MANILA, Philippines – The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announces the postponement of several board exam this year due to the unpredictable circumstances and continued restrictions brought by the extended community quarantines.
PRC cited the decision is “to ensure the health and safety of all examinees and examination personnel” and with consultation with relevant stakeholders.
READ: PRC releases 2021 board exam schedule
On April 1, PRC postponed the conduct of April 2021 Pharmacy Licensure Examination (PhLE) in non-Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) areas.
On March 19, PRC announced the postponement of May 16, 17, and 23, 2021 Licensure Examination for Certified Public Accountants (CPA) due to prevailing health risks and continued restrictions brought by the extended community quarantines including the surge of new COVID variant cases, and to ensure the health and safety of all examinees and examination personnel.
The May 2 and 3, 2021 Civil Engineer (CE) board exam was also rescheduled to November 14 and 15, 2021.
On March 8, PRC announced the rescheduling of April 2021 Electronics Engineer (ECE) and Electronics Technician (ECT) board exams to October 24 and 25, 2021 and October 26, 2021, respectively.
On March 7, PRC announced the new schedule for the conduct of licensure examinations for dentists, dental hygienists and dental technologists (written and practical exams) according to PRC Resolution No. 1326 s. 2021.
Included as well in the postponed board exams were the April 20-21, 2021 Registered Electrical Engineers Licensure Examination (REELE) and April 22, 2021 Registered Master Electricians Licensure Examination (RMELE), which have been rescheduled to September 5-6, 2021 and September 7, 2021, respectively.
Also rescheduled to later date (November 7 and 8, 2021) was April 7 and 8, 2021 Midwives board exams.
PRC also postponed the conduct of March 2021 Licensure Exam for Teachers (LET). It has been rescheduled to September 26, 2021 pursuant to Resolution No. 1256, (s.2020), wherein the teacher board exam is classified as a large-scale licensure examination that should not be administered during this pandemic.
Here’s the updated list of postponed board exams and new schedule for 2021 (follow us on Facebook for more updates):
| Name of Examination | Original Schedule | New Schedule | Application Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architect | January 29 and 31, 2021 | June 25 and 27, 2021 | March 25 to May 25, 2021 |
| Physical Therapist | February 7-8, 2021 | June 5-6, 2021 | |
| Occupational Therapist | February 7-8, 2021 | June 5-6, 2021 | |
| Real Estate Consultant (Written) | February 14, 2021 | July 21, 2021 | April 21, 2021 to June 21, 2021 |
| Real Estate Consultant (Revalida) | February 15-19, 2021 | July 22-26, 2021 | |
| Master Plumber | February 20-21, 2021 | July 18-19, 2021 | |
| Psychologist | February 23-24, 2021 | August 1-2, 2021 | |
| Mechanical Engineer (ME) | February 27-28, 2021 | August 15-16, 2021 | |
| Certified Plant Mechanic (CPM) | February 27-28, 2021 | August 15-16, 2021 | |
| Professional Teachers (LET) | March 28, 2021 | September 26, 2021 | |
| Midwifery | April 7-8, 2021 | November 7-8, 2021 | |
| Radiologic Technologists (Radtech) and X-ray Technologists | April 11-12, 2021 | May 16-17, 2021 | |
| Electronics Engineer (ECE) | April 14-15, 2021 | October 24-25, 2021 | TBA |
| Electronics Engineer (ECT) | April 16, 2021 | October 26, 2021 | TBA |
| Real Estate Brokers | April 18, 2021 | July 21, 2021 | TBA |
| Registered Electrical Engineer | April 20-21, 2021 | September 5-6, 2021 | June 4, 2021 to August 4, 2021 |
| Registered Master Electrician | April 22, 2021 | September 7, 2021 | June 4, 2021 to August 6, 2021 |
| Pharmacy (postponed for non-MGCQ areas only) | April 25-26, 2021 | TBA | TBA |
| Civil Engineer | May 2-3, 2021 | November 14-15, 2021 | TBA |
| Dentist (Written Phase) | May 5-7, 2021 | November 28-30, 2021 | August 27, 2021 to October 28, 2021 |
| Chemical Engineer | May 11, 12, and 13, 2021 | October 3, 4, and 5, 2021 | |
| Certified Public Accountant | May 16, 17, and 23, 2021 | October 10, 11, and 12, 2021 | TBA |
| Dentist (Practical Phase) | May 25-28, 2021 | December 1-4 and 7-10, 2021 | August 27, 2021 to October 28, 2021 |
| Dental Hygienist (Written Phase) | May 19, 2021 | November 23, 2021 | August 23, 2021 to October 25, 2021 |
| Dental Hygienist (Practical Phase) | May 20, 2021 | November 24, 2021 | August 23, 2021 to October 25, 2021 |
| Interior Designer | June 29-30 and July 1, 2021 | 2022 | TBA |
| Chemical Engineer | October 2, 3, and 4, 2021 | October 3, 4, and 5, 2021 | |
| Certified Public Accountant | October 9, 10 & 16, 2021 | October 10, 11, & 12, 2021 | TBA |
| Electronics Engineer (ECE) | October 23-24, 2021 | October 24-25, 2021 | July 23, 2021 to September 23, 2021 |
| Electronics Engineer (ECT) | October 25, 2021 | October 26, 2021 | July 23, 2021 to September 23, 2021 |
| Dental Technologist (Written Phase) | December 8, 2021 | December 16, 2021 | September 16, 2021 to November 16, 2021 |
| Dental Technologist (Practical Phase) | December 9-10, 2021 | December 17-18, 2021 | September 16, 2021 to November 16, 2021 |
NOTE: This page will be updated as soon as more announcements from PRC come in.
Other board exams, including medical technologist (medtech), sanitary engineer, social worker, and veterinarian, were pushed through.
SEE ALSO: IATF OKs PRC board exams in May, June 2021
“The request of the Professional Regulation Commission to conduct and administer the licensure examinations for professionals scheduled for January to March 2021 was approved,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.
PRC Commissioner Yolanda Reyes said they sought guidance from the IATF especially for LET with more than 170,000 examinees expected to take in March 2021. PRC proposed to divide takers into three batches due to social distancing and other health protocols.
READ: IATF OKs LET, PLE other PRC board exams in January-March 2021
PRC in November last year released the schedule of board examinations for 2021 under PRC Resolution No. 1283 Series of 2020.
READ: PRC releases 2021 board exam schedule
Most of the PRC board exams in 2020 were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and in line with the mandate of the government to prohibit mass gatherings that may spread coronavirus infections.
In October, PRC said they are preparing for technology-based examination or online/computerized board exams.
“We might be able to start with the smaller boards, which will be more manageable,” PRC Chairman Teofilo Pilando Jr. said during the Senate hearing.
— The Summit Express