The Professional Regulation Commission and the Board of Medicine recognize the urgent need for physicians during these times of public health emergency, thus the November 2020 Physician Licensure Examination (PLE) shall continue as scheduled.

Relative to this, the Commission and the Board primarily consider the safety and welfare of all examinees and examination personnel who will be exposed to health risks while participating in the conduct of the said examinations, thereby recommending the following health and safety protocols:

RT-PCR TESTING

1. Examinees and examination personnel who fall under the following groups shall undergo the mandatory Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) testing from any of the Department of Health (DOH) accredited facilities three to five (3-5) days before the examination date/s:

1.1. Suspect cases; or

1.2. Individuals with relevant history of travel and exposure (or contact), whether symptomatic or asymptomatic; and

1.3. Health care workers with possible exposure, whether symptomatic or asymptomatic.

The following exposures should have happened two (2) days before or within fourteen (14) days from onset of symptoms of a confirmed or probable case:

1.3.1. Face-to-face contact with a confirmed case within one (1) meter and for more than fifteen (15) minutes;

1.3.2. Direct physical contact with a confirmed case;

1.3.3. Direct care for a patient with probable or confirmed COVID-19 disease without using proper personal protective equipment.

In this case, examinees and examination personnel shall be required to submit the result of their RT-PCR tests. Only those examinees with negative results shall be allowed to take the examination.

2. However, if an examinee or examination personnel does not fall in the above-mentioned conditions, he/she may undergo a 14-day quarantine period wherein he/she is asymptomatic for at least 14 days prior to the scheduled examination date/s, provided that he/she has no close contact or exposure to the aforementioned cases, he/she shall be allowed to take/assist the examination in the absence of RT-PCR test. A Certificate of Quarantine or its equivalent signed by any of the following shall be submitted instead:

2.1. Any licensed Physician (government or private physician);

2.2. Municipal Health Officer, Provincial Health Officer or City Health Officer;

2.3. Barangay Officer visiting the examinee’s residence attesting that he/she has been in quarantine for 14 days.

3. Examinees coming from other countries should be able to quarantine for 14 days or provide a negative RT-PCR test result whichever is shorter.

4. All examination personnel including the PNP/PRC Security Officers assigned in the Confidential Printing Room (CPR) and those assigned to transport and secure the test materials in various testing venues shall undergo the RT-PCR test to assure their safety as well as to those involved in the administration of examination. Only those mentioned personnel with negative RT-PCR result and Certificate of Quarantine shall be allowed to assist/administer the same.

HEALTH STANDARDS FOR EXAMINEES AND PRC EXAMINATION PERSONNEL

1. All examinees and examination personnel shall enforce the following precautionary measures among themselves:

1.1 Observe physical distancing of two (2) meters between examinees. Examinees shall be restricted to their assigned seat;

1.2 Wear face mask (at least 3-ply surgical mask, preferably N95 mask) and face shield at all times;

1.3 Bring 70% ethyl alcohol for hand disinfection;

1.4 Wear latex gloves for exam personnel handling the test questionnaires.

2. Examinee shall submit the duly accomplished Informed Consent (Annex A) and Health Declaration (Annex B) forms with the Notice of Admission (NOA) and the negative RT-PCR test result/Quarantine Certificate to the proctor on the examination day.

Informed Consent, Health Declaration Forms, and Examination Health Surveillance Form (Annex C) can be downloaded on here:

3. Examinees and examination personnel shall bring their own meals (pre-packed meal/snack and drink) to be eaten during breaks, while being in their assigned seats.

Note: Face masks will only be removed when taking meals or drinks.

Windows will be opened to improve ventilation during breaks;

4. Examinees shall bring their own pens, pencils and erasers. Borrowing from seatmate is not allowed to prevent cross-contamination;

5. Talking and loitering are prohibited in the hallways or in the examination room.

For the complete details of the Memorandum Order, please click this link:

For further queries and concerns, you may email Licensure Division at licensure.division@prc.gov.ph and licensure.office@prc.gov.ph.