Physician licensure exam starts tomorrow

MANILA, Philippines — Starting tomorrow, the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) will conduct the second Physician Licensure Examination (PLE) for this year as part of the government’s efforts to address the shortage of doctors.

“We recognize the urgent need for physicians during these times of public health emergency. The November 2020 PLE will continue as scheduled,” the PRC announced yesterday.

The PLE will be held on Nov. 10, 11, 15 and 16.

The PRC said strict health and safety protocols would be enforced during the examinations.

Safety guidelines include physical distancing of two meters between the examinees, restriction to their assigned seats and wearing of face masks and shields.

The examinees are required to submit to the proctor health declaration forms along with the Notice of Admission and a quarantine certificate indicating they are negative for COVID-19 during the examination day.

Borrowing of pencils and erasers is prohibited.

Last September, the PRC conducted the first PLE for 2020 after suspending the examinations in March due to the pandemic.

A total of 800 out of 1,424 examinees passed the licensure exam for doctors.

The PRC conducts examination for medical graduates twice a year.