You’ve finally finished med school and completed your internship, so now you’re one step away from becoming a full-fledged doctor. The next and most important phase is the Physician’s Licensure Examination (PLE) administered by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).
To help you prepare (and avoid missing any important step), here’s a walk-through of the entire journey you’ll be taking to pursue your dream career.
PLE Overview
The Physician’s Licensure Examination (PLE) is the national board exam that medical graduates must pass in order to legally practice as licensed physicians. Administered twice a year by the PRC, the exam measures not just theoretical knowledge but also readiness for clinical decision-making and patient care. Passing the PLE grants you the MD title and allows you to begin residency training or clinical practice.
In other words, the PLE serves as a final checkpoint before you officially enter the medical profession. It ensures that every aspiring doctor not only understands the science behind medicine but can also apply it safely and responsibly in real-life situations. Because of this, the exam is comprehensive and carefully structured by covering everything from basic sciences to clinical subjects, and requires a balance of solid review, practical recall, and good test-taking strategies.
Below are the steps you want to take to get started with your journey in getting that MD title next to your name:
Step 1: Make Sure You’re Eligible
Before you get overwhelmed with review materials, the first thing you need to do is check if you’re officially qualified to take the exam.
✔ Did I finish my Doctor of Medicine degree in a CHED-recognized medical school?
✔ Did I complete a 12-month post-graduate internship in a PRC-accredited training hospital?
✔ Do I have a certificate of good moral character (usually issued by the dean)?
✔ For foreign citizens, do I have documentary evidence confirmed by the Department of Foreign Affairs?
If you answered YES to all, YOU ARE ELIGIBLE!
Only one exception: if you’ve already failed the PLE three times, you’ll need to enroll in a refresher course from a PRC/CHED-accredited institution before you can apply again.
Step 2: Gather All the Required Documents
Once eligibility is confirmed, it’s time to collect and organize your documents. Doing this early prevents last-minute scrambling during the application period.
- PSA-issued Birth Certificate
- PSA-issued Marriage Certificate (if you’re a married female)
- Transcript of Records marked “Doctor of Medicine – For Board Exam Purposes”
- Diploma / Certificate of Graduation
- Certificate of Internship Completion (must indicate PRC-accredited hospital)
- Certificate of Good Moral Character
- 4 pcs passport-size photos (white background, name tag)
- Valid ID (UMID, passport, or PhilID)
- ₱900 application fee (paid later during online registration)
- Refresher course certificate (only for 4th-timers and up)
Filipino Citizen Who Obtained Medical Degree from Foreign Medical School:
- PSA Birth Certificate
- PSA Marriage Contract (for married female applicants)
- Diploma of MD Degree or equivalent;
- Original or authenticated copy of the TOR or equivalent document of the course for the licensure examination issued by the institution of higher learning where the applicant graduated;
- Certificate of Equivalency issued by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) stating that the course taken by the applicant is equivalent to the Doctor of Medicine course offered in Philippine Schools of Medicine; and
- Certificate of Post Graduate Internship issued by a hospital accredited by the Association of Philippine Medical College (APMC) or Certificate of Equivalency issued by CHED.
- Examination Fee
- Certificate of Good Moral Character
Pro Tip: Photocopy everything — twice.
Step 3: How to Apply (Online Only – No Walk-In Filing)
Now that your documents are ready, the next step is submitting your application through the PRC’s online system. This is the only way to apply since walk-in filing is no longer accepted.
- Create/log in to your LERIS account
- Fill in your profile and upload your photo
- Go to Transaction → Examination
• Profession: Physician
• Exam Type: First-Timer / Repeater
• Exam Month (March or October) - Choose your preferred PRC Regional Office / Testing Center
- Pay the ₱900 exam fee (via GCash, PayMaya, Landbank, UCPB, etc.)
- Print the application form + payment confirmation
- Go to the PRC office on your chosen appointment date for document verification
- Your NOA (Notice of Admission) will be given immediately after verification (either printed on the spot or made available for download in your LERIS account)
Step 4: Know the Schedule and Test Locations
Knowing the schedule helps you time your review properly and secure a preferred testing center before slots run out.
- The PLE happens twice a year — March and October
- The application period normally opens 3 months before the exam and closes about 1 month before
- Testing centers: Manila, Cebu, Baguio, Davao, Iloilo, Lucena, and Zamboanga
- SPLE (Special Professional Licensure Exam) is sometimes offered for Filipino doctors abroad
For Filipino medical graduates currently based overseas, you don’t necessarily have to fly back home just to take the board exam. The PRC offers a Special Professional Licensure Examination (SPLE) in selected countries for Filipino professionals who are working or living abroad.
Over the past few years, the PLE has been administered through SPLE in the following locations:
| Middle East | Riyadh, Jeddah, Al-Khobar, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha (Qatar), Kuwait |
| Singapore | Singapore |
| Taiwan | Taipei |
Just keep in mind that SPLE schedules change depending on demand, and the Physician’s Licensure Examination isn’t offered every year in all of these places. It’s always best to keep an eye on official announcements from the PRC or the Philippine Embassy/Consulate in your location so you don’t miss when applications open.
Step 5: What’s Actually on the Exam?
Before diving into review materials, it helps to know exactly which subjects are covered and how the exam is structured.
The PLE is taken over 4 days and is divided into two main parts (12 subjects total):
Part I
- Anatomy
- Biochemistry
- Physiology
- Histology
- Microbiology & Parasitology
Part II
- Pharmacology
- Pathology
- Internal Medicine
- Pediatrics
- Surgery
- Obstetrics & Gynecology
- Public Health
To pass, you need a minimum of 75% total average
No rating below 50% in any subject
Recommended Review Materials
To make the most out of your review, it helps to use resources that are aligned with the actual exam coverage. Most takers combine standard textbooks with condensed review notes and question banks to reinforce their recall.
Here are some of the commonly used references:
- Bates’ Guide to Physical Examination and History Taking
- Kumar & Clark’s Clinical Medicine
- Wheater’s Functional Histology
- Robbins Basic Pathology
- Harper’s Illustrated Biochemistry
- Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology
- Boards and Beyond / UWorld (Q-banks) – for quick recall and simulated questions
- PRC/Board-style reviewer booklets – for practice on multiple-choice formats used in the PLE
A good strategy is to use your textbooks for clarification of concepts and the review booklets or question banks for retention and familiarity with how questions are structured in the actual exam.
Step 6: What to Bring on the Exam Days
To avoid last-minute stress, prepare all required items a day before the exam and double-check your NOA and ID.
Required:
- Notice of Admission (NOA)
- Valid ID
- Black ballpens (bring extras)
- Basic, non-scientific calculator
- Clear folder
- Alcohol/face mask (if required)
Not allowed:
- Phones, smart watches, written notes, and scientific calculators
It’s also a good idea to arrive at least one hour before the scheduled start time, especially on Day 1, to allot time for security checks and seating arrangements. Proctors usually brief all examinees about house rules before distribution of test booklets, and latecomers may not be allowed entry once the doors close.
To avoid distractions, avoid bringing valuables. Only clear bottled water and small packed meals are normally allowed during breaks, so keep them simple and easy to consume (sandwiches, crackers, water). Earplugs are also helpful if you’re easily distracted by noise outside the testing room.
After the Exam – What Happens Next?
Once you submit your last exam paper, the waiting game begins, but there are already a few things you can prepare for while the results are being processed.
Results
Usually released 3 to 5 working days after the last exam date and posted on the official PRC website and its official social media pages. Once released, the list of passers is published in PDF format and arranged alphabetically, so you’ll need to check your name manually. In most cases, PRC also posts the top performing schools and topnotchers in the same announcement.
If you want to check your exact rating, you can do so a few days after the results are posted by logging into your PRC LERIS account and navigating to the “Examination Results” section.
Next Step
If you pass, the first thing you need to do is log back in to your PRC-LERIS account and complete the Initial Registration. This step confirms that you’re accepting your license and allows you to select your preferred oath-taking schedule.
During the online registration, you’ll be asked to verify your personal information and upload the required documents, after which you’ll be prompted to book a slot for the formal Oath-Taking Ceremony, which is usually held either onsite (at PRC or a partner venue) or virtually, depending on their current guidelines.
Documents for Registration
| Oath Form (Panunumpa ng Propesyonal) | 1 |
| Passport-size photo | 2 pcs |
| Notice of Admission | Original copy |
| Documentary stamps | 2 |
| Short brown envelope | 1 |
What If You Don’t Pass?
Not passing on the first try doesn’t mean this dream isn’t for you. It simply means you’ll need a little more time and a more refined review strategy.
You Can Either:
- Retake the exam in the next cycle (March or October), or
- Enroll in a refresher course if this is already your fourth attempt
Tips for Retakers
- Review 3–4 months before the next cycle
- Focus on your weakest subjects first
- Take mock tests under timed conditions
- Use a structured review program
- Rest properly — it’s part of the preparation
What Happens After Oath-Taking?
Once you’ve signed the roster and received your PRC ID, you are officially listed as a Licensed Physician in the country. Your PRC ID is usually valid for three (3) years, after which it will need to be renewed through the PRC Renewal System. Renewal requires CPD (Continuing Professional Development) units, so it’s important to join medical conferences or accredited CPD programs within the validity period.
After the oath, you can already start practicing since most hospitals allow you to begin residency training or apply for reliever or substitute posts immediately after your PRC ID is issued.
To Wrap Up
Reaching this stage means you’ve already pushed through the hardest parts of becoming a doctor, the lectures, clinical rotations, late-night readings, and internship duties. The next step isn’t about learning everything from scratch, but it’s about organizing what you already know and preparing yourself in a way that’s consistent and sustainable.
Start with a simple plan and stick to daily review blocks that are realistic. Break the big subjects into smaller bite-sized topics and rotate them throughout the week to avoid burnout. Use practice questions to reinforce concepts and simulate exam conditions every few weeks so you become comfortable answering under pressure.
And as you move through your review, keep reminding yourself why you started. You’ve spent years working for this. All that’s left is one exam, and with proper preparation and the right mindset, you’re absolutely capable of passing it.