microorganisms and microbiologists in our lives”.

Accreditation Program

Download Form

Criteria for applicants for Registered Microbiologist category

1. Regular/life member in the PSM

2. Must have taken at least 24 units of microbiology courses, 15 units of courses in biology and 16 units of courses in chemistry

All qualified applicants must submit an accomplished application form, transcript of records/true copy of grades, proof of PSM membership and one recent 2x2 photo. Payment of the examination fee of P1,000 shall be made prior to the examination date.

Steps for Examination for Accreditation

1. The Accreditation Board shall screen the documents of the applicants to determine if they fulfill all the requirements. All qualified applications shall be submitted to the Examination Board and the PAM Secretary who shall notify the applicants.
2. Members of the Examination Board assigned in different fields shall submit the examination results to the Examination Chair who shall summarize all the data.
3. The Examination Board shall meet en banc to discuss and prepare a written report signed by all examiners signifying concurrence on the final results.
4. The Examination Board shall submit its recommendation to the PAM Council of Regents which shall meet not later than one week after submission for final approval.
5. The PAM Secretary shall send the official notification of the results to the examinees using an approved format. The list of successful examinees shall be posted in the PSM website.
6. The Examination Board shall meet en banc to discuss and prepare a written report
   signed by all examiners signifying concurrence on the final results.
   

Successful examinees must take the oath for Registered Microbiologist within one year from the examination date.

Criteria for Specialist Microbiologist

1. Must be a Registered Microbiologist.
2. MS or Doctorate degree in microbiology or related field
3. Must have at least four (4) years professional experience within the last seven (7) years

Criteria for Diplomate and Fellow from the academe

1. Diplomate
   
   1. Life membership in the PSM.
   2. Good moral character.
   3. Must qualify as a certified microbiologist either as registered microbiologist or specialist microbiologist (must have 24 units of microbiology courses or its equivalent). Those who graduated with BS or MS or Ph. D in microbiology need not submit transcript of record (only photocopy of diploma). Others must submit official transcript of records.
   4. Must have at least ten (10) years experience in teaching, research and/or practice in microbiology.
   5. Must have five (5) publications of which at least two (2) are refereed. Senior authorship in at least one (1) of the two refereed publications is required.
   6. Must have garnered two (2) national/international professional awards in the field of microbiology.
   7. Must have attended at least three (3) PSM annual convention in the last five (5) years.
2. Fellow
   
   1. Life membership in the PSM.
   2. Good moral character.
   3. Must possess a diplomate in microbiology.
   4. Must have at least fifteen (15) years experience in teaching, research and/or practice in microbiology.
   5. Must have twenty (20) publications of which at least five (5) are refereed. Senior authorship in at least three (3) of the five refereed publications is required.
   6. Must have garnered four (4) national/international professional awards in the filed of microbiology.
   7. Must have attended at least three (3) PAM annual meetings and three (3) PSM annual convention in the last five (5) years.

Criteria for Diplomate and Fellow from the industry

1. Diplomate
   
   1. Life membership in the PSM.
   2. Good moral character.
   3. Qualified as a certified microbiologist, either as registered microbiologist or specialist microbiologist. (Must have earned 24 units of microbiology courses or its equivalent). Those who graduated with BS or MS or Ph. D in microbiology need not submit transcript of record (only photocopy of diploma). Others must submit official transcript of records.
   4. With at least ten (10) years experience in the practice of microbiology.
   5. Must have accomplished or undertaken at least ten (10) of any of the combination of the following:
      
      1. Improved/modified procedure(i.e. assays) that are being used in the company. The company should be implementing the improved/modified procedure.
      2. Solved through research microbiology problems of the company
      3. Introduced applicable new microbiology processes to the company
      4. Developed, tested and registered products that are currently commercialized or sold in the market

      Note: certification by the company on the veracity of the submitted documents regarding items 5a to 5d must be forwarded to the Accreditation Board.

   6. Must have garnered at least two (2) national/international professional awards in the field of microbiology or must have been given at least two (2) rank promotions by the company due to accomplishments in the field of microbiology(duly certified by the supervisor).
   7. Must have attended at least three (3) PSM annual convention in the last five (5) years.
2. Fellow
   
   1. Life membership in the PSM.
   2. Good moral character.
   3. A diplomate in microbiology
   4. With at least fifteen (15) years experience in the practice of microbiology
   5. Must have accomplished or undertaken at least ten (10) of any of the combination of the following:
      
      1. Improved/modified procedure(i.e. assays) that are being used in the company. The company should be implementing the improved/modified procedure.
      2. Solved through research microbiology problems of the company
      3. Introduced applicable new microbiology processes to the company
      4. Developed, tested and registered products that are currently commercialized or sold in the market

      Note: certification by the company on the veracity of the submitted documents regarding items 5a to 5d must be forwarded to the Accreditation Board.

   6. Must have garnered at least four (4) national/international professional awards in the field of microbiology or must have been given at least four (4) rank promotions by the company due to accomplishments in the field of microbiology (duly certified by the supervisor).
   7. Must have attended at least three(3) PAM annual meetings and three (3) PSM annual convention in the last five (5) years.

Renewal of Accreditation

The renewal of accreditation is required every three (3) years as provided in the Manual of Operations. In line with the PRC requirement that mandates participation in continuing education programs as basis for renewal of the PRC license, the general membership approved that renewal of accreditation shall require attendance in at least one (1) microbiology-related activity.

The fee for renewal of accreditation was also set at P300.00. In addition however, the fee for ID processing is currently set at P120.00 and would depend on the rate set by the contractor (currently, Leo’s Photo).