Lawmaker: Only 40% passed PRC licensure exams

MANILA, Philippines — An opposition lawmaker is calling for a review of the Professional Regulatory Commission’s policies on licensure and examination procedures after PRC data showed that only 40 percent of examinees passed during the past five years.

Rep. Paul Daza of Northern Samar underscored the need for a “revamp” of PRC’s policies and suggested “alternative licensure routes” after PRC data indicated that it only has a 40.81 percent “average passing rate” in 36 professions from 2017 to 2022.

“Many of our graduates are from poor and disadvantaged groups and it is truly disheartening that they could not pursue their much-sought profession because they could not pass the board exams,” he said.

The House deputy minority leader particularly lamented how board exams for certified public accountants, fishery technologists and agriculturists have “staggeringly low” 24.36 percent, 33.18 percent and 36.92 percent passing rates, respectively.

Daza clarified that students themselves are not to be blamed.

“This is not the fault of students. We’re blaming this on the Commission on Higher Education, PRC or maybe our society in general. These board exams are anti-student, anti-poor and arbitrary. We need to find solutions,” he said.

Daza said there is a need to consider implementing alternative “licensing routes” wherein a professional may acquire a license without taking the exams.

While the alternative route does not stop those who want, and have the privilege, to take licensure exams, it also provides accessibility to professionals who are hampered from taking exams due to personal, practical or economic reasons, Daza said.

One of the alternative licensure paths he suggested is through an apprenticeship program.

Aspiring professionals in a field may instead be allowed to practice their profession under a licensed professional for a significant period and then be qualified to be licensed pending performance requirements and related training certificates, Daza said.